scholarly journals Insect Habitat Systems Integrated into Façades-Impact on Building Physics and Awareness of Society

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 570
Author(s):  
Linda Meier ◽  
Johanna Raps ◽  
Philip Leistner
Keyword(s):  
Holistic Approach ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Special Focus ◽  
Transfer Coefficients ◽  
Wild Bees ◽  
Physical Point ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Intensive Farming ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
Indoor Comfort

Deforestation, intensive farming and the sealing of green spaces are considered to be the main reasons for the global decrease of biodiversity. In this context, the built environment, and in particular vertical surfaces, are still highly underestimated and need to be taken into account. Although it is acknowledged that greened surfaces have beneficial effects, for example, on the microclimate, the vast majority of buildings are still not biodiversity-friendly. Artificial nesting boxes help birds and bats adapt to the change of their habitats. However, insects, with their tremendous significance for insectivorous species and for humans, are mostly neglected or even threatened. The purpose of this holistic approach is to investigate interactions between integrated insect habitat systems in façades and building physical aspects to create test objects. Heat transfer coefficients, thermal bridges, and the risk of condensation inside the buildings were simulated in different arrangements of nesting boxes for wild bees. As a result, conclusions on heat and humidity protection in ventilated façades and external thermal insulation composite systems could be drawn. The following results showed the maintenance of indoor comfort and energy efficiency as well as a low risk of mold. Further investigations analyzed the sound reduction index and fire protection. From a building physical point of view, integrated insect habitat systems could be part of the constructed environment and even link inner-city biotopes. Further challenges and opportunities are identified rather at a socio-ecological and technical level. Without taking into account the civil society and ecological demands of the various species, habitat systems for insects will miss their objectives. Special focus will be put on the skepticism and lack of knowledge of people, as well as on the comfort of the insects.

GROUNDWATER TIME SERIES

1970 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 181-205 ◽  
Author(s):  
ERIK ERIKSSON
Keyword(s):  
Time Series ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Hydrologic Models ◽  
Physical Point ◽  
Run Off ◽  
Fort Collins ◽  
Statistical Sense ◽  
Full Benefit ◽  
Future Work ◽  
Prediction Problems

The term “stochastic hydrology” implies a statistical approach to hydrologic problems as opposed to classic hydrology which can be considered deterministic in its approach. During the International Hydrology Symposium, held 6-8 September 1967 at Fort Collins, a number of hydrology papers were presented consisting to a large extent of studies on long records of hydrological elements such as river run-off, these being treated as time series in the statistical sense. This approach is, no doubt, of importance for future work especially in relation to prediction problems, and there seems to be no fundamental difficulty for introducing the stochastic concepts into various hydrologic models. There is, however, some developmental work required – not to speak of educational in respect to hydrologists – before the full benefit of the technique is obtained. The present paper is to some extent an exercise in the statistical study of hydrological time series – far from complete – and to some extent an effort to interpret certain features of such time series from a physical point of view. The material used is 30 years of groundwater level observations in an esker south of Uppsala, the observations being discussed recently by Hallgren & Sands-borg (1968).

scholarly journals Percolation and tortuosity in heart-like cells

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Rabinovitch ◽  
Y. Biton ◽  
D. Braunstein ◽  
I. Aviram ◽  
R. Thieberger ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Action Potential ◽  
Forest Fire ◽  
Sinus Node ◽  
Heart Tissue ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Physical Point ◽  
Electrical Currents ◽  
Single Wave ◽  
Heart Arrhythmia ◽  
The One

AbstractIn the last several years, quite a few papers on the joint question of transport, tortuosity and percolation have appeared in the literature, dealing with passage of miscellaneous liquids or electrical currents in different media. However, these methods have not been applied to the passage of action potential in heart fibrosis (HF), which is crucial for problems of heart arrhythmia, especially of atrial tachycardia and fibrillation. In this work we address the HF problem from these aspects. A cellular automaton model is used to analyze percolation and transport of a distributed-fibrosis inflicted heart-like tissue. Although based on a rather simple mathematical model, it leads to several important outcomes: (1) It is shown that, for a single wave front (as the one emanated by the heart's sinus node), the percolation of heart-like matrices is exactly similar to the forest fire case. (2) It is shown that, on the average, the shape of the transport (a question not dealt with in relation to forest fire, and deals with the delay of action potential when passing a fibrotic tissue) behaves like a Gaussian. (3) Moreover, it is shown that close to the percolation threshold the parameters of this Gaussian behave in a critical way. From the physical point of view, these three results are an important contribution to the general percolation investigation. The relevance of our results to cardiological issues, specifically to the question of reentry initiation, are discussed and it is shown that: (A) Without an ectopic source and under a mere sinus node operation, no arrhythmia is generated, and (B) A sufficiently high refractory period could prevent some reentry mechanisms, even in partially fibrotic heart tissue.

scholarly journals Focal transformation, an imaging concept for signal restoration and noise removal

