scholarly journals Quantifying Advantages of Modular Construction: Waste Generation

Buildings ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 622
Author(s):  
Loizos Loizou ◽  
Khalegh Barati ◽  
Xuesong Shen ◽  
Binghao Li
Keyword(s):  
Building Materials ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Modular Construction ◽  
Waste Generation ◽  
Construction Methods ◽  
Large Structures ◽  
The Difference ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Viable Method

The construction industry is a significant source of waste generation in any economy, producing various greenhouse gases, releasing harmful substances into the natural environment, and requiring large areas of land for processing, treatment, and landfilling. The emerging field of off-site prefabrication and assembly is perceived as a viable method to reduce waste and improve sustainability. However, there is a lack of quantifiable research into the difference between off-site prefabrication and on-site, conventional construction for numerous sustainability criteria. This paper focuses on modular construction as an off-site production system, where a framework to compare waste generation of modular and conventional, in-situ construction methods is proposed. This paper aims to quantify these differences. The framework relies on a comprehensive literature review to estimate the waste rates of building materials, which are then applied to realistic case studies in order to determine the differences in waste generation. Overall, modular construction reduces the overall weight of waste by up to 83.2%, for the cases considered. This corresponds to a 47.9% decrease in the cost of waste for large structures. Care must be taken to keep modular wastage as low as possible for a reduced cost of waste to be also present in smaller structures. This reduces the research gap of quantifying the waste differences between conventional and modular construction, and provides thoroughly researched waste rates for future research, while also improving the knowledge of industry stakeholders, informing them of the benefits of modular construction. This allows stakeholders to make more informed decisions when selecting an appropriate construction method.

scholarly journals Effects of different light wavelengths on mold growth in tomb

2021 ◽  
Vol 2069 (1) ◽  
pp. 012014
Author(s):  
X H Zhou ◽  
H R Xie ◽  
Y Pei ◽  
W J Liu ◽  
S Hokoi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tang Dynasty ◽  
Building Materials ◽  
Red Light ◽  
Microbial Community Composition ◽  
Field Investigation ◽  
Light Sources ◽  
Mold Growth ◽  
In Situ Experiment ◽  
The Difference

Abstract The Second Mausoleum of the Southern Tang Dynasty have a history of more than 1,000 years in China. Since its opening in 1984, the building materials and murals inside the tomb have been severely damaged by mold. Field investigation found that the mold growth on the wall illuminated by the light in the tomb was more flourishing than that in the area without the light. Lighting in the tomb is inevitable for the exhibition. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to clarify the effects of different light wavelengths on the growth of mold in the tomb, and provide the theoretical basis for the lighting design in the tomb chamber. This study is divided into two parts, including in-situ experiment and laboratory experiment. In the in-situ experiment, four kinds of light wavelengths (white, red, blue, and green) were set in the tomb chamber to observe the difference of mold growth on the mural wall. The concentration of phototrophs propagules on different auricular walls was estimated in the laboratory. The results showed that different light sources had different effects on microbial community composition in the tomb site and the red light had better inhibition effect on fungi and actinobacteria.

Comparative Effects of High-Tech Visual Scene Displays and Low-Tech Isolated Picture Symbols on Engagement From Students With Multiple Disabilities

2019 ◽  
Vol 50 (4) ◽  
pp. 693-702 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine Holyfield ◽  
Sydney Brooks ◽  
Allison Schluterman
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Augmentative And Alternative Communication ◽  
Visual Analysis ◽  
Multiple Disabilities ◽  
Visual Scene ◽  
Future Research ◽  
High Tech ◽  
Single Subject ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Difference

