New Way For Construction Research Articles

Understanding the Effect of Movement Control Order during Covid-19 Pandemic on Contractors

Series of Movement Control Order (MCO), also known as - Perintah Kawalan Pergerakan (PKP) were issued by Malaysian government with the intention of flattening the spread of Coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic. The series of MCO, though successfully flattened the curve of Covid-19 spread in the country, has affected all areas of life, including the construction industry. This paper aims to investigate the impacts as well as collisions of Covid-19 Pandemic and the handling of MCO effects from contractors’ perspectives. Representative from 2 major contractors association were interviewed. The method adopted was joint In-depth interview or paired interview and was conducted online. Data collected was coded and thematic analysis ensued. The findings exposed those various impacts were inflicted on the contractors namely financial, time and human resource because of Covid-19 and MCO. Several proposals namely introduce stimulus package and lunch new projects to get the economy running, legalize illegal foreign workers as immediate and short- term solution, and emphasizing new ways of construction, particularly by adopting the Industrialized Building System (IBS) and automated or digital construction were raised, to cushion the impact and sustain the industry in the long haul.

Means of IoT and Fuzzy Cognitive Maps in Reactive Navigation of Ubiquitous Robots

Development of accessible and cheap sensors as well as the possibility to transfer and process huge amounts of data offer new possibilities for many areas utilizing till now conventional approaches. Navigation of robots and autonomous vehicles is no exception in this aspect and Internet of Things (IoT), together with the means of computational intelligence, represents a new way for construction and use of robots. In this paper, the possibility to move sensors from robots to their surroundings with the help of IoT is presented and the modification of the IoT concept in the form of intelligent space as well as the concept of ubiquitous robot are shown in the paper. On an example of route tracking, we will clarify the potential of distributed networked sensors and processing their data with the use of fuzzy cognitive maps for robotic navigation. Besides, two modifications of adaptation approaches, namely particle swarm optimization and migration algorithm, are presented here. A series of simulations was performed, which are discussed and future research directions are proposed.

Взаимные задачи с кониками

The problem for construction of straight lines, which are tangent to conics, is among the dual problems for constructing the common elements of two conics. For example, the problem for construction of a chordal straight line (a common chord for two conics) ~ the problem for construction of an intersection point for two conics’ common tangents. In this paper a new property of polar lines has been presented, constructive connection between polar lines and chordal straight lines has been indicated, and a new way for construction of two conics’ common chords has been given, taking into account the computer graphics possibilities. The construction of imaginary tangent lines to conic, traced from conic’s interior point, as well as the construction of common imaginary tangent lines to two conics, of which one lies inside another partially or thoroughly is considered. As you know, dual problems with two conics can be solved by converting them into two circles, followed by a reverse transition from the circles to the original conics. This method of solution provided some clarity in understanding the solution result. The procedure for transition from two conics to two circles then became itself the subject of research. As and when the methods for solving geometric problems is improved, the problems themselves are become more complex. When assuming the participation of imaginary images in complex geometry, it is necessary to abstract more and more. In this case, the perception of the obtained result’s geometric picture is exposed to difficulties. In this regard, the solution methods’ correctness and imaginary images’ visualization are becoming relevant. The paper’s main results have been illustrated by the example of the same pair of conics: a parabola and a circle. Other pairs of affine different conics (ellipse and hyperbola) have been considered in the paper as well in order to demonstrate the general properties of conics, appearing in investigated operations. Has been used a model of complex figures, incorporating two superimposed planes: the Euclidean plane for real figures, and the pseudo-Euclidean plane for imaginary algebraic figures and their imaginary complements.

Building Graph for Events and Time in Natural Language Text

Events and time are two major key terms in natural language processing due to the various event-oriented tasks these are become an essential terms in information extraction. In natural language processing and information extraction or retrieval event and time leads to several applications like text summaries, documents summaries, and question answering systems. In this paper, we present events-time graph as a new way of construction for event-time based information from text. In this event-time graph nodes are events, whereas edges represent the temporal and co-reference relations between events. In many of the previous researches of natural language processing mainly individually focused on extraction tasks and in domain-specific way but in this work we present extraction and representation of the relationship between events- time by representing with event time graph construction. Our overall system construction is in three-step process that performs event extraction, time extraction, and representing relation extraction. Each step is at a performance level comparable with the state of the art. We present Event extraction on MUC data corpus annotated with events mentions on which we train and evaluate our model. Next, we present time extraction the model of times tested for several news articles from Wikipedia corpus. Next is to represent event time relation by representation by next constructing event time graphs. Finally, we evaluate the overall quality of event graphs with the evaluation metrics and conclude the observations of the entire work.

