School of Civil Engineering

The Umayyad qusour (desert palaces) are monumental structures built during the reign of the first caliphate of Islam. Usually dismissed as ''pleasure palaces'' or ''hunting lodges,'' some scholars are beginning to argue that these prominent structures were strategic interventions in the landscape. Until now, historians have relied mainly on textual, architectural and art-historical analyses of the qusour in order to understand Umayyad state architecture. This research proposes the use of spatial analysis through GIS to lend a new dimension to the discussion. The results of the analysis show that Umayyad qusour are carefully situated at routes of transhumance and water sources. The distribution pattern of the Umayyad qusour is clustered at the outlet of Wadi Sarhan, and there is actually line-of-sight communication between Azraq, Amra, Haranah, Muwaqqar, Umm al Walid, Mushatta, and Qastal. There is also a positive association between Umayyad qusour and their water sources. These results support the argument that the Umayyad qusour were built strategically at perennial water sources in order to monitor routes of transhumance amongst the socio-political centers of the period.

The study evaluated the performance and suitability of AnnAGNPS model in assessing runoff, sediment loading and nutrient loading under Malaysian conditions. The watershed of River Kuala Tasik in Malaysia, a combination of two sub-watersheds, was selected as the area of study. The data for the year 2004 was used to calibrate the model and the data for the year 2005 was used for validation purposes. Several input parameters were computed using methods suggested by other researchers and studies carried out in Malaysia. The study shows that runoff was predicted well with an overall R 2 value of 0.90 and E value of 0.70. Sediment loading was able to produce a moderate result of R 2 = 0.66 and E = 0.49, nitrogen loading predictions were slightly better with R 2 = 0.68 and E = 0.53, and phosphorus loading performance was slightly poor with an R 2 = 0.63 and E = 0.33. The erosion map developed was in agreement with the erosion risk map produced by the Department of Agriculture, Malaysia. Rubber estates and urban areas were found to be the main contributors to soil erosion. The simulation results showed that AnnAGNPS has the potential to be used as a valuable tool for planning and management of watersheds under Malaysian conditions. # Please cite this article in press as: Shamshad, A., et al., Applications of AnnAGNPS model for soil loss estimation and nutrient loading for Malaysian conditions, Int.

The study evaluated the performance and suitability of AnnAGNPS model in assessing runoff, sediment loading and nutrient loading under Malaysian conditions. The watershed of River Kuala Tasik in Malaysia, a combination of two sub-watersheds, was selected as the area of study. The data for the year 2004 was used to calibrate the model and the data for the year 2005 was used for validation purposes. Several input parameters were computed using methods suggested by other researchers and studies carried out in Malaysia. The study shows that runoff was predicted well with an overall R 2 value of 0.90 and E value of 0.70. Sediment loading was able to produce a moderate result of R 2 = 0.66 and E = 0.49, nitrogen loading predictions were slightly better with R 2 = 0.68 and E = 0.53, and phosphorus loading performance was slightly poor with an R 2 = 0.63 and E = 0.33. The erosion map developed was in agreement with the erosion risk map produced by the Department of Agriculture, Malaysia. Rubber estates and urban areas were found to be the main contributors to soil erosion. The simulation results showed that AnnAGNPS has the potential to be used as a valuable tool for planning and management of watersheds under Malaysian conditions. # Please cite this article in press as: Shamshad, A., et al., Applications of AnnAGNPS model for soil loss estimation and nutrient loading for Malaysian conditions, Int.

Pluviographic data at 15 min interval from 6 stations in Pulau Penang of Peninsular Malaysia were used to compute rainfall erosivity factor (R) for the revised universal soil loss equation (RUSLE). Three different modelling procedures were applied for the estimation of monthly rainfall erosivity (EI 30 ) values. While storm rainfall (P) and duration (D) data were used in the first approach, the second approach used monthly rainfall for days with rainfall ≥10 mm (rain 10 ) and monthly number of days with rainfall ≥ 10 (days 10 ). The third approach however used the Fournier index as the independent variable. Based on the root mean squared error (RMSE) and the percentage error (PE) criteria, models developed using the Fournier index approach was adjudged the best with an average PE value of 0.92 and an average RMSE value of 164.6. Further, this approach was extended to the development of a regional model. Using data from additional sixteen stations and the Fournier index based regional model, EI 30 values were computed for each month. ArcView GIS was used to generate monthly maps of EI 30 values and also annual rainfall erosivity (R). The rainfall erosivity factor (R) in the region was estimated to vary from 9000 to 14,000 MJ mm ha − 1 h − 1 year − 1 .

The Umayyad qusour (desert palaces) are monumental structures built during the reign of the first caliphate of Islam. Usually dismissed as ''pleasure palaces'' or ''hunting lodges,'' some scholars are beginning to argue that these prominent structures were strategic interventions in the landscape. Until now, historians have relied mainly on textual, architectural and art-historical analyses of the qusour in order to understand Umayyad state architecture. This research proposes the use of spatial analysis through GIS to lend a new dimension to the discussion. The results of the analysis show that Umayyad qusour are carefully situated at routes of transhumance and water sources. The distribution pattern of the Umayyad qusour is clustered at the outlet of Wadi Sarhan, and there is actually line-of-sight communication between Azraq, Amra, Haranah, Muwaqqar, Umm al Walid, Mushatta, and Qastal. There is also a positive association between Umayyad qusour and their water sources. These results support the argument that the Umayyad qusour were built strategically at perennial water sources in order to monitor routes of transhumance amongst the socio-political centers of the period.

