Material Management in Confined Site Construction

The objective of this paper is to identify various managerial issues encountered and resulting strategies adopted, with regards management of materials on confined construction site. This is achieved through classifying the various managerial burdens encountered with the numerous strategies adopted, for the successful management of such confined environments within the realm of materials management.


Through conducting an extensive literature review and detailed interviews, a comprehensive insight into the materials management concerns within a confined construction site environment is envisaged and portrayed. The following are the leading issues highlighted; (1)Lack of adequate storage space, (2)Work place becoming over-crowded, (3)Lack of adequate room for the effective handling of materials and (4)Difficult to transport materials around site. The leading managerial strategies to the management of materials on confined construction sites may be listed in order of importance, as follows; (1)Pre-fabrication and pre-assembly, (2)Providing adequate storage, (3)Space scheduling, (4)Just-In-Time delivery techniques, and (5)Effective design site layout.

Based on the research conducted, it can be concluded, that through effective management of the issues identified along with implementing the various strategies highlighted; successful materials management within a confined construction site environment is attainable.


Innovative Aspect of Paper: An empirical study of three different construction sites in three different countries (Ireland, England and USA) investigating the managerial issues and strategies relating to implementation of materials management in confined construction sites.

Reliability Assessment of 3-D Space Frame Structures Applying Stochastic Finite Element Analysis

Throughout design development of satellite structure, stress engineer is usually challenged with randomness in applied loads and material properties. To overcome such problem, a risk-based design is applied which estimates satellite structure probability of failure under static and thermal loads. Determining probability of failure can help to update initially applied factors of safety that were used during structure preliminary design phase. These factors of safety are related to the satellite mission objective. Sensitivity-based analysis is to be implemented in the context of finite element analysis (probabilistic finite element method or stochastic finite element method (SFEM)) to determine the probability of failure for satellite structure or one of its components.

A 'ruin of all space, shattered glass and toppling masonry': Joyce's Orientalism in the Context of 11 September 2001 and 1922

Chapters 3 and 15 of Joyce's Ulysses exhibit glimpses of three dreams, fantasies and eventual nightmares linked to the figure of 'Haroun al Raschid.' Historically speaking, the latter was a powerful Caliph of Baghdad, a medieval potentate about whom many of the most memorable of The Thousand and One Nights or The Arabian Nights' Entertainments were once and then again spun as tales of pleasure. Joyce seizes upon the figure of 'Haroun al Raschid' as a fictive measure to articulate the 'orientalist' fantasies of Stephen Dedalus and Leopold Bloom. However, this evocative figure of Near Eastern history, of fabulous narrative and the progressively converging fantasies of two modern European literary characters is riddled with paradox. Such material provides Joyce a perceptive and proleptic sense of the paradoxes and brutal historical contradictions through which Western and Eastern dreams of theocratic nationalism, ethnic zealotry, colonial rebellion and Zionism are to be played out. W. B. Yeats' poem 'The Gift of Harun al-Raschid', written in 1923, the year after the book publication of Ulysses, provides both a fitting foil and a significant socio-historical point of reference for Joyce's own figurative use of the Caliph of Baghdad.

Models of open populations with space-limited recruitment: extension of theory and application to the barnacle Chthamalus montagui.

1. Barnacles are a good model organism for the study of open populations with space-limited recruitment. These models are applicable to other species with open supply of new individuals and resource limitation. The inclusion of space in models leads to reductions in recruitment with increasing density, and thus predictions of population size and stability are possible. 2. Despite the potential generality of a demographic theory for open space-limited populations, the models currently have a narrow empirical base. In this study, a model for an open population with space-limited recruitment was extended to include size-specific survival and promotions to any size class. The assumptions of this model were tested using data from a pan-European study of the barnacle Chthamalus montagui Southward. Two models were constructed: a 6-month model and a periodic annual model. Predicted equilibria and their stabilities were compared between shores. 3. Tests of model assumptions supported the extension of the theory to include promotions to any size class. Mortality was found to be size-specific and density independent. Studied populations were open, with recruitment proportional to free space. 4. The 6-month model showed a significant interaction between time and location for equilibrium free space. This may have been due to contrasts in the timing of structuring processes (i.e. creating and filling space) between Mediterranean and Atlantic systems. Integration of the 6-month models into a periodic annual model removed the differences in equilibrium-free space between locations. 5. Model predictions show a remarkable similarity between shores at a European scale. Populations were persistent and all solutions were stable. This reflects the apparent absence of density-dependent mortality and a high adult survivorship in C. montagui. As populations are intrinsically stable, observations of fluctuations in density are directly attributable to variations in the environmental forcing of recruitment or mortality

