1,721,103 research outputs found
Integrating intelligent computing for optimized vertical farming systems in arid climates : a case study on wheat production in Algeria
Full text linkThe demand for sustainable agriculture in arid climates, driven by food security challenges and environmental constraints, necessitates innovative solutions. Algeria imports a significant portion of its wheat annually due to low domestic production, highlighting the need for climate-adaptive strategies. Vertical farming offers a promising alternative, enabling controlled, year-round cultivation while reducing water consumption and mitigating extreme weather effects. However, its implementation in resource-limited, high-temperature regions like Algeria requires optimized designs that balance energy efficiency and productivity. This paper explores the integration of intelligent computing and solar-powered systems to enhance vertical wheat farming in Timimoun. The study uses computational modeling and simulation to maximize efficiency and assesses farm configurations, lighting strategies, and climate control mechanisms. The findings aim to establish a sustainable framework for vertical wheat farming in arid environments, addressing energy consumption, environmental control, and scalability challenges
More technology? Evaluating the effectiveness of smart thermostats
Full text linkClimate change has been recognized as a significant threat for over a century, with early predictions by Svante Arrhenius in 1896 and subsequent confirmations by Guy Callendar in 1938, who attributed rising global temperatures to increased CO2 emissions from industrial activities. This foundational understanding has evolved with modern climate science, emphasizing the ongoing rise in global temperatures and its severe consequences, including frequent climate-related disasters. In this context, the role of technology, particularly computer science (CS), has become increasingly relevant. The pervasive use of technology in daily life, exemplified by near-universal internet access in the UK and the global prevalence of smartphones, offers unique opportunities to address the climate crisis through innovative solutions. This project aims to evaluate several smart thermostats as a case study in CS-based approaches to enhance energy efficiency in buildings. Buildings contribute significantly to global CO2 emissions, with heating and cooling operations responsible for a substantial portion of these emissions. By optimizing energy usage in building operations, smart technologies can play a crucial role in mitigating climate impact. This project considers the effectiveness, adoption, and integration of smart thermostats, exploring their potential as a scalable solution for reducing emissions while maintaining human comfort and health. The analysis highlights the importance of smart climate control technologies in the broader effort to combat climate change, advocating for increased adoption and further innovation in this field
Net zero housing design in practice : evaluating infrared heating in Passivhaus
Full text linkThis study evaluates a Passivhaus residential building in Scotland that integrates an MVHR system with innovative infrared panel heating to enhance thermal comfort and meet net-zero targets. Indoor environmental parameters (temperature, relative humidity, and CO₂ levels) were monitored at 15-minute intervals throughout 2024. Preliminary results indicate that while temperatures were below recommended levels due to occupant preferences and the unique heating characteristics of infrared panels, relative humidity remained within optimal ranges and CO₂ levels were generally acceptable. Energy analysis revealed total consumption at 24.13 kWh/m², with heating energy usage below the Passivhaus threshold. The findings underscore the potential of combining traditional MVHR systems with infrared heating to improve performance and occupant satisfaction in high-performance, net-zero homes
Optimising environmental sensor placement in residential settings : evaluating the Ei1025 for accurate indoor air quality monitoring
Full text linkEnsuring accurate indoor environmental monitoring is essential to maintain healthy living conditions and to improve energy efficiency. The placement of environmental sensors plays an important role in the reliability of collected data, such as temperature, relative humidity, and carbon dioxide (CO₂) levels. While standards such as BS 40101:2022 provide recommendations for sensor placement, practical constraints often induce deviations, which may affect data accuracy. This paper assesses the impact of sensor positioning. Multiple Ei1025 sensors are placed on walls and ceilings within a residential setting. Variations in readings across different locations are analysed through statistical methods. The work identifies that an optimal placement of these sensors is important as stratification of indoor air, exhalation of occupants and circulation of air impacts the readings. As an output, the determination of correction factors based on detected deviations will be presented. These findings are expected to contribute towards enhancing the indoor environmental monitoring practices. This would eventually support the development of improved residential ventilation strategies as well as ensuring robust data collection for future building performance assessments
Going Beyond Counting First Authors in Author Co-citation Analysis
Full text linkThe present study examines one of the fundamental aspects of author co-citation analysis (ACA) - the way co-citation
counts are defined. Co-citation counting provides the data on which all subsequent statistical analyses and mappings
are based, and we compare ACA results based on two different types of co-citation counting - the traditional type that
only counts the first one among a cited work's authors on the one hand and a non-traditional type that takes into
account the first 5 authors of a cited work on the other hand. Results indicate that the picture produced through this non-traditional author co-citation counting contains more coherent author groups and is therefore considerably clearer. However, this picture represents fewer specialties in the research field being studied than that produced through the traditional first-author co-citation counting when the same number of top-ranked authors is selected and analyzed. Reasons for these effects are discussed
UKIEG Annual Conference 2024 : Monitoring and Big Data for Driving the Research and Policy Agenda for IEQ and Health
