Contractor-Related Factors and Performance of Bridge Construction Projects Implemented by Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) Kenya

The performance of bridge projects in Kenya is poor in terms of completion by schedule, cost, and quality (scope). Yet, there is less evidence of empirical research on what factors contribute to this outcome. This study aimed to bridge this gap by examining the effects of contractor-related factors on the performance of bridge construction projects in Kenya through a case study of the Bridge projects Implemented by the Kenya National Highway Agency (KeNHA). The theory of constraints (TOC) was adopted as its theoretical framework. Descriptive research was used, and the target population was 18 bridge construction projects, which were the units of analysis from 2012 to 2022. In each of these projects, 18 respondents, namely clients, consultants, contractors, engineers, environment and social guards, project managers, stakeholders, subcontractors, technical advisors, and inspectors, were included in a target population of 144 respondents. A census was conducted and a structured questionnaire was administered from which a response rate of 68% was achieved. The information was analyzed using descriptive, correlation, and multiple linear regression analysis. The contractor-related factors considered in the study were staff and management factors. The findings indicated that staff and management factors had a positive and significant outcome on performance of bridge construction projects. The study recommends continuous training and a safe learning environment for staff to improve their skills and performance in future projects. The study also recommends that a special category for bridge contractors be created in Kenya’s National Construction Authority rankings to ensure that only qualified contractors implement the Bridge projects.

Multi-Criteria Wildfire Risk Hazard Assessment in GIS Environment: Projection for the Future and Impact on RES Projects Installation Planning

It is alarming for the fact that Wildfires number, severity and consequently impact have significantly increased during the last years, an aftermath of the Climate Change. One of the most affected areas worldwide is Mediterranean, due to the unique combination of its type of vegetation and demanding climatic conditions. This research is focused on the Region of Epirus in Greece, an area with significant natural vegetation and a range of geomorphological aspects. In order to estimate the Wildfire Risk Hazard, several factors have been used: geomorphological (slope, aspect, elevation, TWI, Hydrographic network), social (Settlements and landfils, roads, overhead lines and substations), environmental (land cover) and climatic (Fire Weather Index). Through a multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) and an analytic hierarchy process (AHP) in a GIS environment, the Wildfire Risk Hazard has been estimated not only for current conditions but also for future projections for the near future (2031-2060) and the far future (2071-2100). The selected case study includes the potential impact of the Wildfires to the installed (or targeted to be installed) RES projects in the studied region.

A Review on Determinants Affecting Commercialization of Academic Institution Final Year Projects

Final year project is an important training and assessment component incorporated in many courses of academic institution.The ability to translate ideas,research,and creativity into actual products,services,or businesses shows how successful and impactful people or institutions can be in the wider economy.However,in most of the cases,the outcomes of the final year project usually remain as academic discussion without maximizing their potential to be converted into a commercialized product or services.In this review,theory and applications are discussed to understand how entrepreneurial skills and networking abilities,components of individuals’human capital can impact the commercialisation of final year projects.Furthermore,determinants affecting commercialization of final year projects will also be explored namely:entrepreneurial skills,networking ability,access to resources,institutional support as well as creativity and innovation.

Financial Calculation Problems and Countermeasure Analysis of Large-Scale Engineering Construction Projects

The financial aspects of large-scale engineering construction projects profoundly influence their success.Strengthening cost control and establishing a scientific financial evaluation system can enhance the project’s economic benefits,minimize unnecessary costs,and provide decision-makers with a robust financial foundation.Additionally,implementing an effective cash flow control mechanism and conducting a comprehensive assessment of potential project risks can ensure financial stability and mitigate the risk of fund shortages.Developing a practical and feasible fundraising plan,along with stringent fund management practices,can prevent fund wastage and optimize fund utilization efficiency.These measures not only facilitate smooth project progression and improve project management efficiency but also enhance the project’s economic and social outcomes.

