Stochastic Substructural Response Reconstruction and Reliability Analysis of High-Dimensional Systems

Existing stochastic dynamic response analysis requires the probability distributions of all variables in the system. Some of them are difficult or even impossible to obtain, and assumed probability density functions are often adopted which may lead to potential unrealistic estimation. This error may accumulate with the dimension of the structural system. This paper proposed a strategy to address this problem in the response analysis of a high-dimensional stochastic system. Partial measurement and finite element model of the target substructure of the system are required. The stochastic responses at several unmeasured locations are reconstructed from the measured responses. Only the variability of the substructure is considered. Other parameters outside the substructure are represented by their mean values contributing to the measured responses. The proposed strategy is illustrated with the analysis of a seven-storey plane frame structure using the probability density evolution method integrated with the response reconstruction technique. Measurement noise is noted to have a large influence on stochastic dynamic responses as different from that in a deterministic analysis. The proposed stochastic substructural response analysis strategy is found more computational efficient than traditional approach and with more realistic information of the structure from the measured responses.

Application of Building Information Modeling toward Social Sustainability

Building Information Modeling (BIM) emerges as one of the megatrends that will modernize the Malaysian construction industry due to its vital role in collaboration, coordination and communication in real-time among construction industry stakeholders. In 2019, the government of Malaysia has mandated the use of BIM technology for public projects worths more than 100 million. However, less than half of the construction projects in Malaysia is currently using the BIM system. In order to encourage the implementation of BIM, there is an important need to educate the construction industry players with realistic information on BIM technology. Based on previous literature, disruption of BIM toward the traditional practice of construction activities can be managed through exposure and incremental of BIM knowledge. Therefore, this study explores the current awareness of construction industry players on the application of BIM toward sustainability aspects, particularly on social sustainability. A set of questionnaire survey is used to gather the required data and a total of 133 contractors have responded to the survey. The data were analyzed using the frequency distribution to indicate the highlighted application of BIM foresees by contractors that contribute to social sustainability. The finding indicates that the level of awareness is influenced by their knowledge on BIM. Therefore, providing a better understanding and wider exposure on BIM could improve the implementation of BIM in the construction projects, which align with the government agenda.

Addressing challenges in information-provision: a qualitative study among oncologists and women with advanced breast cancer

Background There is a need for more insight into how to address challenges of information-provision for women with advanced breast cancer. We aimed to explore oncologists’ and patients’ views on (i) the challenges of information-provision, and (ii) possible strategies to address these challenges, meanwhile (iii) exploring the possible facilitating role of positive expectations and empathy. Methods Semi-structured interviews were held with oncologists (n = 10) and women with advanced breast cancer (n = 14). Principles of Thematic Analysis were followed, with two researchers analyzing transcribed data, supported by Atlas.ti software. Results Taken together the data from oncologists and patients, we found that when communicating with patients with advanced cancer, oncologists face challenges, including handling patients’ unrealistic disease (status) beliefs, and choosing approaches for discussing available treatment options and their side effects. Possible strategies to address these challenges include balancing information with acceptance of denial, and using medical expertise to guide treatment discussions. A sensitive issue is whether to discuss the option of no anti-cancer treatment. Meanwhile, approaches and preferences for discussions of side effects vary. Positive expectations and empathy can facilitate information-provision by creating space and helping patients to open up more. Conclusions Integrating oncologists’ and patients’ views, oncologists can provide realistic information while also, temporarily, accepting denial, and can use their medical expertise to address challenges around unrealistic beliefs and discussion of treatment options. Finding ways to tailor discussions of no anti-cancer treatment and side-effect information are needed. Positive expectations and empathy might facilitate – tailored – information-provision, leading ultimately to patient-centered care lying at the heart of medicine.

Spectroscopic Approach to Correction and Visualisation of Bright-Field Light Transmission Microscopy Biological Data

The most realistic information about a transparent sample such as a live cell can be obtained using bright-field light microscopy. Under high-intensity pulsing LED illumination, we captured a primary 12-bit-per-channel (bpc) response from an observed sample using a bright-field microscope equipped with a high-resolution (4872 × 3248) image sensor. In order to suppress data distortions originating from the light interactions with elements in the optical path, poor sensor reproduction (geometrical defects of the camera sensor and some peculiarities of sensor sensitivity), we propose a spectroscopic approach for the correction of these uncompressed 12 bpc data by simultaneous calibration of all parts of the experimental arrangement. Moreover, the final intensities of the corrected images are proportional to the photon fluxes detected by a camera sensor. It can be visualized in 8 bpc intensity depth after the Least Information Loss compression.

