N-ros is one of the transforming genes in human hepatic cancer cells. It has been found that N-ras was overexpressed at the mENA and protein level in hepatoma cells. In order to explore the biological roles of N-ras i...N-ros is one of the transforming genes in human hepatic cancer cells. It has been found that N-ras was overexpressed at the mENA and protein level in hepatoma cells. In order to explore the biological roles of N-ras in human hepatic oaroinogenesis and the potential application in control of cancer cell growth, a pseudotype retrovirus containing antisense sequence of human N-ras was constructed and packaged. A recombinant rebrovirus vector containing antisense or sense sequences of N-ras oDNA was constructed by pZIP-NeoSV(X)1. The pseudotype virus was packaged and rescued by transfeotion and infection in PA317 and ψ2 helper cells. It has been demonstrated that the pseudotype retrovirus containing antisense N-ras sequence did inhibit the growth of human PLC/PEF/5 hepatoma cells accompanied with inhibition of p21 expression, while the retrovirus containing sense sequence had none. The pseudotype virus had no effect on human diploid fibroblasts.展开更多
Photo dissociation dynamics of diatomic molecular ion HBr＋ interacting with ultra fast laser pulses of different envelop function has been presented both in zero and non zero temperature environment. The calculations...Photo dissociation dynamics of diatomic molecular ion HBr＋ interacting with ultra fast laser pulses of different envelop function has been presented both in zero and non zero temperature environment. The calculations pertain primarily to the ground electronic state of the molecular ion HBr＋. The used potential of HBr＋ is calibrated with the help of the ab initio theoretical calculation at the CCSD/6-311＋＋G（3df, 2pd） level and then fitted with appropriate Morse parameters. The numerical bound states vibrational eigenvalues obtained by the time independent Fourier Grid Hamiltonian method have been compared with analytical values of the fitted Morse potential. The effect of temperature, pulse envelops function, and light intensity on the dissociation process has been explored.展开更多
The past decade has witnessed a rapid development of the international construction market. This research aims to investigate top Chinese contractors' developmental tracks and evaluate their strategic selection of...The past decade has witnessed a rapid development of the international construction market. This research aims to investigate top Chinese contractors' developmental tracks and evaluate their strategic selection of international construction markets over the period from 2001 to 2006,based on the modified Boston Consulting Group Matrix (BCG). Results from 2001 to 2005 indicate that Asia and Africa,which were "question marks" markets for top Chinese contractors (abbreviated as TCCs),have the most potential to become "stars" markets; other question marks markets such as the Middle East and Europe are found not to be of potential; "dogs" markets such as the U.S.,Canada and Latin America should be relinquished progressively unless there is renewed growth opportunity over the next two years. Compared to developmental tracks of top contractors from some advanced countries,TCCs' investment and development strategy in Africa seems to be sustainable and intensive; TCCs' exit strategy for the Middle East appears determined and swift,while their strategy in Asia seems to be lacking in persistence. Furthermore,the data of 2006 indicates that TCCs improve their performance in Asia and Africa,and Africa has become a "stars" market for TCCs.This research sheds important lights and insights into the prevailing process of internationalization of TCCs and provides a strategic direction for their selection of international construction market. What is more,this research is also valuable to other Chinese contractors who are seeking the opportunity to enter the international construction markets.展开更多
We quantitatively study magnetic anomalies of reinforcement rods in bored insitu concrete piles for the first time and summarized their magnetic anomaly character. Key factors such as measuring borehole orientation, b...We quantitatively study magnetic anomalies of reinforcement rods in bored insitu concrete piles for the first time and summarized their magnetic anomaly character. Key factors such as measuring borehole orientation, borehole-reinforcement distance, and multiple-section reinforcement rods are discussed which contributes valid and quantitative reference for using the magnetic method to detect reinforcement rods. Through tests with model piles, we confirm the accuracy of theoretical computations and then utilize the law discovered in theoretical computations to explain the characteristics of the actual testing curves. The results show that the Za curves of the reinforcement rod reflect important factors regarding the reinforcement rods, such as rod length, change of reinforcement ratio, length of overlap, and etc. This research perfects the magnetic method for detecting reinforcement rods in bored in-situ concrete piles and the method has great importance for preventing building contractor fraud.展开更多
