Value Proposition for Enabling Construction Project Innovation by Applying Building Information Modeling

Building information modeling (BIM) is evolving as a digital infrastructure model for innovation in the construction field. The innovation-enabling potential of BIM has been highly neglected in the literature. This study explores the innovative potential of BIM, specifically its value in enabling construction innovation (CI). Through reflective research and a literature review, the relationship between BIM and CI is redefined, BIM-CI’s value spectrum and underlying mechanisms are mapped and their required resources and activities are illustrated. The results indicate that different BIM applications provide various proinnovation environments wherein CI may flourish. Extra attention should be paid to BIM-enabled systematic collaborative innovation and digital innovation ecosystems with BIM as the core infrastructure that integrates the physical space with cyberspace to accelerate radical innovation. This study extends BIM management research by considering digital innovation and providing a new perspective for CI management theory and practice. The results will provide academics with a solid point of departure for developing relevant research and serve as a reference for practitioners who intend to utilize BIM for efficient innovation in construction projects.

Research of Phase Behavior in Natural Gas Drive Process and Its Application in T_D Reservoir with HTHP

Different from other gas drive processes, phase behavior performs more significant roles in natural gas drive process. The main reason is that more severe mass transfer effect and similar phase solubility effect have been caused by multicomponent interaction. This paper provides a series of methods to study the phase behavior in natural gas drive process, aiming to reveal further mechanism and give technical supports to the on-site practice in T_D Reservoir with HTHP. Four key parameters of natural gas drive have been determined. Firstly, laboratory compounding method has been improved to obtain real components of formation fluids and actual injected gas at formation condition (140°C, 45MPa). Secondly, 19 sets of slim tube test has been carried to determine MMP (minimum miscible pressure) and the injected gas components ensuring miscibility. Thirdly, swelling test and laser method have been used to separately obtain the viscosity reduction degree and solid deposition effects. Finally, multiple contact test has been carried to describe the miscibility behavior. All the above have been applied in T_D Reservoir. Conclusions could be drawn from the results obtained by the methods above. Firstly, swelling capacity of crude oil could be enhanced by natural gas for the formation volume factor of crude oil in T_D Reservoir increased by 57% and the viscosity decreased by 83% after natural gas injection. Secondly, MMP of dry gas and crude oil in T_D Reservoir is 43.5MPa with a miscible displacement efficiency above 90% (>30% compared with immiscible displacement efficiency), and the content of N2+C1 should be controlled over 88%. Thirdly, results of 5 levels contact experiments shows that miscibility behavior of natural gas and oil from T_D Reservoir performs an evaporative-condensate composite miscible process in which the condensate miscible process takes the lead. Finally, obvious solid point has not been observed in natural gas drive process of crude oil from T_D Reservoir at the formation temperature, and the effect of solid deposition on the fluid flow in formation could be ignored because of trace amount of solid solution (<1mg/ml) and minute formation permeability damage (<8%). The achievements above have been applied in T_D Reservoir as one of the important technical means supporting over 350,000 tons increased production by natural gas drive. A systematic methods have been reorganized to research the phase behavior in natural gas drive process and half of these methods mentioned above get partially improvement. These physical simulation experiments have covered most mainly processes and the key parameters in reservoirs with HTHP and natural gas drive, including mass transfer, viscosity, expansion, volume coefficient, MMP, miscibility behavior and solid deposition. Every experiment gives a quantitative analysis which possesses satisfied practicability in field application.

Twinkle artifact in renal ultrasound, is it a solid point for the diagnosis of renal stone in children?

Background: Twinkle artifact, also known as color Doppler comet-tail artifact, occurs behind very strong, granular, and irregular reflecting interfaces such as crystals, stones, or calcification. This is visualized as a random mixture of red and blue pixels in the high-frequency shift spectrum located deep to the interface. Study results have suggested that the sonographic twinkling artifact may aid in the detection of renal stones with a variety of reference standard imaging modalities, including abdominal radiography, excretory urography, gray-scale sonography, and CT. Material and methods: Our retrospective observational study included children who had undergone abdomen/renal ultrasound for kidneys stones in our radiology department between 2013 and 2019. Presence of the twinkle artifact, and stone numbers and sizes were documented. CT examinations done <3 months prior to or after US were retrospectively assessed to confirm the presence of kidney stones as a reference standard. Results: Thirty-three abdominal renal US scans of 33 patients (21 males, 12 females) fulfilled the entry criteria. The interval between the US and CT was <3 months for all patients. The median overall age of the patients was 4 years (IQR: 3.125, range: 1– 165 months), The median number of days between the US and CT was 13 (IQR: 26, range: 0–81 days). US detected 33 hyperechoic foci suspected to be stones; 26 were confirmed as true positive (i.e. showed the twinkle artifact and were seen in CT), 4 were false positive (showed the twinkle artifact but were not seen in CT), and 3 were false negative (did not show the twinkle artifact but were seen in CT). The overall median stone size was 2 mm in the right kidney, and 5 mm in the left kidney (IQR: 6,11 mm), respectively. Twinkle artifact sensitivity was found to be 89.7% (95% CI 39.574%–90%). The twinkle artifact was assessed in all true-positive stones, determining a relatively high PPV of 26/29 (86.7%) for the twinkle artifact. The twinkle artifact was not dependent on stone size. Specificity for the twinkle artifact could not be calculated due to a lack of true negatives. Conclusion: The twinkle artifact is a sensitive US tool for detecting pediatric kidney and ureter stones, but with a small risk of false positive findings.

