Construction Skills Research Articles

A Preliminary Study on Tangshan Chinese Carpenters′ Migratory Routes in Taiwan During the Japanese Period (1910~1928): Using Xidi Carpenters from Quanzhou County as a Case Study

Based on census records during the Japanese period, oral interviews and literature reviews, the migratory routes of Quanzhou carpenters in Taiwan between 1910 and 1928 were traced. Population structure and networks, interactions between the related carpentry guilds and their job scopes were carefully analyzed. Results show that the carpentry skills inherited by the Quanzhou Xidi carpenters were actually the outcome of a gradual fusion between the essence of Ming dynasty development and the accumulation of temporal wisdom passed down from their patrilineal societies. Upon arrival in Taiwan, the migration trend of the Tangshan carpenters gradually evolved from single nodal concentration (staying within their own clans or villages) to inter-state (township and/or county-level) migration through inter-referrals. Eventually, patrilineal skill-imparting practices could no longer sustain the ever-changing socio-economic trend, and thus led to the collapse of the traditional system. In-land migration brought about geographical and subsequently, temporal transmission of carpentry skills, which led to the creation of locally distinctive styles. The initial intention of outsourcing overseas skilled carpentry teams had not only indirectly revealed the essence of ′foreign′ traditional carpentry in the local environment, but had also led to the unique fusion of ethnic, geographical and construction skill integration in Taiwan.

The clock-drawing test

The clock-drawing test is used for screening forcognitive impairment and dementia and as a measureof spatial dysfunction and neglect. It was originallyused to assess visuo-constructive abilities but we knowthat abnormal clock drawing occurs in other cognitiveimpairments. Doing the test requires verbal under-standing, memory and spatially coded knowledge inaddition to constructive skills [1]. Education, age andmood can influence the test results, with subjects oflow education, advanced age and depression perform-ing more poorly [2 - 4].

Neuropsychological profile of adult patients with nonsymptomatic occipital lobe epilepsies

To explore the neuropsychological and neurobehavioral profile in adult patients affected by nonsymptomatic (cryptogenic and idiopathic) occipital lobe epilepsy (OLE), with normal intelligence, we enrolled 20 adult patients with nonsymptomatic OLE and 20 age-, sex-, and education-matched healthy subjects. All participants underwent neuropsychiatric assessment scales, and standardized neuropsychological tests tapping memory, executive functions, constructional, visuospatial and visuoperceptual skills. After Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons, patients performed significantly worse than controls on several tests tapping complex visuospatial skills and frontal lobe functions. The analysis of single patients' performance revealed that a significantly higher number of OLE patients achieved age- and education-adjusted pathological scores on three tests (Benton Judgment of Line Orientation Test, Freehand Copying of Drawings Test, color-word interference task of Stroop test) with respect to controls. Patients did not differ from control subjects on neuropsychiatric aspects. The direct comparison between OLE subtypes showed that cryptogenetic OLE patients tended to achieve lower scores than idiopathic OLE patients on most tests, but no difference between the two groups was fully significant. In summary, patients with nonsymptomatic OLE can be affected by clinically relevant impairments in selected neuropsychological domains: complex visuospatial skills and executive functions. It could be speculated that frontal and visuospatial cognitive deficits might be the result of epileptic activity spreading within a neural network that includes structures far beyond the occipital lobe.

Inca Foundations, Site Preparation, and Drainage at Machu Picchu

The remarkable construction skills of the Inca are manifested in the superb site preparation, foundation design, and drainage of Machu Picchu. Decade-long field studies at the pre-Columbian archaeological site of Machu Picchu revealed that the Inca possessed the ability to prepare for structures that endure. This is evident in the vast amount of Inca construction that still exists for engineers to study and admire. Inca construction was sustainable because of their high standard of care, even in the absence of a written language, use of the wheel, or availability of iron or steel. This paper contains examples of good ancient site preparation, foundations, and drainage at Machu Picchu and details of a foundation failure and an ancient landslide. These examples serve to illustrate the site’s challenging conditions for construction and the remarkable skills of the Inca engineers in addressing these difficulties.

