Assessing the performance of air cleaning devices – A full-scale test method

Activated carbon filters have been used for purification of air and water in industrial applications. However, these technologies have not been applied to the non-industrial built environment in general and there is no standard to quantify or to classify the performance of these systems for in-duct mechanical system application. The development of a standard test procedure is a very timely effort, since it would create a benchmark for evaluating the contaminant reduction of these systems. A full-scale test facility was designed and constructed to investigate the removal effectiveness of commercial gas-phase air cleaning devices. The test rig was verified by conducting the system pre-qualification tests. These series of tests were designed to quantitatively verify the reliability of the test rig for gas filter application. These tests include air tightness, velocity uniformity, uniform dispersion of challenge contaminants, temperature and humidity control. This paper first describes the experimental set-up for testing of in-duct air cleaner systems and its verification, and then presents the experimental results of four different kinds of commercial gaseous filters.     

Influence of groundwater drawdown on excavation responses – A case history in Bukit Timah granitic residual soils

Performances of a braced cut-and-cover excavation system for mass rapid transit (MRT) stations of the Downtown Line Stage 2 in Singapore are presented. The excavation was carried out in the Bukit Timah granitic (BTG) residual soils and characterized by significant groundwater drawdown, due to dewatering work in complex site conditions, insufficient effective waterproof measures and more permeable soils. A two-dimensional numerical model was developed for back analysis of retaining wall movement and ground surface settlement. Comparisons of these measured excavation responses with the calculated performances were carried out, upon which the numerical simulation procedures were calibrated. In addition, the influences of groundwater drawdown on the wall deflection and ground surface settlement were numerically investigated and summarized. The performances were also compared with some commonly used empirical charts, and the results indicated that these charts are less applicable for cases with significant groundwater drawdowns. It is expected that these general behaviors will provide useful references and insights for future projects involving excavation in BTG residual soils under significant groundwater drawdowns.     

Application of statistical power analysis – How to determine the right sample size in human health,comfort and productivity research

The minimum size of subjects required for the research on human health, thermal comfort and productivity is a frequently asked question. In this paper the idea of power analysis, which helps to determine required sample size as well as to interpret research results, is introduced in order to promote good practice of power analysis in the context of human and building environment relationship research. How to calculate effect size from published article or experimental data is presented with plenty of examples. The effect sizes of several physiological and psychological measurements indicating the effect of indoor environment quality on human health, thermal comfort and productivity are presented, which could be worked as references when researchers planning their own studies. How to determine required sample size when planning a study and how to interpret the research results with power analysis are also illustrated step by step with samples. Finally how to make decisions when evaluating the study results is summarized. It is expected that these examples and the summary could help researchers to better apply power analysis in indoor environment quality (IEQ) studies. Some statistical terms used in this paper, such as power analysis, effect size, and t-test, etc., are explained in detail in the Appendix.     

Experiences and lessons from the use of TBM in the Himalaya – A review

Tunnel boring machine (TBM), with its many advanced features, is being regularly planned now for the excavation of long tunnels in the difficult geology of the Himalayan region. The experience, so far, with the TBMs in three tunnels of Himalayas in India has not been encouraging. However, efforts are being made to overcome the problems and make the TBM a successful venture in the difficult grounds of Himalaya in India. The recent successful completion of 14.75 km long TBM portion of head race tunnel in Kishanganga hydroelectric project in J&K state has shown that the TBM can be used in the Himalayan tunnels as well.In the paper the experiences of TBM in four Himalayan tunnels are briefly highlighted. In case of Tapovan-Vishnugad head race tunnel, the variation of ground in terms of difficulty in managing the TBM thrust and penetration rate has also been highlighted. At the end, some issues have been presented which seems to be important for the success of TBM in the difficult grounds.     

The good,the bad and the ugly – three approaches to management of human waste in a high-mountain environment

Each year, millions of mountaineers visit high-mountain areas. They generate tonnes of faeces and cubic hectometres of urine annually. Thus, proper disposal of human waste is important for the conservation and appropriate management of high-mountain areas. The management can address the issue in three ways: the good (complete/non-invasive); the bad (partial/superficial); and the ugly (invasive). With use of those categories, 20 selected summits from different parts of the world have been evaluated, separately in respect to faeces and urine. It was expected that correct or incorrect disposal of human waste would depend on the changing altitude and/or development level. Disappointingly, the correlation between selection criteria (better or worse solution) and the increase of altitude does not exist. Similarly, the increase of the development level does not play a significant role, especially when urine is taken under consideration. The problem is more global than was thought. The paper makes recommendations which could lead to reduction of this problem.     