The Teaching Space Allocation Problem with splitting

A standard problem within universities is that of teaching space allocation which can be thought of as the assignment of rooms and times to various teaching activities. The focus is usually on courses that are expected to fit into one room. However, it can also happen that the course will need to be broken up, or ‘split’, into multiple sections. A lecture might be too large to fit into any one room. Another common example is that of seminars or tutorials. Although hundreds of students may be enrolled on a course, it is often subdivided into particular types and sizes of events dependent on the pedagogic requirements of that particular course. Typically, decisions as to how to split courses need to be made within the context of limited space requirements. Institutions do not have an unlimited number of teaching rooms, and need to effectively use those that they do have. The efficiency of space usage is usually measured by the overall ‘utilisation’ which is basically the fraction of the available seat-hours that are actually used. A multi-objective optimisation problem naturally arises; with a trade-off between satisfying preferences on splitting, a desire to increase utilisation, and also to satisfy other constraints such as those based on event location and timetabling conflicts. In this paper, we explore such trade-offs. The explorations themselves are based on a local search method that attempts to optimise the space utilisation by means of a ‘dynamic splitting’ strategy. The local moves are designed to improve utilisation and satisfy the other constraints, but are also allowed to split, and un-split, courses so as to simultaneously meet the splitting objectives.

Numerical and Experimental Study of the Performance Effects of Varying Vaneless Space and Vane Solidity in Radial Inflow Turbine Stators.

An extensive experimental program has been carried out on a 135?mm tip diameter radial turbine using a variety of stator designs, in order to facilitate direct performance comparisons of varying stator vane solidity and the effect of varying the vaneless space. A baseline vaned stator was designed using commercial blade design software, having 15 vanes and a vane trailing edge to rotor leading edge radius ratio (Rte/rle) of 1.13. Two additional series of stator vanes were designed and manufactured; one series having varying vane numbers of 12, 18, 24, and 30, and a further series with Rte/rle ratios of 1.05, 1.175, 1.20, and 1.25. As part of the design process a series of CFD simulations were carried out in order to guide design iterations towards achieving a matched flow capacity for each stator. In this way the variations in the measured stage efficiency could be attributed to the stator passages only, thus allowing direct comparisons to be made. Interstage measurements were taken to capture the static pressure distribution at the rotor inlet and these measurements were then used to validate subsequent numerical models. The overall losses for different stators have been quantified and the variations in the measured and computed efficiency were used to recommend optimum values of vane solidity and Rte/rle.

A Transit Timing Analysis of Mine RISE Light Curves of the Exoplanet System TrES-3

We present nine newly observed transits of TrES-3, taken as part of a transit timing program using the RISE instrument on the Liverpool Telescope. A Markov-Chain Monte Carlo analysis was used to determine the planet star radius ratio and inclination of the system, which were found to be R-p/R-star = 0.1664(-0.0018)(+0.0011) and i = 81.73(-0.04)(+0.13), respectively, consistent with previous results. The central transit times and uncertainties were also calculated, using a residual-permutation algorithm as an independent check on the errors. A re-analysis of eight previously published TrES-3 light curves was conducted to determine the transit times and uncertainties using consistent techniques. Whilst the transit times were not found to be in agreement with a linear ephemeris, giving chi(2) = 35.07 for 15 degrees of freedom, we interpret this to be the result of systematics in the light curves rather than a real transit timing variation. This is because the light curves that show the largest deviation from a constant period either have relatively little out-of-transit coverage or have clear systematics. A new ephemeris was calculated using the transit times and was found to be T-c(0) = 2454632.62610 +/- 0.00006 HJD and P = 1.3061864 +/- 0.0000005 days. The transit times were then used to place upper mass limits as a function of the period ratio of a potential perturbing planet, showing that our data are sufficiently sensitive to have probed sub-Earth mass planets in both interior and exterior 2:1 resonances, assuming that the additional planet is in an initially circular orbit.

WASP-14b: 7.3 M-J transiting planet in an eccentric orbit

We report the discovery of a 7.3 M-J exoplanet WASP-14b, one of the most massive transiting exoplanets observed to date. The planet orbits the 10th-magnitude F5V star USNO-B1 11118-0262485 with a period of 2.243 752 d and orbital eccentricity e = 0.09. A simultaneous fit of the transit light curve and radial velocity measurements yields a planetary mass of 7.3 +/- 0.5 M-J and a radius of 1.28 +/- 0.08 R-J. This leads to a mean density of about 4.6 g cm(-3) making it the densest transiting exoplanets yet found at an orbital period less than 3 d. We estimate this system to be at a distance of 160 +/- 20 pc. Spectral analysis of the host star reveals a temperature of 6475 +/- 100 K, log g = 4.07 cm s(-2) and v sin i = 4.9 +/- 1.0 km s(-1), and also a high lithium abundance, log N(Li) = 2.84 +/- 0.05. The stellar density, effective temperature and rotation rate suggest an age for the system of about 0.5-1.0 Gyr.