Can skill diversification improve welfare in rural areas? Evidence from Bhutan

Income growth in rural areas is a considerable challenge to further poverty reduction and economic development. Using a survey of rural Bhutanese households, we investigate the impacts of a vocational skills training programme that was intended to diversify incomes outside agriculture. We find that the programme had limited positive impacts along various economic and psychosocial dimensions, but that it diversified household incomes into the basic construction skill areas that it provided. Notably, the programme did raise incomes for trainees in non-competitive labour markets where trainees accounted for only a small percentage of the overall population. The results and findings from qualitative assessments suggest that: a greater emphasis on creating a mechanism to connect the training programme with income-generating opportunities via job placement services, entrepreneurship or mentoring services is needed – especially in competitive labour markets where there are too many trainees in relation to the population; refining the curriculum and extending the training time to allow trainees to develop their skills may be important; and encouraging greater equality in the skill development process may require providing more female-friendly training that has flexibility in training time and venues and focuses on other skill areas.

The Regional Expression in Utilization of Material Construction: The Landscape Sketch Practice of the Modern Bamboo Structures in Meixi Lake Project

Based on the practice of the landscape sketch bamboo buildings of Meixi Lake in Changsha, this thesis, from the perspective of material construction, aims to perceive the region and bamboo structure, to concern the bamboo frame form and space construction, to try to integrate bamboo structure with other materials and to explore the formation of bamboo-framed building and the related regional expression. Excavating bamboo value, improving bamboo performance and developing bamboo structural building can satisfy requirements as the main part of construction and expression in architecture and promote the using level of GluBam. Technological innovation such as suitable construction skills and reasonable structural system can promote the effective utilizing bamboo and development of modern bamboo structure. It is a alternative green building system for sustainable development.

Developing an Interactive Web-Based Learning Program on Skin Cancer: the Learning Experiences of Clinical Educators

Web-based learning in medical education is rapidly growing. However, there are few firsthand accounts on the rationale for and development of web-based learning programs. We present the experience of clinical educators who developed an interactive online skin cancer detection and management course in a time-efficient and cost-efficient manner without any prior skills in computer programming or technical construction of web-based learning programs. We review the current state of web-based learning including its general advantages and disadvantages as well as its specific utility in dermatology. We then detail our experience in developing an interactive online skin cancer curriculum for primary care clinicians. Finally, we describe the main challenges faced and lessons learned during the process. This report may serve medical educators who possess minimal computer programming and web design skills but want to employ the many strengths of web-based learning without the huge costs associated with hiring a professional development team.

A Sampling of Community-Based Housing Efforts at Pine Ridge Indian Reservation

Pine Ridge Indian Reservation is in need of several thousand houses to alleviate overcrowding and improve living conditions. The United States government has failed to provide appropriate or sufficient housing and other individuals and organizations that have attempted to build homes for the Lakota have met with widely varying results. This paper documents community-based housing activities of fifteen Pine Ridge residents who attempted to implement a variety of construction techniques. The biggest challenges were obtaining and paying for resources and finding competent, reliable labor. The interviewees used local and salvaged materials extensively and worked within the local, informal economy to meet these challenges and address their dissatisfaction with government cluster housing. Findings suggest that local, community-based construction may provide a successful and culturally sustainable strategy for residential construction because it equips builders with a means to earn a living, develops construction skills, establishes a sense of ownership, and provides appropriate housing that enriches lives and builds pride.

Interpersonal problem solving skills training's effect on the adolescents' living in orpanhages constructive problem-solving and the level of trait anger

The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of the interpersonal problem solving skills training on the adolescents' living in the orphanages constructive problem-solving skills and the level of trait anger. Pre-test post test control group experimental research design was used, there were 8 subjects in the experiment group and 15 subjects in the control group. For the collection of data Interpersonal Problem Solving Inventory and Trait Anger Scale was used. To decide differencies between group on scores Mann Whitney U test were conducted. The data of the research have shown that interpersonal problem solving skills training has the effect on the increase of the level of the experiment group adolescents' constructive problem solving skills and a significant reduce in the level of trait anger.