N-doped carbon nanofibers arrays as advanced electrodes for supercapacitors

The advancement of supercapacitors largely relies on the innovation of electrode materials with high-rate performance and ultra-long cycling stability. In this work, unique N-doped nanofibers on carbon cloth (N-CNFs/CC) are prepared by an electrodeposition-annealing method for application in supercapacitors. The as-prepared N-doped nanofibers (N-CNFs) show diameters of 100−150 nm and cross-link with each other forming porous conductive network. Due to enhanced conductivity and reinforced structural stability, the N-CNFs/CC arrays are demonstrated with better electrochemical performance than CNFs/CC counterpart, including higher specific capacitance (195.2 F g-1 at a current density of 2.5 A g-1), excellent rate capability (80.5.% capacity retention as the rate increases from 2.5–20 A g-1) and good cycling stability (99.5.% retention after 10,000 cycles). These reinforced electrochemical properties are attributed to N-doped conductive architecture with faster ion/electron transfer paths and more active sites. Our findings may offer a new way for construction of advanced high-rate electrodes for energy storage.

One-pot microwave-assisted green synthesis of amine-functionalized graphene quantum dots for high visible light photocatalytic application

Nowadays, graphene quantum dots (GQDs) have gained a huge interest in the field of visible-range photocatalysts because of their tunable band gap and stable photochemical properties. In this work, amine-functionalized GQDs (AGQDs) were successfully prepared by one-step microwave-assisted conversion of glucose, H 2 O 2 , and NH 3 solution. The obtained quantum dots possess the high quality of graphene structure with the average size of 3.78 nm as well as exhibit a strong green fluorescence with a high quantum yield. Interestingly, the amine-functionalized dots perform outstanding visible-light absorption. To further investigate photocatalytic properties, a composite of AGQDs and TiO 2 was then prepared by a simple mixing route. The hybrid material showed high catalytic activity of dye degradation under visible light irradiation, which indicates the key role of AGQDs in enhancing light absorption and induced electron–hole separation. The current study may open a new way for construction of effective visible light photocatalytic systems with a cost-effective, simple approach.

Comunicación estratégica y responsabilidad social universitaria aplicada en desarrollo territorial

Este texto pretende realizar la aplicación de la comunicación estratégica en el desarrollo territorial, desde una perspectiva de la responsabilidad social de la Universidad Externado de Colombia, aplicado a su área circundante: La Candelaria en Bogotá. Para ello, se adelantaron labores de investigación a partir de los actores, su contexto actual e histórico que permitiera establecer varios proyectos de comunicación. La investigación concluye que la integración de diversas formas de comunicación bajo un marco estratégico de desarrollo territorial puede ofrecer nuevos modos de construcción de lo social, con base en la comunicación.

Directional construction of Cu2S branch arrays for advanced oxygen evolution reaction

Abstract Metal sulphide electrocatalyst is considered as one of the most promising low-cost candidates for oxygen evolution reaction (OER). In this work, we report a novel free-standing Cu2S branch array via a facile TiO2-induced electrodeposition-sulfurization method. Interestingly, cross-linked Cu2S nanoflake branch is strongly anchored on the TiO2 backbone forming high-quality Cu2S/TiO2/Cu2S core-branch arrays. The branch formation mechanism is also proposed. As compared to the pure Cu2S nanowire arrays, the as-prepared Cu2S/TiO2/Cu2S core-branch arrays show much better alkaline OER performance with lower overpotential (284 mV at 10 mA cm−2) and smaller Tafel slope (72 dec−1) as well as enhanced long-term durability mainly due to larger exposed area and more active electrocatalytic sites. Our work provides a new way for construction of advanced metal sulphide electrocatalysts for electrochemical energy conversion.

