Engineering Commons^™

Economic Performance Of Organic Vs Conventional Vegetables Production In Gaza Strip, Ahmad Shaban

Palestine Technical University Research Journal

Organic farming has achieved significant growth in developing countries. However, it is still in some areas such as Gaza strip at embryonic stage. Introduction and promotion of organic farming would need more information about economic feasibility of shifting from the existing conventional farms to organic farming system. This is the main aim of this study. Data was collected from 100 randomly selected farmers in southern area of Gaza strip using standard questionnaire. Additional focus group discussions were conducted for further qualitative analyses. Data was also collected from the organic farm of Safe Agriculture Association where vegetables are organically produced and …

Rapd For Assessment Of Thymes Genetic Diversity In Palestine, Raed Alkowni

Palestine Technical University Research Journal

Several thymes species were grown in Palestine and have socio-economical values. Traditionally, morphological features are used for their taxonomy and discrimination. However, these methods fail to provide an accurate for discrimination and authentication, suggesting the use of other method inevitable. In this study, RAPD method was used for genotypes identification and characterization of five most socio-economical Palestinian thymes: Thymus syriacus, Thymus fruticosus, Thymus incanus, Thymus majorana, and Thymus capitatus. Eight out of ten decamer primers were tested for their ability to generate polymorphism from selected thyme species using RAPD-PCR, and the obtained data were analyzed. …

أثر أزمة المياه على المزارع الفلسطيني في ري المزروعات المحمية, Basel Natsheh

Palestine Technical University Research Journal

تعاني الأراضي الفلسطينية من نقص المياه بشكل عام، حيث أنه علاوة على محدودية الموارد المائية، فإن سيطرة الاحتلال الإسرائيلي على هذه الموارد تؤدي إلى حرمان الفلسطينيين من نصيبهم الشرعي من المياه. من هنا تأتي أهمية توفير بيانات إحصائية دقيقة, كما يأتي هذا البحث ضمن الجهد الذي يبذله مركز الأبحاث التقنية في جامعة فلسطين التقنية-خضوري بالتعاون مع وزارة الزراعة الفلسطينية في إيجاد بيانات حول الزراعة في فلسطين وتحديدا احتياجات المزارعين من المياه والمحافظة على المصادر المائية, حيث تسعى هذه الأبحاث إلى توفير البيانات اللازمة لوصف واقع المصادر المائية في الأراضي الفلسطينية وخصوصا وضع المزارع الفلسطيني من مصادر المياه. تهدف هذه الأستبانة …

Investigation Of The Presence Of Halogenated Bi-Products Formation In The Drinking Water Network In Tulkarm District / Palestine, Saed Khayat, Basel Natsheh, Tahseen Sayara, Nawaf Abukhalaf, Yamen Hamdan

Palestine Technical University Research Journal

The problem of pollutants in drinking water networks is neglected in many places all over the developing countries. This problem is normally caused by either direct pollution source such as organic carbon, or from the maceration pollutants of network materials. The heavy metals in the network facilities and the DOC from the wastewater leakage on the formation of toxic by-product in the water network and the rate of halogenated hydrocarbons formation in the drinking water network was studied. Results showed that water has the same constituents of pollutants similar to that before its being stored for relatively long periods. The …

The Effect Of Local Fungicides On Conidial Germination Of Spilocaea Oleagina In Palestine, Mohammad Jawabrih, Mazen Salman

Palestine Technical University Research Journal

Olive leaf spot (OLS) disease or peacock disease is caused by the fungus Spilocaea oleagina, it is the most destructive disease on olive trees in most regions of Palestine. The disease is controlled by application of copper containing fungicides. Currently, there are more than 20 different fungicides sold in the Palestinian market. The efficacy of these fungicides was not tested on OLS in Palestine. The aim of this work was to test the efficacy of three major fungicides used against the disease. Fungicide solutions containing Fungran, Copper Antracol, and Kocide®101 were prepared by dissolving 0.5 g of each in 200 …

