Restorative urban open space: Exploring the spatial configuration of human emotional fulfilment in urban open space

The capacity of outdoor settings to benefit human well being is well established by research. Examples of restorative settings can be found throughout history and are still applied today in health-care facilities, as healing or restorative gardens for the sick, but their wider significance in the urban public realm remains insufficiently explored. A conceptual framework for restorative urban open space based on mosaics of linked and nested spaces woven into the urban fabric is presented. The concept synthesizes the theory of centres, pioneered in the 1970s and refined in recent work by architectural theorist Christopher Alexander, with material relating to social and ecological dimensions of outdoor spatial configuration. The concept argues for fundamental properties of order, as integrations of locational, directional and transitional spatial experience, which are present in the natural and cultural world and associated with human psychological benefit. This spatial arrangement may offer potential to resurrect people's connection with intuitively preferred forms and strengthen beneficial relations between human functioning and the spatial environment.     

Moment-rotation-temperature curves for semi-rigid joints

Although connections are known to have a very significant effect on the behaviour of steel and composite framed buildings in the event of fire, the cost of high temperature tests on the broad range of connections used in practice means that their influence is not well detailed in current design codes. The paucity of data also limits the effective use of numerical models developed to simulate the behaviour of complete structures at elevated temperature. This research describes a series of elevated temperature tests conducted on beam-to-column connections. This paper presents moment-rotation-temperature curves for a variety of connections.     

Size does matter: further studies in hand–pack interaction using computer simulation

This study expands on a previous work by the authors where it was shown through the use of ethnography and finite element models that a link exists between the choice of grip and joint stresses. Further finite element models are created to investigate the relationship between joint stresses and hand dimensions. This is an important area of research for inclusive design, since some of the most vulnerable members of society, such as elderly women, often exhibit extremes of physical dimensions. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Factors affecting perceptions of the choice between acquisition and greenfield entry: The case of Western FDI in an emerging market

Abstract and Key Results

The influence of clearance on friction, lubrication and squeaking in large diameter metal-on-metal hip replacements

Large diameter metal-on-metal bearings (MOM) are becoming increasingly popular, addressing the needs of young and more active patients. Clinical data has shown excellent short-to-mid-term results, though incidences of transient squeaking have been noted between implantation and up to 2 years post-operative. Geometric design features, such as clearance, have been significant in influencing the performance of the bearings. Sets of MOM bearings with different clearances were investigated in this study using a hip friction simulator to examine the influence of clearance on friction, lubrication and squeaking. The friction factor was found to be highest in the largest clearance bearings under all test conditions. The incidence of squeaking was also highest in the large clearance bearings, with all bearings in this group squeaking throughout the study. A very low incidence of squeaking was observed in the other two clearance groups. The measured lubricating film was found to be lowest in the large clearance bearings. This study suggests that increasing the bearing clearance results in reduced lubricant film thickness, increased friction and an increased incidence of squeaking.     

In vitro osteogenesis on fluorcanasite glass-ceramic with three different chemical compositions

This study aimed at investigating in vitro osteogenesis on three fluorcanasite glass-ceramic compositions with different solubilities (K3, K5, and K8). Osteoblastic cells were obtained from human alveolar bone fragments and cultured under standard osteogenic condition until subconfluence. First passage cells were cultured on K3, K5, and K8 and on Bioglass((R)) 45S5 (45S5-control). Cell adhesion was evaluated at 24 h. For proliferation and viability, cells were cultured for 1, 4, and 10 days. Total protein content and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity were measured at 7, 14, and 21 days. Cultures were stained with Alizarin red at 21 days, for detection of mineralized matrix. Data were compared by ANOVA followed by Duncan's test. Cell adhesion, cell proliferation, viability, total protein content, and ALP activity were not affected by fluorcanasite glass-ceramic composition and solubility. Bone-like formation was similar on all fluorcanasite glass-ceramics and was reduced compared to 45S5. The changes in the chemical composition and consequently solubility of the fluorcanasite glass-ceramics tested here did not significantly alter the in vitro osteogenesis. Further modifications of the chemical composition of the fluorcanasite glass-ceramic would be required to improve bone response, making this biomaterial a good candidate to be employed as a bone substitute.     