Ultracompact double tunable two-channel plasmonic filter and 4-channel multi/demultiplexer design based on aperture-coupled plasmonic slot cavity

In this paper, theoretical analysis and numerical simulations are applied to propose an ultracompact double tunable two-channel plasmonic filter based on aperture coupled plasmonic slot cavity. By knowledge of the exact distribution of the electromagnetic field inside the slot cavity and selecting the appropriate position of the output aperture, the resonance modes of the cavity can be separated. Also, adding a stub in the position of the antinode of the standing wave of the second resonance mode changes the effective length of the third resonance mode. Therefore, by variation of the length of the cavity and the stub, the resonance modes of the filter can independently be tuned. According to the proposed double tunable two-channel plasmonic filter, an ultracompact 4-channel multi/demultiplexer is proposed. The two-dimensional finite difference time domain (2D-FDTD) method has been used to numerically analyze the proposed structures. Our results open a new way for construction of nanoplasmonic multi-wavelength multi/demultiplexers to be used in plasmonic integrated circuits.

Exploring NiCo2S4 nanosheets arrays by hydrothermal conversion for enhanced high-rate batteries

Abstract Highly cross-linked porous NiCo2S4 nanosheets arrays are synthesized by a high-efficiency hydrothermal conversion from the preformed electrodeposited NiCo2O4 arrays. By using thioacetamide as the sulfur source, the electrodeposited NiCo2O4 is directly converted into NiCo2S4 nanosheets arrays without high-temperature sulfurization. Higher porosity and better electrical conductivity are obtained for the NiCo2S4 nanosheets arrays. In addition, reduced diffusion paths of electrons/ions and alleviated volume expansion during cycling are achieved due to the unique porous structure of NiCo2S4. Consequently, as the cathode of alkaline batteries, the obtained NiCo2S4 nanosheets arrays show better electrochemical performance with a high specific capacity (83.5 mAh g−1 at 0.5 A g−1) and better cycling stability (capacity retention of 93% after 5000 cycles) than the NiCo2O4 counterpart arrays (40.3 mAh g−1 at 0.5 A g−1). Our work demonstrates that sulfurization on binary metal oxides can greatly enhance electrochemical performance and shows a new way for construction of advanced electrodes for high-rate batteries.

Natural Ventilation in Vernacular Architecture of Sistan, Iran; Classification and CFD Study of Compound Rooms

Extensive energy consumption in construction and ventilation has caused numerous environmental problems alongside huge waste of nonrenewable natural resources in today’s world. Meanwhile, vernacular architecture has been able to sustainably adapt to climate by developing creative and local solutions which provide a comfortable living environment, consume less energy and cause less pollution than the new ways of construction, one of which is wind induced ventilation. Vernacular architecture of Sistan (southeast of Iran) is not an exception to this rule. It utilizes its own set of unique elements and techniques that are compatible with region’s climate. This original article studies wind induced ventilation and its elements in Sistan’s architecture, including: (1) roofs (Sistani, Filpush and Barrel); (2) ventilator openings (Kolak, Surak and Dariche); and (3) walls. Then, this paper continues to classify three different compound room types in Sistan’s architecture, based on orientation and use of mentioned elements by documenting thirty-two sample houses across the region: (1) stretched against the prevailing winds; (2) stretched aligned with the winds; and (3) L shaped. CFD simulations are used to study the wind behavior and evaluate the ventilation performance of these room-types. These simulations lead to guidelines to enhance the ventilation performance of existing buildings and future constructions, including: where to put the windows, which orientation maximizes the natural ventilation performance, where to consider precautions to block the undesirable winds from entering and how far from each other should different room types be built.

Extension of algebras and its applications to the real Clifford algebras

Extension of algebras can be constructed through various manners. In this paper, we introduce a new way of construction to extend a given algebra of dimension , which is isomorphic to the real Clifford algebra , to another algebra of dimension over the real numbers. And then, we generalize the construction over a -grading algebra. Moreover, we will show the relation between the new constructed algebras and Clifford algebras.

