A simulation computer program named RMCSIM has been developed to simulate a whole day of activities for a concrete plant with N mixing bays, M truckmixers (with two different capacities: 5 m3 and 7 m3) serving S sites, where sites are at variable distances D from the plant and variable...

Concrete is a very important construction industry material, and this is especially true in Hong Kong. The efficient organization of the supply of concrete from ready mixed concrete plants is beneficial to both concrete companies and contractors. It is also essential for an efficient...

Porous NiTi shape memory alloy (SMA) with 48% porosity and an average pore size of 50–800 μm was synthesized by capsule-free hot isostatic pressing (CF-HIP). To enhance the surface bioactivity, the porous NiTi SMA was subjected to H2O2 and subsequent NaOH treatment. Scanning electron...

Background: The current health care reform in China launched in 2009 tackles the problem of access to appropriate medicines for its 1.3 billion people by focusing on providing essential medicines to all. To provide evidence for the reform process, we investigated the manufacturing, purchasing,...