Purpose Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) is an intervention approach that can promote communication and language in children with multiple disabilities who are beginning communicators. While a wide range of AAC technologies are available, little is known about the comparative effects of specific technology options. Given that engagement can be low for beginning communicators with multiple disabilities, the current study provides initial information about the comparative effects of 2 AAC technology options—high-tech visual scene displays (VSDs) and low-tech isolated picture symbols—on engagement. Method Three elementary-age beginning communicators with multiple disabilities participated. The study used a single-subject, alternating treatment design with each technology serving as a condition. Participants interacted with their school speech-language pathologists using each of the 2 technologies across 5 sessions in a block randomized order. Results According to visual analysis and nonoverlap of all pairs calculations, all 3 participants demonstrated more engagement with the high-tech VSDs than the low-tech isolated picture symbols as measured by their seconds of gaze toward each technology option. Despite the difference in engagement observed, there was no clear difference across the 2 conditions in engagement toward the communication partner or use of the AAC. Conclusions Clinicians can consider measuring engagement when evaluating AAC technology options for children with multiple disabilities and should consider evaluating high-tech VSDs as 1 technology option for them. Future research must explore the extent to which differences in engagement to particular AAC technologies result in differences in communication and language learning over time as might be expected.

SELISIH BIAYA PRODUKSI SEBAGAI ALAT PENGENDALIAN MANAJEMEN PT INDO PUSAKA BERAU

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (02) ◽  
pp. 397
Author(s):  
SAFITRI NURHIDAYATI ◽  
RIZKI AMELYA SYAM
Keyword(s):  
Raw Materials ◽  
Field Research ◽  
Analytical Tool ◽  
Production Costs ◽  
Raw Material ◽  
Labor Costs ◽  
Material Costs ◽  
Library Research ◽  
The Difference ◽  
The Cost

This study aims to analyze whether the difference that occurs in the cost of raw materials, direct labor, and factory overhead costs between the standard costs and the actual costs in PLTU LATI is a difference that is favorable or unfavorable. Data collection techniques with field research and library research. The analytical tool used is the analysis of the difference in raw material costs, the difference in direct labor costs and the difference in factory overhead costs. The hypothesis in this study is that the difference allegedly occurs in the cost of raw materials, direct labor costs, and factory overhead costs at PT Indo Pusaka Berau Tanjung Redeb is a favorable difference. The results showed that the difference in the cost of producing MWh electricity at PT Indo Pusaka Berau Tanjung Redeb in 2018, namely the difference in the price of raw material costs Rp. 548,029.80, - is favorable, the difference in quantity of raw materials is Rp. 957,216,602, - is (favorable) , the difference in direct labor costs Rp 2,602,642,084, - is (unfavorable), and the difference in factory overhead costs Rp 8,807,051,422, - is (favorable) This shows that the difference in the overall production cost budget is favorable or profitable. This beneficial difference shows that the company is really able to reduce production costs optimally in 2018.  

Comparison of Mammography and Ultrasonography for Tumor Size of DCIS of Breast Cancer

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 209-213
Author(s):  
Yu Wang ◽  
Jiantao Wang ◽  
Haiping Wang ◽  
Xinyu Yang ◽  
Liming Chang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Correlation Coefficient ◽  
Tumor Size ◽  
Ductal Carcinoma ◽  
Pearson Correlation ◽  
Dense Breast ◽  
Pathological Examination ◽  
Negative Group ◽  
The Difference

Objective: Accurate assessment of breast tumor size preoperatively is important for the initial decision-making in surgical approach. Therefore, we aimed to compare efficacy of mammography and ultrasonography in ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) of breast cancer. Methods: Preoperative mammography and ultrasonography were performed on 104 women with DCIS of breast cancer. We compared the accuracy of each of the imaging modalities with pathological size by Pearson correlation. For each modality, it was considered concordant if the difference between imaging assessment and pathological measurement is less than 0.5cm. Results: At pathological examination tumor size ranged from 0.4cm to 7.2cm in largest diameter. For mammographically determined size versus pathological size, correlation coefficient of r was 0.786 and for ultrasonography it was 0.651. Grouped by breast composition, in almost entirely fatty and scattered areas of fibroglandular dense breast, correlation coefficient of r was 0.790 for mammography and 0.678 for ultrasonography; in heterogeneously dense and extremely dense breast, correlation coefficient of r was 0.770 for mammography and 0.548 for ultrasonography. In microcalcification positive group, coeffient of r was 0.772 for mammography and 0.570 for ultrasonography. In microcalcification negative group, coeffient of r was 0.806 for mammography and 0.783 for ultrasonography. Conclusion: Mammography was more accurate than ultrasonography in measuring the largest cancer diameter in DCIS of breast cancer. The correlation coefficient improved in the group of almost entirely fatty/ scattered areas of fibroglandular dense breast or in microcalcification negative group.

