Parametric Modelling for Designing Offsite Construction

Increasing population and progressing economies around the world are generating huge demand for built assets. When this demand is dealt with conventional ‘sticks-and-bricks’ approach, it leads to usual delays, wastages, cost overruns, and quality issues, etc. Consequently, the traditional approach results in negative impacts on economic and social scenarios apart from being just unable to deliver required supply level of built assets. On the other hand, offsite construction techniques, when utilized appropriately, can significantly speed up the construction process and improve the quality of deliverables in addition to bringing in improved sustainability and better worker health and safety. But offsite practices are marred with a general perspective of its being cause of rigidity in the design processes and disproportional increment in coordination requirements. To address this perceived problem, the application of Building Information Modelling (BIM) has been conceptualized for the design of a prototype in this research. Simpler ways of modularization and effective optimization of design through parametric modelling has been developed. The methodology coming out of this design exercise, which is of reporting values of parametric variables real-time, is promising in the sense of ensuring the general and flexible usage of offsite practices. Further as experienced during the BIM modelling exercise for the prototype, the design iterations can be accomplished in a more informed manner and optimization run in an automated fashion by using the Application Programming Interface (API) of BIM authoring tool by taking advantage of already defined key parameters. This paper addresses these important issues at the conceptual level and determines a roadmap for further research

Biocompatible microcapsules

Biocompatible microcapsules useful for transplanting foreign material into an animal body, and the method of their production, are described, wherein the microcapsules contain an outermost layer of water soluble non-ionic polymers such as PEO to create resistance to cell adhesion on the surface of the microcapsules.Board of Regents, University of Texas Syste

Biocompatible microcapsules

Biocompatible microcapsules useful for transplanting foreign material into an animal body, and the method of their production, are described, wherein the microcapsules contain an outermost layer of water soluble non-ionic polymers such as PEO to create resistance to cell adhesion on the surface of the microcapsules.Board of Regents, University of Texas Syste

Area of linkage between lean construction and sustainability in indian construction industry

Purpose-The purpose of the research paper to study the area of linkage between lean construction (LC) and sustainability in Indian construction industry and rank the identified attributes on the basis of the responses given to their severity to construction projects in India. Design/methodology/approach-The research was conducted by a structured questionnaire that was sent to 180 professional working in Indian construction industry. This questionnaire requested the respondents to give a score to the 26 attributes identified that are 15 lean construction tools for enabling sustainability and 11 attributes as area of linkage between lean construction and sustainability in Indian construction industry through literature review. They were asked to rate the attributes on a Likert scale rating of 1 to 5. The data collect than analysed using relative importance index and reliability analysis. Findings-The research study identifies the top five Significant lean tools for enabling sustainability are: first run studies, six sigma, kanaban, last planner system and visualization tool having relative importance index (Rii) of 0.80, 0.781, 0.779, 0.77 and 0.75 respectively. Most significant area of linkage between sustainability and lean construction are: resource management, waste reduction, energy minimization, elimination of non-value added activities and health and safety improvement as the outcome benefits of linking lean construction and sustainability in Indian construction industry having a relative importance index of 0.83, 0.779, 0.776, 0.77 and 0.76 respectively. Research limitations-The research focused on the responses received through the questionnaire and the number of respondents is 180 with a response rate of 41%. A further more detailed research is required to know the broad effect of lean tools on sustainability in Indian construction industry. © IAEME Publication

Relationship between skill development and productivity in construction sector: A literature review

Purpose-Construction industry development council (CIDC) and national productivity Council (NPC) has emphasized the role of skill development and training as a means of improving productivity and profitability in Indian construction sector. The purpose of this paper is to assess the appropriateness of this policy within the context of the construction industry, through the recent published national and international literature review. Design/methodology/approach-A trend analysis of construction productivity (measured by Gross Value Added/worker) and skills indicators (qualification attainment and training) was conducted over the period 1999-2010. Findings-There is significant relationship between skill development and construction productivity and consistency in the industry's productivity performance and an overall increase in qualification attainment levels and participation rates in training over the same period. © IAEME Publication

Studies on the Antioxidant Properties of Various extracts of Hippophae rhamnoide

Sea Buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) a spiny shrub native to Ladakh Region of Jammu and Kashmir, have been found to posses so many medicinal properties from times immoral. From this point of view the antioxidant property of the plant fruit extracts have been analysed by DPPH method. Various plant extracts viz, fruit, leaf and root have been analysed for the antioxidant power determination in which fruit extracts showed highest free radical scavenging activity followed by leaf and root extracts. Among the solvents which have been used, more polar solvents showed highest antioxidant activity than the less polar solvent extracts. The IC50 value of various plant extracts as determined have been found to be 40 for DCM extract of fruit, 38 for Methanolic extract of fruit and 30 for the water extract of fruit. Similarly the leaf extracts posses IC50 value as 51, 47 and 37 respectively for DCM, Methanol and Water extracts. The IC50 values of various root extracts have been found to be 53, 50 and 48 respectively for DCM, Methanol and Water

Proteome profile and functional classification of proteins in Arabidopsis thaliana (Landsberg erecta) mature pollen

