Development of Object-Oriented Design and Specifications for Iowa DOT and Urban Standards: Phase I, TR-487, 2004

Currently, individuals including designers, contractors, and owners learn about the project requirements by studying a combination of paper and electronic copies of the construction documents including the drawings, specifications (standard and supplemental), road and bridge standard drawings, design criteria, contracts, addenda, and change orders. This can be a tedious process since one needs to go back and forth between the various documents (paper or electronic) to obtain information about the entire project. Object-oriented computer-aided design (OO-CAD) is an innovative technology that can bring a change to this process by graphical portrayal of information. OO-CAD allows users to point and click on portions of an object-oriented drawing that are then linked to relevant databases of information (e.g., specifications, procurement status, and shop drawings). The vision of this study is to turn paper-based design standards and construction specifications into an object-oriented design and specification (OODAS) system or a visual electronic reference library (ERL). Individuals can use the system through a handheld wireless book-size laptop that includes all of the necessary software for operating in a 3D environment. All parties involved in transportation projects can access all of the standards and requirements simultaneously using a 3D graphical interface. By using this system, users will have all of the design elements and all of the specifications readily available without concerns of omissions. A prototype object-oriented model was created and demonstrated to potential users representing counties, cities, and the state. Findings suggest that a system like this could improve productivity to find information by as much as 75% and provide a greater sense of confidence that all relevant information had been identified. It was also apparent that this system would be used by more people in construction than in design. There was also concern related to the cost to develop and maintain the complete system. The future direction should focus on a project-based system that can help the contractors and DOT inspectors find information (e.g., road standards, specifications, instructional memorandums) more rapidly as it pertains to a specific project.

Nousevien teknologioiden johtamisen strategiset työkalut

Työn tavoitteena on luoda looginen ja ehjä kuvaus nousevien teknologioiden tunnistamisesta ja analysoinnista sekä näihin toimintoihin käytettävissä olevista työkaluista kirjallisuuden perusteella. Työssä esitellään teknologian arviointiprosessi sekä sitä tukevat työkalut ja menetelmät, skenaariosuunnittelu, roadmap-menetelmä, reaalioptiot ja lead user -menetelmä. Näitä työkaluja käytetään yrityksen strategisen päätöksenteon apuna, ja ne soveltuvat myös nouseviin teknologioihin liittyviin päätöksiin. Laaja ja strateginen reaalioptioajattelu huomioi nouseviin teknologioihin liittyvät epävarmuudet, ymmärtää yrityksen joustavuuden merkityksen ja skaalautuu tiedon tarkentuessa myös laskentatoimen työkaluksi avustamaan budjetointia ja resurssien allokointia. Yrityksen strategiaa voidaan pitää reaalioptioista koostuvana portfoliona. Skenaarioanalyysillä puolestaan voidaan tunnistaa nouseviin teknologioihin liittyviä reaalioptioita ja analysoida toimintaympäristön mahdollisten muutosten yhteisvaikutusta yritykseen ja sen kilpailukykyyn. Skenaarioita laatimalla voidaan havaita vaikeastikin hahmotettavia mahdollisuuksia, parantaa ymmärrystä toimintaympäristön dynamiikasta ja varautua myös epätodennäköisiin tulevaisuudenkuviin. Teknologia-roadmap on havainnollinen tapa esittää yrityksen tarvitsemat teknologiat ja niiden kytkeytyminen toisiinsa ja muuhun liiketoimintaan. Roadmapping-prosessin voidaan ajatella keräävän yrityksen kannattavimmiksi katsomat reaalioptiot strategiseksi kokonaisuudeksi. Lead user -menetelmää voidaan käyttää tukemaan kaikkia näitä metodeja markkinaepävarmuuden vähentämisessä. Lead user -menetelmä täsmentää teknologiaoptioiden arviointia, laadittujen skenaarioiden osuvuutta ja teknologia-roadmapissa näkyvää markkinoiden kytkeytymistä tuotteisiin ja teknologioihin. Nousevien teknologioiden johtamisen kannalta parhaat tulokset saavutetaan käyttämällä näitä menetelmiä yhdessä ja toistensa tukena.