Role Of Overwintering Forms Of Erysiphe Necator In Epidemiology Of Grapevine Powdery Mildew In Palestinian Vineyards, Ruba Abuamsha, Mazen Salman

Palestine Technical University Research Journal

The overwintering modes of E. necator were studied on Palestinian vineyards, through observations on the differentiation and maturation of cleistothecia and on the occurrence of flag-shoots (deriving from overwintering mycelium) in vineyards. Field surveys were carried out in 17 vineyards for the presence of Flag shoots and cleistothecia, both forms were not observed. Genetic structure and composition of E. necator populations were investigated by application of already available SCAR (Sequence Characterized Amplified Region) primers specific for the "flag-shoot" and "ascospore" biotypes. These primers were used to evaluate the dynamics of the spatial and temporal distribution of the two biotypes, into …

Visible/Near Infrared (Vis/Nir) Spectroscopy And Multivariate Data Analysis (Mvda) For Identification And Quantification Of Olive Leaf Spot (Ols) Disease, Nawaf Abukhalaf, Mazen Salman

Palestine Technical University Research Journal

Early detection of plant disease requires usually elaborating methods techniques and especially when symptoms are not visible. Olive Leaf Spot (OLS) infecting upper surface of olive leaves has a long latent infection period. In this work, VIS/NIR spectroscopy was used to determine the latent infection and severity of the pathogens. Two different classification methods were used, Partial Least Squared-Discrimination Analysis (PLS-DA) (linear method) and Support Vector Machine (SVM) (non-linear). SVM-classification was able to classify severity levels 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 with classification rates of 94, 90, 73, 79, 83 and 100%, respectively The overall classification rate was …

Challenges Of The Industrial Revolution Era 1.0 To 5.0 : University Digital Library In Indoensia, Merlin Apriliyanti, Ilham M

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

This study explains the development of the world of libraries to establish a very close relationship with the world of information technology. For this reason, facilities and infrastructure are needed to facilitate data and information retrieval quickly and accurately. Facing the challenges of the Industrial Revolution 5.0 era by utilizing information technology, libraries must also adapt to the times. Because the library has an important role, among others, as a source of information and the development of knowledge. Used libraries are still conventional to be converted into digital libraries. In essence, this development represents the desire of library users for …

Examining The Relationship Between An Aging Workforce And Logistics Performance Indicators, Daniel Parkhill

Theses and Dissertations

In the United States, 10,000 baby boomers turn 65 every day. The subsequent generation born between 1965 and 1976 is significantly smaller, referred to as the baby bust. As a result, this causes a talent shortage as Baby Boomers retire, leaving a workforce gap which the subsequent generation is not large enough to fill. This issue also has been recognized as a potential problem in the logistics community of the United States Air Force. The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of workers age on key logistics performance indicators (LPIs) such as aircraft availability, product flow days, …

Exploring The Value Of Training System Alternatives Through Methods Technologies, And Relevant Attributes, Brian R. Novitsky

Theses and Dissertations

Skilled maintainers are being lost at a higher rate than average of all enlisted career fields within the Air Force. Although incentive programs can provide some retention, attrition rates may continue to vary, placing the readiness of the warfighter in jeopardy. Additionally, the technologies used to train maintainers have evolved substantially, including augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) solutions, among others. These technologies have recently gained notoriety as novel ways to increase training effectiveness, providing avenues for maintainers to achieve greater skill levels at a faster rate than traditional platforms. Through semi-structured subject matter expert (SME) interviews, this qualitative …

The Application Of Virtual Reality In Firefighting Training, Dylan A. Gagnon

Theses and Dissertations

Immersive simulations such as virtual reality is becoming more prevalent for use in training environments for many professions. United States Air Force firefighters may benefit from incorporating VR technology into their training program to increase organizational commitment, job satisfaction, self-efficacy, and job performance. With implementing a new training platform, it is also important to understand the relationship between these variables and the perceived benefits and efficacy of the VR training, which has not yet been studied in previous research. This study addresses this issue by gathering data from fire departments currently fielding a VR fire training platform.