Proteome analysis of mature Arabidopsis thaliana (Landsberg erecta ecotype) pollen was conducted using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry. A total of 960 spots were resolved on pH 4–7 IPG strips and 110 distinct proteins were identified from 150 spots analyzed. The identified proteins were categorized based on their functional role in the pollen, which included proteins involved in energy regulation, defense-related mechanisms, calcium-binding and signaling, cytoskeletal formation, pollen allergens, glycine-rich proteins (GRPs), and late embryogenesis abundant (LEA) proteins. These proteins potentially play important roles in pollen function at maturity and during subsequent germination and tube growth. Some of the proteins identified were related to known pollen-specific transcripts, while some were similar to proteins found in the seed. In this study, 66 new proteins were identified which were not reported in two other recent studies on Arabidopsis pollen, 17 proteins were common in all three studies, and 35 or 26 proteins reported here had an overlap with one or the other two studies. These differences may be attributed to the methods of protein extraction, spot selection for analysis, and the ecotype used. Together, the three studies provide a broad spectrum of the Arabidopsis pollen proteome

Photopolymerizable biodegradable hydrogels as tissue contacting materials and controlled-release carriers

Hydrogels of polymerized and crosslinked macromers comprising hydrophilic oligomers having biodegradable monomeric or oligomeric extensions, which biodegradable extensions are terminated on free ends with end cap monomers or oligomers capable of polymerization and cross linking are described. The hydrophilic core itself may be degradable, thus combining the core and extension functions. Macromers are polymerized using free radical initiators under the influence of long wavelength ultraviolet light, visible light excitation or thermal energy. Biodegradation occurs at the linkages within the extension oligomers and results in fragments which are non-toxic and easily removed from the body. Preferred applications for the hydrogels include prevention of adhesion formation after surgical procedures, controlled release of drugs and other bioactive species, temporary protection or separation of tissue surfaces, adhering of sealing tissues together, and preventing the attachment of cells to tissue surfaces.Board of Regents, University of Texas Syste

Methods for modifying cell contact with a surface

Described herein is a multi-functional polymeric material for use in inhibiting adhesion and immune recognition between cells and cells, cells and tissues, and tissues and tissues. One component of the polymeric material adsorbs well to cells or tissue, and the other component of the polymeric material does not adsorb well to tissues. A water-soluble polymer that does not bear charge (polynonion) is used as the non-binding component, and a water soluble polymer that is positively charged at physiological pH (polycation) is used as the tissue binding component. When the bi-functional polymeric material contacts a tissue, the tissue-binding component binds and thus immobilizes the attached non-binding component, which will then extend generally away from the tissue surface and sterically block the attachment of other tissues. The method and compositions are useful in inhibiting formation of post-surgical adhesions, protecting damaged blood vessels from thrombosis and restenosis, and decreasing the extent of metastasis of attachment-dependent tumor cells.Board of Regents, University of Texas Syste

Biomarkers differentiate drug-induced liver injury from other liver injury: PONDER study

Background and Aim: Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) is a known complication of volatile anesthetic (VA) agents, and, despite being rare, DILI can be serious. One mechanism of VA-DILI occurs via interleukin 4 (IL-4)driven upregulation of cytochrome P450-2E1, leading to the formation of drug metabolites (haptens) that trigger IL-4-driven antigen-specific T cells and autoantibodies. Our group has developed biomarkers for liver injury and have examined this in patients before and after VA exposure. The aim of this prospective study was to determine the early markers of VA-DILI. Methods: We prospectively followed patients having a VA general anesthetic (sevoflurane and/or desflurane) and compared them with those who received regional or total intravenous anesthesia. Exclusion criteria were known liver disease or any episode of significant hypotension. Baseline data on patient demographics and comorbidities were collected, and blood was analyzed for liver biochemistry, macrophage activation markers (CD206, CD163), and IgG1 and IgG4 antibodies to JHDN5 (the CYP2E1 epitope) and trifluoroacetyl (TFA), the VA drug hapten. Follow-up blood samples were taken 48 h postoperatively and compared with baseline results. DILI was defined as an alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level greater than two times the upper limit of normal (ULN) and post-review agreement by an expert panel, taking into account the pattern of liver function test result derangement and intraoperative events. Results: Of 229 patients recruited, 16 developed an ALT level > 2 × ULN. Twelve were considered likely to have VA-DILI, including four with an ALT rise >3 × ULN. There was a trend to associate VA-DILI with obesity (RR, 2.98; P = 0.063); however, the association with dyslipidemia (RR, 1.47; P = 0.72), male sex (RR, 1.18; P = 0.76), history of atopy (RR, 1.16; P = 0.79), and heavy ethanol consumption (RR, 1.09; P = 0.89) was not statistically significant. Prior VA exposure was not a risk factor (RR, 0.89; P = 0.83). There was a rise in CD206 and decline in CD163 from baseline in all patients. However, in the patients with VA-DILI, the levels were significantly different from all other groups. TFA IgG1 and IgG4 antibodies were elevated in the VA-DILI group when compared with controls. Conclusion: Recognizing that our results may be skewed by our cohort, this work suggests the known immunological pathway mediated by IL-4 in response to an injury: rise in CD206 to stimulate an inflammatory response, and decrease in CD163 to modulate the response. The increase in TFA IgG1 and IgG4 antibodies in the VA-DILI group is consistent with metabolism and the heightened immune response in those who develop DILI. At this early juncture, JHDN5 IgG4 autoantibodies were not detected. Ongoing work is looking at other DILI, and how these markers can be used in DILI