Référentiel de pratiques professionnelles: soins et surveillance des accès veineux centraux de l'adulte pour la nutrition parentérale [Formative assessment in clinical nutrition: Care management of parenteral nutrition central venous access]

Les voies veineuses centrales (VVC) sont essentielles pour l'administration de la nutrition parentérale. Le risque de complications est dépendant de la qualité des soins apportés à la VVC qui influence de ce fait la qualité de vie des patients et le coût des soins. Beaucoup de complications des VVC, infectieuses ou non, peuvent être prévenues par l'existence de protocoles de soins appropriés et standardisés. L'information sur les soins des VVC et les éventuelles complications est essentielle pour le dépistage et le traitement précoce de ces complications ; elle doit faire l'objet de protocoles partagés entre les patients et les soignants. Cet article décrit une évaluation des pratiques professionnelles sous la forme d'un audit clinique destiné à améliorer la qualité de soins des patients en nutrition parentérale porteurs de VVC. Central venous access devices (CVAD) are essential for the administration of parenteral nutrition. The quality of the care of CVAD influences the risk of complications and so the quality of life of the patients and the costs of care. Numerous infectious or non-infectious complications of CVAD can be prevented by appropriate, standardized protocols of care. Information about the care of CVAD and complications is essential for the early recognition and treatment of complications and should be shared between patients and caregivers. This article describes an audit for CAVD care that can be used to improve quality of care in a professional practice evaluation program.

Planejamento participativo no subprograma QEQ do PADCT

The development of the Brazilian chemistry sector, during the last 30 years, is nowadays being attributed to PADCT (Science and Technology Development Program). Since the seventies, the Government took notice of the importance of research in chemistry for the Brazilian economy, therefore creating PADCT to support chemistry and chemical engineering among other areas of science and technology. Planning and implementation of the second phase of this program represented a real joint strategic planning. Since then, academic research and human resources education have experienced significant improvements. However, in the chemical trade, the deficit continues to grow, in spite of an almost constant ratio between importation costs and export revenues. Continued investments for research in the area remain necessary.

Pilhas de combustíveis microbianas utilizadas na produção de eletricidade a partir de rejeitos orgânicos: uma perspectiva de futuro

In this review is presented an innovative technology for use of animal and vegetable waste with high pollution levels in microbial fuel cell (MFC) as an alternative to waste remediation and simultaneously producing electricity and fertilizer for agriculture. A brief history of MFC, the studies about the electron transfer mechanisms, discussion of the biological nanowires in bacteria and the use of chemical mediators or carriers of electrons are explained. The factors influencing the performance of MFCs, the application in waste and sewage treatment and power generation are also discussed.

Perception des personnes âgées à l'égard de la vidéosurveillance intelligente pour leur soutien à domicile

Introduction : Au sein de la population vieillissante, les chutes à domicile représentent une problématique importante (1 personne âgée/3 chute au moins 1 fois/année). Pour détecter automatiquement les chutes en respectant la vie privée, une technologie novatrice a été développée : la vidéosurveillance intelligente. Objectif : Explorer la perception et la réceptivité des personnes âgées concernant l’introduction de cette nouvelle technologie, à domicile. Méthodologie : Trente personnes âgées ont participé à une entrevue structurée (devis mixte). Une analyse de contenu (données qualitatives) et des analyses descriptives (données quantitatives) ont été effectuées puis combinées. Résultats : 93,4% des participants sont favorables (ou partiellement) à la vidéosurveillance intelligente et 43,3% l’utiliserait pour le sentiment de sécurité et la confidentialité procurés. Conclusion : Le contexte de vie des personnes âgées influence leur perception et réceptivité envers la vidéosurveillance intelligente. Il s’agit maintenant d’évaluer cette technologie dans divers milieux de vie.

Production and Characterization of Endocylanase from Bacillus Pumilus Using Solidstate Fermentation and its Application in 'Paper Pulp Processing

In the present studies it is clear that Bacillus pumilus xylanase is having the characteristic suited for an industrial enzyme (xylanases that are active and stable at elevated temperatures and alkaline pH are needed). SSF production of xylanases and its application appears to be an innovative technology where the fermented substrate is the enzyme source that is used directly in the bleaching process without a prior downstream processing. The direct use of SSF enzymes in bleaching is a relatively new biobleaching approach. This can certainly benefit the bleaching process to lower the xylanase production costs and improve the economics and viability of the biobleaching technology. The application of enzymes to the bleaching process has been considered as an environmentally friendly approach that can reduce the negative impact on the environment exerted by the use of chlorine-based bleaching agents. It has been demonstrated that pretreatment of kraft pulp with xylanase prior to bleaching (biobleaching) can facilitate subsequent removal of lignin by bleaching chemicals, thereby, reducing the demand for elemental chlorine or improving final paper brightness. Using this xylanase pre-treatment, has resulted in an increased of brightness (8.5 Unit) when compared to non-enzymatic treated bleached pulp prepared using identical conditions. Reduction of the consumption of active chlorine can be achieved which results in a decrease in the toxicity, colour, chloride and absorbable organic halogen (AOX) levels of bleaching effluents. The xylanase treatment improves drainage, strength properties and the fragility of pulps, and also increases the brightness of pulps. This positive result shows that enzyme pre-treatment facilitates the removal of chromophore fragments of pulp there by making the process more environment friendly

