Structural Appraisal of the Florentine Gothic Construction System

The nave of Santa Maria Novella, a Dominican church in Florence Italy is representative of a Florentine Gothic system of construction. This system, consisting of domical rib vaults on square nave bays, high side aisles, and crypto-buttressing, differs substantially from the French high Gothic system of even-level-crown rib vaults on rectangular bays, with flying buttresses over relatively low aisles. An investigation into the structural aspects of the Florentine Gothic construction system reveals that the domical vaults increase the longitudinal thrust and reduce the transverse thrust, which may require additional precautions to be taken during construction, but entails a less elaborate buttressing system. The domical vaults are found to perform well structurally, with an absence of tensile stresses, and are more suitable for a square bay. In general, the structural system of the nave of Santa Maria Novella is found to be the product of carefully considered structural design, which may be accepted as an alternative to the French Gothic construction system.     

LCD versus CRT displays: a comparison of visual search performance for colored symbols

Visual search performance for tactical symbols was examined with liquid-crystal (LCD) and cathode-ray tube (CRT) displays. Twenty-four adult participants (19 men, 5 women; mean age 41 years) searched for navy tactical display symbols on a map background. LCD and CRT displays of similar size and resolution (52 cm diagonal, 1280 x 1024 pixels) were used. Viewing angle (0 degrees vs. 60 degrees of azimuth), set size, target color (blue, red, or white), target presence, and search type (feature vs. conjunction) were also manipulated. Participants showed reduced sensitivity for red and blue symbols viewed 60 degrees off axis with the LCD relative to on-axis LCD, or to the CRT on or off axis. Colored symbols viewed off axis on the LCD produced longer response times in feature search and lower search efficiency in conjunction search. The results argue against the use of current LCD technology when off-axis viewing is likely and color coding is used.     

Framing a strategy for pond landscape conservation: aims, objectives and issues

Research into and management of ponds for conservation purposes have been largely confined to the individual pond. Little attention has been paid to the totality of the pond landscape, even though there have been a number of audits of the pond resource. Significantly, they reveal falling pond numbers and pond densities, increasing landscape fragmentation and changing biodiversity status. In the main, the response to such change from relevant organizations and agencies has been weak. Aware of a rising tide of popular conservation concern, this paper discusses four important themes in deriving a strategy for pond landscapes: information needs, valuation, stewardship and awareness. Illustration is made from conservation projects underway, and the emphasis throughout is placed upon the practicalities of action and the feasibility of planning policies currently developing.     

Correlates of preschool girls' feminine and masculine toy preferences.

Observed 47 preschool girls (2.5–4 yrs old) in social interaction with boys and girls. For young Ss, feminine toy preference was positively related to interaction with girls, whereas masculine toy choice was positively associated with interaction with boys. For older girls, feminine toy choice was positively related to interaction with girls. Large, older girls tended to play with masculine toys. (5 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Frameworks, Networks and the UK Regional Agenda: nature planning for landscapes?

Planning at the landscape scale in Britain has had limited application. The origins, implementations and likely outcomes of new approaches to nature planning in Britain in which the spatial scale of planning could be 'landscape enabled' are traced. These approaches are termed 'framework' strategies, within which 'ecological networks' can be developed in order better to reflect species' behaviour and to overcome the restrictions of designation-based nature conservation. Currently, planning structures are subject to change and debate: published planning documents and other sources are examined for a case study of the North West of England, where experiments in ecological networks are underway. Evidence is sought for the incorporation into new planning structures of key concepts relevant to the achievement of network implementation. Evaluation is made of likely critical 'pinch points' in implementation using experience of network planning in the Netherlands for comparison. These include availability of data on habitats and species, the relationship of planning to agriculture, and the need for co-operation from stakeholders.     

Characterisation of the early stages of solute clustering in 1Ni–1.3Mn welds containing Cu

Microstructural characterisation of neutron irradiated low alloy steels is important for developing mechanistic understanding of irradiation embrittlement. This work is focused on the early stages of irradiation-induced clustering in a low Cu (0.03 wt%), high Ni (∼1 wt%) weld. The weld was irradiated at a very high dose rate and then examined by atom probe (energy-compensated position-sensitive atom probe (ECOPoSAP) and local electrode atom probe (LEAP)) with supporting microstructural information obtained by small angle neutron scattering (SANS) and positron annihilation (PALA).     

Load Rating of Masonry Arch Bridges: Refinements

In a paper previously published by the first writer, a procedure for load-rating masonry arch bridges was introduced. The procedure uses the Load Factor Method of the 1994 American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials Manual for the Condition Evaluation of Bridges, applied to a frame analysis model of a masonry arch spanning from abutment to abutment. The procedure is based on the assumption of the arch barrel having no tensile strength. The objective of this technical note is to complement the initial procedure by enabling the assessing engineer to exercise discretion in deciding whether or not a small value of tensile strength should be allowable in determining a suitable rating for masonry arch bridges. In addition the initially proposed strength values, which are considered overly conservative, are increased. The introduction of these refinements will allow a more accurate assessment of the nation’s stock of stone masonry bridges.     

Precipitation and void-swelling in nickel-manganese austenitic stainless steels

The precipitation and void-swelling characteristics of austenitic stainless steels in which nickel is partially replaced by manganese have been investigated. Alloy compositions were chosen on the basis of manganese being half as effective as nickel in stabilizing austenite, and steels with “nickel equivalent” contents of 25–37% were examined. The steels were irradiated with 46 MeV Ni⁶⁺ ions to 60 dpa at 625°C and also aged for 1000 h at 600°C. The high-Mn alloys (20–30% Mn) were very susceptible to the formation of intermetallic phases during thermal ageing but less so in the shorter-duration irradiation experiment. Irradiation promoted the formation of Ni- and Si-rich phases—the suicide G phase (in which Mn can replace Ti) and in one instance M₆C. The Cr-rich carbide M₂₃C₆ formed in both the aged and irradiated steels. Among the high-Mn alloys, void-swelling decreased with increasing Ni and (Ni+Mn) contents, although a 25Ni-1Mn steel showed no swelling at 625°C.