The Use of Vietnamese In Learning English As A Second Language

These years, the debate surrounding the role of the first language (L1) in the second/foreign language (L2) classrooms in general and in English ones has been a controversial issue. On one hand, people support the idea that the influence of mother tongue should be excluded from second language acquisition. Meanwhile, the component of English-only method emphasizes the significance from the use of L1 in English classes. This paper aims to investigate the positive influences of the use of Vietnamese in English learning process. From this point, two main things will be demonstrated. Firstly, using Vietnamese has a facilitating role to play in the classroom and can actually boost students’ learning. And secondly, there are good reasons for teachers and students to use Vietnamese to fully suit the context of specific lessons. To conduct this study, both quantitative and qualitative approaches were used. First of all, an online survey was conducted to collect realistic information from the students’ perspective. On the other hand, there were some in-depth interviews for teachers and tutors to express their experience as well as their own ideas about this issue. Finally, two separate classes were formally observed when they took a sample lesson which was taught in different methods. At the end of the course, a small test was provided to students to examine how much they understood their lesson. All the statistics and information received was analyzed, then mentioned in the paper.

Knowledge, Perception and Women's Experience on Induction of Labour – A Questionnaire-based observational study in South India

Background Induction of labour is an indispensable obstetric procedure.Very few studies have concentrated on women;s experience of induction of labour. Its been reported that women generally have a negative experience with Induction...There is a lack of data regarding the experience of labour induction among Indian women. .We carried out this study womens experience on the induction of labour in this part of South Asia. This study highlights the unmet need of women undergoing induction of labour and changes obstetricians can implement in their day to day practice to make childbirth a positive experienceMethods The aim was to study the Knowledge, Perception and Women’s experience on Induction of labour and to compare this labour experience with women who have come in spontaneous labour. During the study period 300 women who were induced, formed the study group, every consecutive women who came in spontaneous labour formed the control group. Validated. Questionnaires were given after delivery for both induced and to women who delivered spontaneously. Ethical clearance was obtained by the institution (MUEC/13/2015-2016) Data were analysed using SPSS 16. Percentage was used to summarize the categorical data, Chi-square test for associations and Independent t test to compare visual analogue scoresResults Out of 300 women who were induced 65%(196) were aware of induction .84% (249) women knew the reason for their induction.57%(170/300) were aware of benefits of induction of labour, whereas only 15% (45/300) were informed about adverse effects .54% (162/300) of women felt analgesia given was not satisfactory.61 %(177) of women had positive, and 14 %(40) had negative attitude towards induction.32 %(94)spontaneously labouring women felt labour unbearable compared to 45% (126) induced women which is statistically significant (p value 0.001). While comparing the two groups, induced women felt more sad (p<0.001) and tired (p=0.01) compared to women in spontaneous group.Discussion Induced women were not well informed about adverse effects and felt labour was unbearable .Induced women were more tired and sad at the end of labour..Women should be provided with realistic information,and better analgesia in labor Conclusion Induced women were not well informed about adverse effects and felt labour was unbearable .Induced women were more tired and sad at the end of labour. Women should be offered better analgesia in labour. Good counselling and compassionate care from healthcare workers may increase the satisfaction levels of induced women.

Modeling rapid Earth rotation variations – where are we going next?

&lt;p&gt;Non-tidal Earth rotation variations at intraseasonal periods are almost exclusively driven by mass redistributions within the atmosphere and ocean. Our capacity to model these signals has advanced over the past decades, but differences between the observed and modeled portions of the planetary angular momentum budget are still as large as 1&amp;#8211;5 cm when expressed as axis displacement at the Earth's surface. A likely source for these significant errors is the ocean, poorly sampled with observations and thus not amenable to the sequential data assimilation machinery developed for the atmosphere. Moreover, the recent delineation of basin-wide ocean mass exchanges associated with the Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO) in a high-resolution baroclinic model emphasizes that a revisit of standard forward modeling choices (e.g., grid spacings of &amp;#8764;100 km) may be in order to better describe rapid, large-scale oceanic mass motions. In this contribution, I provide a brief overview of recent progress in the field and suggest that dynamically consistent model-data syntheses, as practiced by the consortium on Estimating the Circulation and Climate of the Ocean (ECCO), are a viable route to mitigate deficiencies in present oceanic angular momentum (OAM) series on intraseasonal (but also longer) time scales. As ocean state estimates continue to be refined by the central ECCO production, I assess the benefits of higher model resolution with OAM series from an eddy-permitting (1/6&amp;#176;) forward simulation, descending from the current ECCO release in its discrete setup. The resulting mass and motion terms indeed provide smaller Earth rotation residuals than other available OAM estimates, possibly due to the model resolving important topographic interactions and the dynamic response to MJO in the 30&amp;#8211;80-day band. However, these improvements come at disproportionally large computational costs, and iteratively fitting an eddy-permitting general circulation model to oceanographic observations may still be prohibitive in the near future. Instead, efforts should be devoted to extending the present coarser-resolution ECCO framework to new data constraints and shorter adjustment intervals. Of particular interest in the context of Earth rotation are non-standard daily GRACE gravity field solutions, which contain realistic information on oceanic mass-field variability below the nominal GRACE Nyquist period of 60 days.&lt;/p&gt;