Geophysics ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 71 (6) ◽  
pp. A55-A59 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. J. Berkhout ◽  
D. J. Verschuur
Keyword(s):  
Input Data ◽  
Noise Removal ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Data Interpolation ◽  
Signal Restoration ◽  
Physical Point ◽  
Seismic Processing ◽  
Promising Tool ◽  
Focal Area ◽  
Forward Operator

Interpolation of data beyond aliasing limits and removal of noise that occurs within the seismic bandwidth are still important problems in seismic processing. The focal transform is introduced as a promising tool in data interpolation and noise removal, allowing the incorporation of macroinformation about the involved wavefields. From a physical point of view, the principal action of the forward focal operator is removing the spatial phase of the signal content from the input data, and the inverse focal operator restores what the forward operator has removed. The strength of the method is that in the transformed domain, the focused signals at the focal area can be separated from the dispersed noise away from the focal area. Applications of particular interest in preprocessing are interpolation of missing offsets and reconstruction of signal beyond aliasing. The latter can be seen as the removal of aliasing noise.

Why are companies still struggling to reach higher continuous improvement maturity levels? Empirical evidence from high performance companies

2015 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 316-327 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Jurburg ◽  
Elisabeth Viles ◽  
Carmen Jaca ◽  
Martin Tanco
Keyword(s):  
Continuous Improvement ◽  
Measurement System ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Basque Country ◽  
Holistic Approach ◽  
Special Focus ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Northern Spain ◽  
Content Type ◽  
High Performing

Purpose – Continuous improvement (CI) is regarded as a powerful approach to achieve business excellence. However, the implementation is not simple as it involves managing a considerable amount of tangible and intangible factors throughout the whole organization. The purpose of this paper is to fill the gap by presenting first-hand information about how companies really implement and organize their CI processes. Design/methodology/approach – The study was based on semi-structured interviews in ten high performing companies in the Basque Country, a region in northern Spain well known for its business quality. The objective was to analyze the state of their CI processes, putting special focus on how the organizational structure integrates with the CI processes and what are the characteristics of the corresponding measurement system. Findings – The study shows a lack of company-wide focus on CI, little written evidence of previous improvement activities, unclear improvement process owner, and poor use of adequate measurement systems to monitor CI. Practical implications – Managers should understand that is not enough to guarantee their own commitment and provide the structure, since in order to become learning organization, a different holistic approach towards the CI process must be adopted. Originality/value – While most previous work on this field have focused primarily on how to implement different techniques in order to achieve better productive performance, this study presents empirical research from a more holistic approach, assessing the characteristics affecting CI by considering strategy, structure, and the measurement system.

scholarly journals Impact of Micronutrients on Hypertension: Evidence from Clinical Trials with a Special Focus on Meta-Analysis

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 588
Author(s):  
Hui-Fang Chiu ◽  
Kamesh Venkatakrishnan ◽  
Oksana Golovinskaia ◽  
Chin-Kun Wang
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Review Article ◽  
Special Focus ◽  
Recommended Daily Allowance ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Daily Allowance ◽  
Regulation Of Blood Pressure ◽  
Morbid Conditions

Hypertension (HT) is one of the pivotal risk factors for various detrimental diseases like cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), cerebrovascular disease, and renal dysfunction. Currently, many researchers are paying immense attention to various diet formula (dietary approach) with a special focus on micro and macronutrients along with modified lifestyle and standard anti-hypertensive drugs. Micronutrients (minerals/vitamins) play a central role in the regulation of blood pressure (BP) as they aid the function of macronutrients and also improve the anti-hypertensive functions of some anti-hypertensive agents. Even though several studies have demonstrated the beneficial effects of micronutrients on controlling BP, still some ambiguity exists among the nutritionists/doctors, which combination or individual mineral (dietary approach) contributes to better BP regulation. Therefore, this critical review article was attempted to delineate the underlying role of micronutrients (minerals and vitamins) for the management and prevention or delaying of HT and their related complications with strong affirmation from clinical trials as well as its mechanism of controlling BP. Moreover, the major source and recommended daily allowance (RDA) of various micronutrients are included in this review for guiding common readers (especially HT subjects) and dieticians to choose/recommend a better micronutrient and their combinations (other nutrients and standard anti-hypertensive drugs) for lowering the risk of HT and its related co-morbid conditions like CVDs.

scholarly journals Comparison of Different Approaches to Predict the Performance of Pumps As Turbines (PATs)

Energies ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 1016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mauro Venturini ◽  
Stefano Alvisi ◽  
Silvio Simani ◽  
Lucrezia Manservigi
Keyword(s):  
Simulation Model ◽  
Ad Hoc ◽  
Polynomial Regression ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Box Model ◽  
Physical Point ◽  
Evolutionary Polynomial Regression ◽  
Box Models ◽  
Performance Curves ◽  
Physics Based Simulation