Cbct In Clinical Practice, Tarunjeet Pabla Bds, Dmd, Ms, Dip. Abomr, Hugo C. Campos Dds, Dmd, Mds, Dip. Abomr, Aruna Ramesh Bds, Dmd, Ms, Dip. Abomr

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

This feature explores the integration of Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) into dental practice, offering guidelines for best practices. Introduced in 2001, CBCT revolutionized dental radiography, impacting various clinical areas. The article emphasizes the need for clinicians to comprehend CBCT technology, its benefits, and potential risks. It delves into CBCT imaging considerations, technical parameters (Field of View, Voxel Size, Spatial and Contrast Resolution), image viewing, artifacts, machine calibration, and service. Addressing radiation dose, risks, and protection, the article outlines decision-making for 2D vs. 3D imaging. It underscores the responsibility of interpreting CBCT images, legal considerations, return on investment, and the …

Using Flight Simulation As A Convenient Method For Uas Flight Assessment For Contractors, Colin Dees, Joseph M. Burgett

The Professional Constructor

Operating an unmanned aircraft system (UAS) for commercial purposes in the United States requires the pilot to pass the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA’s) knowledge exam to earn their UAS license. The exam does not include a practical component where flight proficiency is assessed. This represents a source of risk for contractors if flight proficiency is not evaluated in another way. The National Institute of Standards and Technology is a federal agency and has developed the Basic Maneuvering Test (BMT). It is the only nationally recognized UAS flight proficiency exam. While not required, the construction industry can benefit by using this …

Construction Management Students Using Technology In The Field, Anthony D. Bongi

Construction Management

This research paper examines the affect technology has had on the desire for college graduates to pursue a career in the field. The idea of college graduates entering directly into a field leadership position was contemplated and discussed. Historically, soft skills such as leadership and communication have been the predominate attributes of any worker expected to run construction in the field. While the importance of these skills hasn’t changed, the importance of technological skills has increased to be considered alongside soft skills. Through an anonymous survey of industry professionals with 10+ years of experience as well as interviews of two …

Analysis Of Container Shipments For Ustranscom, John N. Campos Y Campos

Theses and Dissertations

USTRANSCOM (United States Transportation Command) sends containers to various overseas destinations, mainly commercial container shipping companies. Delivering the containers to the destinations on time is important to support the United States (US) Forces deployed in foreign countries. This study analyzes container shipment records for two years from 2019 to 2021 and prepares insights for USTRANSCOM. This study utilizes descriptive statistics, data visualization, and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). According to the records, almost half of the containers (41.25%) were delivered late for one day or longer. The container with the longest delay took 408 days. Major reasons for delays included …

Air Force Specialty Code Assignment Optimization, Rebecca L. Reynolds

Theses and Dissertations

Each year, the Air Force Personnel Center determines which career field newly commissioned officers will serve under during their time in the Air Force. The career fields are assigned while considering five priorities, dictated by Headquarters Air Force, Manpower and Personnel: target number of cadets, education requirements, average cadet percentile, cadet source of commissioning, and cadet preference. A mixed-integer linear program with elasticized constraints is developed to generate cadet assignments according to these priorities. Each elasticized constraint carries an associated reward and penalty, which is used to dictate the importance of the constraint within the model. A subsequent analysis is …

Understanding Logistics Airmen’S Risk Information Seeking And Processing During The Covid-19 Pandemic: The Role Of Organizational Meetings In An Extended Prism Framework, Christopher T. Price

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this survey-based research was to understand how organizational workplace meetings surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic impacted logistics Airmen across the United States Air Force and subsequently played a role into their risk seeking behavior on social media. Specifically, this research tested an expanded Planned Information Risk Seeking Model with organizational meetings as an antecedent to determine if current meetings influenced an Airman's perceived behavioral control, attitude toward seeking, subjective norms, knowledge sufficiency an intentions to seek information regarding COVID-19.

