Representing a conceptual model for integrating Project Management Information Systems in project-based organizations

Purpose: This paper aimed to introduce a comprehensive model for integrating project management information systems in project-based organizations. Research methodology: The proposed model is presented hierarchically through a comprehensive literature review and a review of several national projects in Iran. Validation of this model was done in two ways. On the one hand, expert opinions were asked about it through several interviews. On the other hand, the model was used in some national projects and its deficiencies were identified. Finally, the necessary modifications were made to the model. Results: In this study, it became clear that a comprehensive, integrated project management information system at its macro level should consist of three subsystems, including project warden, project administrator and project employer that mutual exchange of information should be done well between them. It was also found that this mutual information exchange should also exist among the components of each of these subsystems. Limitation: This research only described in project based organizations. Contribution: The Project Management Information System (PMIS) model provided in this research is the most comprehensive models in this scope for project-based organizations that have considered all aspects of project management. Keywords: Project management, PMIS, Project-based organizations, Integrated mode

Laboratory Investigation of Materials Type Effects on the Microsurfacing Mixture

Pavement preservation is a quintessential system of treating pavements at the optimum time to maximize their useful life. One of the preventive maintenance treatment options is using microsurfacing system as the acceptable and economical solution. This study presents a laboratory investigation of aggregate type and adhesive materials and their relationship to microsurfacing pavement properties such as cohesion, wet track abrasion loss, excess asphalt and compaction. The method of this study relies on ISSA A143, using the Cohesion 30 min and 60 min, Wet track abrasion loss, Loaded-wheel excess asphalt and finally Loaded-wheel compaction. The verification of this method was achieved through measuring the various factors of specimens constructed in laboratory using two different aggregate sources as river and mountain aggregates and two binders as CSS-1h and CQS-1h. The results showed that mixes contain riverine aggregates showed more cohesion properties. Base on wet track test results mixes, mixes containing riverine type aggregate were more resistant to abrasion. In addition CQS-1h emulsion showed better adhesiveness against abrasion in both types of aggregates in asphalt mixes. With increased amount of emulsions in mixes, load wheel values increased as well. Loaded wheel compaction test results confirmed that river based aggregates are more susceptible to rutting failure. The results of wheel tracking test illustrated that CSS-1h emulsion applied in mixes had better resistance to rutting

Developing an Efficiency Relationship for Tapered Pile Groups in Sand Using Analytical and 3D Numerical Analysis

University of Technology Sydney. Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology.This study aims to establish an equation for obtaining the optimum tapering angle of bored tapered piles correlated to the pile geometry and sand properties varying with the relative density. The optimum tapering angle corresponds to the maximum axial bearing capacity while keeping the volume of material in the tapered pile the same as the counterpart straight cylindrical pile. Firstly, analytical formulations are developed to estimate the axial bearing capacity of bored tapered piles embedded in sand. The finite element method is also adopted to conduct the numerical modelling and to calibrate the model parameters of the proposed analytical equations, considering the soil nonlinearities and interaction between the tapered pile and the surrounding soil subjected to axial loading. On the other hand, a new simple equation for the prediction of pile group efficiency considering the effect of tapering angle in cohesionless soil is developed. Finally, the behaviour of step-tapered piles is analysed numerically

Clean earth – clean sky: impact of locating bus stations on sustainable transportation sector in Malaysia

Our climate condition is changing and there is now scientific, social and political recognition that it is definitely a consequence of increasing anthropogenic greenhouse gas emission. Transport now allocates for about 20% of global anthropogenic carbon dioxide emission, and these amounts are progressing faster than for any other sector. However, access to sustainable transportation supports our current way of life; indeed, good mobility is a fundamental component of our desires. The transport sector in particular depends entirely on system implementation, fuel consumption and planning, which is divided to urban planning and urban design. Networking efficient and public transportation helps to control transport sector in terms of urban planning, on the other hand, urban design presents some guidelines, for instance, land use functions, green integrative space, urban furniture design, transit oriented and green design _non-polluter vehicles such as bicycle _ which have the potentials to provide benefits to the sustainable transportation. The global climate policy is going to supply clean and healthy air with less fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emission; in urban furniture design locating bus stations in cities is one of the particular subjects proves it, which makes possible for fossil carbon to remain in the soil, instead of ending up in the atmosphere by optimizing distances between stations linking two main places. The paper defines the sustainability on the basis of relevant subjects in the view of transportation; which are Greenhouses gas emission, Biodiversity, Environment, Prosperity and Social well-being. It intends to know how large could the locating bus stations play a role in sustainable transportation in Malaysia? Also, it aims to address this main question through critical review of the literature for exploring of key development strategies for suitable placement of bus stations in cities focusing particularly on transportation from public healthy and pollution aspects

