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The purpose of this paper is to propose a fast object detection algorithm based on structural light analysis, which aims to detect and recognize human gesture and pose and then to conclude the respective commands for human-robot interaction control.

In this paper, the human poses are estimated and analyzed by the proposed scheme, and then the resultant data concluded by the fuzzy decision-making system are used to launch respective robotic motions. The RGB camera and the infrared light module aim to do distance estimation of a body or several bodies.

The modules not only provide image perception but also objective skeleton detection. In which, a laser source in the infrared light module emits invisible infrared light which passes through a filter and is scattered into a semi-random but constant pattern of small dots which is projected onto the environment in front of the sensor. The reflected pattern is then detected by an infrared camera and analyzed for depth estimation. Since the depth of object is a key parameter for pose recognition, one can estimate the distance to each dot and then get depth information by calculation of distance between emitter and receiver.

Future work will consider to reduce the computation time for objective estimation and to tune parameters adaptively.

The experimental results demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed system.

This paper achieves real-time human-robot interaction by visual detection based on structural light analysis.

This paper aims to examine the impact of political uncertainty and instability caused by the 2011 Egyptian revolution on the corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices of Egyptian firms. The study provides empirical evidence to support the link between political instability, financial performance, stock market uncertainty and CSR in the post-revolution context of Egypt.

Data on CSR practices in Egypt were collected through a survey of Egyptian firms and content analysis of annual reports from publicly traded firms. The final survey sample consisted of 99 listed Egyptian companies. Structural equation modeling was performed to examine the relationship between the variables of this study.

The results of the study show that political instability is perceived to have a significant positive effect on the CSR practices of Egyptian firms. The results also reveal that the financial performance of firms is perceived not to be affected by the political instability after the 2011 Revolution as opposed to stock market uncertainty, which is perceived to be significantly affected. However, financial performance and stock market uncertainty have a significant positive influence on the CSR practices of Egyptian firms.

This paper capitalizes institutional theory to capture the complex interactions between organizations and their external institutional environments. Previous studies tackling CSR in unstable political environments in the African context focused on countries with prolonged periods of violent conflict and on more localized forms of conflicts. Yet, little is known about CSR during the occurrence of different types of political instabilities in other African countries.

This study aims to evaluate and assess the elastoplastic properties of Ti-6Al-4V alloy manufactured by Arcam Q20 Plus electron beam melting (EBM) machine by a tensile test campaign and micro computerized tomography (microCT) imaging.

ASTM E8 tensile test specimens are designed and manufactured by EBM at an Arcam Q20 Plus machine. Surface quality is improved by machining to discard the effect of surface roughness. After surface machining, hot isostatic pressing (HIP) post-treatment is applied to half of the specimens to remove unsolicited internal defects. ASTM E8 tensile test campaign is carried out simultaneously with digital image correlation to acquire strain data for each sample. Finally, build direction and HIP post-treatment dependencies of elastoplastic properties are analyzed by F-test and t-test statistical analyses methods.

Modulus of elasticity presents isotropic behavior for each build direction according to F-test and t-test analysis. Yield and ultimate strengths vary according to build direction and post-treatment. Stiffness and strength properties are superior to conventional Ti-6Al-4V material; however, ductility turns out to be poor for aerospace structures compared to conventional Ti-6Al-4V alloy. In addition, micro CT images show that support structure leads to dense internal defects and pores at applied surfaces. However, HIP post-treatment diminishes those internal defects and pores thoroughly.

As a novel scientific contribution, this study investigates the effects of three orthogonal build directions on elastoplastic properties, while many studies focus on only two-build directions. Evaluation of Poisson’s ratio is the other originality of this study. Furthermore, another finding through micro CT imaging is that temporary support structures result in intense defects closer to applied surfaces; hence high-stress regions of structures should be avoided to use support structures.

Mandating the use of building information modelling (BIM) in building projects has sprawled, but the uptake of BIM in building services engineering (BSE) remains sluggish. The purpose of this paper is to explore how to achieve wider adoption of BIM in BSE.

Through an extensive literature review, the benefits of, barriers to and measures conducive to, using BIM for BSE were identified and classified. Built upon the review and a focus group meeting, a questionnaire was devised for an industry-wide survey in Hong Kong and the survey data were processed by statistical analyses.

On the ranking of the benefits, strong agreements existed between the BSE and non-BSE respondent groups; yet no significant agreement was found between the two groups on the rankings of the barriers or the conducive measures. The top conducive measure, according to the BSE group, is “Allow enough time in project programme for BIM model development”.

The data collection and analysis methods of this study may be used for similar BIM studies in other places.