Improving Task-Operator Analysis For Training Through The Integration Of Human Learning Taxonomies And Systems Engineering Models, James M. Earley

Theses and Dissertations

Training is a critical part of force sustainment, but the life-cycle cost of recurring training can be quite high. Further, the promotion of the Multi-Capable Airman (MCA) concept leads to questions on how best to train airmen on tasks outside of their core career field. The MCA concept, coupled with continued increase of technology effectiveness, incentivize the replacement of formerly in-residence-only training with distance training that enables Just-in-Time (JIT) learning. However, effective implementation of the MCA concept may also require adaptive training which considers the knowledge, skills, and attitudes (KSAs) developed by a trainee within their core career field when …

Coordinated Delivery To Shopping Malls With Limited Docking Capacity, Ruidian Song, Hoong Chuin Lau, Xue Luo, Lei Zhao

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

Shopping malls are densely located in major cities such as Singapore and Hong Kong. Tenants in these shopping malls generate a large number of freight orders to their contracted logistics service providers, who independently plan their own delivery schedules. These uncoordinated deliveries and limited docking capacity jointly cause congestion at the shopping malls. A delivery coordination platform centrally plans the vehicle routes for the logistics service providers and simultaneously schedules the dock time slots at the shopping malls for the delivery orders. Vehicle routing and dock scheduling decisions need to be made jointly against the backdrop of travel time and …

Stochastic Knapsack Revisited: The Service Level Perspective, Guodong Lyu, Mabel C. Chou, Chung-Piaw Teo, Zhichao Zheng, Yuanguang Zhong

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

A key challenge in the resource allocation problem is to find near-optimal policies to serve different customers with random demands/revenues, using a fixed pool of capacity (properly configured). In this paper, we study the properties of three classes of allocation policies-responsive (with perfect hindsight), adaptive (with information updates), and anticipative (with forecast information) policies. These policies differ in how the information on actual demand and revenue of each customer is being revealed and integrated into the allocation decisions. We show that the analysis of these policies can be unified through the notion of "persistency" (or service level) values-the probability that …

Impact Of Covid-19 On Sense Of Community / Student Engagement, Aaron Sauer, Richard Gebken, Richard Bruce

The Professional Constructor

The spring of 2020 was a time of unprecedented change for higher education institutions. The COVID-19 pandemic forced schools to re-think instructional delivery and the undergraduate experience as they implemented measures to protect students, faculty, and staff. Unraveling the impact of the pandemic on higher education will take many years. This study investigated how the institutional response in the return to campus following the pandemic influenced sense of community, a component of student engagement. A previously developed instrument was delivered at two construction management programs in the U.S. Midwest before and after the pandemic. The two schools were similar in …

Current State Of The Workforce Demographics And Knowledge Transfer Strategies In The Southeast United States, Vivek Sharma, Dhaval Gajjar, Kapil Madathil, David Davis, Shreyas Patel

The Professional Constructor

The construction industry is a very diverse industry due to the unique nature of projects and expertise within various construction companies driven by multiple regional/national factors. The United States Department of Labor reported 44% of the current US employed population will be above 65 in eleven years by 2028, making workforce studies and knowledge transfer a key driver in leading construction business models. This study conducted an in-depth investigation in the southeast region of the US on the current state of workforce demographics and the need for knowledge transfer within the ranks of management coupled with trade personnel. The study …

Perceptions Of Remote Work Within The Construction Industry Resulting From The Covid-19 Pandemic In The South Central United States, Sara B. Overturf, Ben Bigelow, Matthew Reyes

The Professional Constructor

Working remotely became increasingly popular over the previous two years, given organization’s need to rapidly adjust to changing conditions as a result of the Coronavirus. It allowed companies to more easily adapt to stay-at home orders and create a safer environment for their employees. While working remotely can have a positive impact on employees, there are also challenges to overcome for both employees and organizations. This study focused on understanding both the prevalence and implementation of remote work within the commercial Construction industry to face the professional challenges resulting from the Coronavirus. This paper provides insight into companies that have …