Trust beyond Technology Algorithms: A Theoretical Exploration of Consumer Trust and Behavior in Technological Consumption and AI Projects

In an era dominated by artificial intelligence (AI), establishing customer confidence is crucial for the integration and acceptance of AI technologies. This interdisciplinary study examines factors influencing customer trust in AI systems through a mixed-methods approach, blending quantitative analysis with qualitative insights to create a comprehensive conceptual framework. Quantitatively, the study analyzes responses from 1248 participants using structural equation modeling (SEM), exploring interactions between technological factors like perceived usefulness and transparency, psychological factors including perceived risk and domain expertise, and organizational factors such as leadership support and ethical accountability. The results confirm the model, showing significant impacts of these factors on consumer trust and AI adoption attitudes. Qualitatively, the study includes 35 semi-structured interviews and five case studies, providing deeper insight into the dynamics shaping trust. Key themes identified include the necessity of explainability, domain competence, corporate culture, and stakeholder engagement in fostering trust. The qualitative findings complement the quantitative data, highlighting the complex interplay between technology capabilities, human perceptions, and organizational practices in establishing trust in AI. By integrating these findings, the study proposes a novel conceptual model that elucidates how various elements collectively influence consumer trust in AI. This model not only advances theoretical understanding but also offers practical implications for businesses and policymakers. The research contributes to the discourse on trust creation and decision-making in technology, emphasizing the need for interdisciplinary efforts to address societal challenges associated with technological advancements. It lays the groundwork for future research, including longitudinal, cross-cultural, and industry-specific studies, to further explore consumer trust in AI.

Research on Intelligent Cost Estimation of Engineering Foundation Projects Based on CSIs Theory

Against the backdrop of rapid development in China’s construction and infrastructure sectors,discrepancies between project budgets and actual costs have become pronounced,manifesting in project overruns and suspensions,posing significant challenges.To address inaccuracies in investment targets and operational complexities,this study focuses on a beam-bridge construction project in a district of Shijiazhuang city as a case study.Drawing upon historical analogs,the project employs a Work Breakdown Structure(WBS)to decompose the engineering works.Building on theories of Cost Significant(CS)and Whole Life Costing(WLC),the study constructs Cost Significant Items(CSIs)and develops a CNN-BiLSTM-Attention neural network for nonlinear prediction.By identifying significant cost drivers in engineering projects,this paper presents a streamlined cost estimation method that significantly reduces computational burdens,simplifies data collection processes,and optimizes data analysis and forecasting,thereby enhancing prediction accuracy.Finally,validation with real-world cost fluctuation data demonstrates minor errors,meeting predictive requirements across project execution phases.

Construction Safety Management of Mechanical and Electrical Installation Projects

Various industries today rely on the support of electromechanical equipment,expanding its scope of application and leading to an increase in electromechanical installation projects.However,due to the high level of expertise required and the potential risks involved,it is crucial to emphasize safety management during construction.This paper delves into the significance of construction safety management for electromechanical installation projects,identifies common problems encountered during construction,and proposes solutions.This analysis aims to provide relevant personnel with essential guidance and references for managing electromechanical installation projects safely.

基于SWOT分析法的应用型本科院校项目式教学探索与实践

培养基础扎实、知识面宽、具有较强应用性和职业性的专门人才,是普通高校服务社会发展的趋势与方向,项目式教学因其具有学生中心、注重应用、成果导向等特点,越来越受到以解决实际问题为主的应用型大学的关注。通过SWOT分析法,从学校内部优势、劣势,学校外部机遇、挑战等要素出发,分析实施项目式教学的可行性、困难性和战略性,提出整体设计分步实施,传统与现代有机结合,发挥好教师主导和学生主体作用,加强教学理论研究,建立教学改革共同体,建设具有中国特色的教学质量文化和教学改革新样态等实施策略,实现高质量人才培养的目标。

STEAM教育理念下的项目式教学模式建构研究

随着社会的进步和科学的快速发展,社会对于创新型人才和复合型人才的需求越来越多。为了培养出更多符合社会需要、促进社会发展的人才,本文基于STEAM教育理念对项目式教学模式进行研究,从项目式教学的过程出发,构建“项目策划-项目执行-项目反馈”的教学模式,培养学生的创新思维以及解决问题的能力,试图为项目式教学提供新思路。