The shift to competitiveness and a new phase of sprawl in the Mediterranean city: Enterprises guiding growth in Messoghia – Athens

Spatial planning frameworks in EU member states have been increasingly supporting the growth prospects of particular metropolitan regions, deemed as regional engines of national economic growth. This paper discusses the shift in spatial planning policies towards territorial competitiveness, focusing on Greece. The country’s commitment to competitiveness was confirmed in the 1990s and was symbolically sealed with the decision to host the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens. Examination focuses on one of the key objectives behind the prioritization of competitiveness-related interventions: investment attraction and the locational traits of new business formation in the eastern Athenian hinterland is explored (1997–2010). The locational traits of startup businesses are analyzed by means of exploratory point pattern analysis on the geocoded enterprises, underscoring a sprawl-like type of growth. The proliferation of divergent modes of state spatial intervention is associated in the literature with an increase in spatial disparities. In areas with underdeveloped land-use planning structures, it is argued, competitiveness pre-occupations unsettle stated planning priorities and ‘revive’ arguments that approach unordered urban expansion as a short-cut to growth.     

A tale of two cities – rental housing in Budapest and Sofia in the 1990s

The paper describes the findings of a study conductedduring 1997–1998 on changes to the structure of rentalhousing provision in two post-communist cities,Budapest and Sofia. After nearly a decade of `transition' to market economies, the public rentalsectors have shrunk dramatically and becomeresidualised. Despite the rapid privatisation andassociated growth of owner-occupation there is littlesign that the privately rented sector (PRS) isregaining any of its pre-communist stature as theprincipal form of housing provision. There is almostno company landlordism and 80 percent of thelandlords in both cities let out only one property.They are mainly `incidental' landlords who haveinherited or previously owned the property. Few havebought it as an investment. There are few signs ofinstitutional support for the PRS in either city.Despite this common context, the reasons for thedevelopment of the PRS in the two cities aresignificantly different. In both cities the PRSaccounts for about 4 percent of households. But inSofia nearly half the landlords let out their ownhouse for income, depressing their housing consumptionagainst a back-cloth of poverty and desperate need forincome. `Landlords' move in with relatives or to`second homes'. Thus a large number of landlords arealso tenants in another property. In Budapest, unlikeSofia, new entrants to this market have fallen sharplyin the last 18 months. High taxation, falling realhouse prices and over-supply of property, followingthe rapid privatisation of the state rental housingstock, are the underlying problems inhibiting thegrowth of this sector. There is no sign of a return tothe tenure that was the foundation of their urbandevelopment, although explanations for this differbetween the two societies. The `transition to themarket', at least in housing, continues to be parlousand immature.     

A Primary Analysis of the Morphology Formation of the Market Towns in the Region of Rivers and Lakes to the South of the Lower Reaches of the Yangtze River

The market towns in the region of riv-ers and lakes to the south of the lowerreaches of the Yangtze River in China havelong focussed people's attention upon theirunique formal structures.In this region ofrivers and lakes,its natural morphology is in     

A study on physical and mechanical properties for soft to firm clays in Yangon area – Properties of clays deposit at the sedimentary basins in Myanmar

Recently, a great deal of foreign investment has been entered into construction of the social infrastructure of Myanmar. Many construction projects are therefore on-going, and these are especially planned in the Yangon area. While these construction booms are increasing, existing studies on the geotechnical problems in the Yangon area such as problematic soils like soft clays are limited at present. Information on soil properties has also not been shared and has been confined to individual projects. In this paper, the boring and laboratory tests carried out in the Yangon area are selected and focused upon among the tests carried out in Myanmar. Laboratory test results for clay deposits in the Yangon area are analyzed and the differences in soil properties between different sedimentary basins and sub-areas divided by the Tertiary sediment ridge that runs from north to south at the center of Yangon are clarified together with a comparison to the clays found in other countries, which have been previously investigated.     

