Arsenic groundwater contamination and its health effects in the state of Uttar Pradesh (UP) in upper and middle Ganga plain, India: a severe danger

This communication presents results of our 2-year survey on groundwater arsenic contamination in three districts Ballia, Varanasi and Gazipur of Uttar Pradesh (UP) in the upper and middle Ganga plain, India. Analyses of 4,780 tubewell water samples revealed that arsenic concentrations in 46.5% exceeded 10 microg/L, in 26.7%, 50 microg/L and in 10% 300 microg/L limits. Arsenic concentrations up to 3,192 microg//L were observed. The age of tubewells (n=1,881) ranged from less than a year to 32 years, with an average of 6.5 years. Our study shows that older tubewells had a greater chance of contamination. Depth of tubewells (n=3,810) varied from 6 to 60.5 m with a mean of 25.75 m. A detailed study in three administrative units within Ballia district, i.e. block, Gram Panchayet, and village was carried out to assess the magnitude of the contamination. Before our survey the affected villagers were not aware that they were suffering from arsenical toxicity through contaminated drinking water. A preliminary clinical examination in 11 affected villages (10 from Ballia and 1 from Gazipur district) revealed typical arsenical skin lesions ranging from melanosis, keratosis to Bowens (suspected). Out of 989 villagers (691 adults, and 298 children) screened, 137 (19.8%) of the adults and 17 (5.7%) of the children were diagnosed to have typical arsenical skin lesions. Arsenical neuropathy and adverse obstetric outcome were also observed, indicating severity of exposure. The range of arsenic concentrations in hair, nail and urine was 137-10,900, 764-19,700 microg/kg, and 23-4,030 microg/L, respectively. The urine, hair and nail concentrations of arsenic correlated significantly (r=0.76, 0.61, and 0.55, respectively) with drinking water arsenic concentrations. The similarity to previous studies on arsenic contamination in West Bengal, Bihar and Bangladesh indicates that people from a significant part of the surveyed areas in UP are suffering and this will spread unless drives to raise awareness of arsenic toxicity are undertaken and an arsenic safe water supply is immediately introduced.     

Pathways for arsenic from sediments to groundwater to streams: Biogeochemical processes in the Inner Coastal Plain, New Jersey, USA

The Cretaceous and Tertiary sediments that underlie the Inner Coastal Plain of New Jersey contain the arsenic-rich mineral glauconite. Streambed sediments in two Inner Coastal Plain streams (Crosswicks and Raccoon Creeks) that traverse these glauconitic deposits are enriched in arsenic (15-25 mg/kg), and groundwater discharging to the streams contains elevated levels of arsenic (>80 μg/L at a site on Crosswicks Creek) with arsenite generally the dominant species. Low dissolved oxygen, low or undetectable levels of nitrate and sulfate, detectable sulfide concentrations, and high concentrations of iron and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in the groundwater indicate that reducing environments are present beneath the streambeds and that microbial activity, fueled by the DOC, is involved in releasing arsenic and iron from the geologic materials. In groundwater with the highest arsenic concentrations at Crosswicks Creek, arsenic respiratory reductase gene (arrA) indicated the presence of arsenic-reducing microbes. From extracted DNA, 16s rRNA gene sequences indicate the microbial community may include arsenic-reducing bacteria that have not yet been described. Once in the stream, iron is oxidized and precipitates as hydroxide coatings on the sediments. Arsenite also is oxidized and co-precipitates with or is sorbed to the iron hydroxides. Consequently, dissolved arsenic concentrations are lower in streamwater than in the groundwater, but the arsenic contributed by groundwater becomes part of the arsenic load in the stream when sediments are suspended during high flow. A strong positive relation between concentrations of arsenic and DOC in the groundwater samples indicates that any process—natural or anthropogenic—that increases the organic carbon concentration in the groundwater could stimulate microbial activity and thus increase the amount of arsenic that is released from the geologic materials.     

Thermal comfort and the integrated design of homes for older people with dementia

People with dementia may have an altered sensitivity to indoor environmental conditions compared to other older adults and younger counterparts. This paper, based on literature review and qualitative research, provides an overview of needs regarding thermal comfort and the design and implementation of heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems for people with dementia and other relevant stakeholders through the combined use of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health, and the Model of Integrated Building Design. In principle, older adults do not perceive thermal comfort differently from younger adults. Due to the pathology of people with dementia, as well as their altered thermoregulation, the perception of the thermal environment might be changed. Many people with dementia express their discomfort through certain behaviour that is considered a problem for both family and professional carers. Ethical concerns are raised as well in terms of who is in charge over the thermal conditions, and the protection against temperature extremes in hot summers or cold winters. When implementing heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems one should consider aspects like user–technology interaction, diverging needs and preferences within group settings, safety issues, and minimising negative behavioural reactions and draught due to suboptimal positioning of outlets. At the same time, technology puts demands on installers who need to learn how to work with customers with dementia and their family carers.     