Development of Free Space Method for Material Characterisation and GPR Study & A Case Study on Biological Samples

The thesis mainly focuses on material characterization in different environments: freely available samples taken in planar fonn, biological samples available in small quantities and buried objects.Free space method, finds many applications in the fields of industry, medicine and communication. As it is a non-contact method, it can be employed for monitoring the electrical properties of materials moving through a conveyor belt in real time. Also, measurement on such systems at high temperature is possible. NID theory can be applied to the characterization of thin films. Dielectric properties of thin films deposited on any dielectric substrate can be determined. ln chemical industry, the stages of a chemical reaction can be monitored online. Online monitoring will be more efficient as it saves time and avoids risk of sample collection.Dielectric contrast is one of the main factors, which decides the detectability of a system. lt could be noted that the two dielectric objects of same dielectric constant 3.2 (s, of plastic mine) placed in a medium of dielectric constant 2.56 (er of sand) could even be detected employing the time domain analysis of the reflected signal. This type of detection finds strategic importance as it provides solution to the problem of clearance of non-metallic mines. The demining of these mines using the conventional techniques had been proved futile. The studies on the detection of voids and leakage in pipes find many applications.The determined electrical properties of tissues can be used for numerical modeling of cells, microwave imaging, SAR test etc. All these techniques need the accurate determination of dielectric constant. ln the modem world, the use of cellular and other wireless communication systems is booming up. At the same time people are concemed about the hazardous effects of microwaves on living cells. The effect is usually studied on human phantom models. The construction of the models requires the knowledge of the dielectric parameters of the various body tissues. lt is in this context that the present study gains significance. The case study on biological samples shows that the properties of normal and infected body tissues are different. Even though the change in the dielectric properties of infected samples from that of normal one may not be a clear evidence of an ailment, it is an indication of some disorder.ln medical field, the free space method may be adapted for imaging the biological samples. This method can also be used in wireless technology. Evaluation of electrical properties and attenuation of obstacles in the path of RF waves can be done using free waves. An intelligent system for controlling the power output or frequency depending on the feed back values of the attenuation may be developed.The simulation employed in GPR can be extended for the exploration of the effects due to the factors such as the different proportion of water content in the soil, the level and roughness of the soil etc on the reflected signal. This may find applications in geological explorations. ln the detection of mines, a state-of-the art technique for scanning and imaging an active mine field can be developed using GPR. The probing antenna can be attached to a robotic arm capable of three degrees of rotation and the whole detecting system can be housed in a military vehicle. In industry, a system based on the GPR principle can be developed for monitoring liquid or gas through a pipe, as pipe with and without the sample gives different reflection responses. lt may also be implemented for the online monitoring of different stages of extraction and purification of crude petroleum in a plant.Since biological samples show fluctuation in the dielectric nature with time and other physiological conditions, more investigation in this direction should be done. The infected cells at various stages of advancement and the normal cells should be analysed. The results from these comparative studies can be utilized for the detection of the onset of such diseases. Studying the properties of infected tissues at different stages, the threshold of detectability of infected cells can be determined.

Development and Deployment of Wireless Sensor Network in Paddy Fields of Kuttanad

The evolution of wireless sensor network technology has enabled us to develop advanced systems for real time monitoring. In the present scenario wireless sensor networks are increasingly being used for precision agriculture. The advantages of using wireless sensor networks in agriculture are distributed data collection and monitoring, monitor and control of climate, irrigation and nutrient supply. Hence decreasing the cost of production and increasing the efficiency of production. This paper describes the development and deployment of wireless sensor network for crop monitoring in the paddy fields of Kuttanad, a region of Kerala, the southern state of India.

Energy Optimized Secure Routing Protocol for Wireless Sensor Networks

The evolution of wireless sensor network technology has enabled us to develop advanced systems for real time monitoring. In the present scenario wireless sensor networks are increasingly being used for precision agriculture. The advantages of using wireless sensor networks in agriculture are distributed data collection and monitoring, monitor and control of climate, irrigation and nutrient supply. Hence decreasing the cost of production and increasing the efficiency of production. This paper describes the security issues related to wireless sensor networks and suggests some techniques for achieving system security. This paper also discusses a protocol that can be adopted for increasing the security of the transmitted data

