Development of a Database for Precast Works' Production Rates

The objective of the research is to develop a reliable production rates database for precast construction works. It is due to no formal database for the production rates of precast construction in Malaysia. This research is mainly a starting point towards developing a new database in construction industry. These projects will mainly focusing on three of the industrialized construction systems provided by CIDB that are precast concrete framing, panel and box system, precast steel framing system, precast block work system. The main method used within the project is the Survey Research Method where questionnaires and interviews are the tools used in order to obtain the full information needed various respondents. Questionnaires designed based on its suitability with the respondent general needs and preference. The study sample is chosen as such, as it is rather convenient in terms of distance for the author to conducts research within that particular area and it is two of the most developing state in Malaysia. The research implemented in the project shall be in the form of survey research method, which utilized questionnaire and interview methods. Questionnaire has been submitted to selected contractors and IBS manufacturer (by means of random sampling) located within Peninsular Malaysia and the responds received has been compiled and analyzed

Can Member Check Be Verified in Real Time? Introducing ARC (Asking, Record, Confirm) for Member Checking Validation Strategy in Qualitative Research

Member checking involves a process to allow the data to be validated to ensure the credibility of the sources. It is also used to confirm the accuracy of the data and normally returned to the participant after the event or the session. However, it is almost common to find that the data could be lost or misinterpreted after being transcribed and analyzed by the researcher. This paper argues that validation post analysis is time-consuming and involves data lost in the making. Therefore, in this paper, ARC technique (ask, record, confirm) was employed to assist data collection and validation in real-time for qualitative research. Feedback from respondents during the focus group session was reconfirmed on post-it notes and later pasted on A1 sized sheet paper as open coding. This paper presents the steps it took to formulate challenges and opportunities on Building workforce for the future in the Architecture profession to illustrate the nature of the ARC technique. The research demonstrates how the data later transferred to ATLAS.ti 8 for thematic analysis. In the nutshell, the issue on the traditional approach can be addressed through the ARC intervention. Prior work on member checking does not address the issue to be resolved in a real-time. ARC technique will benefit a qualitative researcher to obtain reliable results for their qualitative inquiry

Developing Green Lost Circulation Material (LCM) Derived from Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch (EFB)

This report concerns on investigation on lost circulation materials (LCM) derived from oil palm empty fruit bunch (EFB). This project mainly aims to study the effectiveness of using oil palm EFB as LCM additives to prevent the lost circulation problem. The paper discusses the literature review of the lost circulation problems, the lost circulation materials and the characterization of the parameters of drilling fluid. It also confers the methodologies for LCM to resolve severe lost circulation problems and designing the mud samples, the mud densities, the rheological tests and the filtration performance volume tests. Tests have been conducted in accordance with the API 13 B and the related equipments were mixer, mud balance, viscometer and low pressure low temperature (LPL T) filter press. Properties measured through this experiment are density, plastic viscosity, yield point, 10-second and 1 0-minute gel strength and filtration rate. Considering the fact that lost circulation is one of the most serious and expensive problems facing the drilling industry, lost circulation materials should be low-cost waste products, and in this case it is the oil palm EFB. Since the oil palm EFB is high in fiber, it has a very good potential to be a good fibrous LCM. Overall, addition of 5 lb/bbl of any of the LCM additives generally improved the filtration properties; however the extent of the improvement depended on the additive material and size distribution of the additive. Nevertheless, increasing the LCM additives concentration from 5 lb/bbl and 10 lb/bbl had adversely affected and increased the amount of total filtrate volume. The optimum concentration of LCM for minimum fluid loss was found to be at 8 lb/bbl

Intramuscular abscess causing radial nerve palsy

Radial nerve palsy is one of the commonest upper limb compressive neuropathies encountered in orthopaedic practice. More frequently associated with fractures of the humeri, it can also be the result of other atraumatic causes such as the so-called 'Saturday Night Palsy'. In this article, a case is presented where a palsy of the radial nerve was caused by the expansion of an intramuscular abscess in a patient with chronic renal failure. This is a relatively rare cause of radial nerve palsy that resolved progressively after surgical drainage

Pengaruh faktor sikap, latihan dan motivasi ke atas prestasi kerja kajian di Bahagian Penganjuran Pelajaran MARA