另类的现代性——沈阳近代本土工匠和设计师的图纸以及建筑设计表达

该文从沈阳市政公所的报批图纸入手,把研究的焦点集中在那些设计无名建筑的传统工匠和设计师身上,剖析其图纸表达和图纸上的建筑设计表达,对照设计师和传统工匠、设计师和设计师之间不同的教育背景,揭示出沈阳异于西方建筑现代化特征的另类现代性,并试图对沈阳近代另类现代性的根源做出解释。     

An investigation of the block shear strength of coped beams with a welded clip angle connection — Part II: Numerical study

An experimental study of the block shear capacity of ten full-scale coped beams with a welded clip angle connection was presented in Part I. The test results were compared with predictions using block shear design equations in several current design standards. In general, the results showed that the existing design standards did not provide consistent predictions of the block shear capacity of coped beams with welded clip angles. In addition, the equations provided by the standards cannot accurately reflect the failure mode of the specimens observed in the tests. In order to gain a better understanding of the connection behavior, such as the stress distribution in the web near the periphery of the clip angles and the failure mechanism of the connection, an analytical study of the block shear capacity of coped beams with welded clip angles was carried out using the finite element method. Based on the limited test data and the results of the finite element analysis (FEA), a strength model was established and a design equation was proposed to evaluate the block shear strength of coped beams with welded clip angles. It was shown that the proposed design equation gave better predictions of the block shear capacity of the specimens.     

An investigation of the block shear strength of coped beams with a welded clip angle connection — Part I: Experimental study

The ends of a coped beam are commonly connected to the web of a girder by double clip angles. The clip angles may either be bolted or welded to the web of the beam. One of the potential modes for the failure of the clip angle connection is the block shear of the beam web material. To investigate the strength and the behavior of the block shear of coped beams with welded end connections, ten full-scale coped beam tests were conducted. The test parameters included the aspect ratio of the clip angles, the web shear and tension area around the clip angles, the web thickness, beam section depth, cope length, and connection position. The test results indicated that the specimens failed, developing either tension fractures of the web near the bottom of the clip angles or local web buckling near the end of the cope. Although the final failure mode of the six specimens was local web buckling, it was observed during the tests that these specimens exhibited a significant deformation of the block shear type prior to reaching their final failure mode. No shear fracture was observed in all of the tests. A comparison between the ultimate loads in the test and the predictions using the current design equations indicates that the current design standards such as the AISC-LRFD, CSA-S16-01, Eurocode 3, BS5950-1:2000, AIJ and GB50017, are inconsistent in predicting the block shear strength of coped beams with welded end connections. The analytical study of the strength of the test specimens using the finite element method, a parametric study, and a proposed design model for designing block shears for coped beams with welded clip angles are included in a companion paper.     

Soft Tolerance: An Approach for Additive Construction on Site

Does high precision have to result in highly defined slick forms? Marta Malé-Alemany and Jordi Portell of the FABbots research studio describe their unique approach that relies on the customisation of existing mechanical devices and the use of locally available materials. Though exacting in their execution of machine code, they maintain a delight in the natural characteristics of materials that are shaped with a ‘soft tolerance’.     

基于滇池流域历史建筑保护现状的调查研究——以安宁为例

该文通过对安宁市已经公布的国家、省、市、区(县)级文物建筑及已经挂牌保护的历史建筑以外的,具有艺术、历史、科学和技术等价值的历史建筑及历史建筑群的保护现状.进行了普查性调查,通过几个代表性的案例分析,提出对调查区域内的历史建筑的保护建议.     

Cost assessment of concrete and steel types for office buildings: An exploratory study

This paper presents a set of regression models which incorporates concrete and steel types in modeling the costs of office buildings. To these ends, three typical office buildings with seven and 15 stories have been designed by the help of a commercial software taking into account the Turkish practice. In each project C-16, C-20, C-25, C-30 and C-35 concrete classes and S-220 and S-420 steel types were used for dimensioning purposes. Rough construction costs were then calculated for different combinations of concrete classes and steel types. The findings of the study revealed that column dimensions decrease following an increase in a particular concrete class. However, this decrease stops after C-30. Furthermore, an average cost difference of 16% was observed between the steel types S-220 and S-420.     

住区中的防疫分区与隔离

传染病流行最重要的先决条件是人的聚居。随着城市化的过程,人类密集程度越来越高,如何避免疫病散播成了越来越难以解决的问题。通过研究疫病传播的物理途径,探讨住区规划中通过防疫分区与隔离进行预防和控制的可行性,希望为健康建筑以及可持续发展研究提供一些依据。     

城乡一体化理念——跨世纪的思索

作者在对２１ 世纪的城乡一体化趋势作了理论分析的基础上,提出了跨世纪的规划师应具有的规划观念,并对规划学科的发展提出了一点见解。     

铁路隧道病害有效整治技术研究

隧道工程施工中,其病害一直以来都很难避免,整治难度相对较大,整治费用更是相当地昂贵。文章从隧道工程病害的分类、成因等着手,从深层次,多角度的施工工艺、质量控制、技术特点进行分析,给出了隧道渗漏水、衬砌裂纹或裂缝、二次衬砌厚度不足、初期支护或二次衬砌背后脱空、仰拱或隧底虚碴、二次衬砌混凝土局部强度不足等的整治原则和针对性整治方法。最后,结合工程实际,提出了隧道施工过程病害控制的相关建议,以供同行或科技工作者分享、参考。     