Employing biomimicry in Urban metamorphosis seeking for sustainability: Case studies

Objective The current study has aimed to develop the framework of biomimicry involvement in urban metamorphosis for sustainability. This research has engaged four objectives to achieve the aim. Objective one is to explore the rudiment interaction between human and nature through interrogating history, nature's design. Objective two is to excavate the biomimicry in emulating nature's genius. Objective three is to investigate the association between biomimicry and sustainable development, focusing on architectural features. Objective four is to develop the framework based on the biomimicry rules for human evolution and survival in the natural environment. Methodology To achieve objective one, the grounded theory method was applied for scrutinizing human development and human awareness about their natural environment. To achieve objective two, an evidence study was conducted on the biomimicry emulation of nature's genius. To achieve objective three, a critical literature review was conducted using content analysis method to identify the biomimicry focus and architectural features. Through matrix development method, the focus and architectural features were tabulated. To achieve objective four, the waterfall framework design method and case studies were conducted to plot this framework. Conclusions This research gained a better understanding of biomimicry-based on theories of the evolution of organisms, including humans in the urban context, as measurement against sustainable benchmarks. It followed the paths of ecological researcher and urban philosophers, such as Freya Mathews and Moore, by re-versioned the human relationship with nature and the surrounding environment and observing human actions and development about life principles.In particular, the research found out that biomimicry is an approach that recently becomes the focus of many researchers of different disciplines seeking a solution for human problems. The biomimicry has been merged with sustainable architecture design through specific features; included, form and function, geometry, metaphor, movement, material, pattern, proportion, sustainability, and technology. Furthermore, biomimicry is an approach that involves nature as a model, mentor, and measure for inspiration, which converges law, principles, and strategies in the context of biomimicry-based on human evolution. Originality The findings allowed architects and urban designers to enhance people's awareness of their natural environment and provide a better perception of biomimicry in the application of human world, whether founded because of base instinct or a strategic view derived from the life's principles.The authors would like to thank the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation (MOSTI) for funding this research via the grant number PY/2015/04995.Scopu

Crosstalk between mast cells and adipocytes in physiologic and pathologic conditions

Excessive fatty acids and glucose uptake support the infiltration of adipose tissue (AT) by a variety of immune cells including neutrophils, pro-inflammatory M1 macrophages, and mast cells (MCs). These cells promote inflammation by releasing pro-inflammatory mediators. The involvement of MCs in AT biology is supported by their accumulation in the AT of obese individuals along with significantly higher serum levels of MC-derived tryptase. AT-resident MCs under the influence of locally derived adipokines such as leptin become activated and release pro-inflammatory cytokines including TNFα that worsens the inflammatory state. MCs support angiogenesis in AT by releasing chymase and inducing preadipocyte differentiation and also the proliferation of adipocytes through 15-deoxy-delta PGJ2/PPARγ interaction. Additionally, they contribute to the remodeling of the AT extracellular matrix (ECM) and play a role in the recruitment and activation of leukocytes. MC degranulation has been linked to brown adipocyte activation, and evidence indicates an important link between MCs and the appearance of BRITE/beige adipocytes in white AT. Cell crosstalk between MCs and AT-resident cells, mainly adipocytes and immune cells, shows that these cells play a critical role in the regulation of AT homeostasis and inflammation