조경공사 표준품셈 공종 개정에 관한 연구

조경공사 표준품셈은 표준적이고 보편적인 공종과 공법들로 구성되어 있다. 그러나 최근 조경분야는 건설기술의 발전과 공사품질의 고급화가 요구되고 있는 실정이다. 그러나 현행 조경공사 표준품셈으로는 이러한 변화에 대응하기에는 한계가 있다. 이에 본 연구는 조경공사 표준품셈의 발전방안을 제시하는 것이 중요하다고 판단하여 우선 개정들이 필요한 품셈 공종을 파악하였다. 개정이 필요한 공종을 파악하기 위하여 문헌고찰과 예비설문조사를 통하여 설문 항목을 선정하였으며, 선정된 항목들은 조경 분야 전문가 60명으로부터 응답을 받아 통계처리 하였다. 연구의 결과는 다음과 같다. 첫째, 조경공사 표준품셈에 대한 활용도는 식재공종의 품셈이 가장 높았다. 둘째, 신규로 추가될 필요가 있는 공종으로는 정지공사, 조경 구조물공사, 포장공사, 수경시설공사, 옥외 시설물공사들로 파악되었다. 셋째, 조경공사 품셈공종 분야에서는 설문응답자들의 66.7%가 개정이 필요하다고 응답하였고, 개정이 필요한 품셈 공종으로는 식재 공종에서는 대형수목, 조형수목, 수목가식, 수목하자 등으로 파악되었다. 굴취공종에서는 대형수목, 조형수목 등으로 파악되었다. 유지관리공종에서는 전정폐기물 처리 품셈, 정원석 쌓기 및 놓기 공종에서는 돌틈 식재 품셈, 떼붙임 및 초류파종 공종에서는 현실적인 잔디규격의 품셈을 필요로 한다고 응답하였다. 연구의 결과들을 바탕으로 조경공사 표준품셈의 발전방안을 제시하면, 조경 식물의 규격과 조경공사 품질에 대한 공종별 세부 품셈과 조경공사 품질에 영향을 미치는 품셈분야의 개정이 필요하다. The standard unit manpower and material in landscape architectural construction was consist of a standard and universal work classification. However, these constructional methods have created a number of problems in utilizing and responding on a variety of recently-developed working methods such as new constructional skills and technologies. This research decided that presenting the amendments of work classification of a standard unit manpower and material in landscape architectural construction was very important, and investigated those work classifications which required these new amendments. First of all, assessment items were selected through the literature reviews and a preliminary survey. Then, these assessment items were surveyed to the total of 60 professional landscape architecture field. The results of this study were as follows; First, the utilization level of the a standard unit manpower and material in landscape architectural construction was highest in the area of work classification of planting unit manpower and material. Second, the work classifications that needed to be added were recognized as leveling the ground construction, landscape structure construction, paving construction, water facilities construction, and outdoor facilities construction. Third, in the field of the a standard unit manpower and material in landscape architectural construction, 66.7% of the respondents replied that some amendments were necessary, and those amendments needed work classifications were identified as work classification of planting unit manpower and material was gigantic plant, topiary tree, temporary planting, exchange dead tree, etc. In the area of digging out was gigantic plant and plastic tree were recognized. The survey respondents also answered that, in keeping and management work classifications some amendments in pruning waste were necessary, and in the fields of rubble masonry work classifications some improvements were required in rubble aperture planting unit manpower and material and sodding and herbaceous sowing was a realistic lawn size unit manpower and material was needed. Based on the results explained above, this study suggests that amendments for a standard unit manpower and material in landscape architectural construction are necessary, especially in the areas of planting size and quality of work classifications unit manpower and material and in the unit manpower and material that affects the quality of lands caping constructions.