水下不分散混凝土外加剂应用试验研究

本文针对南平闽江大桥水下不分散混凝土力学性能进行了试验研究,对配合比进行了设计调整,检测TW—NA外加剂对水下浇注混凝土的抗分散性、流动性、自密实度及力学性能的影响,研究应用结果表明,TW—NA水下不分散混凝土外加剂的作用效果明显,制备的水下不分散混凝土的各项指标稳定。     

An experimental study on the performance of enthalpy recovery system for building applications

In recent years, the attention of researchers has been focused on energy conservation demands due to the environmental impact of energy consumption throughout the built environment and global warming issue. Heat or energy recovery is one of the main energy-efficient systems that has been approved to overcome this problem. However, in conventional heat or energy recovery for building applications, only sensible energy has been recovered and neglecting the latent energy. In this work, enthalpy recovery system has been developed and the performances of sensible and latent energy have been investigated experimentally. The efficiency of close to 66% has been achieved for sensible energy and the latent energy efficiency was nearly 59% gained. Comparison of efficiency with effectiveness-NTU method showed both were in good agreement. Recovered energy was achieved up to 167 W at 3.0 m/s air velocity with 4.3 °C temperature difference.     

施工企业如何进行危害辨识

针对施工企业的性质、特点，对危害辨识的方法、步骤作了介绍，对危害危险因素进行了分类。指出危害辨识是建立职业安全健康体系的基础和关键，应符合企业实际，且与企业的经营管理和所采取危险控制措施的能力相适应。     

关于上海建设韧性城市的路径探索

上海作为一个滨江沿海发展的特大城市面临着各类环境污染、洪涝灾害等问题,城市韧性的提升刻不容缓.基于对“韧性城市”概念内涵的解析,旨在通过分析上海建设韧性城市的主要问题与挑战,结合相关经验与案例的剖析,研究上海建设韧性城市的目标与策略,并深入探索在宏观的城乡空间格局、中观的基础设施体系、微观的韧性社区层面开展韧性城市建设的路径.     

医院改扩建策划与总体规划设计探讨

本文指出医院改扩建策划及总体规划设计阶段中存在的一些问题、矛盾,提出医院改扩建策划阶段的总体规划设计阶段的理念与程序,并以实例进行说明。     

An analysis of the bioclimates in different climates and implications for the built environment in China

Underlying trends of long-term summer and winter discomfort in terms of heat and cold stresses in the nine major thermal climate zones and sub-zones across China were investigated using 102-year (1901–2002) weather data. In severe cold climates, winter discomfort dominated (about 66%) and the comfort index (CI) varied from −5 (extremely cold) to +2 (hot). A gradual shift from predominantly negative CI to positive CI was observed as one moved across the climate zones from the north to warmer climates in the south. Temperature rise resulted in less discomfort in the winter and more discomfort in the summer. Though the reduction in cold stress and increase in heat stress were moderate during the 102-year period, the last two decades tended to exhibit the largest changes. It is envisaged that if these trends continue, changes in cold and heat stresses in the 21st century would be much greater than those experienced during the 20th century. This could have significant implications for building designs and energy use in the built environment.     

An underwater lighting and turbidity image repository for analysing the performance of image-based non-destructive techniques

Image processing-based methods, capable of detecting and quantifying cracks, surface defects or recovering 3D shape information are increasingly being recognised as a valuable tool for inspecting underwater structures. It is of great practical importance for inspectors to know the effectiveness of such techniques when applied in conditions. This paper considers an underwater environment characterised by poor visibility chiefly governed by the lighting and turbidity levels, along with a range of geometry and damage conditions of calibrated specimens. The paper addresses the relationship between underwater visibility and the performance of image-based methods through the development and calibration of a first open-source underwater lighting and turbidity image repository (ULTIR). ULTIR contains a large collection of images of submerged specimens that have been photographed under controlled lighting and turbidity levels featuring various forms of geometry and damage. ULTIR aims to facilitate inspectors when rationalising the use of image processing methods as part of an underwater inspection campaign and to enable researchers to efficiently evaluate the performance of image-based methods under realistic operating conditions. Stakeholders in underwater infrastructure can benefit through this first large, standardised, well-annotated, and freely available database of images and associated metadata.     

对可持续城镇的探索——一个不可能实现的梦想？

本论文讨论的问题是,为什么在中央和地方政府投入大量资金,而且有规划专家参与的情况下,挪威“可持续城镇”的试验仍然失败了?本论文的主要数据来自国家和地方政府的评估报告,以及作者在《1945~1995:克里斯蒂安桑的规划、实施与结果分析》一文中所作的早期研究。