This paper aims to overview BIM （building information modeling） implementation in Singapore and to clarify the problems concerned with BIM in Singapore and Japan. The Singapore BIM Roadmap and related policies devel...This paper aims to overview BIM （building information modeling） implementation in Singapore and to clarify the problems concerned with BIM in Singapore and Japan. The Singapore BIM Roadmap and related policies developed by BCA （Building and Construction Authority） are introduced at first along with the background and environment in Singapore. Despite of the assessment from Japan, BIM implementation in Singapore is not always perfect and well-equipped according to the authors＇ interviews to Japanese general contractors operating in Singapore. Japanese general contractors have ability to produce and coordinate design drawings and shop drawings by hiring in-house architects and engineers. The client and the architects can reduce project risk concerning design and drawings by transferring it to the general contractor. The authors discuss the problems on project management to show the strategy to develop the new version of BIM, hoping to share the value with all of the stakeholders of the project.展开更多
The use of information technology （IT） in construction is expanding rapidly. More and more architecture, engineering, and construction companies are adopting new technologies in software design to help accelerate an...The use of information technology （IT） in construction is expanding rapidly. More and more architecture, engineering, and construction companies are adopting new technologies in software design to help accelerate and accurately carry out their functions. Based on a research study carried out in Southern Nevada with a questionnaire survey of 54 construction-related firms, this study aims to compare the types and extent of IT use by architects, engineers, and contractors. It also explores the level of IT skills possessed by professionals working in the industry. The study found that architects mostly used design software whereas engineers and contractors used scheduling and estimating software. All of the respondents believed that IT helped to improve their work productivity. The majority of the respondents thought that IT is useful for Construction Management （CM） students： engineers and architects thought that CM students should take more scheduling and estimating software courses and contractors thought that they should take more scheduling and quantity take-off software courses.展开更多
Sondu-Miriu hydropower （SMHP） project experienced delay for about five years and one of the contributing factors was delayed payment of the contractor, with ripples effect extending down the contractual hierarchy. T...Sondu-Miriu hydropower （SMHP） project experienced delay for about five years and one of the contributing factors was delayed payment of the contractor, with ripples effect extending down the contractual hierarchy. This study assessed the effects of delayed payment of the contractor on the completion of SMHP project in Kisumu County, Kenya. More specifically, the study addressed two research questions： What is the relative importance of delayed payment of the contractor compared to other forms of contractual delays？ What is the perceived effect of delayed payment of the contractor on the project＇s completion？ A causal-comparative design was adopted and primary data sourced in May 2011 from 39 senior management staff of contractual parties. Relative importance index （RII） was used to determine the relative importance of perceived effects of delayed payment of the contractor on the project＇s completion; while Kendell＇s coefficient of concordance was applied to determine the degree of agreement among participants regarding their perceived effects of delayed payment. The study found that delayed payment of the contractor affected the project by causing： loss of productivity and efficiency （71.8%）; increase in time-related costs （71.8%）; re-scheduling and re-sequencing of works （69.2%）; extension of time and acceleration （69.2%）; as well as prevention of early completion （53.8%）. The study concludes that timely payment of contractors is crucial for ensuring the continuity of works and completion of infrastructural projects within time, budget, and quality specifications. The study recommends the need for appropriate mitigative measures against potential risks, such as delayed disbursement of funds by external financiers, delayed approval of contractors＇ payment requests, as well as community participation and involvement of civil society to influence accountability in the management of project funds and expedite disbursement of funds for subsequent project phases.展开更多
This paper presents a method for construction contractor selection based on trust building. By classifying criteria into three types of trust and applying gray correlation analysis, the presented method concerns multi...This paper presents a method for construction contractor selection based on trust building. By classifying criteria into three types of trust and applying gray correlation analysis, the presented method concerns multi-criteria for evaluation other than price, selects trust- and selection-related criteria, provides approaches for indicator quantification and determines the contractor on the basis of gray correlation degree.展开更多
