The University of Illinois and German Architectural Education

Abstract

In our review of the literature concerning sustainable architecture, we find a remarkably diverse constellation of ideas that defy simple categorization. But rather than lament the apparent inability to standardize a singular approach to degraded environmental and social conditions, we celebrate pluralism as a means to contest technological and scientific certainty. At the same time, we reject epistemological and moral relativism. These twin points of departure lead us to propose a research agenda for an architecture of reflective engagement that is sympathetic to the pragmatist tradition.     

Participatory Irrigation Management and Transfer: Setting the Guiding Principles for a Sustaining Monitoring & Evaluation System – a Focus on the Mediterranean

A major shortcoming of Participatory Irrigation Management and Irrigation Management Transfer (PIM/IMT) is the absence of Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) systems that accompany these processes and become a major instrument to correct, improve and learn. Although at the global level some countries have exerted efforts to implement M&E systems, these still present limitations, as the review of the international experiences shows. The Mediterranean situation is even more dramatic since only Tunisia implements an M&E system, whereas Egypt has shyly moved in this direction with a limited practical application. This state of affairs led the authors to develop a set of guiding principles to develop an M&E system to be applied in countries where PIM/IMT is adopted. This paper revises the main international efforts devoted to assess the performance of PIM/IMT and the state of the art of these processes in Southern and Eastern Mediterranean Countries. Moreover, it sets the framework and analyses the main sustaining factors for the development of a new M&E system for these countries.     

Manganese distribution and effect on graphite shape in advanced cast irons

The manganese contribution to a change of the graphite shape (in nodular graphite cast irons) has never been revealed. We made obvious the negative action of this element on the nodularization of graphite. Using SEM, we observe a significant change of the shape of the precipitated graphite (decrease of the shape coefficient values), depending on the cooling rate, the nature and the quantity of the nodularizing elements. The distribution of manganese and silicon in the metallic matrix and in the nodular graphite of cast irons with various amounts of manganese was studied using Castaing Scanning X-ray Microprobe. The distribution profiles of (K_α^Mn and K_α^Si) show that polycarbides appear on the graphite periphery in the cast iron with manganese contents over 1.0% (confirmed by SEM-EDX analysis). These chemical compounds influence the slowing down of the expected growth of graphite during the austenitic decomposition. This allows us to suggest that manganese would be added to the referenced antinodularizing elements group (O, S, halogens and Pb, Te, Ti, Cu, Al, Sn, Sb, Bi).     

Examining the relationship between climate change-related research output and CO2 emissions

Scientometrics - Climate change has been a pressing global issue in current times, which has seen many initiative programs set out to try and limit the rise in CO2 emissions globally. The main...     

Collaboration networks and collaboration tools: a match for SMEs?

Global patterns of industrial production have resulted in relocation of industrial operations groups in an effort to create new markets for mass and customised mass production. The collaborative effort between these dispersed teams increases the likelihood of combining ideas and knowledge in novel ways. Internet technologies enable these virtual collaboration networks to seamlessly engage in discussions that demonstrate a richness of perspectives when it comes to problem-solving and innovative idea-exchange. Indeed, knowledge creation and harnessing collective knowledge are salient features of collaborative networks (CNs) and this is witnessed by a new interest in these entities. However, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) display a difficulty in partnering and collaborating in global networks, especially since their technological infrastructure may be lacking. Given the widespread adoption of collaborative technologies in social contexts, this research seeks to examine how such informal interactions are facilitated in SMEs through Web 2.0 tools. Specifically, this paper seeks to contribute to existing literature by examining how Web 2.0 affects the collaborative effort in two SME CNs; this study demonstrated that the collaboration effort is amplified when Web 2.0 tools are available. Other parameters such as trust in other members’ ability; perception of usefulness; and enhancement of collective knowledge are seen as supporting the CN mutuality. In addition, it brings together the three diverse research areas of collaborative networks, internet collaborative tools and psychological barriers and enablers.     

A New Indicator for Unsteady Flow Analysis in Pressurized Irrigation Systems

Pressurized irrigation systems operating on-demand offer large flexibility to farmers for managing their irrigation practices. Within these systems, the fast moving water and the sudden closing of hydrants generates unsteady flow and may create a significant pressure variation in the pipes causing noise, vibration and, sometimes, also pipes’ collapse. The present study describes a simulation tool that was developed for the analysis of unsteady flow effects. A large number of configurations of hydrants simultaneously open has been used to reflect farmers’ behaviour. A new indicator, called Relative Pressure Variation (RPV), was proposed to evaluate the pressure variation occurring into the system in respect to the steady-state pressure. This is very relevant and can be used to identify pipes with potential risk of failure. In addition, an analysis with different gate-valves’ closing time was carried out. It demonstrated that closing time shorter than Tc?=?3 s may create dangerous pressures for the pipes.     

Reliability-Based Pipe Size Computation of On-Demand Irrigation Systems

The variability of flow regimes in on demand pressurized irrigation systems leads to uncertainty in head at the nodes affecting the system performance, and thus it should be considered when designing and/or rehabilitating water distribution systems. Based on these considerations a new approach for the optimization of on demand pressurized irrigation systems is presented combining the minimization of cost with the maximization of reliability taking into account the stochastic variability of the flows into each section of the network. The new model, Clément and the cumulated random generated discharges model (FAO model) were applied to three pressurized irrigation networks of different dimensions (large, medium and small) operating on demand in Southern Italy. The optimization algorithm used in all the cases is the Labye iterative discontinuous method, a formulation of the dynamic programming. The results of the different models were compared showing that the cost of the optimal network calculated using the new model was reduced by more than 20%, without any significant decrease of the system reliability or reduction of the network capacity.     

South Africa’s electricity consumption: A sectoral decomposition analysis

South Africa’s electricity consumption has shown a sharp increase since the early 1990s. Here we conduct a sectoral decomposition analysis of the electricity consumption for the period 1993–2006 to determine the main drivers responsible for this increase. The results show that the increase was mainly due to output or production related factors, with structural changes playing a secondary role. While there is some evidence of efficiency improvements, indicated here as a slowdown in the rate of increase of electricity intensity, it was not nearly sufficient to offset the combined production and structural effects that propelled electricity consumption forward.     

The evolution of price elasticity of electricity demand in South Africa: A Kalman filter application

In South Africa, the electricity mismatch of supply and demand has been of major concern. Additional to past problems, the 2008 electricity crisis made the solution crucial after its damaging consequences to the economy. The disagreement on the need and consequences of the continuous electricity price hikes worsens the situation.     

Scientometric impact assessment of a research policy instrument: the case of rating researchers on scientific outputs in South Africa

The influence of the National Research Foundation’s (NRF) rating system on the productivity of the South African social science researchers is investigated scientometrically for the period from 1981 to 2006. Their output performance is mainly indicated by their research publications. Following international best practice in scientometrics as well as the behavioural reinforcement theory, we employed the “before/after control impact (BACI) method”, as well as the well known econometric breakpoint test as proposed by Chow. We use as control group the publications in the field of clinical medicine. The field is not supported by NRF and hence clinical medicine researchers are not affected by the evaluation and rating system. The findings show a positive impact of the NRF programme on the research outputs of social sciences researchers and the implementation of the programme has increased the relevant population of research articles by an average of 24.5% (during the first 5 years) over the expected number of publication without the programme. The results confirm the scientometric findings of other studies (e.g. that of Nederhof) that ratings promulgate research productivity.