Full text linkWelcome to the UKIEG Annual Conference & AGM 2024, hosted by the Department of Architecture at the University of Strathclyde. This year's conference is centred on the theme "Monitoring and Big Data as Drivers of Research and the Policy Agenda for Indoor Environmental Quality and Health." It is with great pleasure that we present the Book of Abstracts, a compilation of pioneering research and insightful contributions from scholars and practitioners dedicated to advancing our understanding of Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) and its impacts on health. As indoor environments become increasingly sophisticated and our reliance on data grows, the importance of comprehensive monitoring and the utilisation of big data in shaping research and policy cannot be overstated. This conference serves as a vital platform for fostering dialogue, collaboration, and innovation among experts from diverse fields, including architecture, engineering, health sciences, and public policy. The abstracts in this book explore a broad spectrum of topics that highlight the dynamic and interdisciplinary nature of IEQ research. They delve into the provision of ventilation in UK housing, discussing the future of residential indoor air quality and its implications for environmental justice. The development of equity-focused approaches to improving indoor air quality is examined, emphasising the need for inclusive policies and practices. Research on indoor environmental quality and thermal comfort in naturally ventilated energy-efficient dwellings provides insights into maintaining healthy indoor environments in sustainable buildings. The impact of particulate matter in UK school classrooms is scrutinised, alongside guidance for managing indoor environmental quality in schools amidst climate change. Enhancing indoor air quality in care homes during the pandemic offers critical insights into protecting vulnerable populations. Innovative infrastructure design for distributed multi-sensor IEQ systems is discussed, highlighting advancements in monitoring technologies. Decoding indoor air quality events and assessing ventilation effectiveness in energy-efficient dwellings underscore the importance of data analytics in understanding and improving IEQ. The benefits of photovoltaic-powered passive ventilation systems and the modelling of indoor fine particulate matter in West London homes illustrate the integration of sustainable technologies in IEQ management. The research on the impact of outdoor air on indoor air quality in urban office environments, the effectiveness of smart thermostats, and the engagement with young people on indoor air quality emphasises the diverse approaches to tackling IEQ challenges. Understanding classroom air quality through pupil-reported data and co-developing behaviour change interventions to improve indoor air quality showcase the importance of involving occupants in IEQ research. The impact of home energy efficiency measures on indoor temperatures and thermal comfort is also explored, providing valuable insights into the intersection of energy efficiency and occupant well-being. Each abstract in this book represents a significant contribution to the field, providing innovative solutions, comprehensive analyses, and thought-provoking insights. We hope that these works inspire new ideas, foster collaborative efforts, and ultimately contribute to improving indoor environmental quality and health. We are delighted to have you join us for this year's conference and look forward to the engaging discussions and fruitful exchanges that will undoubtedly emerge from this gathering of experts. Thank you for your participation and commitment to advancing the field of Indoor Environmental Quality and health
Impact of the solar radiation on the most common opaque wall construction methods on walls of non-residential buildings in Michoacán
No full textThe research investigates the impact of the solar radiation and the thermal performance of the most common construction systems in Mexico, mainly on masonry and concrete structures. Walls might not have a great impact on the thermal comfort; however they represent more surface area than roof. So, more heat losses can be present on this construction element. Moreover, walls are considered important in non-residential buildings because they are present in all the floors and affect them in the slightly same forms, while roofs will just influence the upper floor. Based on that heat gains or losses on walls at hot and humid locations are important and therefore, selected for this study. The investigation is done through virtual simulation on EDSL TAS and comparisons in Excel on graphics and tables. It shows the impact on the different construction methods in walls and their performance. Then, a selection of the better performance wall is made and improvements are proposed to achieve even a better thermal indoor comfort based on the operative temperatures. Improvements are based on recommendations made by the Mexican government and programmes such as “Hipoteca verde” (Green Mortgage) by the INFONAVIT and material analysis and research made by other Mexican private institutions. Results show that hollow bricks are the most appropriate masonry to be used; additionally the use of 1” polystyrene and lime added on the plasterwork will result on improving the most common method
Indoor air quality in low energy homes in Mexico City
Full text linkThis work looks into the indoor air quality at homes in Mexico City, and the use of the PassivHaus building certification as a way to improve it. For this purpose, monitoring in some homes in Mexico City is being carried out. Low-energy homes often address airtightness as a measurement to assure thermal comfort with the lowest energy consumption possible. But, it is known that air other problems might arise by addressing airtightness; such as ventilation, air pollution and mould. This paper focuses on IAQ and describes the possible implications of IAQ in low-energy homes in Mexico
Variations on the Author
Full text link“Variations on the Author” discusses two of Eduardo Coutinho’s recent films (Um Dia na Vida, from 2010, and Últimas Conversas, posthumously released in 2015) and their contribution to the general question of documentary authorship. The director’s filmography is characterized by a consistent yet self-effacing form of authorial self-inscription: Coutinho often features as an interviewer that rather than express opinions propels discourses; an interviewer that is good at listening. This mode of self-inscription characterizes him as an author who is not expressive but who is nonetheless markedly present on the screen. In Um Dia na Vida, however, Coutinho is completely absent form the image, while Últimas Conversas, on the contrary, includes a confessional prologue that moves the director from the margins to the center of his films. This article examines the ways in which these works stand out in the filmography of a director who offers new insights into the notion of cinematic authorship
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