Symmetric LDPC codes and local testing

Coding theoretic and complexity theoretic considerations naturally lead to the question of generating symmetric, sparse, redundant linear systems. This paper provides a new way of construction with better parameters and new lower bounds. Low Density Parity Check (LDPC) codes are linear codes defined by short constraints (a property essential for local testing of a code). Some of the best (theoretically and practically) used codes are LDPC. Symmetric codes are those in which all coordinates look the same, namely there is some transitive group acting on the coordinates which preserves the code. Some of the most commonly used locally testable codes (especially in PCPs and other proof systems), including all low-degree codes, are symmetric. Requiring that a symmetric binary code of length n has large (linear or near-linear) distance seems to suggest a con ict between 1/rate and density (constraint length). In known constructions, if one is constant, then the other is almost the worst possible - n/poly(logn). Our main positive result simultaneously achieves symmetric low density, constant rate codes generated by a single constraint. We present an explicit construction of a symmetric and transitive binary code of length n, near-linear distance n/(log logn)2, of constant rate and with constraints of length (logn)4. The construction is in the spirit of Tanner codes, namely the codewords are indexed by the edges of a sparse regular expander graph. The main novelty is in our construction of a transitive (non Abelian!) group acting on these edges which preserves the code. Our construction is one instantiation of a framework we call Cayley Codes developed here, that may be viewed as extending zig-zag product to symmetric codes. Our main negative result is that the parameters obtained above cannot be significantly improved, as long as the acting group is solvable (like the one we use). More specifically, we show that in constant rate and linear distance codes (aka good codes) invariant under solvable groups, the density (length of generating constraints) cannot go down to a constant, and is bounded below by (log(Ω(l))n)(an Ω(l) iterated logarithm) if the group has a derived series of length l. This negative result precludes natural local tests with constantly many queries for such solvable good codes.

A new model construction by making a detour via intuitionistic theories I: Operational set theory without choice is [formula omitted]-equivalent to KP

We introduce a version of operational set theory, OST−, without a choice operation, which has a machinery for Δ0 separation based on truth functions and the separation operator, and a new kind of applicative set theory, so-called weak explicit set theory WEST, based on Gödel operations. We show that both the theories and Kripke–Platek set theory KP with infinity are pairwise Π1 equivalent. We also show analogous assertions for subtheories with ∈-induction restricted in various ways and for supertheories extended by powerset, beta, limit and Mahlo operations. Whereas the upper bound is given by a refinement of inductive definition in KP, the lower bound is by a combination, in a specific way, of realisability, (intuitionistic) forcing and negative interpretations. Thus, despite interpretability between classical theories, we make “a detour via intuitionistic theories”. The combined interpretation, seen as a model construction in the sense of Visser's miniature model theory, is a new way of construction for classical theories and could be said the third kind of model construction ever used which is non-trivial on the logical connective level, after generic extension à la Cohen and Krivine's classical realisability model.

Demolish or refurbish – Environmental benefits of housing conservation

Climate change and energy efficiency are some of the most pressing issues facing China today. With its economic growth since 1978, the government has struggled to contain environmental damages and social unrest related to the economy’s rapid transformation. With the rapid growth in population and urbanization the demand for housing has escalated and traditional housing has been under threat of demolition to make way for new construction. Traditional housing is generally considered wasteful in its use of land and/or energy, and is often demolished for more intensive and more energy-efficient housing, despite the resulting loss of embodied energy and urban amenity. A research project was undertaken to study the environmental performance of traditional housing in Hangzhou. The project looks into analyzing and comparing embodied energy and CO2 for seven dwellings. In addition indoor climate data were recorded and collected in the form of hourly temperature and humidity readings for one year in six local houses and in a modern unit as a control for one year. The research results reveal that there is little difference in environmental performance between traditional and conventional modern construction and the value of conservation rather than demolition as a strategic development for the construction industry.

Re-Stitching the Urban Fabric: Municipal-Driven Rehabilitation of Vacant and Abandoned Buildings in Ohio's Rust Belt

Current demographic trends indicate a renewed interest in urban living, as climate change, high gas prices, and the tedium of suburban sprawl have compelled both young and old alike to seek out more modest living accommodations, walkable neighborhoods, and community connections. Despite this positive shift—a shift that is stimulating the revitalization of economically distressed urban neighborhoods—many former industrial cities continue to struggle with vacant, abandoned, and otherwise blighted properties. These neglected properties threaten the health and safety of the community, hinder economic development, and generate high financial and psychological costs for municipalities. In the worst of circumstances, the aged building stock is left to deteriorate to the point of nuisance and eventual demolition. The vacant lots left in the wake of the demise further plunge the neighborhood into a distressed state. In the best of circumstances, developers push for the removal of blighted structures to pave the way for new construction--a system that results in the loss of significant historic buildings, community identity and character, and, in many cases, affordable housing and small business opportunities (i.e., gentrification). Municipalities use vacant building registries, hazard abatement programs, public nuisance law, condemnation procedures, land banks, and other local ordinances in their attempts to remedy the vacant and abandoned building problem. However, existing legislation encourages demolition, and the hurdles of implementing and enforcing building codes have weakened their effectiveness. This Note proposes that municipalities have the authority to proactively manage vacant and abandoned historic properties and promote economic development and community stabilization by rehabilitating these properties. Part I provides a history of urban decline, from deindustrialization and middle-class suburban migration to federally subsidized urban renewal programs; discusses the economic, cultural, and social impacts of urban divestment; and focuses on how urban blight frustrates revitalization efforts and threatens historic buildings. Part II examines how Cincinnati—a historic rust belt city in Southwestern Ohio—is managing its growing vacant and abandoned building stock. This Part addresses both substantive legislation and the procedures implementing and enforcing that legislation and analyzes the effectiveness of the city’s actions. Part III assesses the legal challenges the city may face in adopting more expansive legislation, particularly focusing on the limits of a municipality’s authority under state enabling legislation and the substantive and procedural due process and equal protection guarantees of the United States Constitution. This Part also recommends more extensive legislation that Cincinnati, and other cities, can implement to more proactively and aggressively manage its vacant and abandoned building stock and drive rehabilitation and revitalization efforts.