The Evolution of Landscape and Greenway Planning in the USA at the University of Massachusetts——Amherst （1970 to date）

1 IntroductionFor Landscape PlanningThis paper describes the planning aspect of landscape architecture, inthe U nited S tates, as it has been practiced during the 20th century.W hen in contrast w ith "design", "planning" gives answ ers and solutionsto the three basic questions, nam ely: "W H A T" is an appropriate use ofa parcel of land; "W H Y" is a plan or solution m ore appropriate; andthirdly, it show s the place (s) of this location, that is, "W H ER E " thevarious land use decision…     

A combined experimental and simulation method for appraising the energy performance of green roofs in Ningbo’s Chinese climate

A passive means of lowering the energy demand of buildings is the application of green roofs. The complexity between heat and moisture exchanges in green roof layers and the large variations of green roof types make the need for experimental or simulation assessments necessary for quantifying the energy benefits from green roofs. The current treatment of green roofs in simulation programs is either over-simplistic, for example by ignoring heat and moisture exchanges such as evapotranspiration, or the more advanced models have limitations and require inputs that are rarely available in practice. In this paper a combination of experimental and modelling techniques are used to assess the potential heating and cooling load reductions from the application of green roofs in the subtropical climate of Ningbo in China. The method provides a generalised energy performance assessment of green roofs in Ningbo by overcoming the limitations of existing green roof simulation models.     

From mise en valeur to cooperation – Ponts-et-Chaussées engineers overseas and the rise of planning expertise in the twentieth century

By shedding light on the overseas branch of the Corps des Ponts-et-Chaussées (CPC), this article analyses the scientific and technical contribution of this sub-group of engineers in the post-Second World War era. After introducing the historical background of the early involvement of the CPC in the French colonies, this paper concentrates on the late colonial period. Details of the strong interconnectedness of metropolitan and overseas technical expertise are provided. It is shown that civil engineering practised overseas not only enhanced many technical fields within the traditional preserve of the Corps but also facilitated the rapid expansion of the Corps out of this very preserve. Engineers were prompt in including urban expertise and town planning, rural hydraulic and hydrogeology within their current field of activities. Consequences were highly significant not only for overseas urban and rural milieu, but also for metropolitan territories undergoing post-war redevelopment. The last section of this article shows how the techno-scientific practice acquired overseas was instrumental in the post-colonial years to foster the redeployment of the CPC as a whole in the different fields of civil engineering on an international scale.     

An Introduction to the Special Issue – The Big Society,Localism and Housing Policy: Recasting State–Citizen Relations in an Age of Austerity

Abstract

“The Big Society, Localism and Housing Policy” was the theme of a seminar series funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (2012–2014) in the UK. A collaborative venture between the Universities of St Andrews, Sheffield, Reading and Queen’s University Belfast – it brought together academics, policy-makers and practitioners from across the UK to critique contemporary political debates within the context of devolved policy-making in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. The papers in this special issue emerged from that seminar series. Whilst the policy discussions that follow are very much UK focused, the wider narratives around localism, empowerment, citizenship and welfare reform have a much broader international relevance as this editorial introduction explains.     

A spatial and temporal assessment of wetland loss to development projects: the case of the Kampala–Mukono Corridor wetlands in Uganda

This article reports an assessment of the spatial and temporal loss of wetlands to development projects (DPs) in the Kampala–Mukono Corridor (KMC). Four sets of satellite images (1974–2013), historical and field data sets were used to assess changes in the spatial extent of wetland land cover types. Through unsupervised classification, wetland cover types and DPs were delineated and future wetland losses to DPs projected through the IDRISI Selva-based Markov Chain model. The KMC wetlands have shrunk by almost a half (47%) since 1974, with DPs accounting for 56% of the total loss. The main drivers of wetland loss are inadequate development planning and the preference for Kampala as an industrial zone. Projections indicate that 61% of the gross KMC wetland loss (42.7%) by 2040 will accrue to more DPs. Wetlands along major transport arteries need conservation by proactive measures.     

The importance of specification uncertainty and intolerance to measurement error in a study of the impact of dentine lead on childrens’ IQs

Needleman et al. concluded that, on average, an increase in the dentine lead of children from <6 ppm to >24 ppm was associated with a 4‐point IQ decrement. Recently, a spate of papers has conjectured that the reports of Needleman et al. and others could be spurious because of measurement error and omitted variable bias. In this Bayesian analysis of the reconstituted Needleman et al. data set, we replace such conjectures by empirical tests. Even though we structure the tests to provide very favourable opportunities for the conjectures to acquire support, the possibility is seen to be remote that omitted variable bias significantly alters the estimated influence of lead exposures upon childrens’ psychometric intelligence. Similarly, the Bayesian analysis demonstrates that other included covariates are likely to affect the estimated influence of lead exposures only if they are quite poorly measured.     

