Data on mixing and curing methods effects on the compressive strength of concrete

Curing, though important is sometimes underrated in concrete production. This dataset provided shows the effects of four (4) different methods of curing on two distinct mix ratios. The data provided in this article are for a study that was conducted on one hundred and sixty (160) cube samples of mix ratios 1:2:4 and 1:1.5:3 while employing four (4) different methods of curing. The data given in the article displays the finding of the study. The findings can aid in prediction and optimization of concrete behavior and compressive strength when any of the curing methods are utilized

THE ECONOMICS OF CLOUD-BASED COMPUTING TECHNOLOGIES IN CONSTRUCTION PROJECT DELIVERY

The construction industry is a very traditional sector, albeit one that is embracing new technology faster now than at any time in its past. The purpose of the research is to assess the economics of cloud-based computing technologies in construction project delivery. The study made use of a cross-sectional survey through a questionnaire instrument distributed to construction stakeholders. The surveyed sample size represent a 58% response rate. Statistical tools of Stacked Bars and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) were used to present the result. The study identified the cloud-based services mostly used by construction stakeholders. The study revealed that economic benefits such as knowledge sharing, remote access of back-office activities and collaboration among construction stakeholders are evident while utilizing cloud-based computing technologies. Although, there are many benefits to the use of this technology, the study identified fear of security and data privacy, poor/slow connection to the internet, lack of physical control and costly data subscription as major threats to the efficient and effective use of cloud-based computing technologies in the construction delivery process

An Empirical Investigation on the Benefits and Leakages in the Use of Web-Based Technologies in the Construction Industry

The internet and the World Wide Web (WWW) has the capacity to link the construction industry and its stakeholders to the desired smart and seamless future, although there are several leakages that have engendered the slow and low adoption in the construction process. Therefore, the study examined the benefits and leakages in the use of web-based technologies in the construction industry. The research selected registered construction professionals through a simple random sampling method from Lagos and Abuja (FCT). A total of 1,160 construction professionals participated in the study. A structured questionnaire was used as the principal instrument for obtaining primary data in form of responses from the construction professionals. Using a system block diagram, the study designed a web-based system using MySQL connected to the HTML web-interface through a PHP script processing the data back and forth. The study revealed that the use of web-based technologies in the construction industry can be engender efficient recording benefits, optimized production benefits and effective information processing. However, there are leakages such as usage risk leakages, culture leakages and tools leakages that may hinder the integration of web-based technologies in the construction processes. The study developed a framework for a web-based material planning and control system that can be used in the building materials’ planning and control processes that ensures that building materials information are archived, stock levels are identified and material delay is minimized. The study recommended the use of web-based technologies in several of the construction processes by harnessing its benefits. Efforts should be made to increase ICT training and education amongst construction professionals to intensify the proficiency of stakeholders in the use of web-based technologies in the construction industr

Expert System-Based Predictive Cost Model for Building Works: Neural Network Approach

Project managers need accurate estimate of building projects to be able to choose appropriate alternatives for their constructions. Estimated costs of building projects, which hitherto have been based on regression models, are usually left with gaps for high margin of errors and as well, they lack the capacity to accommodate certain intervening variables as construction works progress. Data of past construction projects of the past 2 years were adjusted and used for the study. This model is developed and tested as a predictive cost model for building projects based on Multilayer Perceptron Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) with Levenberg Marqua. This model is capable of helping professionals save time, make more realistic decisions, and help avoid underestimating and overestimating of project costs. The model is a step ahead of Regression models

Anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of extract of Anchomanes difformis in rats

Anchomanes difformis is a tropical plant that has been used in folklore to treat diverse complications. The leaf extract of A. difformis was investigated for possible anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects in albino wistar rats. In these independent studies, two sets of twenty five rats were divided into five groups of five rats per group. Formalin induced pain in rats was used to investigate the anti-nociceptive effect of the extract. The extract was administered orally in the treated groups at doses 200, 400, 800 and 1600 mg/kg with aspirin serving as the positive drug control while the normal control group was not given any extract but water. Studies were also carried out on the egg albumin induced antiinflammatory activity in rats by inducing oedema on the left hind paw. The result showed a significant inhibition (p<0.05) on the later phase (800mg/kg) of formalin pain induction in rats; similarly, a significant (p<0.05) anti-inflammatory activity was observed at 60, 90 and 120 minutes. The study thus validates the ethnomedicinal usage of A. difformis in the treatment of pain and inflammation

NuRD-dependent DNA methylation prevents ES cells from accessing a trophectoderm fate