This paper deals with the comparison of different methods which can be used for the prediction of the performance curves of pumps as turbines (PATs). The considered approaches are four, i.e., one physics-based simulation model (“white box” model), two “gray box” models, which integrate theory on turbomachines with specific data correlations, and one “black box” model. More in detail, the modeling approaches are: (1) a physics-based simulation model developed by the same authors, which includes the equations for estimating head, power, and efficiency and uses loss coefficients and specific parameters; (2) a model developed by Derakhshan and Nourbakhsh, which first predicts the best efficiency point of a PAT and then reconstructs their complete characteristic curves by means of two ad hoc equations; (3) the prediction model developed by Singh and Nestmann, which predicts the complete turbine characteristics based on pump shape and size; (4) an Evolutionary Polynomial Regression model, which represents a data-driven hybrid scheme which can be used for identifying the explicit mathematical relationship between PAT and pump curves. All approaches are applied to literature data, relying on both pump and PAT performance curves of head, power, and efficiency over the entire range of operation. The experimental data were provided by Derakhshan and Nourbakhsh for four different turbomachines, working in both pump and PAT mode with specific speed values in the range 1.53–5.82. This paper provides a quantitative assessment of the predictions made by means of the considered approaches and also analyzes consistency from a physical point of view. Advantages and drawbacks of each method are also analyzed and discussed.

scholarly journals Comparative analysis of efficiency of democracy in Ukraine according to the indices of democracy The Economist Democracy Index, Freedom In the World and Polity IV

2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (8) ◽  
pp. 78-92
Author(s):  
Kateryna Fedoryshynа
Keyword(s):  
Comparative Analysis ◽  
Civil Liberties ◽  
Integral Point ◽  
Holistic Approach ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Executive Power ◽  
Time Period ◽  
The World ◽  
Final Score ◽  
Legal Restrictions

This article represents an analysis of efficiency of Ukrainian democracy within the framework of three popural indices of democracy – The Economist Democracy Index, Freedom In the World index and Polity IV. Comparative analysis shows the core factors which bring three different democratic concepts, used in the indices, to the integral unity. Finding correlation between factors of Ukrainian democracy, measured in the indices through a certain time period (2006-2018), helps getting integral look at the problem of non existent universal theoretic base for understanding democracy. The basic idea of the analysis, represented in this article, shows that different factors, used by indices in measuring democracy, do not evenly correlate in practice, though they represent holistic approach to the essence of democracy. Choosing specific theoretical approach of understanding democracy makes it hard for indices to fully measure real democracy. This analysis aims at searching correlation in different basic factors of democratic models, used by indices with different approaches. As the result of the analysis the article ranks a number of basic factors, used in three popular indices of democracy, according to the strength of correlation of these factors with other factors of the index they represent and with the final score of the index. Integral choice of the basic factors, which correlate with the change of Ukraine’s democratic trends according to the three indices, covers several dimensions of democratic model. Ukrainian democratic trends in the specific time period (2006-2018), as the analysis shows, from integral point of view correlates the most with the changes in electoral process and pluralism, civil liberties and legal restrictions of the executive power. Political culture, political participation and individual rights show weak correlation with Ukrainian democratic trends within the period of time, chosen for the analysis.

scholarly journals Challenges and Opportunities in Teaching and Research in Human Physiology in Ethiopia

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 59-66
Author(s):  
Ayechew Adera Getu
Keyword(s):  
Human Physiology ◽  
Brain Drain ◽  
Research Productivity ◽  
Full Range ◽  
Medical Schools ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Basic Sciences ◽  
Close Attention ◽  
Teaching And Research ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities

The aim of this point of view paper is to discuss the challenges and opportunities in teaching and research in the field of human physiology in Ethiopia. The challenges are seen as low availability of physiology teachers, especially those that have PhDs, low research productivity, absence of grants for basic sciences and brain drain. Opportunity for improvement is seen in the emergency of more medical schools in the country. However, close attention to standards of quality, particularly the provision of the full range of inputs required to support teaching and research, is urged.

scholarly journals Reciprocity in the Civil Economy: a Critical Assessment

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 63-74
Author(s):  
María Guadalupe Martino ◽  
Christian Müller
Keyword(s):  
Point Of View ◽  
Social Market Economy ◽  
Special Focus ◽  
Economic Market ◽  
Homo Oeconomicus ◽  
Market Interactions ◽  
Incentive Compatible ◽  
The Social ◽  
Civil Economy ◽  
Social Market

Abstract The civil economy approach is an attempt to reconcile economic market interactions with the normative standards of traditional virtue ethics. We analyze critically some of its main elements with a special focus on the concept of reciprocity, which plays a central role in the whole approach. Its strengths include, among others, virtue orientation, emphasis on happiness rather than utility, and in particular the notion of reciprocity. However, we argue that this concept of reciprocity would on average not be incentive compatible, and from a methodological point of view, the implied hypothesis of a homo reciprocans is not a viable alternative to the standard model of homo oeconomicus. We also consider that the approach is not entirely new, as it shares many characteristics with the social market economy conception.

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