Promesa extinguida o promesa en estado de fluido: continuidades y discontinuidades de los adultos mayores hoy

En este trabajo se plantea repensar algunas cuestiones acerca de como nos aproximamos a la vejez hoy, haciendo la observación de que pasamos de términos relativamente claros (vejez y envejecimiento) a una polisemia de conceptos que entran dentro de lo que denomino paradigmas anacrónicos o ambiguos. Insisto que la cuestión Del envejecimiento fue substituida probablemente por una estética no decrépita, como parte de una versión del "cuidado de si" de Foucault. Menciono la construcción de nuevas formas de subjetividad - lo transetario - intentando localizar el problema del envejecimiento dentro de parámetros más amplios sociales y culturales.

Cradle-to-Gate Analysis of Materials Used in Historic and Modern Housing in China

Climate change and energy efficiency are some of the most pressing issues facing China today. With its economic growth since the economic reforms in 1978 the government has struggled to contain environmental damage and social strife related to the economy’s rapid transformation. With the rapid growth in population and urbanization the demand for housings escalated and thus existing houses are under threat of being demolished to make way for new construction. However there was a strong debate that existing houses should be maintained and upgraded instead of demolishing for new development as improvements to energy and water efficiency of existing homes can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and decrease utility bills. This paper aims at reviewing the importance of existing houses and their environmental significance in conservation as opposed to demolition. This paper presents and discusses the preliminary results for the first two stages of a research project undertaken at the University of Technology Sydney to investigate environmental performance of historic housings in Xiao He Zhi Jie in Hangzhou, China.

Glucose biosensor constructed from capped conducting microtubules of PEDOT

Abstract Electrochemical glucose biosensor based on conducting microcells was constructed by imprisoning the enzymes in the cell arrays on an electrode. This kind of enzyme confinement showed a new way of construction of electrochemical biosensor without allowing modification of enzyme itself. The microtubular array was fabricated through electrochemical polymerization of EDOT into a template membrane attached on an ITO working electrode. The hollow tubules were loaded with glucose oxidase dispersed in aqueous buffer solution. To imprison the glucose oxidase into the cell, the opening of the tubule was sealed with PEDOT/PSS composite cap. The reinforcing electrochemical polymerization of PEDOT or poly(1,3-phenylenediamine) onto the sealing composite reduce the water solubility of the capping. The steady-state amperometric response to glucose was determined by detecting hydrogen peroxide generated by the action of the glucose oxidase. The effects of the applied potential, the gold treatment, the number of capping polymerization cycles, and the concentration of enzyme solution on the sensing properties of the electrode were examined. The calibration curve showed its linearity between 0 and 8 mM and the response time was 20 s. The sensor could retain good selectivity against interfering substances by capping the opening with electrochemically prepared non-conducting poly(1,3-phenylenediamine) layer. In summary, a glucose sensor which shows good selectivity and sensitivity was achieved by this enzyme-imprisonment procedure. This procedure has a wide applicability by just changing the enzyme to be loaded.

Deconstructing to Redevelop: A Sustainable Alternative to Mechanical Demolition: The Economics of Density Development Finance and Pro Formas

During redevelopment, dilapidated and obsolete buildings must often be removed to make way for new construction. One way to achieve this is through deconstruc-tion, selectively disassembling buildings rather than demolishing them mechanically. This approach can yield new jobs, workforce skills training, and small business development, and can conserve natural resources. Thus deconstruction may meet the goals of sustainability by making optimal use of existing economic, physical, and social resources. In this article, we consider existing and potential policies that support the use of decon-struction in redevelopment projects.