Transactional analysis: A method of analysing communication

Midwives are required to develop effective and constructive communication skills for use within the workplace. When a student is on placement, the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) essential skills clusters for care, compassion and communication are the first skills students are required to demonstrate to their mentor. Communication is an idiom that both students and staff sometimes find difficult to assimilate, with communication problems identified in vague terms. Accordingly, methods of clearly defining and assessing attainment are commonly requested of midwifery lecturers. To facilitate students, midwives, managers and lecturers with an instrument to assess good communication, the technique of transactional analysis (TA) is proposed.

Unravelling the complexity of collective mental models: A method for developing and analysing scenarios in multi-organisational contexts

In multi-organisational contexts, scenario building has been used to engage stakeholders in a critical discussion on issues of mutual importance, and to gain their support with regards to possible future responses. A review of existing literature suggests that much has been written regarding the process of scenario development and the benefits of the process, but the detailed analysis of scenario building outcomes, which encompass a large number of issues and their complex interconnections, has not been made explicit for studying and enhancing understanding of a complex societal problem. This paper presents a systematic method for analysing such complex outcomes in order to facilitate reflective thinking on important issues within the wider context for policy development. The method was employed in a series of participative scenario development workshops, which yielded several causal maps around the theme of construction industry skills. A collective map merging the individual subject-specific causal maps was created to help provide a more holistic overview of the pertinent issues surrounding the construction skills debate. The analysis of this collective map promotes a better understanding of the issue in the wider context, the consequence of possible future events and actions, and of the pre-requisition required for certain events/desired outcomes to take place. The main benefit that could be derived from the method is the opportunity to help facilitate and encourage debate and discussion amongst key stakeholders regarding scenario theme, in this case skills improvement within construction. Due to its flexibility and adaptability, the method could potentially be applied to other areas requiring longer range planning and which contain multiple stakeholder perspectives.

Theory Construction and Model-Building Skills: A Practical Guide for Social Scientists - by James Jaccard and Jacob Jacoby

Theory Construction and Model-Building Skills: Practical Guide for Social Scientists. James Jaccard and Jacob Jacoby. New York: Guilford Press. 2010. 391 pp. ISBN: 606233399. $35.00 paper. ISBN: 806233405. $55.00 cloth. Family studies programs often offer a family theory course at the graduate level and sometimes at the undergraduate level. Depending on the type of academic unit in which family studies is located, there may be additional theory courses on topics such as human development or sociological theory. Graduate students in family studies also have several methodology courses that cover statistical analysis and qualitative analysis. What is missing is the link between each of the theory courses, each of the methods courses, and, most important, between the methods courses and the theory courses. James Jaccard and Jacob Jacoby provide the missing link. Theory Construction and Model-Building Skills: Practical Guide for the Social Scientists will be as useful in traditional family studies programs as it will be in psychology, sociology, and health science programs. There are many books on theory construction, but generally the other books do not explicitly link a broad range of research methods, applications, and theory. The subtitle of the book, A Practical Guide, is important. The book lacks the rigor of a philosophy-of-science text and cannot offer the theoretical depth of monographs on specific frameworks. It is a great place, however, to start learning about a wide range of concepts and about how to relate them to training in quantitative or qualitative methods and training in theory courses. Each chapter includes a list of key terms, exercises to reinforce the terms, and exercises to apply the key concepts. The chapter on grounded and emergent theory lists 68 key terms, has 21 exercises to help students think through the meaning of those terms, and features 3 detailed exercises in which the key concepts can be applied. Similarly rich opportunities to apply the ideas follow each chapter. Family studies graduate students often take a series of statistics courses in which they learn an array of procedures but fail to learn why those procedures are useful. Students learn how to estimate a structural equation model but not how to relate that either inductively or deductively to theory. Typical methodology courses use key concepts in statistics such as mediation, moderation, multilevel analysis, or personcentered research with little understanding of what those have to do with family theory. This is especially true when graduate students complete their statistical training through courses in other disciplines in which the examples may not be especially helpful. When family studies graduate students take their family theory course, the course is often quite abstract, and they develop theories without the needed linkage to the appropriate qualitative or quantitative methods. …