Attraction of prey

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
John D. Horner ◽  
Bartosz J. Płachno ◽  
Ulrike Bauer ◽  
Bruno Di Giusto
Keyword(s):  
Visual Cues ◽  
Synergistic Action ◽  
Carnivorous Plants ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Acoustic Cues ◽  
Qualitative And Quantitative Analysis ◽  
Qualitative And Quantitative ◽  
The Past ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Prey Attraction

The ability to attract prey has long been considered a universal trait of carnivorous plants. We review studies from the past 25 years that have investigated the mechanisms by which carnivorous plants attract prey to their traps. Potential attractants include nectar, visual, olfactory, and acoustic cues. Each of these has been well documented to be effective in various species, but prey attraction is not ubiquitous among carnivorous plants. Directions for future research, especially in native habitats in the field, include: the qualitative and quantitative analysis of visual cues, volatiles, and nectar; temporal changes in attractants; synergistic action of combinations of attractants; the cost of attractants; and responses to putative attractants in electroantennograms and insect behavioral tests.

Costs and the cost-effectiveness threshold

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan Abel Olsen
Keyword(s):  
Societal Perspective ◽  
Threshold Value ◽  
Quality Adjusted Life Year ◽  
Healthcare Sector ◽  
The Difference ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Qaly Threshold ◽  
Cost Effectiveness Threshold ◽  
Effectiveness Threshold ◽  
Quality Adjusted Life

Chapter 19 starts by distinguishing between the two contrasting perspectives that an economic evaluation would take: the healthcare sector perspective versus the societal perspective. The former is considered a ‘narrow analysis’ which includes only the costs accruing within the healthcare sector, while the latter represents a ‘broad analysis’ that accounts for all resource implications in all sectors of the economy. After an investigation into various types of costs, a ‘limited societal perspective’ is suggested to be more appropriate than either of the two ‘extreme perspectives’. The chapter continues with a discussion of the cost per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) threshold and explains the difference between a demand side- versus a supply-side approach to determining a threshold value for a QALY.

scholarly journals Monitoring the technological processes in the wood industry in order to make them more efficient through technical overhauling

2019 ◽  
Vol 290 ◽  
pp. 02007
Author(s):  
Radu Dan Paltan ◽  
Cristina Biriş ◽  
Loredana Anne-Marie Rădulescu
Keyword(s):  
Automotive Industry ◽  
Operating Mode ◽  
Solid Wood ◽  
Production Costs ◽  
Operating Costs ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Wood Industry ◽  
Research Article ◽  
State Of Research ◽  
The Cost

Of many techniques that are used to optimize production and costs, the studies conducted within a profile company lead to our choice for testing the 6Sigma method (the most used method in the automotive industry) in view of the economic efficiency applied in the wood Industry company. This method measures how many flaws exist in a process and determines in a systematic way how to improve it by technical overhauling and eliminating or minimizing the process for efficiency. This research article aims to study the state of research on the optimization of the production process through technical overhauling for panels reconstituted from solid wood and ways to make production more efficient by cutting costs through technical overhauling. From preliminary research, we estimate that all the items founded and others that will result from further research will result in a significant decrease in production costs that are reflected in the cost of the finished product and consequently in increasing the yield of the company by maximizing its profit. At the same time it may be the basis of future research studies in the field. The easier it is to maximize profits, the lower the operating costs are and the higher recovery rate of investments are, that will result a change in the operating mode: “working smarter not harder”.

scholarly journals An explanatory study of the use of e-mail investor communication by South African listed companies

2016 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Roelof Baard ◽  
George Nel
Keyword(s):  
Listed Companies ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Contact Method ◽  
Interactive Communication ◽  
Handling Performance ◽  
Corporate Websites ◽  
Use Of Social Media ◽  
Almost All ◽  
The Cost ◽  
E Mail

