Indigenous Technical Knowledge based Rainfall Prediction: A Review

Indigenous technical knowledge (ITK) is the actual knowledge of a given population that reflects the experiences based on tradition and includes more recent experiences with modern technologies. Traditionally, farmers have used traditional knowledge to understand weather and climate patterns in order to make decisions about crop and irrigation cycles. This knowledge has been gained through many decades of experience and has been passed on from previous generations. The present study was undertaken with the objective of collection and documenting the indigenous technical knowledge of farmers regarding rainfall prediction based on abiotic and biotic factors which is being practiced generation after generation. Here in this paper an effort has been made to collect the abiotic and biotic factors predicting rainfall, as a part of ICAR sponsored NASF ad-hoc research project entitled “Developing climate resilient adaptive strategies for empowerment of farmers” which has been implemented in University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad from 2019 to 2022. Various indigenous technical knowledge are collected by analyzing the journals and newsletters, deep interaction with the farmers of study area, contacting the local resource persons and documenting oral histories without scientific validation. The study found that traditional methods of rainfall forecasting can be utilized for the purpose of short-term and long-term seasonal rainfall predictions by local communities. All available abiotic and biotic indigenous rainfall forecasting techniques may serve as alternative to modern technologies.

Construction Field Monitoring of a COB Prototype Building

Cob is an earthen building material made by soil, fibres and water used for millennia. However, cob construction disappeared out during the nineteenth century. These last years, it is experiencing a renaissance in Northwestern France and Southern England. Due to a limited technical knowledge, the investigation of engineering properties is important for modern design practice and code requirements. Moreover, to ensure building properties, it is necessary to have same quality mix along the building phases. The aim of this study is to determine material variation during the monitoring of a cob prototype building in Normandy (France). This study investigated structural cob mix composition, water content, density, mechanical properties and thermal conductivity. Specimens shape used were cylindrical 110 x H220 mm and prismatic 300 x 300 x 70 mm. Results indicated a variation in cob mix (water content, materials proportions) between three different lifts. These variations lead to different densities and, consequently, to variables compressive strengths: 0.99 to 1.38 MPa and thermal conductivities from 0.610 - 0.816 W.m-1∙K-1.

Traditional Piscicidal Knowledge along the Chakpi River and other Water Bodies in Chandel District, Manipur State : Past and Present Scenario

The present study was undertaken with an aim to expound the various indigenous technical knowledge (ITK) practices centring around the stagnant or semi-stagnant water bodies in Chandel district of Manipur. The prevailing indigenous practices were considered and only three groups of indigenous practices were found to be rational in the present scenario which could be further assessed, documented and propagated for the benefit of farming community. The three group of indigenous practices involve the age-old methods of stupefying the fish in ponds or rivers using tree barks, roots and leaves of specific trees or plants having ichthyotoxic properties. Two filters were applied to identify the ITKs. The first filter being rationality therein only ITK practices having rationality score more than 2.4 being explained in the study. The second filter was mean perceived effectiveness index (MPEI). Of the 17 practices evaluated, 3 were rational (42.08%) while the remaining 14 were rejected as irrational (57.92%). The perceived effectiveness and adoption rate analysis of these age-old ITKs indicated that, the traditional use of stupefying barks was rated as rational (3.01), perceived as highly effective (2.60) and adopted by 78 per cent of the respondents whereas on the lower end, the method incorporating the juice extract of ichthyotoxic leaves was rated as rational (2.48), perceived as effective (1.9) and adopted by 48 per cent of respondents.

Cost Estimation Process of Remote Sensing Satellites

Forecasting cost of satellites is not a recent development in space agencies, they were in practice from the beginning using traditional methods. The attempt to make it simpler, quicker and accurate; established the path to build a model by incorporating statistics, technology and technical knowledge. Building relationships between satellite cost and the technical parameters affecting them directly or indirectly became the basis of the model. The building of the cost model is more vexing than it looks. It requires data to perform regression analysis, which can be linear or nonlinear along with transformations. This paper also specifies the significance of the uncertainty impacting the cost associated with the technical parameters and the method of estimation. The overall model is mapped into three parts; the manpower and facility cost model being the deterministic bottom-up model and the combination of probabilistic and deterministic model for satellite cost.