The purpose of study is to determine the relationship between job performance with independent variable consist to attitude, training and motivation factor. Besides that, the purpose of this study also to analyse the relationship between job performance provided by Education Sponsorship Division with this factors consist to attitude, training and motivation factor. In this research, the method used are questionnaire. The questionnaire are distributed randomly to 65 respondents. The researcher has referred to Goal-Setting Theory as a reference basis. Descriptive and inference analysis are used to analyse the research. The data is analyse through Window Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) Version 20. Besides that, an attitude, training and motivation were significant to job performance. The result obtained were important to showed the relationship between job performance with dependent variables consist to attitude, training and motivation. Finally, this study are important to create understanding and awareness among management level regarding to factors that influence to job performance. This study also can give input to BPP management level to planning and job performanc

Introducing studio oriented learning environment (SOLE) in UPM, Serdang: accessing student-centered learning (SCL) in the architectural studio

This article reports the initial results of the exploratory research related to student-centered learning (SCL) in final year Architecture studio education in Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM). SCL is defined as an approach to empower students in their own learning. Although studies on the adaptability of this concept in education has increased, there are few studies conducted for the benefits of architectural education from studio design perspective. In this article, we define SCL as an approach to increase student autonomy in learning curve especially in making decisions related to design subjects using a summative and formative approach. The objective of this article is to experiment the SOLE model and how it can move forward. The SOLE (Studio Oriented Learning Environment) model encompasses lecturing, sharing and peer review that is inspired by self-regulated theory. However, several problems and difficulties were identified namely, a lack of tutor input and problems in discussion dynamic in addition to resistance to peer assessment. This article suggests a number of improvements for future recommendations. The study will benefit educators in the architectural field in contributing to helping students to build on unique background knowledge and at the same time let the students generate learning opportunities and reconstruct knowledge dynamically in an open-ended learning environment to implement SCL in the studio module

Comparison of the use of the laryngeal tube (vbm) and laryngeal mask airway under anaesthesia during spontaneous ventilation

The purpose of this study is to assess whether the newly developed laryngeal tube {VBM) is a fast, reliable and easy device for airway management. We compared the use of the laryngeal tube (VBM) with the laryngeal mask airway in spontaneously ventilating adult patient undergoing general anesthesia and measured the easiness of insertion, incidence of airway trauma and sore throat and also the haemodynamic responses to insertion of these devices. A randomized single blinded prospective study was conducted involving a total of 121 premedicated, ASA 1 or 11 patients, aged 18 to 65 years and were divided into 2 groups either laryngeal tube {VBM) or laryngeal mask airway group as for airway man~gement during elective surgery. After a standardized induction of anaesthesia with fentanyl 1.5 ng.kg-1 and propofol 2 mg.kg-1, a size 3 or 4 laryngeal tube {VBM) or laryngeal mask airway was inserted and the patients breathed spontaneously throughout the surgery with no muscle relaxants given. Anaesthesia was maintained with nitrous oxide, oxygen and isoflurane. The airway device was removed at the end of surgery with the patients fully awake. The speed and ease of insertion and the number of attempts needed to successfully secure the airway were recorded. The incidence of airway trauma, sore throat and haemodynamic changes such as systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, mean arterial pressure and heart rate at different time intervals were recorded. Episodes of airway manipulations intraoperatively and end-tidal C02 at various time intervals were also recorded. We found that there was no statistically significant difference in time required for successful insertion and number of attempts for both groups. We were able to achieve a clear airway in 75.4% patients in L T group at the first attempt. There were no difference in incidence of airway trauma and sore throat between laryngeal tube and laryngeal mask airway. Both groups had no statistical differences in haemodynamic parameters during spontaneous ventilation under anaesthesia. Although, the incidence of airway manipulations and end - tidal C02 were higher with laryngeal tu~e (~BM) compared to the larynge~l mask airway but it is not likely to be clinically relevant 1n th1s study. We conclude that dunng spontaneous ventilation, the laryngeal tube (VBM) is a suitable alternative to the laryngeal mask airway

Bi-factor Multidimensional Item Response Theory Modeling for Subscores Estimation, Reliability, and Classification

