Accurate determination of structural H2O in rocks using LIBS coupled with machine learning algorithms extensively exploring the characteristics of the Hα line

The application of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) in elemental analysis and property assessment of geological materials has been demonstrated of great importance and effectiveness. The importance of the application becomes...

Powder Injection Moulding and Liquid Phase Sintering of Aluminium - SiC Particulate Composite

Metal matrix composite has been increasingly appreciated by many engineering applications due it its tailored properties for specific uses. Powder injection moulding is one of the most effective composite processing essentially for small and complex parts. Moulding of feedstock is the key step determining green and sintered properties. This research investigated effects of moulding parameters which are % solid loading and moulding speed on microstructure and properties of aluminium composite. Commercial aluminium alloy powder and SiC particulate at 15 vol.% addition were formulated at 55 % and 60 % solid loading. Injection moulding were operated using a horizontal screw driven typed machine at 1600-1800 rpm speed and 280 - 300 °C moulding temperature. After sintering at 655 °C, property assessment via microstructure, density, % shrinkage, distortion and hardness were carried out. It was found that feedstock of 55 % solid loading occasionally led to flash problem while that of higher solid loading experienced higher viscosity to fulfill four-cavity mould. Moulding speed investigated did not significantly affect mould filling and overall properties. Sintered microstructures generally showed well-distributed SiC particulate in the aluminium matrix. The optimum injection moulding condition was the feedstock prepared at 60% solid loading, moulding at 1800 rpm speed, which offered theoretical density of greater than 98.5 % and micro Vickers hardness of 125.2 Hv.

Policy Forum: A Critical Analysis of Property Taxation Under the First Nations Fiscal Management Act as a Self-Government Tool

The First Nations Fiscal Management Act (FMA) delegates the power to levy property taxes to band councils. The purpose of this article is to describe and analyze the effectiveness of the legislation as a self-government tool. Section 5(1) of the FMA allows band councils to levy property taxes both to increase their economic capacity—providing them with a source of income—and to improve self-government. However, this grant of power is subject to numerous conditions. These include compliance with the financial management requirements set out in the act, as well as approval of property tax laws by the First Nations Tax Commission (FNTC) (the majority of the members of which are appointed by the federal government). Also, the taxes imposed must comply with regulations set by the governor in council, which currently cover the property assessment process (including an appeal process), interest and penalties, and inspection of property. There have been two attempts by property taxpayers to overturn the decisions of the FNTC by way of judicial review. The fact that both were unsuccessful has somewhat mitigated criticism of the constraints on First Nation self-government imposed by the FMA. Overall, the federal government maintains significant control over the law-making process by which First Nations levy property taxes, both directly through regulations and indirectly through its dominant presence on the FNTC. Reform is needed: real powers need to be delegated to meet the stated objective of creating meaningful self-government for participating First Nations. The power to impose property taxes was first delegated to band councils by the Indian Act in 1951. Therefore, it is high time that First Nations be granted the right to exercise that power without federal intervention. Constitutional protection of the right to self-government must be the ultimate goal.

Implementation of Assessment Principles, Performance, and Client Satisfaction of Municipal Assessment Offices in Negros Occidental, Philippines

Accurate implementation of real property assessment principles strengthens real property taxation resulting in improved performance towards client satisfaction. This study assessed the implementation of assessment principles, the performance, and the satisfaction of clients of municipal assessment offices in Negros Occidental, Philippines. It likewise determined the challenges encountered by offices. A descriptive-comparative design was utilized using researcher-made survey instruments administered to assessors and randomly selected staff and clients. Using descriptive and inferential analyses, the findings revealed a very great extent of implementation with no significant differences across all areas when municipalities were grouped as to variables of income classification and land area. While the level of performance was outstanding as a whole, with no significant difference in all areas when grouped as to income class, a significant difference was revealed when assessment offices were grouped as to land area. Clients were very satisfied with assessment services with no significant difference in physical setup when grouped into income classes. However, there were significant differences in frontline services, service quality, physical setup, and basic facilities. While when grouped as to land area, there was a significant difference across all areas. Several challenges were encountered by assessment offices, such as the agrarian reform program, administrative, policies, and political concerns. The study recommends a review of some policies specifically on the preparation and approval of the schedule of market value.

Property Assessment of High-Performance Concrete Containing Three Types of Fibers

This study investigated the mechanical properties and the effects of the volume fraction for carbon fibers (CF-VF), polypropylene fibers (PPF-VF) and aramid fibers (AF-VF) with a fixed aspect ratio of 650 for the carbon fibers, 400 for the polypropylene fibers and 900 for the aramid fibers in hybrid fiber-reinforced concrete (HFRC). Furthermore, compressive, splitting tensile and flexural tensile tests were carried out to obtain the optimal total volume fraction for the three types of fibers, as well as the optimal ratio between the CF-VF, PPF-VF and AF-VF. In addition, stress–strain curves of normal concrete and HFRC were examined to explore the whole mechanical process. The results indicated the CF-VF, PPF-VF and AF-VF have a significant effect on the tensile and flexural strengths of HFRC. The HFRC with a fiber additional ratio of 25:50:25 had the best hybrid effect. Moreover, a calculation method based on the compressive strength of normal concrete and HFRC and the volume fraction is proposed to calculate the strength of HFRC in engineering as a reference. Besides, a uniaxial compression constitutive mathematical model of normal concrete and HFRC is established.

Evaluation of Vickers Hardness Number of Al-Si Alloy Under Heat Treated Conditions

The paper deal with the hardness property assessment of various Al-Si alloys under heat treated conditions. The tested specimens have the compositions of Si with percentages such as 12 18 and 24. The fabrication of the selected composition is carried out by melting the material to the melting temperature of around 800°C. The material is subjected to solutionised heat treatment for 3 hours at 500°C, 520°C and 535°C and quenched in water. Further aging is carried out at 155°C for 2 hours, 5 hours and 8 hours respectively for 500°C, 520°C and 535°C of solution heat treatment condition. The hardness property is evaluated using Vickers Hardness tester as per the standards of ASTM- E92. Thorough comparison of Vickers hardness number is performed among the as- cast and various heat treated environment. Desirable properties of alloy are observed at 520°C solutionised heat treatment & 5 hours of precipitation hardening at 155°C for 18% of Silicon composition. The hardness value decreases due to the increase in percentage of silicon and the values are observed.