ORGANIZATIONAL AND LEGAL BASIS OF CUSTOMS CONTROL PROCEDURE

The implementation of customs control occupies a significant share of the activities of customs officers. Customs control procedures make it possible to identify customs violations in a timely manner, to ensure the content of measures aimed at preventing customs offenses, reveals the possibility of identifying shortcomings in the work of customs officials who are responsible for a particular area of work. In addition, the customs control procedure reveals not only the shortcomings in the work of certain parts of the customs, but above all, establishes the level of compliance with the principles of customs control and performance of its functions. This thesis is based on the fact that in case of violation of these segments there is a certain area of activity, which usually acts as a zone of customs violations. At the same time, customs control helps to improve the quality of document flow and provides an opportunity to form more realistic information flows for management decisions. At the same time, customs control procedures provide an opportunity to determine the relationship between the elements of the organizational mechanism, to establish at what stage is the duplication of functional responsibilities of responsible persons, and on this basis to decide on its improvement in the future. However, these advantages of customs control are partially offset by a number of negative factors that have some impact on the effectiveness of the procedure itself. There are professional and scientific discussions about the content of negative factors influencing customs control procedures, among which the leading role is given to the shortcomings in the law-making process. Existing problems indicate the feasibility of conducting research in this area. The article highlights the existing problematic factors influencing the customs control procedures, reveals the legal regulations for their implementation and determines the content of the principles and functions that customs officers are obliged to adapt during their adaptation. Attention is paid to the expediency of expanding the functions of the customs control procedure, the advantage of such changes is outlined. The author's position of content of conceptual categories «customs control», «customs control procedure», «organization of customs control» with the substantiation of the chosen approach is offered. The specific features of the organization of the customs control procedure are revealed, the main tasks are determined and the directions of its improvement are established. The author's position on the expediency of choosing both legal and human factors in the development of measures to improve the customs control procedure is given. The relationship between the qualification level of the executors of control actions and the effectiveness of the customs control procedure is substantiated.

DEVELOPING A MOBILE APPLICATION FOR SMART REAL ESTATE INFORMATION

Successful land information management is an important issue for governments in regards to sustainable development. Reliable and comprehensive data about land and all related factors are essential for effective land policies. Various land related legal applications such as planning, taxation, property management, mortgage, and real estate investments require interoperable, extensive and realistic information about the land and real property. GIS provides greater insight into land by its capability to advance geographic analysis in different aspects. The statistical analysis capabilities of GIS increase the efficiency and accuracy of the evaluations related to land and real estate. Along with the developments of information and communication technologies, modern GIS technologies can handle large and complex data. Web-based and mobile GIS technologies provide the capability of operating and sharing local data and provide geographic analysis tools to users via the web. In this way, various mobile GIS applications can be developed in many different application areas. In this study, a mobile application titled as Smart Real Estate was developed for presenting urban real estate characteristics in different thematic groups by analysing data in different formats coming from different sources.

First simulations of day-to-day variability of mid-latitude sporadic E layer structures

We present the first simulations that successfully reproduce the day-to-day variability of the mid-latitude sporadic E ($$E_s$$ E s ) layers. $$E_s$$ E s layers appearing in the lower ionosphere have been extensively investigated to monitor and forecast their effects on long-distance communication by radio waves. Although it is widely accepted that the atmospheric tides are important in generating the $$E_s$$ E s layers, no simulations to date have reproduced the $$E_s$$ E s layers observed on a certain day. This is due to the lack of the combination of realistic information on the atmospheric tides in the lower ionosphere and a three-dimensional numerical ionospheric model that can simulate the precise transport of metallic ions. We developed a numerical ionospheric model coupled with the neutral winds from the GAIA (Ground-to-topside model of Atmosphere and Ionosphere for Aeronomy). The fundamental structures and the day-to-day variations of the $$E_s$$ E s layers observed by a $$\hbox {Ca}^+$$ Ca + lidar are well-reproduced in the simulations.