Linear scheduling and procurement tools to manage geotechnical risk in design-build construction projects

By integrating Linear Scheduling Method (LSM) concepts with risk modeling methods and using state-of-the practice contractual risk management, a framework is proposed to manage geotechnical uncertainty in construction projects. LSM provides an effective tool for graphically depicting a design-build (DB) project’s schedule in terms of both estimated and actual production rates in relation to physical locations on the project. When the LSM tool is combined with risk analysis calculations and geotechnical site information, it provides a vehicle for effectively allocating geotechnical risk, and when used forensically, furnishes a means to visually quantify delays during dispute resolution. The use of alternative methods for quantifying and managing geotechnical risks is explored by incorporating the LSM format and DB procurement along with the implementation of contractual risk management tools, providing a framework for managing the uncertainty of underground conditions in a way that increases the effectiveness of communication and analysis. A forensic approach is also proposed using the LSM format to visualize actual production data drawn from daily work reports in a single chart to accurately depict the events that occurred during construction, thus demonstrating the potential of the LSM format as a communication tool to draw conclusions from information that otherwise would not be apparent using the Critical Path Method (CPM). Additionally, a risk management and planning approach is also explored with the use of LSM combined with stochastic simulations to represent the estimated impact of geotechnical risks and integrating it with the geological interpretation of the site. By integrating LSM, stochastic simulations for schedule risks, and state-of-the-practice contracting methods, the study contributes to the body of knowledge by providing an innovative approach to increase the effectiveness for managing the geotechnical risk in DB projects

Heating without heat: thermodynamics of passive energy filters between finite systems

Passive filters allowing the exchange of particles in a narrow band of energy are currently used in micro-refrigerators and energy transducers. In this letter, we analyze their thermal properties using linear irreversible thermodynamics and kinetic theory, and discuss a striking phenomenon: the possibility of increasing or decreasing simultaneously the temperatures of two systems without any supply of energy. This occurs when the filter induces a flow of particles whose energy is between the average energies of the two systems. Here we show that this selective transfer of particles does not need the action of any sort of Maxwell demon and can be carried out by passive filters without compromising the second law of thermodynamics. The phenomenon allows us to design cycles between two reservoirs at temperatures $T_1<T_2$ that are able to reach temperatures below $T_1$ or above $T_2$.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figure

Perceptions of Effectiveness of Interpretation Services in the Washington County Court System.

In the United States, court interpretation services are as old as the country’s history. The cultural and rich ethnic diversity of the U.S. has continued to provide a need for interpretation services. However, it was not until 1978 under the Federal Court Interpreters Act that the federal government would institute a framework for the federal courts to follow (Public Law 95-539, 1978). State courts were left to establish their own methodologies for addressing the way in which court interpreters are used. As the U.S. continues to become more linguistically diverse, such services need to be made easily accessible whenever necessary. In the court of law, one of the most critical elements is communication. The interaction taking place amongst the attorneys, defendants, plaintiffs, judges, and so forth must be effectively communicated in order to ensure that no person’s rights are infringed upon. Without this vital element, plaintiffs and defendants cannot be equally protected and justice cannot be served. There are measures taken to ensure that those who are not proficient in the English language have the opportunity to be represented, but the fact that they need somebody else to be their voice in the courtroom poses various issues that will be addressed in this research. The following research presents the results of a case study of the Washington County Court System (hereafter referred to as WCCS) in East Tennessee. The purpose of the case study is to explore how court interpretation services are being addressed in this area. Study participants were asked about the relationship between Limited English Proficiency (LEP) Spanish speaking individuals and the courts, and their answers consistently suggested that the WCCS is going beyond the expectations set forth by the Administrative Office of the Courts of Tennessee

Macroeconomics-for-Growth in Emerging Economies

In this article we analyze, first, why funds continued to flow towards emerging economies while fundamentals in host countries had been deteriorating before the Asian crisis (a rising external deficit, with a significant liquid component; appreciating exchange rates; low capital formation, particularly in Latin America), and why funding remains dry for long since 1998; the role of the nature of the predominant agents and of a process of flows rather than one shot building of stock of foreign capital are stressed. Then, the analysis focuses on the interrelations of capital flows and fiscal, monetary and exchange-rate policies. Finally, some policy implications are presented for boom-and-bust stages of cycles led by capital flows