In 1997, the Ohio Senate passed Senate Bill 102 which established the Ohio School Facilities Commission as a separate agency to oversee the rebuilding projects of the public schools in Ohio. The bill also exempted the...In 1997, the Ohio Senate passed Senate Bill 102 which established the Ohio School Facilities Commission as a separate agency to oversee the rebuilding projects of the public schools in Ohio. The bill also exempted the construction contractors from paying prevailing wages on these projects on the hypothesis that this exemption would lower the construction cost. The purpose of this study is to investigate this hypothesis through the statistical analysis of 8,093 bids received from the years 2000 through 2007 for the schools＇ construction. Union contractors who paid their workers union wages and non-union contractors who did not pay prevailing wages bid these projects. The hypothesis, that prevailing wage laws increased the construction cost, was tested by comparing the bids/SF （square foot） from both groups （union and nonunion） for the different construction trades. The study indicated that there was statistical significant difference between the bids/square foot for union contractors and the bids/square foot for non-union contractors for only the following trades： earthwork, existing conditions, plumbing, electrical and HVAC （heating, ventilation and air conditioning）. The averages of bids/SF from the union contractors were higher than those from the non-union contractors for earthwork, existing conditions and plumbing works, and the opposite for electrical and HVAC works. There was no statistical significant difference in the bids from the communications, concrete, conveying equipment, electronic safety and security, equipment, finishes, fire suppression, furnishings, masonry, openings, structural steel, thermal and moisture protection, plastics and composites and wood works.展开更多
Throughout Western music history, pre-existing material has long been the aesthetic core of a new composition. Yet there has never been such an epoch as our time in which using pre-existing material, melodic quotation...Throughout Western music history, pre-existing material has long been the aesthetic core of a new composition. Yet there has never been such an epoch as our time in which using pre-existing material, melodic quotation in particular, features so extensively in works of many of the composers. The aim of this paper is to investigate how the use of quoted tunes in a musical piece operates in an interwoven complex where time and space are of the essence. A quote is able to oscillate perpetually between one’s mental worlds of the memorable past and the imaginative present when it is highlighted enough to be recognizable from its surrounding context. Upon interpreting the use of quotation in various contexts, the aesthetic object, I argue, is the shift from original to quoted music, and vice versa. And listeners can respond aesthetically to the quotation itself even without knowledge of its provenance and textual or referential content.展开更多
This paper for the first time proposes an empirical framework for inclusive growth, under which policy :s-efficiency and distributive impacts can both be assessed. This paper applies this framework to China :s-rural i...This paper for the first time proposes an empirical framework for inclusive growth, under which policy :s-efficiency and distributive impacts can both be assessed. This paper applies this framework to China :s-rural infrastructure and a large sample of individual-level data, providing estimates of growth and distributive impacts of physical infrastructures of telephone and tap water in rural China. They all are found to promote rural income growth, helping narrow the rural-urban gap in China. More importantly, the poorer gained more than the richer from these infrastructures, implying benign distributive effects. This paper sheds light on the positive and important role in which infrastructure plays to promote inclusive growth in rural China.展开更多
Successful and cost-effective construction relies upon appropriate communication of the participants of the construction project. Hence, it is important to define the rights and responsibilities of the parties, and re...Successful and cost-effective construction relies upon appropriate communication of the participants of the construction project. Hence, it is important to define the rights and responsibilities of the parties, and relationships among them. In this context, well-designed and complete agreement is essential and necessary for the successfully completion of a construction project within the desired time, quality and budget. In this paper, it is aimed to analyze and compare the owner-contractor agreements in the Turkish and the US construction industry. First, the importance of construction contracts and contractual elements of an agreement is determined, and then, the standard owner-contractor agreement which is used in the Turkish construction industry is analyzed and compared with the US standard owner-contractor agreement. Finally, the differences between these agreements are put forward, the lack and deficiencies of Turkish standard agreement form are determined, and appropriate suggestions are improved.展开更多
