King Fahd University Of Petroleum And Minerals Research Articles

Prompt gamma ray analysis of Portland cement sample using keV neutrons with a Maxwellian energy spectrum—a Monte Carlo study

Monte Carlo calculations have been carried out to determine the prompt gamma ray yield from a Portland cement sample using keV neutrons from a 3H(p,n) reaction with a Maxwellian energy distribution with kT=52 keV. This work is a part of wider Monte Carlo studies being conducted at the King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM) in search of a more efficient neutron source for its D(d,n) reaction based (2.8 MeV neutrons) Prompt Gamma Ray Neutron Activation Analysis (PGNAA) facility. In this study a 3H(p,n) reaction based prompt gamma ray PGNAA setup was simulated. For comparison purposes, the diameter of a cylindrical external moderator of the 3H(p,n) reaction based PGNAA setup was assumed to be similar to the one used in the KFUPM PGNAA setup. The results of this study revealed that the optimum geometry of the 3H(p,n) reaction based setup is different from that of the KFUPM PGNAA facility. The performance of the 3H(p,n) reaction based setup is also better than that of the 2.8 MeV neutrons based KFUPM facility and its prompt gamma ray yield is about 60–70% higher than that from the 2.8 MeV neutrons based facility. This study has provided a theoretical base for experimental test of a 3H(p,n) reaction based setup.

HOW STUDENTS PERCEIVE GROUP PROBLEM SOLVING: THE CASE OF A NON-SPECIALIST CHEMISTRY CLASS

In this work, the authors present students’ impressions of a series of open-ended group problem solving exercises that were used with students during an undergraduate chemistry course at King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM). This was the students’ first experience of this approach to problem solving activities. The preliminary results are very promising and call for changes in the way chemistry is taught at KFUPM. [Chem. Educ. Res. Pract.: 2003, 4, 387-395]

Fast and thermal neutron intensity measurements at the KFUPM PGNAA setup

Fast and thermal neutron intensity distributions have been measured at an accelerator based prompt gamma ray neutron activation analysis (PGNAA) setup. The setup is built at the 350 keV accelerator laboratory of King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM). The setup is mainly designed to carry out PGNAA elemental analysis via thermal neutron capture. In this study relative intensity of fast and thermal neutrons was measured as a function of the PGNAA moderator assembly parameters using nuclear track detectors (NTDs). The relative intensity of the neutrons was measured inside the sample region as a function of front moderator thickness as well as sample length. Measurements were carried out at the KFUPM 350 keV accelerator using 2.8 MeV pulsed neutron beam from D(d,n) reaction. The pulsed deuteron beam with 5 ns pulse width and 30 kHz frequency was used to produce neutrons. Experimental results were compared with results of Monte Carlo design calculations of the PGNAA setup. A good agreement has been found between the experimental results and the calculations.

Introduction

The Organising Committees of the workshop on Unity of Knowledge: Integrating the Muslim World Through Trade and Development sincerely thanks the sponsors of this workshop, the King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM) in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada Grant received by Professor Masudul Alam Choudhury at the University College of Cape Breton, Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada, for jointly launching this eminent scholarly event at KFUPM. This event is being organised by the Department of Finance and Economics at the College of Industrial Management in KFUPM.

Attack on plain and blended cements exposed to aggressive sulfate environments

The recent modifications in the cement manufacturing technology and the extensive use of mineral admixtures have introduced changes in the chemical and mineralogical composition of the present-day cements. These changes may significantly affect the durability of concrete, particularly the sulfate attack. Due to these modifications, the need for understanding the mechanisms of sulfate attack through laboratory and field exposure studies becomes all the more important. This paper reviews the studies conducted at King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM) to assess sulfate attack on plain and blended cements exposed to aggressive environments in the laboratory and the field. Based on this review, the mechanisms of sulfate attack are discussed. The effect of cation type associated with the sulfate anions on concrete deterioration due to sulfate attack and the role of chloride ions on sulfate attack in plain and blended cements are also elucidated.