Background: Although research shows that almost all listed companies have corporate websites with dedicated investor relations (IR) sections that enable companies to ‘push’ information to investors, it was argued that such an asymmetrical approach to communication is insufficient for companies wishing to exercise good IR. The purpose of this study was to test the effectiveness of the Internet to act as a mechanism to achieve more interactive communication between companies and investors.Objectives: The objectives of the study were to measure the responsiveness, timeliness and relevance of companies’ responses to e-mail requests, and to test for the determinants (size, market-to-book ratio, profitability, leverage and liquidity) thereof.Method: The mystery investor approach and a content analysis were used to study the e-mail handling performance of companies. The associations between company-specific characteristics were statistically tested.Results: It was found that the e-mail handling performance of companies in this study was poor compared with previous studies. Significant relationships between company size and responsiveness and relevance, and between market-to-book ratio and relevance were reported, as well as between the contact method used to request information and relevance and the use of social media and timeliness.Conclusion: Specific areas where companies could improve their investor communications were identified. The need for further research was discussed to explain some of the relationships found, as well as those not found, in contrast to what was expected. Future research is warranted to examine the relationship between the e-mail handling performance of companies and information asymmetry and the cost of equity of companies.

scholarly journals Modelling of speleothems failure in the Hotton cave (Belgium). Is the failure earthquake induced?

2001 ◽  
Vol 80 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 315-321 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.F. Cadorin ◽  
D. Jongmans ◽  
A. Plumier ◽  
T. Camelbeeck ◽  
S. Delaby ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Natural Frequencies ◽  
Quantitative Information ◽  
Rigid Bodies ◽  
Tensile Failure ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Geometrical Parameters ◽  
Laboratory Measurements ◽  
Ground Acceleration ◽  
Strong Ground

AbstractTo provide quantitative information on the ground acceleration necessary to break speleothems, laboratory measurements on samples of stalagmite have been performed to study their failure in bending. Due to their high natural frequencies, speleothems can be considered as rigid bodies to seismic strong ground motion. Using this simple hypothesis and the determined mechanical properties (a minimum value of 0.4 MPa for the tensile failure stress has been considered), modelling indicates that horizontal acceleration ranging from 0.3 m/s2 to 100 m/s2 (0.03 to 10g) are necessary to break 35 broken speleothems of the Hotton cave for which the geometrical parameters have been determined. Thus, at the present time, a strong discrepancy exists between the peak accelerations observed during earthquakes and most of the calculated values necessary to break speleothems. One of the future research efforts will be to understand the reasons of the defined behaviour. It appears fundamental to perform measurements on in situ speleothems.

scholarly journals Effects of Increase in the Cost of Building Materials on the Delivery of Affordable Housing in South Africa

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 1772
Author(s):  
Bimpe Alabi ◽  
Julius Fapohunda
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Affordable Housing ◽  
Building Materials ◽  
Statistical Technique ◽  
Project Managers ◽  
Maintenance Cost ◽  
Cost Increase ◽  
Sequential Mixed Methods ◽  
Adequate Provision ◽  
The Cost

Adequate provision of affordable human settlements is a huge challenge in South Africa since its independence. This paper investigates the effects of the cost increase of building materials on affordable housing delivery in South Africa. With potential solutions for cost minimisation of building materials, with the aim of achieving affordable housing delivery in South Africa are provided. This study uses a sequential mixed methods approach, wherein surveys were conducted among the construction professionals (project managers, site managers architects, site engineers, quantity surveyors, contractors, building materials suppliers, and government workers) in the construction industry within Cape Town, South Africa, who were considered as the research participants. The qualitative data obtained from the survey exercise were analysed using content analysis, while the quantitative data were analysed using a descriptive statistical technique on SPSS. The findings attained show fluctuation in construction cost and a rise in maintenance cost (caused by poor workmanship) as significant effects in the cost increase of building materials for affordable housing delivery. Adequate application of the recommendations given in this study will minimise the effects of high cost of building materials and enhance affordable housing delivery. Appropriate handling of the findings given in this study will reduce the effects of the high cost of building materials and augment timely delivery of affordable housing and stakeholders’ satisfaction.

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