10,168 research outputs found
2009 Southern Region Engineering Conference (SREC 2009)
No full textThis research work aims to understand the behaviour of fibre composite sandwich panel by using nonlinear Finite Element (FE) method. The original FRP sandwich panel is associated with waste of materials usage related to its ability to resist the external load and stay in the working load serviceability. The experimental analysis was done by CEEFC in the University of Southern Queensland and it showed that the failure load is (5-10) times the working load recommended by EUROCOMP. The analysis of composite FRP panel using 3D solid Finite Element and shell element shows a relatively accurate simulation for the behaviour of the FRP panel compare to the experimental results. The objective of this research is to verify the behaviour of FRP sandwich panel by using finite element methods. The numerical finite element model using traditional available ABAQUS software was developed to simulate the structural behaviour of FRP panel
Using performance assessment in secondary school mathematics: an empirical study in a Singapore classroom
No full textThis article reports an exploratory study on using performance assessment in mathematics instruction in a high-performing secondary school in Singapore. An intact mathematics class participated in the study, and received chapter-based performance tasks as intervention during regular mathematics lessons for about one and a half school years. The performance tasks used included authentic and/or open-ended tasks. The students’ academic achievements and attitudes in mathematics were compared with a comparison class that did not receive the intervention. Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected, mainly through questionnaire surveys, performance task tests, conventional school exams, and interviews with students and teachers. The results suggest that the students receiving the intervention performed significantly better than their counterparts in solving conventional exam problems, and in general they also showed more positive changes in attitudes towards mathematics and mathematics learning. The students from the experimental class also expressed positive views about the benefits of using performance tasks in promoting their ability in higher order thinking, though no statistically significant difference was detected between the two classes of students in solving unconventional tasks before and after intervention. Overall, the results appear to support teachers’ using contextualised problems in real life situations and open-ended investigations in students’ learning of mathematic
Why hedge? Extent, nature, and determinants of derivative usage in U.S. municipalities
No full textUsing a hand-collected dataset of over 300 observations of large U.S. cities and counties, this paper investigates the extent, nature and determinants of derivatives usage in the municipal sector.Over half of our sample entities engage in derivative transactions and a vast majority of these transactions are intended to manage interest rate risk. Swaps, by far, are the most popular derivative instrument. In terms of the determinants of derivative usage,we find that the propensity to use derivatives as well as the extent of derivative usage is higher for municipalities that are larger and more financially constrained. We do not find growth to be related to municipal derivative usage. Contrary to suggestions made in the popular press, we fail to find managerial opportunism to be a significant factor in municipal derivative usage. We also find that more sophisticated managers of large municipalities and less sophisticated managers of small municipalities are more likely to engage in derivative transactions.Peer reviewe
A study on the reliability of consecutive k-Out-of-n: G systems based on Copula
No full textThe computation of reliability characteristics of a system that consists of dependent components is sometimes difficult especially when the type of dependence is not known. This article introduces the copula method to calculate the reliability of dependent consecutive k-out-of-n: G systems. The components in these systems are dependent on each other and the dependency may be either linear or nonlinear. The copula is a popular tool for modeling the dependence structure of data. It contains the information about the dependency structure of a vector of random variables and can capture nonlinear dependence. Based on the copula theory, the article analyzes the consecutive k-out-of-n: G systems and gets the reliability indexes. Finally, some numerical examples are presented to illustrate the results obtained in this article.Peer reviewe
Notholca dongtingensis (Rotifera : Monogononta : Brachionidae), a new species from Dongting Lake, China
No full textNotholca dongtingensis n.sp. was found in the second largest lake of China, Dongting Lake. It is related to Notholca labis Gosse, 1887 and N. kozhovi Vassilijewa & Kutikova, 1969. Its main distinguishing taxonomic features are a square-oval lorica, very short anterior spines, anterior lateral spines curving outwards and protrusile posterior margin of the ventral plate
Capital asset accounting policies under GASB Statement No. 34: Characteristics, antecedents, and implications
No full textIn this paper, we study the evolution of state and local governments’ capital asset accounting policies from the adoption of GASB Statement No. 34 through the fiscal year ending in 2016. We document substantial cross-sectional and time-series variation in the capitalization thresholds and estimated useful lives pertaining to major classes of capital assets, including buildings, equipment, improvements, and infrastructure assets. Diversity in capital asset accounting policies potentially diminishes the comparability of capital asset accounting information across governments and over time. We also discuss matters related to the implementation and ongoing use of the modified approach for reporting infrastructure assets. Our findings are useful to the GASB as well as to users of government financial reports.Peer reviewe
On the market timing and feedback effect of hedging: evidence from U.S. oil and gas producers
No full textPeer reviewe
Signaling under threats: evidence of voluntary disclosure in corporate control contests
No full textWe investigate voluntary disclosure strategies in contested takeovers and the associated economic consequences. Using a difference-in-differences research design and propensity score matching, we find that relative to friendly takeovers, target management in contested takeovers provides more earnings guidance and conveys more good news during the takeover. Moreover, voluntary disclosure helps contested targets negotiate a better offer and the results are stronger for targets with more information asymmetry. Collectively, targets adopt voluntary disclosure and alter their strategies under the threat of contested takeover to enhance their bargaining power. Voluntary disclosure by contested targets serves as a negotiation tactic that potentially benefits target shareholders.Peer reviewe
Rotifera from the outlet of Dongting Lake, with the description of Keratella wangi n.sp
No full textA total of 136 rotifer taxa was identified from the qualitative samples of Dongting Lake. Of these, one is new to science (Keratella wangi n. sp.), thirty-four are new records for China. The description of the new species was presented, the taxonomy and ecology of Rhinoglena tokioensis (Sudzuki), which was found for the first time twenty years after it was described, was illustrated. The habitat distribution and preference of rotifer species was also discussed
Optimized design and structural performance of steel-encased timber composite (SETC) beams
No full textSteel-Encased Timber Composite (SETC) beams offer a sustainable and high-performance alternative for structural applications by combining the strength of cold-formed steel (CFS) with the resilience and environmental benefits of timber. This study investigates the influence of key design parameters, including CFS thickness, profile variations, timber grade, and screw spacing, on the structural behavior of SETC beams. Experimental analyses was conducted to evaluate load-bearing capacity, ductility, and failure mechanisms. Results indicate that profile modifications, such as the inclusion of lips and plate reinforcements, significantly enhance structural performance. Additionally, the study highlights the importance of optimized screw spacing and timber grade selection in achieving an effective balance between strength and ductility. The findings provide valuable insights for the optimized design of SETC beams, contributing to the development of efficient, durable, and sustainable composite structural systems.Mohamed Eldeib, Xing Ma, Yan Zhuge, Raufdeen Rameezdeen, Reza Hassanli, Mark Ellis, El-Sayed Abd-Elaa
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