A Comparative Architectural Study of the Structural Form between Two Religious Buildings in Brasilia： The Cathedral and the Tibetan Stupa

Brasilia, born of the urban plan by Lficio Costa and of the unexpected concrete structural forms designed by Oscar Niemeyer, knew how to adapt to the new forms that came from the country＇s religious syncretism. This article aims to compare, through religious symbolism, structural forms and architectural spaces, two sacred monuments： The cathedral of Brasilia （1958-1967） and the stupa of the Tibetan Buddhist Center, inaugurated in 2006. The millenary construction form of the stupa, one of the primordial sacred structures for all Buddhism traditions, the sacred symbol of enlightenment, must obey some construction rules according to its lineage＇s Buddhist tradition. In this way, the stupa is the opposite of a strong and fearless structural form embodied in the cathedral, with its 16 revolution hyperboloid concrete pillars and its subterranean entrance. Although built in concrete both are unusual forms of architecture with distinct spatial conception and sculptural form structures. While respecting religious differences, it is noticeable a real commitment between form and structure, volume and religious symbolism. At the conclusion, it is perceivable how distinct forms--the Cathedral and the Stupa--can respond in analog manners to the necessity of a gathering space where visitors go in search of expressing their faith. Along with them, Buddhism and Catholicism are rooted in Brazil＇s new capital.     

The Stuttgart Region's Landscape Park – an efficient concept for the development of open spaces – an integrated approach to an attractive and resilient metropolitan landscape

This article focuses on the Stuttgart Region's Landscape Park concept, which is an instrument for the balanced development of open spaces within a densely populated region. The Stuttgart Region covers 5 counties and 179 independent municipalities over an area of 3650 square kilometres in the southwestern part of Germany. The competences of the Verband Region Stuttgart cover not only (mandatory) regional planning and spatial development, but also the construction and operation of the regional railway system, economic development and marketing.

In this context, the Landscape Park has been introduced to enhance the ecological quality and recreational value of open spaces. By now, it has become a successful instrument which helps local institutions to develop green infrastructure as an important locational factor.     

Poetic Dwelling in the Repressive Urban Space——A Spatial Narratological Study of the Existential Crisis in J. D. Salinger's “The Young Folks”,The Catcher in the Rye and Franny and Zooey

<正>In the 1950s and early 1960s,the American society took on an air of unprecedented material prosperity.However,the flourishing economy failed to provide people with the spiritual content they expected to come with it.The inanition in the spiritual world and the affluence in the material world created a sharp contrast which led to a growing sense of anxiety and dissatisfaction.As a result,"many Americans reacted to these developments with ambivalence,even hostility."(Brinkley 1999:     

Some contributions on the estimation of performance and operational parameters of raise borers – A case study in Kure Copper Mine,Turkey

Excavation of shafts and other vertical structures in mining and civil engineering fields for material and human transportation and ventilation purposes is a difficult job taking quite long time to realize. Raise boring provides a safe means of excavating shafts between two levels of underground structures without using explosives. A Raise Boring Machine (RBM) operates by the principle of first drilling a small diameter pilot hole and then, reaming the hole in one or more stages to the desired size. Raise boring system is the most up-to-date, secure and fast way for boring large diameter shafts. This paper concerns about the estimation of the performance and operational parameters of a RBM used to excavate ventilation shafts in a copper mine located at the city of Kastamonu, Kure Province, on Northern Turkey. Length and diameter of the ventilation shaft are 22 m and 2.6 m, respectively. Borehole samples were collected during pilot hole drilling operation for performing physical and mechanical tests in the laboratory. Excavation performance parameters of RBM such as, penetration rate, cutterhead torque, and total thrust force were theoretically estimated based on the experimental results. Then, the realized and predicted values were compared to serve a useful guide for future applications. The main points emerging from this study is that Tunnel Boring Machines (TBM) and RBM cuts the rock applying the same basic principles of rock cutting mechanics. Specific energy values for both machines are in the same order for similar depth of cut and similar rock formation enabling to predict penetration rates of RBM from huge data of TBMs already published in the literature. It is also proved that the thrust forces for RBM may be predicted in massive rock as it is done for TBM based on projectile area of the cutter and rock compressive strength.