This paper presents a new algorithm to extract the diameter of a buried utility from a GPR image depending on its hyperbolic shape. To know the exact size of a buried utility would be a great achievement as size sometimes indicates the type and purpose of a utility. The algorithm does not depend on wave velocity or electric properties as these factors are already calculated via GPR software. This algorithm can be used 'on-site' to determine the diameter of any buried object.

Pluviographic data at 15 min interval from 6 stations in Pulau Penang of Peninsular Malaysia were used to compute rainfall erosivity factor (R) for the revised universal soil loss equation (RUSLE). Three different modelling procedures were applied for the estimation of monthly rainfall erosivity (EI 30 ) values. While storm rainfall (P) and duration (D) data were used in the first approach, the second approach used monthly rainfall for days with rainfall ≥10 mm (rain 10 ) and monthly number of days with rainfall ≥ 10 (days 10 ). The third approach however used the Fournier index as the independent variable. Based on the root mean squared error (RMSE) and the percentage error (PE) criteria, models developed using the Fournier index approach was adjudged the best with an average PE value of 0.92 and an average RMSE value of 164.6. Further, this approach was extended to the development of a regional model. Using data from additional sixteen stations and the Fournier index based regional model, EI 30 values were computed for each month. ArcView GIS was used to generate monthly maps of EI 30 values and also annual rainfall erosivity (R). The rainfall erosivity factor (R) in the region was estimated to vary from 9000 to 14,000 MJ mm ha − 1 h − 1 year − 1 .

Hourly wind speed time series data of two meteorological stations in Malaysia have been used for stochastic generation of wind speed data using the transition matrix approach of the Markov chain process. The transition probability matrices have been formed using two different approaches: the first approach involves the use of the first order transition probability matrix of a Markov chain, and the second involves the use of a second order transition probability matrix that uses the current and preceding values to describe the next wind speed value. The algorithm to generate the wind speed time series from the transition probability matrices is described. Uniform random number generators have been used for transition between successive time states and within state wind speed values. The ability of each approach to retain the statistical properties of the generated speed is compared with the observed ones. The main statistical properties used for this purpose are mean, standard deviation, median, percentiles, Weibull distribution parameters, autocorrelations and spectral density of wind speed values. The comparison of the observed wind speed and the synthetically generated ones shows that the statistical characteristics are satisfactorily preserved. q

This study has been carried out to develop Multiplicative Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) models using the Box-Jenkins time series approach and compare them with Autoregressive Moving Average (ARMA) models developed on the deseaonlised-detrended data for use in short-term forecasts as well as simulation for stream quality management. For this, monthly DO and BOD water quality records for 10 years from 10 sampling stations along the River Ganges in India, were considered.

As employees, we need to consider stress as an inescapable part of modern life. Day after day, we are faced with a continuous barrage of stressors. We get some relief at night when we sleep, but even in our sleep we might dream about our stressors, again triggering the physiological mechanism 'fight-or-flight' response. Managing stress requires an adaptive response, so all changes (even positive ones) are stressful. The more changes in life, the more vulnerable we are to illnesses, bodily system breakdown or emotional difficulties. Stress negatively affects the body in three dimensions namely the physical, psychological, and occupational functioning in a variety of ways. But as technology and way of life change, most of the stressors we face in modern world are not physical; thus neither fighting nor fleeing is an adaptive response. To understand stress and manage it better, a 3-D model of stress management is developed. The model outlines a stress management strategy that can be explained in 3 stages. Stage I is the Unexpected Stage whereby the surveying is done to determine the exact situation. Stage 2 is the Stress Projection Stage whereby various stress tests are carried out to determine the exact level of stress. Stage 3 is the Expected Stage whereby the mapping of the stress findings is formulated based on a thorough understanding of the physical, physiological and occupational consequences, stress management strategy and mastery techniques.

V rl 4 ') Ned J 'ih> df( 1\ '" (1f 21-~ In an alrea. trbuble~ome'w6rking environment with tremendous work targets, organisation·· pressures andchalJerigingbusiness environment, nothing is worse than handling your immediateelTl~tloyeeswhoare perceived to sabotage your agenda and the environment in organisation. As managers, handling and managing this group of employees is the most di and requires insight into yourself, their personalities and the stress virus affecting others come in contact with them. Trainers offering descriptions and suggestions to managers wh . must cope with them are always adaunting experience. The following are some of my coli of cases that describe their characteristics and the accompanying prescriptions worth tryi though the approaches could be modified based on assumptions and situations accordingly.

ABSTRACT: Despite great efforts to reduce and recycle solid waste, landfill disposal is still the most preferable method of solid waste management. One major problem, however, concerns selecting an appropriate landfill site. This research aims to develop a landfill siting methodology employing GIS, and a multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) rule, consisting of analytical hierarchy processes (AHP) and weighted linear combinations (WLC). The proposed method was applied to the study area of the District of Klang, Selangor, Malaysia. Through this study, a few potential sites for a new landfill facility were identified by considering the various environmental, social and economic factors. The GIS is used for inputting, managing and visualizing the geographic data, while the AHP and WLC methods are employed for analyzing the data, to determine weights for the criteria, and to rank potential areas based on their suitability for landfill siting, according to suitability index (SI) values. Application of the presented method indicated 5 potential sites for landfill with SI values ranging from 2.67 to 4.00. The results show that the use of GIS along with the MCDM method provides a very useful decision support system for policy makers in solid waste management issues.
KEYWORDS: GIS; analytical hierarchy process (AHP); weighted linear combinations (WLC); landfill siting