Assessment of the summer program at King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM) in Saudi Arabia: directions for development

This study reports the findings of a survey of the perceptions of faculty and students regarding the effectiveness of the summer program at KFUPM. In this study the objective was to identify the concerns of faculty and students about the summer program and suggest possible policies for development. Information was collected using a questionnaire. Students were given 200 questionnaires to fill out and 160 were completed and returned (80% response rate). Faculty on the other hand, were given 70 questionnaires to fill out and 35 were completed and returned (50% response rate). From the study, it was concluded that the summer program should not offer courses that require a long time to develop skills. It should only be conducted as a supplementary semester to help those, unable to complete their course work successfully during the regular semesters, or improve their skill, which indirectly affect the overall completion of their degrees. The study revealed that there were some concerns about the summer program that need to be addressed by the university administration. It also highlighted the need for the introduction of relevant policy measures for the efficient operation and development of the summer program at the university.

Developing electronic resources at the KFUPM library

This paper presents an overview of the development of electronic resources at the King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM) Library. It will highlight KFUPM Library experiences in developing these electronic resources, which were essentially provided as an alternative/supplement to the print and microform collection, in order to satisfy the information needs with greater speed, accuracy and efficiency. The paper will also highlight the use of the KFUPM Library Web site and Internet to enhance the library collection, expand services, and improve operations to provide access to a growing array of internal and external electronic resources. Finally, the authors wish to share their experiences particularly with the library professionals of the Arabian Gulf region.

A forecasting methodology for academic manpower requirements in a small sized technical university

The operation of any organization depends on the supply of its manpower, and forecasting manpower needs is an essential part of the future strategic planning. Higher education in no exception, and academic manpower requirements constitute a crucial sector of the human resources development in the country. Subsequently, a simple, reliable yet rigorous method for forecasting such academic, manpower requirements becomes a major element in any strategic planning effort. In this paper, the Stepwise Regression Analysis technique is suggested as a reasonable and reliable forecasting method for a small sized technical university. King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM) is used as an example for the application of the technique. The correlation established using the PC based Statgraphics software, was significant enough to justify confidence in the use of that technique. This method provides an attractive option for planners to develop reasonable forecasts for the decision makers. 1999 International Association of Universities. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Quantitative assessment of indoor air pollutants in workplaces

This article presents the results of quantitative assessment of indoor air pollutants (IAP) in the workplaces of King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM), Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. Twenty two workplaces were scheduled for four quantitative IAP measurement sessions, i.e., summer day, summer night, winter day, and winter night. The concentrations of five indoor air contaminants, i.e. formaldehyde (HCHO), carbon dioxide (CO ), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO ), and total hydrocarbons, in 2 2 addition to air temperature and relative humidity were measured and reported during each session. This was accomplished using the Bruel and Kjaer Multi-gas Monitor Type 1302. Quantitative analysis of the results show that 65% of the highest concentrations recording of all contaminants had developed during the summer day measurement in the respective locations. On the other hand, over 80% of the lowest concentrations reported for each location were detected during the winter night sessions. Day concentrations were always higher than night concentrations. Locations with higher contaminants' concentrations and causes were identified.

A new graduate course on optical computing

A new optical computing course offered at the graduate level is described. The term "optical computing" used here refers to the design of digital computer system modules and interconnections using optical/optoelectronic technologies. The course has been offered in the College of Computer Science and Engineering (CCSE), by both the computer engineering (COE) and the information and computer science (ICS) departments while the author was at King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM). In essence, the course was intended for a wide audience. Students from other disciplines, such as electrical engineering (EE) and systems engineering (SE), can register for the course as an elective. The course main topics are: motivation and background for optical computing; subsystems for optical computing that discusses the different types of optical interconnection networks, optical memory, optical arithmetic/matrix computations and related algorithms; and architectural models of computations where optical LANs/MANs, optical dataflow computers, optical cellular automata, and optical neural networks are discussed.

Temperature variation of flexible and rigid pavements in Eastern Saudi Arabia

Temperature is one of the most important factors affecting the design and performance of both rigid and flexible pavements. This importance calls for special attention and interest in research to develop procedures for design and analysis that account for temperature considerations. Two field experiments were carried out for the monitoring of temperature variations of asphalt concrete and Portland cement concrete pavements at King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM) in Dhahran, Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. A temperature data base was developed and used to generate regression models for predicting temperatures in flexible pavements, and temperature differentials in rigid pavements, from measured air temperatures. These models are essential for pavement design and analysis.