Community Regeneration: An Elite or a ‘Real’ Community Space?

Identifying community interests in the processes of planning and regeneration is less than straightforward. By their very nature programmes encourage the development of particular projects, typically relying on experience from past initiatives to inform current practice. One of the difficulties for partners is juggling the need to comply with administrative demands while engaging in a meaningful way with their community. This article uses empirical evidence to examine power relations within structures of governance. It argues that current processes are unable to identify real community interests and consequently create space that favour elite interests, all of which restrain the impact of governance.

Salbutamol up-regulates matrix metalloproteinase-9 in the alveolar space in the acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Objectives: Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is characterized by alveolar-capillary barrier damage. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are implicated in the pathogenesis of ARDS. In the Beta Agonists in Acute Lung Injury Trial, intravenous salbutamol reduced extravascular lung water (EVLW) in patients with ARDS at day 4 but not inflammatory cytokines or neutrophil recruitment. We hypothesized that salbutamol reduces MMP activity in ARDS.

Methods: MMP-1/-2/-3/-7/-8/-9/-12/-13 was measured in supernatants of distal lung epithelial cells, type II alveolar cells, and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid from patients in the Beta Agonists in Acute Lung Injury study by multiplex bead array and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs)-1/-2 by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. MMP-9 protein and activity levels were further measured by gelatin zymography and fluorokine assay.

Measurements and Main Results: BAL fluid MMP-1/-2/-3 declined by day 4, whereas total MMP-9 tended to increase. Unexpectedly, salbutamol augmented MMP-9 activity. Salbutamol induced 33.7- and 13.2-fold upregulation in total and lipocalin-associated MMP-9, respectively at day 4, compared with 2.0- and 1.3-fold increase in the placebo group, p < 0.03. Salbutamol did not affect BAL fluid TIMP-1/-2. Net active MMP-9 was higher in the salbutamol group (4222 pg/mL, interquartile range: 513-7551) at day 4 compared with placebo (151 pg/mL, 124-2108), p = 0.012. Subjects with an increase in BAL fluid MMP-9 during the 4-day period had lower EVLW measurements than those in whom MMP-9 fell (10 vs. 17 mL/kg, p = 0.004): change in lung water correlated inversely with change in MMP-9, r = -.54, p = 0.0296. Salbutamol up-regulated MMP-9 and down-regulated TIMP-1/-2 secretion in vitro by distal lung epithelial cells. Inhibition of MMP-9 activity in cultures of type II alveolar epithelial cells reduced wound healing.

Conclusions: Salbutamol specifically up-regulates MMP-9 in vitro and in vivo in patients with ARDS. Up-regulated MMP-9 is associated with a reduction in EVLW. MMP-9 activity is required for alveolar epithelial wound healing in vitro. Data suggest MMP-9 may have a previously unrecognized beneficial role in reducing pulmonary edema in ARDS by improving alveolar epithelial healing.

A transit timing analysis of seven RISE light curves of the exoplanet system HAT-P-3

We present seven light curves of the exoplanet system HAT-P-3, taken as part of a transit timing programme using the rapid imager to search for exoplanets instrument on the Liverpool Telescope. The light curves are analysed using a Markov chain Monte Carlo algorithm to update the parameters of the system. The inclination is found to be i = 86.75+0.22-0.21°, the planet-star radius ratio to be Rp/R* = 0.1098+0.0010-0.0012 and the stellar radius to be R* = 0.834+0.018-0.026Rsolar, consistent with previous results but with a significant improvement in the precision. Central transit times and uncertainties for each light curve are also determined, and a residual permutation algorithm is used as an independent check on the errors. The transit times are found to be consistent with a linear ephemeris, and a new ephemeris is calculated as Tc(0) = 2454856.70118 +/- 0.00018 HJD and P = 2.899738 +/- 0.000007 d. Model timing residuals are fitted to the measured timing residuals to place upper mass limits for a hypothetical perturbing planet as a function of the period ratio. These show that we have probed for planets with masses as low as 0.33 and 1.81 M? in the interior and exterior 2:1 resonances, respectively, assuming the planets are initially in circular orbits.