Educating The Construction Client: Training Strategy For Buyers Of Commercial Design And Construction Services, Michael J. Emmer

The Professional Constructor

Business owners can face a myriad of challenges when venturing into a new construction project. Most of the design and construction process is unfamiliar territory as compared to their customary business operations and owners face a wide assortment of issues when making the decision to build a new facility. Consequently, the majority of owners are entirely out of their business element when deciding to enter into the undertaking of a new building project. Since most of the risk with any given project rests with the Owner, better training and strategies for owners will lead to a higher likelihood of project …

Law School News: National Housing Advocate Named To Lead Rwu's New Real Estate Initiatives 02/08/2022, Roger Williams University School Of Law

Life of the Law School (1993- )

No abstract provided.

Strategic Energy Master Planning For Carbon Neutrality, Marie Patterson

CSU Journal of Sustainability and Climate Change

Universities across the United States are generating goals to be more sustainable and carbon neutral. The energy used in existing buildings on campuses amount to a large volume of greenhouse emissions and must be reduced to help achieve neutrality goals. Strategic Energy Master Plans are instrumental to support these goals through the development of recommendations to reduce energy. Calculating the energy use intensity for existing buildings, a main component of a Strategic Energy Master Plan, can help the campus understand where energy is being used the most. With this information the highest energy consuming buildings can be the focus of …

Qualitative Findings From The Practice Of Outsourcing By The Aviation Technical Services Industry In Northern Europe: Comparison With Literature, Jukka Holkeri

Journal of Aviation Technology and Engineering

The outsourcing of maintenance and other technical services is a trend in both military and civil aviation. This article uses input from real outsourcing cases in Northern Europe to verify previous literature findings and to introduce new viewpoints to fill an identified research gap.

Interviews of deeply involved individuals from six cases were selected and analyzed using the Delphi method. The findings were synthesized using a framework that articulates contexts, observed outcomes, and generative mechanisms.

Many of the key literature findings were verified by this case analysis, but there were also some contradictions and new observations that had not been …

The Product Test Scheduling Problem, Megan Wydick Martin, Cliff Ragsdale, John Fico, Carlos G. Cajica-Sierra, Richard M. Fetcenko

International Journal of Applied Management and Technology

This research focused on product test scheduling in the presence of in-process and at-completion inspection constraints. Such testing arises in the context of the manufacture of products that must perform reliably in extreme environmental conditions. Often, these products must receive a certification from prescribed regulatory agencies at the successful completion of a predetermined series of tests. Operational efficiency is enhanced by determining the optimal order and start times of tests so as to minimize the makespan while ensuring that technicians are available when needed to complete in-process and at-completion inspections. We refer to this as the product test scheduling problem. …

Social Representations Of Space Travel, Asli D. A. Tasci, Alan Fyall, Xiaoxiao Fu

Rosen Research Review

Space tourism regularly receives media coverage, but so far, there has been little research around public opinions towards space travel. Dr. Asli D.A. Tasci, Dr. Alan Fyall and Dr. Xiaoxiao Fu from UCF Rosen College of Hospitality Management used the Social Representations Theory to investigate public attitudes to space travel and uncover how and why these attitudes are formed. They discovered that commercial space organizations have a strong influence on public opinion, which can be further enhanced if they incorporate more scientific knowledge and evidence.

Wedeven Associates: Finding New Ways To Develop Novel Solutions To Persistent, Intractable Problems, Richard Jonsen

Rohrer College of Business Departmental Research

Wedeven Associates is a small tribology research and engineering consulting firm located near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The company faced a variety of challenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic as did most small businesses in 2020. As the company became fully operational again, Wedeven Associates was approached by a longtime client to solve a tribological problem the client’s engineers had been trying to address for almost 14 years. The catch: Wedeven Associates only had a little over two months to do the work while complying with pandemic-related travel and meeting restrictions. This case tells the story of how the Wedeven Associates team …