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A reliability-based conceptual framework for carbon trading management in the construction sector
No full textThe construction sector is increasingly impacted by carbon trading policies across its supply chains in various countries. These policies require construction entities to purchase carbon permits if their emissions exceed allocated limits, while those with lower emissions can sell excess permits. A key challenge is the effective allocation of carbon responsibility, which directly affects the cost-effectiveness and the success of carbon trading in reducing the sector emissions. However, quantifying uncertainty in carbon emissions remains a significant challenge. This paper introduces a reliability-based framework that captures uncertainties and interactions between carbon emissions and allocations under a shared responsibility model between construction producers and project owners. It enhances the theoretical understanding of carbon emission trading by offering an evidence-based approach for evaluating and refining carbon trading mechanisms in the construction sector. Additionally, the framework’s effectiveness can be further assessed using data from construction entities, focusing on carbon emission levels and allocations
Ideological Independence in the Third World: Legacies in Resistance and Anti-Colonial Aid in 20th Century Africa
Get PDFThe Cold War, despite its central focus on the U.S.–Soviet rivalry, marked a period of rapid geopolitical and ideological transformation in the Third World. These changes were best exemplified by radical revolutionary movements that swept across the African continent. For revolutionary leaders, the spread of anti-colonial, socialist, and nationalist ideas represented more than rhetorical sentiments; they had their own visions of sovereignty and self-determination. Although rooted in shared Third-Worldist, Pan-Africanist, and non-aligned principles, these leaders and their ideas reflected significant variation in approaches to diplomacy, the use of force, and the scope of Pan-African solidarity, which profoundly shaped the nature and extent of their support for fellow Third World liberation movements. Through an examination of revolutionary leaders like Kwame Nkrumah, Ahmed Ben Bella, and Fidel Castro, this paper seeks to evaluate the successes and shortcomings of Third World leaders in their efforts to dismantle imperialist structures and create independent paths for nascent Africa states, amidst the polarized Cold War ideological framework of communism versus capitalism. Using the case studies of Ghana, Algeria, and Cuba, I aim to highlight their pivotal roles in the provision of civil and military support to liberation movements throughout the second half of the 20th century. Their ideological convictions empowered the reclamation of agency for Third World states and reasserted African sovereignty in the Cold War landscape, creating new strategies for independence in a transforming world order
Ensuring Data Quality in Large International Development Projects: Tools, Strategies, and Lessons Learned
Get PDFThe success of development projects and evaluations hinges on having access to research protocols and methodologies that consider the needs and characteristics of stakeholders, subjects, and context while remaining rigorous and culturally sound. These efforts are often complicated by a dearth of tools that have been tested for validity and reliability in communities of interest and data collection environments that necessitate reliance on international and domestic partners with varying backgrounds to collect, process, and share data. Overcoming these challenges requires flexibility, intentionality, and continuous improvement across all partners. This article describes lessons learned from a mixed-methods longitudinal evaluation of an educational intervention in post-conflict Somalia. It shares strategies devised and implemented by the research team for developing context-appropriate tools, effectively collecting data, training field staff, and cleaning and maintaining data integrity. Evaluators, researchers, and practitioners with a focus on fragile environments and multi-site, complex interventions will benefit from the best practices and tools shared here
NeRF-Enhanced Digital Twin for Building Anomaly Inspection Using Unmanned Aerial Systems (UASs)
No full textBuilding facade inspections are crucial for ensuring structural integrity and occupant safety, traditionally requiring physical access that can be costly and risky. Recent advancements have seen the integration of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UASs) equipped with imaging technologies to facilitate these inspections. However, the primary challenge remains in the effective detection and precise localization of facade anomalies, such as cracks, stains, and specifically, thermal anomalies. This paper investigates the fusing of diverse data sources, specifically thermal infrared (IR) imaging and high-resolution RGB data, to enhance 3D registration of thermal anomalies. Utilizing a Computational Neural Radiance Field (NeRF) approach, it aims to reconstruct detailed 3D models of building facades. This integration improves the accuracy of anomaly detection by fusing the precise camera positions derived from the original RGB data to refine the alignment and visualization of thermal anamolies in both RGB and IR imagery. We utilized COLMAP for camera position estimation and NeRF for 3D registration, employing Structure-from-Motion (SfM) and NeRF methodologies to create detailed and scalable 3D models from 2D IR and RGB images. This approach integrates the precision of camera positioning with advanced 3D reconstruction techniques to enhance the visualization and analysis of building facades. Our method automates the registration and mapping of detected thermal anomalies in 2D images onto the reconstructed 3D models, improving the diagnostics of building facades by enabling precise localization and scaling of these anomalies. The findings demonstrate the potential of our approach to reduce inspection times and enhance the safety of diagnostic procedures through higher accuracy and less invasive methods
A Comparison of Professional Development for Teachers of Mathematics in Belize and the United States
Get PDFThis paper provides a limited comparison of professional development (PD) workshops conducted in Belize and in the United States (US). Three workshops were conducted in Belize; 2019, 2022, and 2024. Multiple workshops were conducted in the US between 2021 and 2023. All workshops in Belize and the US were one week in duration and covered similar topics. Although the working conditions in the schools and workshops were different in each country, data analysis found similar teacher satisfaction and growth results
Embrace the Journey: Exploring Induction Experiences of Teachers in Ohio Independent STEM Schools
Get PDFThe beginning years of a new teacher are a critical period. This study investigated perceptions of induction activities of new teachers in Ohio Independent STEM schools. STEM-based pedagogies such as problem-based learning and inquiry are core strategies in STEM schools but can be new for beginning teachers. Through a Q-sort, thirteen participants from three Independent STEM Schools ranked statements on a +5 to -5 scale of agreement. This along with a post-sort survey resulted in themes. Positive school culture and colleague collaboration and the impact of the mentoring were found to be the most impactful. This research aligns with literature suggesting these areas are critical in teacher induction
LEaPP Basic Code Sight Word Vocabulary Screener PowerPoint Set 1-5
No full textThis slide deck contains the words for the LEaPP Basic Code Sight Word Vocabulary Screener. The deck is organized by set and contains directions for use
Leveraging Undergraduate Expertise for Effective STEM Instruction: Insights from a Forensic Science Teaching Partnership
Get PDFAlthough integrated science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) instruction has been cited as a viable instructional approach to increasing the number of students interested and prepared to enter the STEM workforce, teacher content knowledge can be a limiting factor to effective implementation (Ejiwale, 2013). To address this limitation, college STEM majors can use their content expertise to support the development and implementation of integrated STEM experiences for K-12 students (Ferrara et al., 2018). This research brief reports on a university-high school partnership where undergraduate students in a university forensic science club created and implemented integrated STEM lessons in a local high school classroom. Results indicate undergraduate students gained greater awareness of the complexities of integrated STEM instruction, while also developing greater confidence in their ability to plan and implement effective STEM lessons