The effect of investment materials on the surface of cast fluorcanasite glasses and glass–ceramics

Modified fluorcanasite glass–ceramics were produced by controlled two stage heat-treatment of as-cast glasses. Castability was determined using a spiral castability test and the lost-wax method. Specimens were cast into moulds formed from gypsum and phosphate bonded investments to observe their effect on the casting process, surface roughness, surface composition and biocompatibility. Both gypsum and phosphate bonded investments could be successfully used for the lost-wax casting of fluorcanasite glasses. Although the stoichiometric glass composition had the highest castability, all modified compositions showed good relative castability. X-ray diffraction showed similar bulk crystallisation for each glass, irrespective of the investment material. However, differences in surface crystallisation were detected when different investment materials were used. Gypsum bonded investment discs showed slightly improved in vitro biocompatibility than equivalent phosphate bonded investment discs under the conditions used.     

A design model for punching shear of FRP-reinforced slab-column connections

The overall aim of this paper is to develop a unified design method for the punching shear resistance of slab-column connections irrespective of the type of internal reinforcement. In the first part of the paper a design model for the punching shear resistance of concrete slab-column connections reinforced with fibre-reinforced polymers (FRP) is proposed. This design model is based on the authors’ theoretical analysis for such slabs, which considers the physical behavior of the connections under load. The effects of the inherent linear brittle response, the lower elastic modulus and the different bond features, as compared to steel, of the FRP reinforcement are all accounted for in the present study. The proposed model does not incorporate any fitting factors to match the theory to the trend of the available FRP slab test results. The excellent agreement between the predicted and published test results should give confidence to engineers and designers in using FRP as a sound structural reinforcement for slab-column connections.

It is then shown that the proposed design model for FRP slabs and the previous model of the authors for steel reinforced slabs are both identical in nature and structure, thus constituting a unified approach to design for punching shear in slabs. On the basis of the unified model comparison and correlation between an FRP slab and a reference steel reinforced slab, confirmed by the available test results, are presented. The unified model also enables the development of a more rational and reliable equivalent steel reinforcement ratio which can be applied to existing code equations for steel reinforced slabs to estimate the punching resistance of FRP-reinforced slabs.     

Monitoring the Formation of a CH3NH3PbI3–xClx Perovskite during Thermal Annealing Using X‐Ray Scattering

Grazing incidence wide and small angle X‐ray scattering (GIWAXS and GISAXS) measurements have been used to study the crystallization kinetics of the organolead halide perovskite CH₃NH₃PbI_3–xCl_x during thermal annealing. In situ GIWAXS measurements recorded during annealing are used to characterize and quantify the transition from a crystalline precursor to the perovskite structure. In situ GISAXS measurements indicate an evolution of crystallite sizes during annealing, with the number of crystallites having sizes between 30 and 400 nm increasing through the annealing process. Using ex situ scanning electron microscopy, this evolution in length scales is confirmed and a concurrent increase in film surface coverage is observed, a parameter crucial for efficient solar cell performance. A series of photovoltaic devices are then fabricated in which perovskite films have been annealed for different times, and variations in device performance are explained on the basis of X‐ray scattering measurements.     

System identification from multiple short-time-duration signals

System identification problems often arise where the only modeling records available consist of multiple short-time-duration signals. This motivates the development of a modeling approach that is tailored for this situation. An identification algorithm is presented here for parameter estimation based on minimizing the simulated prediction error, across multiple signals. The additional complexity of estimating the initial states corresponding to each signal is removed from the estimation algorithm. A numerical simulation demonstrates that the proposed algorithm performs well in comparison to the often-used least squares method (which leads to biased estimates when identifying systems from measurement noise corrupted signals). The approach is applied to the identification of the passive oculomotor plant; parameters are estimated that describe the dynamics of the plant, which represent the time constants of the visco-elastic elements that characterize the plant connective tissue.