Methcyclohexyl methacrylate-methacrylate copolymers：An effective cold flow improver for the biodiesel blends

The poor cold flow property is one of the main obstacle factors in affecting the utilization of high-proportional biodiesel blends in engines. In this study, methcyclohexyl methacrylate-methacrylate copolymers (MCHMA-R1MC, R1 = C12, C14, C16, C18) were synthesized at various molar ratios by radical polymerization and characterized by FTIR, GPC, and 1H NMR. Their structures and properties areanalyzed and characterized by FTIR, GPC, and 1H NMR. The resulting copolymers were tested as the cold flow improver in terms of cold filter plugging point (CFPP) and solid point (SP) measurement for treated and untreated B20 biodiesel blends (20 vol.% biodiesel + 80 vol.% diesel). Results showed that the CFPP and SP of B20 decreased to a varied extent after MCHMA-R1MC treatment. When the monomer ratio of is 1:7, MCHMA-C14MC (1:7) proved the greatest depression in CFPP and SP of B20 by 18 and 25℃ at 2000 ppm dosage. The effects of MCHMA-R1MC copolymers on crystal behavior was studied through polarizing optical microscope(POM), differential scanning calorimetry(DSC) and viscosity-temperature curves. The results indicated that MCHMA-C14MC could effectively delay the aggregation of wax crystals and change their crystalline behavior by changing the shape of the crystals and inhibiting the formation of large wax crystals, and then lower the low-temperature viscosity of biodiesel blends and make it exhibiting better cold flow properties.

An exploratory study of student engagement at transnational education initiatives

Purpose Although there is increasing insight in student engagement (SE) in higher education, there is limited insight in how students experience SE in a transnational setting. The purpose of this paper is to explore SE perceptions and transnational experiences. A model, derived from the literature, representing four student identities (consumer, partner, co-creator and citizen) guides the empirical analysis. Design/methodology/approach Using a phenomenological approach, 18 in-depth interviews were carried out with students (business and management) enroled in transnational education initiatives of three Scottish universities in India, Singapore and the United Arab Emirates. Findings Students primarily identify the partner and consumer model. Significant levels of apathy were found, not only at the level of the students, but also the staff and the university. Research limitations/implications Although the study was based on a relatively small sample, it does highlight the impact of the context (external commitments part-time students, “fly in” staff from home campus) on levels of SE. Practical implications Stressing again that the study was explorative, the key practical message is that ultimately meaningful dialogue on SE between all stakeholders – inside and outside – needs to take place to forestall a vicious circle of apathy that would be detrimental for quality (assurance). Originality/value This is one of the first papers on SE in a transnational context and offers a solid point of departure for follow-up research.

Sleep-memory-plasticity:A circuit closed by Gaba?

It is already widely known that benzodiazepines, the most prolific compound for pharma industry, are the most used psychotropic medication used at moment. It is striking that even now, after more than 50 yrs from first use of Diazepam, still exerts such a massive interest. Both mechanism, of dependence and withdrawn are not still unknown. Benzodiazepines by their structure and sites of action upon GABA receptors realise a huge effect in majority of neuronal circuits.ObjectivesThe effect of BDZ in mood and affective disorders and also in major psychotic sdr-Schizophrenia realise an reduction of hyper GABA influence. acting on specific neuronal populations which posses particularly alpha 5 GABAa receptors they produce sedative but non anxiolytic effect. Also is still an “mistery” how only retrograde amnesia is produced and why plasticiticity occurs after a longtime use of BDZ facilitating the development of tolerance.AimsBy a better intimate description of mechanisms by which GABAa receptors realise the sedative action and development of less side effects comparing with actual BDZ in use, even from different classes.MethodsIn this communication we had realised a thematical analysis of all studies (randomised clinical trials, clinical case study) but also various experimental research with this subjects-sleep, memory, plasticity. All had been indexed in PubMed, EMBASE, www.ionchannels.com and Science Direct.ResultsThe conclusion of our tematical study and also, our previous research suggests antagonists of GABA a or agonists of beta carbolines could be proven solid point of start for more efficient therapeutic substances.