Electronic Information Services and Bibliographic Retrieval Education Programs at King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals Library in Saudi Arabia

The article reviews various definitions of information literacy and discusses a study conducted at the King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM) Library to reassess the need for information literacy, to identify factors which influenced non-attendance, to evaluate the impact of the program, and comments and suggestions used. The major findings include: there is a dire need for information literacy; participants found the programs useful; and one-on-one method coupled with seminars were more effective and more preferred by the participants. The article also advances a set of recommendations for improving bibliographic retrieval education programs at the KFUPM Library and other libraries in Saudi Arabia and other countries.

Developing a CD-ROM service in Saudi Arabia: some lessons for developing countries

Discusses the first-hand experience of the King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM) Library in Saudi Arabia in setting up and developing a public access CD-ROM service. The article firstly gives brief background information on the University and the Library. This is followed by a discussion of the rationale for embrac ing CD-ROM. Then, the KFUPM Library CD-ROM system components are considered under hardware, software, databases and local area network. The other aspects of the CD-ROM service discussed include: organisation and staffing, including CD-ROM search policy; publicity and end-user education; impact on services and resources, and the future direction. Finally, drawing on the KFUPM Library experience, the article advances suggestions on developing a CD-ROM service in developing countries.

A new graduate course on neural networks

A new neural network course at the graduate level is described. The course is offered at the computer engineering department but is intended for a wider audience. It is currently taken as a technical elective by master's students at King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM). The course's main topics are: foundations of neural computation; architectures of neural networks; learning; dynamics; feedback models; VLSI implementations; parallel processing; and fault-tolerance. The course is not a survey of neural network models, learning algorithms, etc. It is instead an in-depth presentation of neural computing principles with illustrations from few but diverse models.< <ETX xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">&gt;</ETX>

Library abuse in academic institutions: A comparative study

The abuse of library materials defined in terms of theft, mutilation, unauthorized borrowing and vandalism was investigated in University of Port Harcourt (Uniport) in Nigeria and King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM) in Saudi Arabia. The study sought to find out the ways the collections of the two institutions were abused by various classes of readers and for various reasons. By interviewing librarians, and analysis of collection use records, it was revealed that students, as well as faculty, staff and external readers indulged in abuse of library materials, motivated by situational, conceptual, attitudinal and other factors. It was observed, however, that Uniport had more problems with the misuse of library materials than KFUPM. Recommendations relating to library building design, tightening of security, generous and flexible loans policies, etc., were made for improved collection protection. Besides, public relations campaign and multilateral co-operation on book theft detection would help to discourage in particular the uninitiated or new converts from any acts of library abuse.

Library Abuse in Academic Institutions

AbstractThe abuse of library materials defined in terms of theft, mutilation, unauthorized borrowing and vandalism was investigated in University of Port Harcourt (Uniport) in Nigeria and King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM) in Saudi Arabia. The study sought to find out the ways the collections of the two institutions were abused by various classes of readers and for various reasons. By interviewing librarians, and analysis of collection use records, it was revealed that students, as well as faculty, staff and external readers indulged in abuse of library materials, motivated by situational, conceptual, attitudinal and other factors. It was observed, however, that Uniport had more problems with the misuse of library materials than KFUPM. Recommendations relating to library building design, tightening of security, generous and flexible loans policies, etc., were made for improved collection protection. Besides, public relations campaign and multilateral co-operation on book theft detectio...

Grade-point-average-based Scheme for Tracking Academic Students' Performance at King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals

Abstract A presentation of a grade-point-average-based scheme for tracking academic performance of students at King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM) is given. The application of such a scheme to students at KFUPM with promotional grade point averages (1.000-1.600) from the Preparatory Year Programme to college is presented. The case-study included tracking the academic performance of 916 students admitted to KFUPM between 1984 and 1989.

A Study of the Majors Selection Process at KFUPM

SUMMARY The King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM) requires that all the incoming high school graduates undergo a 1-year orientation programme prior to their enrolment in the various university degree programmes. Towards the end of this orientation year, all students must select a major of their choice. This selection process is influenced by several interactive factors among which are personal preferences, market influence on the supply and demand of young graduates, etc. It has been noted, for the past few years, that significant changes were taking place in the pattern of the majors selection process. It is the objective of this study to recognise the current pattern of the students' majors selection process, along with the relevant factors affecting this process. The study is based on a carefully formulated questionnaire that has been widely distributed among the orientation students. The generated data from this questionnaire forms the basis for the conclusions and recommendation of t...