4 research outputs found
Successful Design Briefs are not all Black and White
No full textThe task of a designer is to project the future into the present by articulating a possible outcome to an existing condition. This paper will examine the outcomes of these projections, through a comparative analysis of a controlled group of design students designing products and spaces for birthing units. Linked to a larger interdisciplinary study on the impact of birthing unit design on communication between birthing mothers, staff and family/support members, this research provided an opportunity to explore practice-led research together with case studies and literature reviews of current conditions. With the educational design directive to explore conceptual ideas, the first of two groups of students were presented with a standard written brief for the redesign of birthing units. They were asked to focus on either: a product, space, or combination of product and spatial design to address the needs of a birthing unit. A second group were given the same problem but were also provided with detailed video ethnographic information to supplement the written brief. The aim of this paper is to critically reflect upon the differences in the outcomes of a traditional form of design brief with that of the brief using video ethnography. By examination of all the factors affecting the complex context of birthing units, and the mode of communication of a project brief, this paper will present its findings that will facilitate future design briefs for birthing units to lead to more appropriate outcomes. In doing so the issue of whether or not a black and white text document is sufficient for improving the design of birthing units
Discrepancies in chromosomal assignment of commercially available rat microsatellite markers
No full textPreferred qualities in a therapy garden that promote stress restoration
No full textPreferred qualities in a therapy garden that promote stress restoration Keywords: Inclusive design, stress-related illnesses, public green spaces, health promotion. Theme: Physical environment, health and wellbeing. According to the World Health Organization it is estimated that by the year 2020 the second largest health problem in the world will be stress-related illnesses (WHO 2011). Stress is not an illness but prolonged stress due to the lack of opportunities to rest and recover is harmful for the health (Aldwin, 2007; Atkinsson et al. 1996). Research suggests that natural, environment; parks and gardens have beneficial effects on people’s recovery from mental fatigue and reduce stress level (Björk et al., 2008; Grahn et al., 2010; Nielsen & Hansen, 2007; Ulrich, 2006). Studies have shown that people perceive outdoor environments in terms of quality dimensions, so called Perceived Sensory Dimensions (PSD) (Grahn et al., 2005; Grahn & Stigsdotter, 2010). Further, it is suggested that there is a beneficial relationship between PSD and a person’s perceived level of stress (Grahn & Stigsdotter, 2010). The aim of the study was to identify which PSDs patients perceived as supportive and restorative in a therapeutic garden. Forty two patients, all diagnosed with stress related illnesses, were recruited after undergoing 12 weeks rehabilitation program in the therapy garden. Methodological triangulation was used including one-hour interview with each person, location mapping of supportive and restorative locations in the garden and a questionnaire on PSD qualities for same locations. From the questionnaire we identified four PSDs that are perceived as supportive and restorative: Refuge; Serene, Prospect and Comfort. From interviews, we identified what is a merge of the two PSDs Nature and Rich in species, referred to as Wild. This dimension was considered the most important for perceived stress restoration. Also, the results indicate that individuals suffering from stress-related illnesses are very sensitive to stimuli and frequently avoid public green places with many different stimuli and impressions. In order to meet the needs of a fast growing group of users we recommend the dimensions Refuge, Serene, Prospect, Comfort Nature, and Rich in species to be included in design of public green spaces since these dimensions offer possibilities for restoration. References: Aldwin, C. (2007). Stress, Coping, and Development, 2nd edn, New Ykrok: Guilford. Atkinson, R.L., R.C., Smith, E.E., Bem, D.J. and Noelen-Hoeksema, S. (1996). Hilgard´s Introduction to Pscychology, Fort Worth, Tex.: Harcourt Brace Collage. Björk, J., Albin, M., Grahn, P., Jacobsson, H., Ardö, J., Wadbro, J., Östergren P-O., Skärbäck E. (2008) Recreational values of the natural environment in relation to neighborhood satisfactions, physical activity, obesity and wellbeing. J. Epidemiol. Commun. H 6, e2. Grahn, P. & Stigsdotter U.K. (2010) The relation between perceived sensory dimensions of urban green space and stress restoration. Landscape and Urban planning 94, 264-275. Grahn, P., Stigsdotter, U.K., Berggren-Bärring, A.-M. (2005). Human isues. In: Werquin, A.C. Duhem, B. Lindholm, G., Opperman, B., Pauleit, S., Tjalling, S. (Eds.). Green Structure and Urban Planning, ESF. Office for Official Publications of the European Communities, Luxembourg. pp. 240-248. Grahn, P. Tenngart Ivarsson, C. Stigsdotter, U.K. and Bengtsson, I-L. (2010) Using affordances as a health-promoting tool in a therapeutic garden, in Ward-Thompson, C., Aspinall, P. & Bell, S. (eds.) Innovative Approaches to Researching landscape and Health. Open Space: People Space 2. Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group, London & New York. Nielsen, T.S., Hansen, K.B., (2007) Do green areas affect health? Results from a Danish survey on the use of green areas and health indicators. Health Place 13, 839-850. Ulrich, R.S. (2006) Evidence-based health-care architecture. Lancet 368,S38-39. WHO (2011). Depression. Programs and Projects. Mental health. World Health Organization. http://www.who.int/mental_health/management/depression/definition/en/ [January 2011
THE EUROPEAN HYBRID SPECTROMETER
No full textThe final version of the European hybrid spectrometer (EHS) is described. EHS was used in the NA27 experiment to study charm particles produced in View the MathML source interactions. A rapid cycling, high resolution bubble chamber (LEBC) produced bubbles of 17 μm diameter which were measured with a precision of 2.5 μm. Short-lived charm particles are observed with an efficiency up to 90% (D±). The spectrometer accepts 70% of all particles produced, including approximately 100% of those in the forward hemisphere and the momenta of charged particles are measured to better than 1% over the whole momentum range. The charged particle identification detectors give information on 84% of the spectrometer tracks, half of which obtain unique identification. Two lead glass detectors measure the energy of electromagnetic showers such that the π0 mass distribution has a fwhm of View the MathML source. Hadronic showers are measured with two iron/scintillator calorimeters. The mass resolutions are 3.0, 0.9 and 11 View the MathML source for K0, Λ0 and D− charged particles respectively. The D0 mass is measured to be (1865.1 ± 1.8 ± 0.8) View the MathML source