In recent years, there has been increasing interest in estimating and improving subscore reliability. In this study, the multidimensional item response theory (MIRT) and the bi-factor model were combined to estimate subscores, to obtain subscores reliability, and subscores classification. Both the compensatory and partially compensatory MIRT models are defined with bi-factor structure. A Monte Carlo study with 1,500 examinees was carried out for each model to examine two different test lengths (30 and 60 items) and five levels of item discrimination between primary and specific abilities (.50, .75, 1.0, 1.25, 1.50). The Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) with the Gibbs sampling method was applied to simultaneously estimate the expected a posteriori (EAP) subscores for primary and specific ability dimensions. Results were evaluated in light of estimation accuracy and fit, subscore reliability based on the Bayesian marginal reliability, and subscore classification based on subscore separation index. Despite a very minimum computing intensity for the MCMC simulation, both bi-factor compensatory and bi-factor partially compensatory models produced higher subscores reliability resulted from lower bias and reduction in the error variance of EAP subscores in all ability dimensions. These improved subscores reliability that also arrived at a higher discrimination level and for a longer test. This study found the bi-factor compensatory model to show better potential in classifying the magnitude of distinction between specific abilities and primary ability. Whereas, the bi-factor partially compensatory minimized the classification of subscores between the specific and primary abilities

THE STUDY ON THE SOIL HEAT TRANSFER CHARACTERISTICS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A COST-SAVING UNDERGROUND AIR COOLING SYSTEM

The soil heat transfer characteristics are important aspect when dealing with construction in contact with the soil. For example, in order to build a good cool and comfortable home, we should build it floors, walls and ceiling using highest conductivity materials internally and highest insulation material externally. This can also be applied for buried ducting in various type of soils. Buy knowing the thermal effects of the buried pipe, we can predict the consequence of burying different materials of pipe underneath different materials of soil. In this study, the thermal characteristics of various soil types i.e. sand, peat soil, loam soil, powdery soil as external material, combined with the metals i.e Aluminium, stainless steel, carbon steel, copper for internal materials. The test rig is designed such a way that the cross combinations of the above materials can be carried out easily. There are 5 types of soil thermal characteristics were studied in this research, they are peat soil, fine and course sandy soil, loam soil and organic soil. As example the combination of copper pipe with the porous soil or the combination of the carbon steel pipe underneath the lateritic soil. The test results show that with the increase of soil thermal conductivity, the heat in the metal ducting can be drained out faster to the earth hence cooling down the temperature in the ducting. From the thermal conductivity test for six types of soil using proctor test is peat soil and organic soil: 0.4499 W / (m.K), second is stone yellow soil: 0.4424 W / (m.K), following the loam soil: 0.4275 W / (m.K), fine sandy soil: 0.37019 W / (m.K) and coarse sandy soil: 0.349 W / (m.K). The thermal conductivity experiment of six type of soil via laboratory experiment is peat soil: 0.4699 W/mK

Development of a disaster action plan for hospitals in Malaysia pertaining to critical engineering infrastructure risk analysis

Critical engineering infrastructure (CEI) risk analysis is one of the tools used to measure potential risks in order to develop a disaster action plan (DAP). For hospitals, electricity and water supplies are two of the critical engineering infrastructures and when affected can become threats themselves. The objectives of this study are: i) to identify and analyse threats to water and electricity supplies, the threats being of high tendency to be realised during floods and socio-technical disasters; and ii) to review existing disaster action plans and subsequently develop a comprehensive one for water and electricity supplies and to be referred together with existing hospital DAPs. The HIRARC (Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment and Risk Control) guidelines provided by DOSH (Department of Occupation Safety and Health, Malaysia) were employed in the risk analysis process. This process was conducted through questionnaire surveys at several hospitals around Kota Bharu, Kuala Krai, Kajang, Serdang and Klang which have been hit by floods before. The survey involved 400 hospital and their concession company employees through interviews, meetings and workshop sessions. The development of the action plan followed the UNISDR guidance note on Emergency and Disaster Preparedness for Health Facilities and fulfilled the four phases of disaster management; mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery. Results of the analysis revealed that threats faced by the hospitals fall into four major categories; (i) submergence (ii) technical failure (iii) unpreparedness and (iv) unexpected events. The study also revealed that while the threats faced by Kota Bharu and Kuala Krai hospitals were of high risk those faced by Kajang, Serdang and Klang hospitals were mostly medium or low. Therefore, it is concluded that a comprehensive DAP based on the set objectives of ensuring continuous water and electricity supply and the enhancement of coordination among state health departments, hospital managements, concession companies and utility providers must be developed