The volume of highway traffic in the United States continues to increase. In the face of this there is a concomitant need to improve and repair transportation infrastructure. Construction frequently requires a reducti...The volume of highway traffic in the United States continues to increase. In the face of this there is a concomitant need to improve and repair transportation infrastructure. Construction frequently requires a reduction in capacity during construction activity; consequently road users as well as adjacent businesses must endure the delays and inconveniences associated with transportation construction. Recognizing the problems that construction can produce, state highway agencies （SHAs） have continually sought ways to minimize the negative impact from their construction operations. Incentive contracting has played an important role in this effort to improve project performance. The Florida Department of Transportation （FDOT） is one of the leading SHAs using such innovative contracting methods as Incentive/Disincentive （I/D）, A＋B （cost plus time bidding） combined with I/D, No Excuse Bonus, and Liquidated Savings. This paper analyzes the traffic impact on incentive project time performance using highway construction projects recently completed in Florida. Project data obtained from FDOT were evaluated using time performance indices. A survey of traffic impact on project work types was performed in Florida in order to evaluate the relationship between construction project types and road traffic influence during construction. Based on the survey results, the 38 most frequently used work types in Florida during the study period were categorized into three traffic impact levels： （1） high traffic impact, （2） medium traffic impact, and （3） low traffic impact. Statistical analysis was performed. The results show that there are significant differences on project time performance between low and high impact levels as well as low and medium impact levels.展开更多
文摘N-ros is one of the transforming genes in human hepatic cancer cells. It has been found that N-ras was overexpressed at the mENA and protein level in hepatoma cells. In order to explore the biological roles of N-ras in human hepatic oaroinogenesis and the potential application in control of cancer cell growth, a pseudotype retrovirus containing antisense sequence of human N-ras was constructed and packaged. A recombinant rebrovirus vector containing antisense or sense sequences of N-ras oDNA was constructed by pZIP-NeoSV(X)1. The pseudotype virus was packaged and rescued by transfeotion and infection in PA317 and ψ2 helper cells. It has been demonstrated that the pseudotype retrovirus containing antisense N-ras sequence did inhibit the growth of human PLC/PEF/5 hepatoma cells accompanied with inhibition of p21 expression, while the retrovirus containing sense sequence had none. The pseudotype virus had no effect on human diploid fibroblasts.
文摘Photo dissociation dynamics of diatomic molecular ion HBr＋ interacting with ultra fast laser pulses of different envelop function has been presented both in zero and non zero temperature environment. The calculations pertain primarily to the ground electronic state of the molecular ion HBr＋. The used potential of HBr＋ is calibrated with the help of the ab initio theoretical calculation at the CCSD/6-311＋＋G（3df, 2pd） level and then fitted with appropriate Morse parameters. The numerical bound states vibrational eigenvalues obtained by the time independent Fourier Grid Hamiltonian method have been compared with analytical values of the fitted Morse potential. The effect of temperature, pulse envelops function, and light intensity on the dissociation process has been explored.
文摘The past decade has witnessed a rapid development of the international construction market. This research aims to investigate top Chinese contractors' developmental tracks and evaluate their strategic selection of international construction markets over the period from 2001 to 2006,based on the modified Boston Consulting Group Matrix (BCG). Results from 2001 to 2005 indicate that Asia and Africa,which were "question marks" markets for top Chinese contractors (abbreviated as TCCs),have the most potential to become "stars" markets; other question marks markets such as the Middle East and Europe are found not to be of potential; "dogs" markets such as the U.S.,Canada and Latin America should be relinquished progressively unless there is renewed growth opportunity over the next two years. Compared to developmental tracks of top contractors from some advanced countries,TCCs' investment and development strategy in Africa seems to be sustainable and intensive; TCCs' exit strategy for the Middle East appears determined and swift,while their strategy in Asia seems to be lacking in persistence. Furthermore,the data of 2006 indicates that TCCs improve their performance in Asia and Africa,and Africa has become a "stars" market for TCCs.This research sheds important lights and insights into the prevailing process of internationalization of TCCs and provides a strategic direction for their selection of international construction market. What is more,this research is also valuable to other Chinese contractors who are seeking the opportunity to enter the international construction markets.
基金supported by Transportation Research Project of Jiangsu Province (05Y015),China
文摘We quantitatively study magnetic anomalies of reinforcement rods in bored insitu concrete piles for the first time and summarized their magnetic anomaly character. Key factors such as measuring borehole orientation, borehole-reinforcement distance, and multiple-section reinforcement rods are discussed which contributes valid and quantitative reference for using the magnetic method to detect reinforcement rods. Through tests with model piles, we confirm the accuracy of theoretical computations and then utilize the law discovered in theoretical computations to explain the characteristics of the actual testing curves. The results show that the Za curves of the reinforcement rod reflect important factors regarding the reinforcement rods, such as rod length, change of reinforcement ratio, length of overlap, and etc. This research perfects the magnetic method for detecting reinforcement rods in bored in-situ concrete piles and the method has great importance for preventing building contractor fraud.
