Kali Prasad Nepal

An approach to assign individual marks from a team mark: the case of Australian grading system at universities

This study uses a new approach to assign individual marks from a team mark using individual contributions to a teamwork product. A team member’s contribution to a teamwork product, in the form of an individual weighting factor, is calculated using team members’ co‐assessment. A comparison of the proposed approach with existing methods has been discussed with the help of a typical teamwork example. The approach has been refined to make it applicable for the Australian grading system at universities. It has been implemented in a large undergraduate engineering course to observe its effectiveness in practice. The results show that the method encourages teamwork, penalises below‐average contributions and rewards above‐average contributions. An analysis of a students’ perception survey shows that students prefer the approach over alternative approaches.

Solving the Median Shortest Path Problem in the Planning and Design of Urban Transportation Networks Using a Vector Labeling Algorithm

This paper proposes an alternative algorithm to solve the median shortest path problem (MSPP) in the planning and design of urban transportation networks. The proposed vector labeling algorithm is based on the labeling of each node in terms of a multiple and conflicting vector of objectives which deletes cyclic, infeasible and extreme-dominated paths in the criteria space imposing cyclic break (CB), path cost constraint (PCC) and access cost parameter (ACP) respectively. The output of the algorithm is a set of Pareto optimal paths (POP) with an objective vector from predetermined origin to destination nodes. Thus, this paper formulates an algorithm to identify a non-inferior solution set of POP based on a non-dominated set of objective vectors that leaves the ultimate decision to decision-makers. A numerical experiment is conducted using an artificial transportation network in order to validate and compare results. Sensitivity analysis has shown that the proposed algorithm is more efficient and advantageous over existing solutions in terms of computing execution time and memory space used.

A comparative evaluation of analytical methods to allocate individual marks from a team mark

This study presents a comparative evaluation of analytical methods to allocate individual marks from a team mark. Only the methods that use or can be converted into some form of mathematical equations are analysed. Some of these methods focus primarily on the assessment of the quality of teamwork product (product assessment) while the others put greater emphasis on the assessment of teamwork performance (process assessment). The remaining methods try to strike a balance between product assessment and process assessment. To discuss the characteristics of these methods, graphical plots generated by the mathematical equations that collectively cover all possible team learning scenarios are discussed. Finally, a typical teamwork example is used to simplify the discussions. Although each of the methods discussed has its own merits for a particular application scenario, recent methods are relatively better in terms of a number of evaluation criteria.

Mechanistic behavior of open and dense graded unbound granular materials under traffic loads

The absence of abundant amount of natural unbound granular materials (UGMs) necessitates investigating alternatives such as processed crushed rock. Extensive use of crushed rock in pavement design requires proper modification of characterization, design and construction practices. Many specifications and standards require adopting of dense gradation of base materials. Although dense gradation has a high dry density, it also has low permeability or voids. This low permeability results in a decrease in material strength when the pavement is exposed to moisture. This research examines the effects of fines content on mechanistic behaviors of UGMs, particularly resilient modulus (Mr) and permanent deformation (PD) using repeated load triaxial test (RLTT). Class 2 crushed rock is used in two gradationsdense gradation and open gradation. Results from RLTT show that open graded Class 2 has an acceptable PD resistance under repeated loads for test’s Stages 1, 2 and 3 followed by a significant collapse at Stage 4 as per Australian pavement design guide. This investigation has found that open graded Class 2 has higher Mr than dense graded Class 2. This paper suggests that open graded Class 2 could be used as a porous base material for roads with low traffic volumes.

Monitoring Protected Areas Using Remote Sensing Technology

Due to irrational use of natural resources, human society is facing unprecedented threats. Remote sensing is one of the essential tools to determine changes in various forms of biological diversity over time. There are many methods to determine changes in protected areas, using satellite images. In this paper after introducing different change detection methods and their advantages and disadvantages, a hybrid method is used to analyse changes in forests and protected areas in a national park. Two Landsat images of Golestan National Park in Iran (taken in 1998 and 2010) were used. This hybrid approach combines Change Vector Analysis (CVA) for flagging the occurrence of changes, followed by signature extension to assign labels to changedpixels. The main objective of this paper is to propose a method for discovering and assessing environmental threats to natural treasures.