The priority of the conducive measures, which aid policy or decision makers in formulating how to get BIM effectively implemented in BSE, are useful information in the pursuit of a more productive and sustainable built environment.

This BIM study is specifically on BSE rather than the other disciplines (e.g. architecture, structural engineering) that have been widely studied.

Building information modelling (BIM) has been established in the literature as a successful platform that creates an intelligent virtual model for processing data from conceptual design through construction to operational stage of a facility. However, its adoption for facilities management (FM) provision in Nigeria has been slow due to inherent barriers. The aim of this paper is to (1) assess and categorise using factor analysis BIM for FM barriers and (2) model the barriers using stakeholders' personal/professional attributes.

Anchored on quantitative research design, 205 copies of structured questionnaire were distributed to key stakeholders and facilities managers in Nigeria's three strategic cities while 135 valid responses were received giving a response rate of 65.8%. Data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics while multiple regression analysis was used to model the barriers. Kruskal Wallis test was used to test the only hypothesis postulated for the study.

The study established lack of awareness of BIM for FM, poor supporting infrastructure for Internet services, and lack of education and training as the top three rated barriers militating against adoption of BIM for FM in Nigeria while corruption, widespread mistakes and errors and cultural issues were established as the three least rated barriers. Besides, findings also established eight underlying factors that explained 23 barrier factors used for the study which were subsequently used to develop eight regression models. In effect, gender, professional affiliation, organisation, experience, education, expertise, BIM for FM project type, and location were found to statistically predict the 8 extracted factors driving perceived barriers of BIM for FM adoption in Nigeria.

The study has provided a framework of barrier factors to help stakeholders identify specific barriers for which appropriate measures can be taken to ameliorate consequences of the perceived barriers. Meanwhile, an improved and rejuvenated advocacy on inherent benefits of BIM for facilities management by frontline stakeholders could potentially steer up interests and increased participation of stakeholders on BIM for FM.

The unique study developed the first ever regression model that links BIM for FM barriers to professional attributes of facilities management stakeholders in Nigeria.

The introduction of Building Information Model (BIM) tools over the last 20 years is resulting in radical changes in the architectural, engineering and construction industry. One of these changes concerns the use of virtual prototyping – an advanced technology integrating BIM with realistic graphical simulations. Construction virtual prototyping (CVP) has now been developed and implemented on ten real construction projects in Hong Kong in the past three years. The purpose of this paper is to report on a survey aimed at establishing the effects of adopting this new technology and obtaining recommendations for future development.

A questionnaire survey was conducted in 2007 of 28 key participants involved in four major Hong Kong construction projects – these projects being chosen because the CVP approach is used in more than one stage in each project. In addition, several interviews are conducted with the project manager, planning manager and project engineer of an individual project.

All the respondents and interviewees give a positive response to the CVP approach, with the most useful software functions considered to be those relating to visualisation and communication. The CVP approach is thought to improve the collaboration efficiency of the main contractor and sub‐contractors by approximately 30 percent, and with a concomitant 30 to 50 percent reduction in meeting time. The most important benefits of CPV in the construction planning stage are the improved accuracy of process planning and shorter planning times, while improved fieldwork instruction and reducing rework occur in the construction implementation stage. Although project teams are hesitant to attribute the use of CVP directly to any specific time savings, it is also acknowledged that the workload of project planners is decreased. Suggestions for further development of the approach include incorporation of automatic scheduling and advanced assembly study.

Whilst the research, development and implementation of CVP is relatively new in the construction industry, it is clear from the applications and feedback to date that the approach provides considerable added value to the organisation and management of construction projects.

Compiled by K.G.B. Bakewell covering the following journals published by MCB University Press: Facilities Volumes 8‐18; Journal of Property Investment & Finance Volumes 8‐18; Property Management Volumes 8‐18; Structural Survey Volumes 8‐18.

Compiled by K.G.B. Bakewell covering the following journals published by MCB University Press: Facilities Volumes 8‐18; Journal of Property Investment & Finance Volumes 8‐18; Property Management Volumes 8‐18; Structural Survey Volumes 8‐18.

Compiled by K.G.B. Bakewell covering the following journals published by MCB University Press: Facilities Volumes 8‐18; Journal of Property Investment & Finance Volumes 8‐18; Property Management Volumes 8‐18; Structural Survey Volumes 8‐18.

Compiled by K.G.B. Bakewell covering the following journals published by MCB University Press: Facilities Volumes 8‐17; Journal of Property Investment & Finance Volumes 8‐17; Property Management Volumes 8‐17; Structural Survey Volumes 8‐17.