文摘This paper aims to overview BIM （building information modeling） implementation in Singapore and to clarify the problems concerned with BIM in Singapore and Japan. The Singapore BIM Roadmap and related policies developed by BCA （Building and Construction Authority） are introduced at first along with the background and environment in Singapore. Despite of the assessment from Japan, BIM implementation in Singapore is not always perfect and well-equipped according to the authors＇ interviews to Japanese general contractors operating in Singapore. Japanese general contractors have ability to produce and coordinate design drawings and shop drawings by hiring in-house architects and engineers. The client and the architects can reduce project risk concerning design and drawings by transferring it to the general contractor. The authors discuss the problems on project management to show the strategy to develop the new version of BIM, hoping to share the value with all of the stakeholders of the project.
文摘The use of information technology （IT） in construction is expanding rapidly. More and more architecture, engineering, and construction companies are adopting new technologies in software design to help accelerate and accurately carry out their functions. Based on a research study carried out in Southern Nevada with a questionnaire survey of 54 construction-related firms, this study aims to compare the types and extent of IT use by architects, engineers, and contractors. It also explores the level of IT skills possessed by professionals working in the industry. The study found that architects mostly used design software whereas engineers and contractors used scheduling and estimating software. All of the respondents believed that IT helped to improve their work productivity. The majority of the respondents thought that IT is useful for Construction Management （CM） students： engineers and architects thought that CM students should take more scheduling and estimating software courses and contractors thought that they should take more scheduling and quantity take-off software courses.
文摘Sondu-Miriu hydropower （SMHP） project experienced delay for about five years and one of the contributing factors was delayed payment of the contractor, with ripples effect extending down the contractual hierarchy. This study assessed the effects of delayed payment of the contractor on the completion of SMHP project in Kisumu County, Kenya. More specifically, the study addressed two research questions： What is the relative importance of delayed payment of the contractor compared to other forms of contractual delays？ What is the perceived effect of delayed payment of the contractor on the project＇s completion？ A causal-comparative design was adopted and primary data sourced in May 2011 from 39 senior management staff of contractual parties. Relative importance index （RII） was used to determine the relative importance of perceived effects of delayed payment of the contractor on the project＇s completion; while Kendell＇s coefficient of concordance was applied to determine the degree of agreement among participants regarding their perceived effects of delayed payment. The study found that delayed payment of the contractor affected the project by causing： loss of productivity and efficiency （71.8%）; increase in time-related costs （71.8%）; re-scheduling and re-sequencing of works （69.2%）; extension of time and acceleration （69.2%）; as well as prevention of early completion （53.8%）. The study concludes that timely payment of contractors is crucial for ensuring the continuity of works and completion of infrastructural projects within time, budget, and quality specifications. The study recommends the need for appropriate mitigative measures against potential risks, such as delayed disbursement of funds by external financiers, delayed approval of contractors＇ payment requests, as well as community participation and involvement of civil society to influence accountability in the management of project funds and expedite disbursement of funds for subsequent project phases.
文摘This paper presents a method for construction contractor selection based on trust building. By classifying criteria into three types of trust and applying gray correlation analysis, the presented method concerns multi-criteria for evaluation other than price, selects trust- and selection-related criteria, provides approaches for indicator quantification and determines the contractor on the basis of gray correlation degree.