基于Proteus仿真的微机原理与应用研究性实验教学项目设计

实验教学是《微机原理与应用》课程教学的重要组成部分,针对实验内容单一、开放性与启发性不足等问题,开展了基于Proteus仿真的综合实验项目设计。该实验以电压报警系统的实现为目标,基于研究性教学思想设计了由电压采集、并行接口控制、电压值显示、声光报警以及紧急事件5个子实验项目构成的阶梯递进式实验内容,形成了以目标为引导的实验教学体系。实践证明,Proteus仿真软件能够充分发挥研究性教学思想,有效激发学生主动学习和自主实践的兴趣,提高运用理论知识解决综合工程问题的能力,对科学研究思维和创新实践精神的培养有着积极的促进作用。

基于SRTM数据的天气雷达净空环境评估研究

针对天气雷达的选址受净空环境直接影响的问题,提出基于SRTM数据的天气雷达净空环境评估研究。采用航天飞机雷达地形测绘使命高程数据,对天气雷达净空环境进行评估,并进行方位矫正和距离矫正。测试结果表明,基于航天飞机雷达地形测绘使命数据的天气雷达净空环境评估方法的方位分辨率为0.25°,测距大于260千米;与实地勘测结果之间的误差最小,具有较好的一致性;方位角的变化幅度较小,误差小。表明研究提出的方法在天气雷达净空环境评估中具有较好的应用效果,对气象检测技术的发展有一定促进作用。

STEAM教育理念下电场自动测绘仪的开发

将静电场教学实践中遇到的问题,作为课外拓展课题研究是新工科人才培养的有效方式之一。本文基于STEAM教育理念,采用项目式学习,以学生为主体,以跨学科融合和创新为导向,制定教学目标和教学方法。将物理理论和实验创新有机融合,引导学生结合单片机技术和Matlab程序,设计出新型可视化电场自动测绘仪。该仪器操作简便高效,测量精度高,还能直观展示电场的动态变化。而学以致用的过程,提高了学生的创新能力和知识综合运用能力,也为高校的教学改革提供了新思路。

Future changes in precipitation and water availability over the Tibetan Plateau projected by CMIP6 models constrained by climate sensitivity

Precipitation projections over the Tibetan Plateau(TP)show diversity among existing studies,partly due to model uncertainty.How to develop a reliable projection remains inconclusive.Here,based on the IPCC AR6–assessed likely range of equilibrium climate sensitivity(ECS)and the climatological precipitation performance,the authors constrain the CMIP6(phase 6 of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project)model projection of summer precipitation and water availability over the TP.The best estimates of precipitation changes are 0.24,0.25,and 0.45 mm d^(−1)(5.9%,6.1%,and 11.2%)under the Shared Socioeconomic Pathway(SSP)scenarios of SSP1–2.6,SSP2–4.5,and SSP5–8.5 from 2050–2099 relative to 1965–2014,respectively.The corresponding constrained projections of water availability measured by precipitation minus evaporation(P–E)are 0.10,0.09,and 0.22 mm d^(−1)(5.7%,4.9%,and 13.2%),respectively.The increase of precipitation and P–E projected by the high-ECS models,whose ECS values are higher than the upper limit of the likely range,are about 1.7 times larger than those estimated by constrained projections.Spatially,there is a larger increase in precipitation and P–E over the eastern TP,while the western part shows a relatively weak difference in precipitation and a drier trend in P–E.The wetter TP projected by the high-ECS models resulted from both an approximately 1.2–1.4 times stronger hydrological sensitivity and additional warming of 0.6℃–1.2℃ under all three scenarios during 2050–2099.This study emphasizes that selecting climate models with climate sensitivity within the likely range is crucial to reducing the uncertainty in the projection of TP precipitation and water availability changes.

Distributed Nash Equilibrium Seeking Strategies Under Quantized Communication

This paper is concerned with distributed Nash equi librium seeking strategies under quantized communication. In the proposed seeking strategy, a projection operator is synthesized with a gradient search method to achieve the optimization o players' objective functions while restricting their actions within required non-empty, convex and compact domains. In addition, a leader-following consensus protocol, in which quantized informa tion flows are utilized, is employed for information sharing among players. More specifically, logarithmic quantizers and uniform quantizers are investigated under both undirected and connected communication graphs and strongly connected digraphs, respec tively. Through Lyapunov stability analysis, it is shown that play ers' actions can be steered to a neighborhood of the Nash equilib rium with logarithmic and uniform quantizers, and the quanti fied convergence error depends on the parameter of the quan tizer for both undirected and directed cases. A numerical exam ple is given to verify the theoretical results.

