Game-based learning for maritime education and training: the case of Trader of the World

For educational and/or training purposes, games are often described as multimodal texts, where signs, gestures, images, habits, behaviors, sounds, etc. have different meanings according to the way and the context they are represented. During their execution, a large variety of strategies can be employed; images, words, sounds, music, movement, and even bodily sensations can provide the necessary factors. More importantly, when games are integrated in an educational (or training) activity, it is essential to record solid evidence that the targeted learning outcome is achieved. Game-based learning (GBL) for seafarers is a multifactor domain combining educational psychology, learning theories, instructional design, computer game technology, and last but not least, research in the maritime field. In order to create the appropriate framework, there is a need to combine three different scientific areas (education design, computer science, and maritime education and training (MET)) towards the proper game design. In these types of games, the design process includes an extremely important task: embedding suitable educational approaches and instructional techniques for specific learning outcomes and student profiles into the scenario, so that the game will be played without losing the fun and attractive part of it. In the current analysis, a framework for GBL that is applicable for 200 maritime professionals is presented; the specific application is related to navigational safety training, and the respective framework is a 3D real-time strategy game called “Trader of the World” (TotW-alpha version). The game is designed for already competent adult seafarers as well as undergraduate students of maritime academies/institutions and it is applied in nonformal educational settings. A demonstration of this game has already taken place at the undergraduate level; results, evaluations, and opinions provided by the participants were used as the basis for discussion.     

Managing unruly technologies in the engine control room: from problem patching to an architectural thinking and standardization

In recent years, the work in engine control rooms (ECRs) onboard ships is becoming increasingly demanding and complex due to growing presence of modern information technology (IT) applications introduced in a problem-patching fashion. Previous studies about ECRs discussed the design issues associated with physical and cognitive ergonomics and lack of regulatory support. This paper has re-examined a design case in an ECR on a merchant ship and discussed the potential of a service-oriented architectural approach to manage emerging unruly technologies and integrate distributed resources in the maritime human-technology system. An EU project was introduced to illustrate the value of this design approach. Confronted with the complexity issues residing in a sociotechnical system like the ECR, this conceptual paper suggests a shift of focus from patching individual problems locally to a holistic systems perspective on the maritime eco-system development, which would likely require more collaborative efforts of various maritime stakeholders in practice. Certain extent of mandatory standardization for deploying and managing information systems is considered to be critical in these collaborative endeavors.     

The safety ladder: developing an evidence-based safety management strategy for small road transport companies

Traffic accidents account for between 20% and 40% of work-related accidents in industrial countries, and research indicates that road transport companies often have little focus on organisational safety management (OSM). There is thus a huge and largely untapped road safety potential in improving the safety of people who drive in their work, by focusing on OSM. Road transport companies in European countries are often small, however, with limited resources in terms of time, financial resources and competence on road safety. The main aim of the present article is therefore to develop an OSM strategy for small road transport companies. Based on a systematic literature review, taking Norwegian research as its point of departure, the article concludes that four measures seem to be most realistic for small goods-transport businesses, and that these measures seem to have the greatest safety potential. These four measures can be arranged on a ladder, where businesses start at the lowest and most basic level, before proceeding to the next step. While our stepwise safety-ladder approach has not been validated, it is expected that further research would confirm the value of the strategy proposed.     

液化天然气LNG接收站选址要点

随着我国能源结构调整,LNG作为清洁能源在能源结构中的比例将快速增长,由于LNG对安全要求极高,因此对LNG接收站的建设提出了不同一般货物码头的选址要求。结合我国LNG码头布局现状,以及相应的工程选址经验和教训,对其选址提出系统性的分析,提出相应的18个筛选因素,形成选址评价体系,便于今后LNG接收站码头建设工程中快速、准确、合理地确定工程位置。     

Property Evolution of Sulphoaluminate Grouting Material under Pressure Circulation北大核心CSCD

Water-sealed underground oil tank projects are quite different from traditional underground projects since the water-sealing conditions are very strict and the difficulties caused by the geological specificity, structural specificity and construction specificity are key factors affecting the project. In light of the significant early initial setting time and rapid temperature increase of sulphoaluminate cement-based grouting material for a large domestic water-sealed underground oil tank with pressurized cyclic grouting, a laboratory grouting simulation is conducted. It is found that the properties of the sulphoaluminate cement-based grouting material are quite different under different pressure cycles, the hydration exothermic peak time gets shorter with an increase of circulation time, the compressive strength decreases with an increase of circulation time, and the longer the circulation time the more obvious the de-crease of compressive strength. © 2018, Editorial Office of "Modern Tunnelling Technology". All right reserved.     

船舶管件加工智能生产线的设计与实现

传统管件加工车间依靠工人进行劳动密集型加工、储运,对生产过程数据和质量数据缺乏必要的管控手段和技术。通过梳理工艺流程,并将智能制造理念与传统管件加工生产线现有的制造模式深度融合,设计一条面向中小管件柔性加工的管法兰焊接加工无人生产线。通过现场运行调试,实现管法兰焊接生产线的可靠、稳定运行,提高焊接质量和生产效率,满足企业的预期要求。     

Computer Aided Simulation on Precision Cold Forging of Universal Joint Cross

IntroductionThefiwtee1emenmethod(FEM)playsanextrmelyimPortantroleintheanalysesofengineeringproblems.ForalongtimethismethodhasmainlybeenaPPliedinthelinearfieldandshownitsgreatpower.HoweveealOtofnonlinearengineeringPrOblemsWhichcanneitherbesimPlyreducedtolinearonesnorrCPresentedbylinearlyanalogywhichshallchnsethePfacticalconditionsrelativelymuch,havechallengedfiniteelementmethod(FEM).RecentymuchProgresshasbeenmadebothinthemathematicalandmechanicaltheoryandthecomPulertechnologysothatevent…     

Application of probability theory to marne project appraisal

The importance of specifying and quantifying the project risks in the investment decision process cannot be overemphasized. Even more so in the context of marine project appraisal, since the shiping markets are characterized by extreme volatility and high cyclicality. The use of probability theory in investment decisions is reviewed and applications are derived for marine projects. The paper focuses on the use of Monte Carlo simulation to determine the mean and variance of the input variables. Within the Monte Carlo framework three alternative methods are used for the construction of probability distributions; the scaled halves of a normal distribution, two unscaled parts of a normal distribution and finally use of altenative distributions, such as beta, gamma and chi-square. An alternative methodology is also drawn from the literature, namely the Pearson-Turkey three point approximation, to contrast with the Monte Carlo method.