Embryonic Stem (ES) cells are able to give rise to the three germ layers of the embryo but are prevented from contributing to the trophoblast. The molecular nature of this barrier between embryonic and trophectodermal cell fates is not clear, but is known to involve DNA methylation. Here we demonstrate that the Nucleosome Remodeling and Deacetylation (NuRD) co-repressor complex maintains the developmental barrier between embryonic and trophectodermal cell fates by maintaining transcriptional silencing of trophectoderm determinant genes in ES cells. We further show that NuRD activity facilitates DNA methylation of several of its target promoters, where it acts non-redundantly with DNA methylation to enforce transcriptional silencing. NuRD-deficient ES cells fail to completely silence expression of the trophectoderm determinant genes Elf5 and Eomes, but this alone is not sufficient to induce transdifferentiation towards the trophectoderm fate. Rather this leaves ES cells capable of activating expression of trophectoderm-specific genes in response to appropriate extracellular signals, enabling them to commit to a trophectodermal cell fate. Our findings clarify the molecular nature of the developmental barrier between the embryonic and trophoblast cell fates, and establish a role for NuRD activity in specifying sites for de novo DNA methylation. (C) 2012. Published by The Company of Biologists Ltd. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial Share Alike License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0)

Environment-Friendly Material Planning and Control System for Managing Construction Materials

There are many material planning and control systems in use in the construction industry but general focus has not been on the reduction of construction waste which adversely affects the environment. Creating an environment friendly system should be able to make adequate use of the internet. The pwpose of this study is to develop an environment-friendly material planning and control system for managing construction materials. The study used case diagrams and a MVC Model in designing the web-based platform for planning and control of construction materials. The study revealed that using a web-based system assessed via. the internet can help store building materials data thereby reducing the manual/paper-based system of planning and controlling construction materials. The system been environmentally-friendly helps to reduce waste during construction by ensuring the right calculation of quantities needed and delivery at the right time. In conclusion, the web-based system reduces the need for stockpiling which would have Ullllecessarily put pressure on the depletion of natural resources. The study recommended the high use of the internet to achieve an environment-friendly system in managing the crucial nature of construction materials and processes in the construction industry

Econometric Entropy - Neural Network-Based Model for Project Cost Adjudication System in Residential Building Project Procurement

The main aim of this research work is to develop a Neural network –Econometric –Entropy-Based Project Adjudication Model for Residential Building Project Procurement. An econometric model which incorporates exigency escalator and inflation buffer was generated in this study, this is accompanied with risk entropy matrix that could aid determination of the extent of risk implication on the project elements at tendering and construction stages of building projects. The model incorporates residential building elemental dichotomies within the context of early and late constructible elements with speculated prediction period, taken into consideration the present value of cost. This attributes would enable a builder or contactor load cost implication of an unseen circumstance even on occasion of deferred cost reimbursemen

Partial purification and some properties of \u3b1-glucosidase from Trichoderma longibrachiatum

The use of hydrolase enzyme plays an important role in the industrial production of \u3b1-D-glucose from carbohydrate sources. This study investigated partial purification and characterization of \u3b1-glucosidase from Trichoderma longibrachiatum with a view to enhancing its potentials in biotechnological processes. Strains of Trichoderma longibrachiatum were cultured on rice bran medium at 30\ub0C for 96 hour for the production of a\uafglucosidase. The enzyme was partially purified by eluting the ammonium sulphate (70%) saturation precipitated sample on Sephadex G-75 and Sephadex G-25. Enzyme assay was carried out using p-nitrophenyl-\u3b1-D-glucopyranoside (PNP- \u3b1-G) as the substrate and protein concentration was determined. Kinetic parameters, molecular weight, pH effect, temperature and thermostability were also determined. The activity of enzyme in the presence of arylglucosides and different cations were monitored. The partially purified protein migrated as a single band in 10% SDS-Polyacrylamide gel-electrophoresis. The enzyme presented a relative molecular weight of about 58KDa as estimated by PAGE. The extracellular \u3b1-glucosidase showed typical \u3b1-glucosidase activity, hydrolyzing p-nitrophenyl-\u3b1-D-glucopyranoside and exhibited optimum catalytic activity (4.89\ub5mol/ml/min) at 40\ub0C and pH 4.5. The enzyme was stable at 40\ub0C for 150 minutes. Carboxymethylcellulose was also hydrolyzed by this enzyme. The Km and Vmax with p-nitrophenyl- \u3b1 -D-glucopyranoside were 33.33mM and 20.00 \ub5mol/min/mg protein respectively. This study therefore revealed the presence of \u3b1-glucosidase in Trichoderma longibrachiatum which could serve as alternative species for the production of \u3b1-glucosidase enzyme

Depreciation in Plant and Machinery Valuation in Nigeria:A Pedagogic Framework

The uncordinated approach by estate surveyors and valuers' in handling depreciation during plant and machinery valuation which amongst others resulted to disparate values via the rule of the thumb method is a point of concern. At this time when the Financial Reporting Council Act of 2011 is enacted it reinforced the need for scientific approach to depreciation. The age-life methods of valuation and the unit of production approach together with the provision for obsolescence were discussed with an entreaty for usage of declining balance technique as it tends to capture characteristics of plant and machinery. However in case of undue uncertainties particularly as regards usefulife of machines amongst others, probability factors should be factored in by usage of Monte Carlo simulation principles. The authors opined that the undue competition amongst cognate professionals would be eradicated when estate surveyors and valuers start approaching their statutory preserve with precision and in a more professional manner. This can invariably be achieved when a unified approach of cost/summation method of handling plant/machinery is adopted coupled with the apposite depreciation technique advocate