Multisensor data fusion for on-site materials tracking in construction

Automated materials tracking and locating on construction sites can significantly impact construction productivity. The ability to automatically detect the locations and multi-handling of thousands of items can improve the performance of material distribution, and ultimately improve project performance. Deploying a cost-effective, scalable, and easy to implement materials location sensing system in real world construction sites has very recently become technically and economically feasible. However, much opportunity still exists to improve accuracy, precision and robustness. In this study a data fusion model is used on an integrated solution for automated identification, location estimation, and dislocation detection of construction materials. The developed model is a modified functional data fusion model. Particular attention is focused on dislocation detection because it is closely coupled with location estimation, and because it can be used to detect multi-handling of materials. Multi-handling is a key indicator of inefficiency. This study has successfully addressed the challenges of fusing data from different simple sources of information within a very noisy and dynamic environment. The results indicate a potential for the proposed model to improve location estimation and movement detection as well as to automate multi-handling counts.     

Partial Transient Liquid-Phase Bonding, Part II: A Filtering Routine for Determining All Possible Interlayer Combinations

Partial transient liquid-phase (PTLP) bonding is currently an esoteric joining process with limited applications. However, it has preferable advantages compared with typical joining techniques and is the best joining technique for certain applications. Specifically, it can bond hard-to-join materials as well as dissimilar material types, and bonding is performed at comparatively low temperatures. Part of the difficulty in applying PTLP bonding is finding suitable interlayer combinations (ICs). A novel interlayer selection procedure has been developed to facilitate the identification of ICs that will create successful PTLP bonds and is explained in a companion article. An integral part of the selection procedure is a filtering routine that identifies all possible ICs for a given application. This routine utilizes a set of customizable parameters that are based on key characteristics of PTLP bonding. These parameters include important design considerations such as bonding temperature, target remelting temperature, bond solid type, and interlayer thicknesses. The output from this routine provides a detailed view of each candidate IC along with a broad view of the entire candidate set, greatly facilitating the selection of ideal ICs. This routine provides a new perspective on the PTLP bonding process. In addition, the use of this routine, by way of the accompanying selection procedure, will expand PTLP bonding as a viable joining process.     

Battlemind debriefing and battlemind training as early interventions with soldiers returning from iraq: Randomization by platoon.

Researchers have found that there is an increase in mental heath problems as a result of military-related traumatic events, and such problems increase in the months following return from combat. Nevertheless, researchers have not assessed the impact of early intervention efforts with this at-risk population. In the present study, the authors compared different early interventions with 2,297 U.S. soldiers following a year-long deployment to Iraq. Platoons were randomly assigned to standard postdeployment stress education, Battlemind debriefing, and small and large group Battlemind training. Results from a 4-month follow-up with 1,060 participants showed those with high levels of combat exposure who received Battlemind debriefing reported fewer posttraumatic stress symptoms, depression symptoms, and sleep problems than those in stress education. Small group Battlemind training participants with high combat exposure reported fewer posttraumatic stress symptoms and sleep problems than stress education participants. Compared to stress education participants, large group Battlemind training participants with high combat exposure reported fewer posttraumatic stress symptoms and lower levels of stigma and, regardless of combat exposure, reported fewer depression symptoms. Findings demonstrate that brief early interventions have the potential to be effective with at-risk occupational groups. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Comparison of the damage in sapphire due to implantation of boron, nitrogen, and iron

The damage microstructure and optical properties of sapphire implanted with boron, nitrogen and iron were examined by RBS-C, TEM, and optical absorption. Implantations were conducted at RT and 1000 °C at 150 keV and fluences of 3 × 10¹⁶-1 × 10¹⁷ ions/cm². Optical absorption measurements indicate that the boron-implanted samples contained the highest number of F-type centers and the nitrogen-implanted samples the fewest. The microstructure of the boron-implanted samples shows only ‘black-spot’ defect clusters, as did the iron-implanted samples at the lower fluences. At higher fluences, the iron implanted samples revealed the presence of nanometer-sized precipitates of single crystal bcc iron that contributed to additional optical scattering. Bubbles formed in samples implanted with low fluences of nitrogen. A second damage region is apparent in the RBS-C patterns for higher fluences of nitrogen.     

Barriers to sustainable economic development: The Dallas-Fort Worth experience

This article examines the scope of existing economic development activity and the motivations and perceptions of practitioners to shed light on the barriers to sustainable practice. In contrast to related fields like urban planning, the economic development literature has minimally examined how practitioners think about sustainable development and the extent to which sustainable development principles are adopted in practice. This omission is significant because economic development policies can have a notable impact on the sustainable development goals of environmental protection and social equity alongside economic growth. To capture the extent to which economic developers engage in sustainable development and the barriers that practitioners face, we study fifteen cities in the Dallas-Fort Worth region. We find that six key barriers - a conventional economic development mindset, incentive-based practice, a lack of resources, ad hoc planning, inter-regional competition, and a lack of coordinated regional planning - impede sustainable economic development in the region.     

Development of an empirical model for determining G*/sin δ in crumb rubber modified binders

This paper describes the development of an empirical model which may be used for predicting the G*/sin δ for neat and crumb rubber modified (CRM) binders. The model was developed using 36 unique CRM binder combinations, crumb rubber concentrations were varied at 5% intervals between 5% and 20%. The effects of crumb rubber particle size on model accuracy were also studied, ultimately a model was produced with the capability of predicting G*/sin δ values over a range of temperatures and crumb rubber concentrations. By definition, the upper limit of the performance grade is dependent on the G*/sin δ value; therefore, the relationship was also considered in terms of high end failure temperature.The rubber coefficient for G*/sin δ (R_cg) was identified as an important parameter in the estimation of G*/sin δ in addition to the CRM. This term is a quantitative representation of the increase typically witnessed in G*/sin δ values with the addition of CRM. Ambient ground CRM exhibited higher R_cg values than cryogenically ground particles. Additionally, 95% confidence intervals were generated for the predictive model, thus providing a range of accuracy for the model. The resulting confidence intervals were approximately ±1300 Pa, these confidence intervals were seen to capture 92.6% of the 462 data points used. Findings from this research suggest that the differences between cryogenic and ambient CRM binder are accurately described using the R_cg, furthermore binder properties may be predicted using an empirical equation.     

Adaptive modelling for adaptive water quality management in the Great Barrier Reef region,Australia

The development and use of a Bayesian Belief Network (BBN) model, within an adaptive management process for the management of water quality in the Mackay Whitsunday region of Queensland, Australia is described. The management goal is firstly to set achievable targets for water quality entering the Great Barrier Reef lagoon from the Mackay Whitsunday natural resource management region and then secondly to define and implement a strategy to achieve these targets. The BBN serves as an adaptive framework that managers and scientists may use to articulate what they know about the managed system. It then provides a tool to guide where, when and what interventions (including research) are most likely to achieve management outcomes. Importantly the BBN provides a platform for collective learning.BBN estimates of total suspended sediment (TSS) loads and event mean concentrations (EMCs) were compared to observed data and results from current best practice models. The BBN estimates were reasonable relative to empirical observations. Example results from the BBN are thereafter used to illustrate the use of the model in estimating the likelihood of exceeding water quality targets with and without proposed actions to improve water quality. Example results are also used to illustrate what spatial or land use elements might contribute most to exceeding water quality targets. Finally key limitations of the tool are discussed and important learnings from the process are highlighted.