文摘In 1997, the Ohio Senate passed Senate Bill 102 which established the Ohio School Facilities Commission as a separate agency to oversee the rebuilding projects of the public schools in Ohio. The bill also exempted the construction contractors from paying prevailing wages on these projects on the hypothesis that this exemption would lower the construction cost. The purpose of this study is to investigate this hypothesis through the statistical analysis of 8,093 bids received from the years 2000 through 2007 for the schools＇ construction. Union contractors who paid their workers union wages and non-union contractors who did not pay prevailing wages bid these projects. The hypothesis, that prevailing wage laws increased the construction cost, was tested by comparing the bids/SF （square foot） from both groups （union and nonunion） for the different construction trades. The study indicated that there was statistical significant difference between the bids/square foot for union contractors and the bids/square foot for non-union contractors for only the following trades： earthwork, existing conditions, plumbing, electrical and HVAC （heating, ventilation and air conditioning）. The averages of bids/SF from the union contractors were higher than those from the non-union contractors for earthwork, existing conditions and plumbing works, and the opposite for electrical and HVAC works. There was no statistical significant difference in the bids from the communications, concrete, conveying equipment, electronic safety and security, equipment, finishes, fire suppression, furnishings, masonry, openings, structural steel, thermal and moisture protection, plastics and composites and wood works.
文摘Throughout Western music history, pre-existing material has long been the aesthetic core of a new composition. Yet there has never been such an epoch as our time in which using pre-existing material, melodic quotation in particular, features so extensively in works of many of the composers. The aim of this paper is to investigate how the use of quoted tunes in a musical piece operates in an interwoven complex where time and space are of the essence. A quote is able to oscillate perpetually between one’s mental worlds of the memorable past and the imaginative present when it is highlighted enough to be recognizable from its surrounding context. Upon interpreting the use of quotation in various contexts, the aesthetic object, I argue, is the shift from original to quoted music, and vice versa. And listeners can respond aesthetically to the quotation itself even without knowledge of its provenance and textual or referential content.
基金funded by Bairen Program of Yunnan provincethe NSF Projects 71133004 and 71603026 of the National Natural Science Foundation of China+1 种基金Projects 2015M580055 and 2016T90048 of the China Postdoctoral Science FoundationYouth Scholars Program of Beijing Normal University
文摘This paper for the first time proposes an empirical framework for inclusive growth, under which policy :s-efficiency and distributive impacts can both be assessed. This paper applies this framework to China :s-rural infrastructure and a large sample of individual-level data, providing estimates of growth and distributive impacts of physical infrastructures of telephone and tap water in rural China. They all are found to promote rural income growth, helping narrow the rural-urban gap in China. More importantly, the poorer gained more than the richer from these infrastructures, implying benign distributive effects. This paper sheds light on the positive and important role in which infrastructure plays to promote inclusive growth in rural China.
文摘Successful and cost-effective construction relies upon appropriate communication of the participants of the construction project. Hence, it is important to define the rights and responsibilities of the parties, and relationships among them. In this context, well-designed and complete agreement is essential and necessary for the successfully completion of a construction project within the desired time, quality and budget. In this paper, it is aimed to analyze and compare the owner-contractor agreements in the Turkish and the US construction industry. First, the importance of construction contracts and contractual elements of an agreement is determined, and then, the standard owner-contractor agreement which is used in the Turkish construction industry is analyzed and compared with the US standard owner-contractor agreement. Finally, the differences between these agreements are put forward, the lack and deficiencies of Turkish standard agreement form are determined, and appropriate suggestions are improved.
文摘The volume of highway traffic in the United States continues to increase. In the face of this there is a concomitant need to improve and repair transportation infrastructure. Construction frequently requires a reduction in capacity during construction activity; consequently road users as well as adjacent businesses must endure the delays and inconveniences associated with transportation construction. Recognizing the problems that construction can produce, state highway agencies （SHAs） have continually sought ways to minimize the negative impact from their construction operations. Incentive contracting has played an important role in this effort to improve project performance. The Florida Department of Transportation （FDOT） is one of the leading SHAs using such innovative contracting methods as Incentive/Disincentive （I/D）, A＋B （cost plus time bidding） combined with I/D, No Excuse Bonus, and Liquidated Savings. This paper analyzes the traffic impact on incentive project time performance using highway construction projects recently completed in Florida. Project data obtained from FDOT were evaluated using time performance indices. A survey of traffic impact on project work types was performed in Florida in order to evaluate the relationship between construction project types and road traffic influence during construction. Based on the survey results, the 38 most frequently used work types in Florida during the study period were categorized into three traffic impact levels： （1） high traffic impact, （2） medium traffic impact, and （3） low traffic impact. Statistical analysis was performed. The results show that there are significant differences on project time performance between low and high impact levels as well as low and medium impact levels.