Driving behaviour and sustainable mobility-policies and approaches revisited

Climate change is receiving increasing attention in recent years. The transportation sector contributes substantially to increased fuel consumption, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and poor air quality, which imposes a serious respiratory health hazard. Road transport has made a significant contribution to this effect. Consequently, many countries have attempted to mitigate climate change using various strategies. This study analysed and compared the number of policies and other approaches necessary to achieve reduced fuel consumption and carbon emission. Frequency aggregation indicates that the mitigation policies associated with driving behaviours adopted to curtail this consumption and decrease hazardous emissions, as well as a safety enhancement. Furthermore, car-sharing/carpooling was the least investigated approach to establish its influence on mitigation of climate change. Additionally, the influence of such driving behaviours as acceleration/deceleration and the compliance to speed limits on each approach was discussed. Other driving behaviours, such as gear shifting, compliance to traffic laws, choice of route, and idling and braking style, were also discussed. Likewise, the influence of aggression, anxiety, and motivation on driving behaviour of motorists was highlighted. The research determined that driving behaviours can lead to new adaptive driving behaviours and, thus, cause a significant decrease of vehicle fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. - 2018 by the authors.Scopu

Employing biomimicry in urban metamorphosis seeking for sustainability: case studies

Objective: The current study has aimed to develop the framework of biomimicry involvement in urban metamorphosis for sustainability. This research has engaged four objectives to achieve the aim. Objective one is to explore the rudiment interaction between human and nature through interrogating history, nature’s design. Objective two is to excavate the biomimicry in emulating nature’s genius. Objective three is to investigate the association between biomimicry and sustainable development, focusing on architectural features. Objective four is to develop the framework based on the biomimicry rules for human evolution and survival in the natural environment. Methodology: To achieve objective one, the grounded theory method was applied for scrutinizing human development and human awareness about their natural environment. To achieve objective two, an evidence study was conducted on the biomimicry emulation of nature’s genius. To achieve objective three, a critical literature review was conducted using content analysis method to identify the biomimicry focus and architectural features. Through matrix development method, the focus and architectural features were tabulated. To achieve objective four, the waterfall framework design method and case studies were conducted to plot this framework. Conclusions: This research gained a better understanding of biomimicry-based on theories of the evolution of organisms, including humans in the urban context, as measurement against sustainable benchmarks. It followed the paths of ecological researcher and urban philosophers, such as Freya Mathews and Moore, by re-versioned the human relationship with nature and the surrounding environment and observing human actions and development about life principles. In particular, the research found out that biomimicry is an approach that recently becomes the focus of many researchers of different disciplines seeking a solution for human problems.The biomimicry has been merged with sustainable architecture design through specific features; included, form and function, geometry, metaphor, movement, material, pattern, proportion, sustainability, and technology. Furthermore, biomimicry is an approach that involves nature as a model, mentor, and measure for inspiration, which converges law, principles, and strategies in the context of biomimicry-based on human evolution. Originality: The findings allowed architects and urban designers to enhance people’s awareness of their natural environment and provide a better perception of biomimicry in the application of human world, whether founded because of base instinct or a strategic view derived from the life’s principle

Numerical/Experimental Studies on Performance at Low Engine Speeds:A Case study Downsized Iranian National Engine (EF7)

Engine downsizing is a trusted method to reduce fuel consumption and pollution emitted from internal combustion engines. In this method, engine displacement volume is reduced while maintaining the same power/torque characteristics. However, there still exist several limitations to utilize this technology. In this paper, the naturally aspirated type of Iran national engine (EF7-NA) is investigated for a possible downsized version. A one-dimensional engine model equipped with a zero-dimensional two-zone combustion sub-model was developed and validated via experimental results for both natural aspirated and turbocharged engine types. Then experimental and numerical studies were carried out for the primary concept, deactivation of one cylinder besides using a turbocharger. To overcome the concept shortages, especially in lower ranges of engine speed, numerical studies were extended. Deployment of several turbochargers with different performance maps and different valve timing via a dual CVVT system were investigated. The results showed that there is a feasible method for EF7 engine downsizing via a 3-cylinder type equipped with a modified turbocharger and valve timing. The maximum difference between base-engine and downsized version torque is about 7% in low engine speeds