Majpadu: Bracing for the Future

Majpadu Bricks Sdn. Bhd. was a Malaysian company incorporated in 1996. Majpadu’s business was in manufacturing and supplying compressed clay bricks, known as dry pressed earth brick (DPEB), a type of bricks manufactured using high-density compression technology. Unlike other bricks that were widely available in the market (also known as ordinary baked bricks), Majpadu’s bricks were not ‘fired’ in kilns; as such, DPEB was claimed to be more eco-friendly, cooler in temperature and yet very durable. Majpadu’s expertise was within the engineering process as well as the technical knowledge of DPEB. Apart from its main business, it also offered consultancy services to the industry. Over the years, Majpadu saw the company face several internal and external circumstances that affected its bottom line. By early 2017, the situation had become more serious, forcing Mr Zaki Hayat, the Managing Director of Majpadu, to implement a strategy to tackle the problems faced by the company.

The Spedale di Santa Maria della Scala and the Construction of Siena

The Spedale di Santa Maria della Scala was central to the development of architecture and infrastructure in early modern Siena. A major landowner and patron, the hospital institution oversaw the construction of a wide range of buildings throughout the commune, and also played a crucial role in the perpetuation of a distinctly Sienese corpus of technical knowledge. Archival records attest to the presence of the Spedale’s building workshop, which contributed workers, materials and expertise to both the institution’s projects, as well as those involving Siena’s infrastructure and defences. Several fifteenth-century model books trace the technical tradition spearheaded by the Scala. Assembled by individual practitioners, the books bolstered a collective memory, delineating the ideas and structures that made Siena a place.

Design and fabrication of smart ceiling mop with adjustable head

The Ceiling cleaning process is one of the tedious tasks ever which involves removing algae, mold, lichen, dust, and moss from the surface. Cleaning of the roof becomes very difficult when the height of the roof is very high also an excess human effort is required which also makes the labor feel discomfort, in addition to muscle pain. By considering all the above-discussed difficulties, we have developed a concept of a semi-automatic ceiling cleaning machine that is capable of cleaning dirt, grime, algae, etc. on the ceiling. Enabling the machine in accessing hard-to-reach areas on the ceilingsand at higher altitudes. To make the controlling of the machine user-friendly an electric drive is incorporated, such that a person with less technical knowledge can access it with high accuracy. The power source for the entire operation is provided with the help of a battery which is internally installed in the setup. As an added advantage, the multi-head system is implanted, using this our setup can be used as a traditional brush head, and by changing the vacuum head, the setup is capable of performing dust collection operations using vacuum pressure. To make a machine which will take care of the safety of persons, save time and also shouldn't damage false ceiling structure. This method of ceiling cleaning can be used in hotels, offices, etc. which will give a more appealing look. This method is suitable for small, medium as well as large-scale applications.

PRODUCTION REDUCTION ANALYSIS AND WELL OPERATION ANALYSIS

The method of Arps fall curve as an effective method that allows reliable and efficient prediction of well flow, a necessary parameter for optimal and correct choice of well operation is considered in the article. Forecasting the flow rate of wells in fields with high-viscosity oil stocks is one of the most difficult tasks in the development of oil fields. It is proved that the use of the Arps method simplifies this task, as it gives the correct results quickly and easily. The importance of the choice of well operation methods is analyzed. It has been proven that the analysis of reduced production is a means of identifying productivity problems in wells to assess their future productivity and expected service life. The use of the Harmony Enterprise platform is designed to analyze the performance of oil and gas wells and inventory assessment, to create common corporate work processes, use technical knowledge and exchange interpretations, which allows you to identify promising assets, evaluation and development strategy. The results of this work are very important and necessary for further research and analysis of the fall in production and analysis of the well.

Timber and Multi-Storey Buildings: Industry Perceptions of Adoption in Australia

The use of Engineered Wood Systems (EWS) as structural alternatives or complements of traditional materials, such as steel and concrete, is of growing interest and acceptance in the architecture, engineering, and construction industries. Gathering evidence from the Australian context, this paper proposes a roadmap for the adoption of EWS as the primary structural materials of medium-rise buildings, with the scope of increasing levels of public awareness about the potential and current shortcomings of these building technologies. A nation-wide survey with stakeholders at the forefront of adoption in structural design, construction, and property development, indicates that the demand for timber in multi-storey projects has promising prospects of growth, but faces circumstantial industry-wide hurdles in the short to medium term. Awareness of benefits and inclination towards more use of timber among designers are positive factors that provide a promising base for further adoption. The translation of positive front-end design attitudes into adoption, however, requires holistic long-term investment efforts with industry-wide education. The pathway to innovation for timber in multi-storey projects needs to grow beyond mere promotional strategies of its benefits, seeking to expand technical knowledge through education and reaching out beyond a group of already committed and knowledgeable stakeholders at the forefront of adoption.