Hybrid optimization schemes for quantum control

Optimal control theory is a powerful tool for solving control problems in quantum mechanics, ranging from the control of chemical reactions to the implementation of gates in a quantum computer. Gradient-based optimization methods are able to find high fidelity controls, but require considerable numerical effort and often yield highly complex solutions. We propose here to employ a two-stage optimization scheme to significantly speed up convergence and achieve simpler controls. The control is initially parametrized using only a few free parameters, such that optimization in this pruned search space can be performed with a simplex method. The result, considered now simply as an arbitrary function on a time grid, is the starting point for further optimization with a gradient-based method that can quickly converge to high fidelities. We illustrate the success of this hybrid technique by optimizing a geometric phase gate for two superconducting transmon qubits coupled with a shared transmission line resonator, showing that a combination of Nelder-Mead simplex and Krotov’s method yields considerably better results than either one of the two methods alone.

Modeling the Transport Sector: The Role of Existing Fuel Taxes in Climate Policy

Existing fuel taxes play a major role in determining the welfare effects of exempting the transportation sector from measures to control greenhouse gases. To study this phenomenon we modify the MIT Emissions Prediction and Policy Analysis (EPPA) model to disaggregate the household transportation sector. This improvement requires an extension of the GTAP data set that underlies the model. The revised and extended facility is then used to compare economic costs of cap-and-trade systems differentiated by sector, focusing on two regions: the USA where the fuel taxes are low, and Europe where the fuel taxes are high. We find that the interplay between carbon policies and pre-existing taxes leads to different results in these regions: in the USA exemption of transport from such a system would increase the welfare cost of achieving a national emissions target, while in Europe such exemptions will correct pre-existing distortions and reduce the cost.

Incidencia de la cooperación internacional para el desarrollo de las organizaciones internacionales en las políticas públicas de Nigeria. ¿Cooperación o injerencia política? una aproximación de la comisión para la energía de la ECOWAS. 2005 – 2011

La cooperación Internacional para el desarrollo ha jugado un papel determinante en las dinámicas de desarrollo de los países de África, sin embargo, las organizaciones internacionales que la promocionan tienen el riesgo de ser sesgadas por influencias de Estados que patrocinan la Cooperación Internacional, hecho que genera, irremediablemente, injerencia política; esto se puede ver reflejado en la ECOWAS y sus programas energéticos.

Investigación perfil en competencias y habilidades del empresario bogotano: trabajo de campo

Este documento corresponde al trabajo de campo para la investigación doctoral de Luis Alberto Estrada titulado “Perfil en competencias del empresario bogotano”. El objetivo que el equipo de investigación definió fue concretar las habilidades y competencias que acompañan a los emprendedores y fundadores de empresa en la primera década del siglo XXI. Para ello, se tomó una base de datos de la Cámara de Comercio de Bogotá, la cual contiene la información comercial de las empresas de la ciudad con matrícula mercantil vigente creadas en el periodo de 2000 a 2011 con un mínimo de 5 años de ventas registradas. Mediante el análisis de la información se seleccionó a las cincuenta empresas de mayor crecimiento en ventas, de las cuales ocho fueron encuestadas y entrevistadas junto a sus fundadores. Los hallazgos que se encontraron en este estudio muestran un perfil del grupo de encuestados con respecto a su formación, su relación, su gestión, sus aspiraciones, su compostura, su visión y su trascendencia.

Administración en la cadena de suministro y su relación con el desempeño de las PYME del sector agroindustrial

En la actualidad las organizaciones están en búsqueda de una mejora continua, esto lleva a que las empresas hagan una revisión de estrategias que permitan alcanzar una posición de líderes en los diferentes sectores en los que se desempeñan. Una de las estrategias para lograr un alto posicionamiento en las nuevas empresas es la adecuada gestión que hacen de la cadena de suministro. El sector agroindustrial tiene un amplia cadena de suministro desde la obtención de materias primas hasta la llegada al cliente final, por su gran magnitud requiere de una adecuada administración de procesos que permitan ser eficaces y eficientes para alcanzar logros propuestos, aprovechar los recursos limitados con los que cuentan para su cumplimiento y, por último, la capacidad propia para la transformación de sus recursos. Para lograr que las empresas obtengan ventajas competitivas, es necesario que los distintos eslabones de la cadena de suministros cuenten con una capacidad de interacción que les permita, tanto agilizar como asegurar el éxito durante la incorporación de los nuevos productos en el mercado. Por medio de esta investigación se busca esclarecer y analizar la importancia de la administración en la cadena de suministro y la relación con el desempeño, basándose en las Pymes del sector agroindustrial. La intención es evaluar la información de diversos autores quienes han hablado de la relación que existe entre la cadena de suministro y su desempeño, teniendo en cuenta variables como el sector agroindustrial y las Pymes.