Delayed administration of VEGF rescues spinal motor neurons from death with a short effective time frame in excitotoxic experimental models in vivo

VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) prevents neuronal death in different models of ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), but few studies have addressed the efficacy of VEGF to protect motor neurons after the onset of symptoms, a critical point when considering VEGF as a potential therapeutic target for ALS. We studied the capability of VEGF to protect motor neurons after an excitotoxic challenge in two models of spinal neurodegeneration in rats induced by AMPA (α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionic acid) administered either chronically with osmotic minipumps or acutely by microdialysis. VEGF was administered through osmotic minipumps in the chronic model or injected intracerebroventricularly in the acute model, and its effects were assessed by immunohistochemical and histological analyses and motor performance tests. In the chronic model, VEGF stopped the progression of the paralysis and protected motor neurons when administered after AMPA before the onset of the motor symptoms, whereas no protection was observed when administered after the onset. VEGF was also protective in the acute model, but with a short time window, since the protection was effective when administered 1 h but not 2 h after AMPA. Our results indicate that while VEGF has an indubitable neuroprotective effect, its therapeutic potential for halting or delaying the progression of motor neuron loss in ALS would likely have a short effective time frame

7-(tert-Butyl­diphenyl­sil­yloxy)-2,2-dimethyl-1-benzofuran-3(2H)-one

The title compound, C26H28O3Si, is an allylic oxidation product of the tert-but­yl(2,2-dimethyl-2,3-dihydro­benzo­furan-7-yl­oxy)diphenyl­silane with N-bromo­succinimide and 2,2′-azobis-isobutyronitrile. The nine-atom bicyclic system is almost planar, with an r.m.s deviation of 0.0123 (2) Å and a maximum deviation of 0.031 (2) Å for the O atom. In the crystal, the mol­ecules pile up along the b axis but the strongest inter­molecular contacts are the π–π stacking inter­actions between the benzene rings along the c axis [centroid–centroid distance = 3.655 (3) Å]

Comportamiento de cementos ecuatorianos con humo de sílice y aditivo súper plastificante

It is clear that civil engineering’s studies have contributed to the world over the last decade. However, even if this subject’s theories and applications for the discipline develop, it is certainly not enough since science now a days demands accuracy for new technologies and materials. Through the search of these technologies, they try to solve the current construction issues by creating new materials like silica fume, and the admixtures for concrete. These materials mix themselves with the objective of improving the physical properties of concrete, since it provides better levels of resistance and other mechanical properties. In Ecuador, the three bigger cement companies: Holcim, Selvalegre y Guapán, have been developing on the field. Each of the enterprises has expanded their technology based on different international standards, with the objective of improving the quality and yield of the cement. However, it is necessary to know which are the differences that each of the cements and their components. On the other hand it is important to highlight the analysis of how the components, like super plasticizer admixture reacts within themselves to produce high strength concrete. This study aims to clarify and establish these differences to proportionate to constructors a better criterion to decide which product to select in between the three companies.La ingeniería civil en el Ecuador ha crecido enormemente en la última década. A pesar de este crecimiento, la vorágine del mundo actual es mucho más exigente en cuanto al desarrollo de nuevas tecnologías y materiales. A través de esta búsqueda de nuevas tecnologías que puedan solventar los nuevos problemas de construcción que se presentan, se han desarrollado nuevos materiales como el humo de sílice y los aditivos para hormigón. Estos materiales se adicionan con el objetivo de mejorar las propiedades físicas del hormigón, proporcionando mayores niveles de resistencia y otras propiedades mecánicas. En Ecuador se han desarrollado principalmente tres grandes compañías productoras de cemento: Holcim, Selvalegre y Guapán. Cada una de estas compañías ha desarrollado sus productos en base a distintos estándares internacionales, con el objetivo de mejorar el rendimiento del cemento ecuatoriano. Sin embargo, es necesario conocer cuáles son las diferencias que tienen estos cementos entre sus componentes, y como éstos reaccionan al momento de adicionar materiales como el humo de sílice y el aditivo súper plastificante para producir hormigón de alta resistencia. Este estudio busca aclarar y establecer estas diferencias, para proporcionar a los constructores un criterio más adecuado al momento de seleccionar un producto de entre estas tres compañías