Gorenstein稳定范畴的粘合和等价不变量

引入了Gorenstein投射刚性维数,以Gorenstein投射模的稳定范畴的粘合为主要工具,证明了Gorenstein投射刚性维数是Morita等价、Gorenstein稳定等价和导出等价的不变量,刻画了某些代数类的Gorenstein投射刚性维数.

基于Robotstudio的工业机器人课程教学设计与实践

阐述工业机器人实训课程教学实践,将Robotstudio软件融入课程教学中,探讨以实例项目驱动的教学内容设计,以虚实结合手段提升课堂教学效果的教学模式,从而实现教学与实践的统一。

Projecting Spring Consecutive Rainfall Events in the Three Gorges Reservoir Based on Triple-Nested Dynamical Downscaling

Spring consecutive rainfall events(CREs) are key triggers of geological hazards in the Three Gorges Reservoir area(TGR), China. However, previous projections of CREs based on the direct outputs of global climate models(GCMs) are subject to considerable uncertainties, largely caused by their coarse resolution. This study applies a triple-nested WRF(Weather Research and Forecasting) model dynamical downscaling, driven by a GCM, MIROC6(Model for Interdisciplinary Research on Climate, version 6), to improve the historical simulation and reduce the uncertainties in the future projection of CREs in the TGR. Results indicate that WRF has better performances in reproducing the observed rainfall in terms of the daily probability distribution, monthly evolution and duration of rainfall events, demonstrating the ability of WRF in simulating CREs. Thus, the triple-nested WRF is applied to project the future changes of CREs under the middle-of-the-road and fossil-fueled development scenarios. It is indicated that light and moderate rainfall and the duration of continuous rainfall spells will decrease in the TGR, leading to a decrease in the frequency of CREs. Meanwhile, the duration, rainfall amount, and intensity of CREs is projected to regional increase in the central-west TGR. These results are inconsistent with the raw projection of MIROC6. Observational diagnosis implies that CREs are mainly contributed by the vertical moisture advection. Such a synoptic contribution is captured well by WRF, which is not the case in MIROC6,indicating larger uncertainties in the CREs projected by MIROC6.

基于C-STEM校本课程的初中化学项目式教学中核心素养的培育路径

开发校本课程,有利于构建适合学校发展的课程教学体系,培养学生的科学思维、探究能力和创新意识。基于核心素养的初中化学校本课程建设目标,应有助于学生形成良好的素质能力。依托学校优势和学生的实际需求,科学设计课程内容,明确课程开发顺序,重视综合实践活动,开发创新作业任务,构建多元评价体系,是基于C-STEM校本课程的初中化学项目式教学核心素养培育的有效路径。

基于ITSA模型的浙江省世界银行贷款千岛湖项目成效分析

针对国家级战略规划《千岛湖及新安江上游流域水资源与生态环境保护综合规划》的出台,浙江省于2018年11月启动了世界银行贷款浙江千岛湖及新安江流域水资源与生态环境保护项目。为评估该项目对千岛湖水资源的阶段性保护成效,本文采用中断时间序列分析ITSA模型进行定量分析,研究千岛湖项目与千岛湖水基金协同执行2年之后的治理成效。研究结论显示,千岛湖部分水质指标的改善已进入瓶颈期,要获得水质的进一步提升,仍需继续加大科技投入,除提升上游来水水质外,还要从提升水环境治理的科技水平、治理广度与深度等方面着手,才能获得更大突破。

人工智能背景下Materials Project数据库在计算材料学课程教学中的应用

该文探讨了在人工智能背景下,Materials Project数据库在计算材料学课程教学中的应用和影响。Materials Project数据库是一个集成了AI和大数据技术的开放获取的材料库,能为学生提供海量的材料晶体结构和物性数据,使教学内容更为丰富,让学生能通过亲自操作获取和分析数据,深入理解微观结构与物性之间的关系。这一新兴的教学模式不仅提升了学生的科研能力和创新思维能力,还有助于培养具备计算材料专业知识和多学科交叉的复合型人才。总体来说,人工智能时代下,大数据的引入为计算材料学课程带来新的活力,并对未来教育改革和实践产生了积极影响。