Paradigm Shift of Green Buildings in the Construction Industry

The green building movement continues to change the construction industry to not only mitigate environmental problems and challenges associated with construction activities, but also to optimize potential economic and social benefits of incorporating green building strategies and technologies in the built environment. This paradigm change in the construction industry is helping the industry to gain experience with this new way of building and changing its expectations for new hires from construction programs in the United States. To gauge this change, this study investigated the status, perceptions, and future directions associated with the green building movement in construction-related companies in the United States. In addition, the study also identified industry expectations of new hires in terms of green construction knowledge and skills, and the expectations and perceptions about the future of the industry with regard to the green building movement. A survey research method was used to capture current experience levels and capabilities of companies with regard to green construction. Expectations and perceptions about the future of the construction industry with regard to green building were obtained from construction-related companies recruiting from the Myers-Lawson School of Construction at Virginia Tech from 2006 and 2008. The findings of this study support the growing importance of green building as a component of the whole construction market and provide a benchmark against which to measure future changes in the industry over time.

Clinical profiles of late‐onset semantic dementia, compared with early‐onset semantic dementia and late‐onset Alzheimer's disease

Semantic dementia (SD) has been recognized as a representative of dementia with presenile onset; however, recent epidemiological studies have shown that SD also occurs in the elderly. There have been few studies about the differences of clinical profiles between early-onset SD (EO-SD) and late-onset SD (LO-SD). Age-associated changes in the brain might cause some additional cognitive and behavioural profiles of LO-SD in contrast to the typical EO-SD cases. The aim of the present study was to clarify the characteristics of neuropsychological, and behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) profiles of LO-SD patients observed in screening tests in comparison with EO-SD patients and late-onset Alzheimer's disease (LO-AD) patients as controls. Study participants were LO-SD (n = 10), EO-SD (n = 15) and LO-AD (n = 47). We examined the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), the Raven's Coloured Progressive Matrices (RCPM), the Short-Memory Questionnaire (SMQ), the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) and the Stereotypy Rating Inventory (SRI). Both SD groups scored significantly lower than the LO-AD patients in 'naming' of the MMSE. In the 'construction' score of the MMSE and the RCPM score, however, the LO-SD patients as well as the LO-AD patients were significantly lower than the EO-SD patients. In the SMQ score, 'euphoria' and 'disinhibition' scores of the NPI, the SRI total and subscale scores, both SD groups were significantly higher, whereas in the 'delusion' score of the NPI, both SD groups were significantly lower than the LO-AD patients. Visuospatial and constructive skills of LO-SD patients might be mildly deteriorated compared with EO-SD patients, whereas other cognitive and behavioural profiles of LO-SD are similar to EO-SD. Age-associated changes in the brain should be considered when we diagnose SD in elderly patients.

An evaluation of construction skills in Tanzania

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present the findings of a study related to availability of construction skills in Tanzania.Design/methodology/approachA questionnaire survey and interview were designed to assess the availability of construction skills at management/supervisory and operative levels in Tanzania. At both levels skills were carefully selected for the respondents to rank and open‐ended questions were designed to investigate how employers obtain employees and test their competences.FindingsFindings from the study indicate that at both management/supervisory and operative levels some skills are available on special arrangements. Furthermore, 60 per cent of employers neither enquire about the training background nor test the competence of skilled workers before engaging them.Research limitations/implicationsThis study was mainly affected by low response to e‐mailed questionnaires.Practical implicationsThe findings of this study provide an insight on the skills status in Tanzania and the study also proposes a skills screening process for employers.Originality/valueThis paper proposes a screening and grouping of operatives process for use by employers in testing and improving competences of prospective employees and to establish their training background.

Theory Construction and Model-Building Skills: A Practical Guide for Social Scientists

Theory Construction and Model-Building Skills: A Practical Guide for Social Scientists

Engineering-Based Decisions in Construction

This paper uses four case studies to emphasize the fact that field engineering decisions cannot be made without a full understanding of all the technical problems involved. Two of the studies are taken from conventional design-bid-build projects and two are taken from design-build projects in which the ability to strongly influence design in the interest of construction efficiency places a new and increased emphasis on construction and field engineering skills. The cases also show that field engineering decisions frequently address new and unexpected realities, changed conditions, and transient loads, and thus they require high levels of understanding, technical analysis, and creative thought. We emphasize the need for universities and construction engineering programs to develop graduates who are capable of integrating design and construction considerations throughout the project delivery process. We also urge programs to continue to focus strongly on field engineering as the foundation for success in an increasingly complex and technically driven construction industry.

Strategies to Support High-Growth Enterprises in Haiti

Laine’s narrative of the moments following the earthquake of January 12, 2010, will be a poignant reminder of the shock and the sense of uselessness we all felt as we watched the CNN reports live from Port-au-Prince. I was still watching in Dublin in the early hours of January 13, as we attempted to make contact with our colleagues and Haitian friends. AIDG’s response to that emergency was mirrored by other similar organizations, as they cleverly applied their capabilities to suddenly revised priorities and did their best to respond to the new, more urgent, and more extreme needs of the people they served. By applying its skills and connections, AIDG found a way to participate in the immediate emergency response in a highly effective manner. Its support of Shelter2Home illustrates how a business development organization can use its expertise to help provide a response to a real and dire social need. Nature has set some high barriers to the development of Haiti with the risk of hurricanes, tsunamis, and earthquakes, but it is the man-made barriers highlighted in this case that deserve the most attention. While Haiti could be better prepared for and respond more effectively to the inevitable natural disasters, the Haitian leadership, supported by the international community, can and must take steps to remove many of the man-made barriers. One crucial short-term need identified by AIDG is for skilled masons and builders. The devastation in Port-au-Prince was a direct result of low building standards and workers’ poor construction skills. As highlighted in this case, there is a real need to produce more skilled workers as the rebuilding process commences. Building back better will demand stronger construction skills and higher building standards. The case also highlights the gap in support for small and mid-size enterprises (SMEs), a vital sector of Haiti’s future economic success. Many of the current

Debris-flow impact, vulnerability, and response

This paper calls attention to vulnerable groups that are disproportionately affected by smaller, less-publicized debris flow events and do not always receive the advantages of recent technical advances. The most vulnerable groups tend to be economically restricted to live in relatively inexpensive and more dangerous locations, are often forced to live in topographically cramped areas due to expansion and development, and have limited influence and power needed to bring about mitigative efforts. Technical issues have long been the focus for debris-flow hazard reduction, but the collective judgment of many of those working toward natural hazards reduction, especially in developing countries, is that socio-cultural issues are at least as important as technical choices on the effectiveness of hazard and risk-reduction efforts. This awareness may result in (1) selecting simple designs that use local materials, local construction techniques and skills, and that recognize limited financial means; (2) selecting mitigative methods that require minimal maintenance, can withstand exposure to vandalism and scavenging, and will minimize misappropriation of resources; and (3) capitalizing on local techniques of dealing with other hazards, such as flooding, earthquakes, and landslides. Because of the difficulty in predicting and controlling debris flows, it is useful if mitigative systems can employ multiple elements to enhance the chance of success. These can include: education of the local populace, avoidance and warning to the degree possible, and some combination of channelization and interception of debris. For watersheds disturbed by fire, logging, mining, or construction, hillside treatment can be added to the mitigative methods to reduce water flow and sediment transport. Examples provided in this paper show that these mitigative systems can be tailored to fit widely varying socio-cultural settings, with different geological characteristics and different debris flow–triggering events.