Multifunctional playgrounds in urban cities : interactions between play and ecosystem services

Den ökade urbaniseringen medför flera hållbarhetsutmaningar gällande utvecklingen av våra städer och samhällen. Förtätning är det rådande stadsbyggnadsidealet då det anses hantera urbaniseringstrenden utmaningar. Å andra sidan, medför förtätning utmaningar såsom att grönytor minskar i antal och i storlek samt att trycket på kvarvarande grönområden ökar. Detta innebär även att barn och ungas lekmiljöer i staden minskar vilket är problematiskt eftersom leken är viktig för barns fysiska, psykiska och sociala utveckling. En möjlig lösning på förtätningsproblematiken påstås vara strategin att tillämpa ”mångfunktionalitet” på grönytor. Arbetets syfte är att undersöka om lek- och grönytor kan vara mångfunktionella utifrån en jämförelse av två analysverktyg med olika inriktningar. Mångfunktionella ytor innebär att flera funktioner samverkar på en och samma yta. Vidare undersöks om tillämpning av mångfunktionalitet på lek- och grönytor kan vara en del av strategin för att hantera förtätningsproblematiken. Arbetets fokus ligger på att undersöka hur funktionerna lek och ekosystemtjänster kan samverka på en yta samt vilka möjligheter och motsättningar som uppstår när funktionerna samverkar på en yta. Två analyser med olika inriktning genomfördes för att identifiera platsens lekvärden och ekosystemtjänster. Därefter jämfördes resultaten i analyserna för att undersöka var analyserna korrelerade med varandra. Resultatet påvisar att funktionerna lek och ekosystemtjänster kan samverka på en yta och är förenliga inom ett flertal aspekter. Majoriteten av de identifierade lekvärdena korrelerar med grönska och natur som skapar möjlighet till olika typer av lek, såsom fysiska lekar, ensamlekar, fantasilekar och sociala lekar. Detta påvisar att en mångfunktionell grönstruktur i staden har stor potential att bidra till att hantera flera av utmaningarna som förtätning medför. Dock förkommer det även motsättningar mellan funktionerna vilket kan leda till att vissa funktioner kan behöva prioriteras framför andra. Av denna anledning krävs det högkvalitativ planering med tydliga riktlinjer för att en hållbar mångfunktionalitet ska kunna tillämpas på fler grönytor i den urbana staden.The rapid urbanization process brings several sustainability challenges regarding the development of our cities and communities. The strategy to solve this problem is considered to be densification. On the other hand, densification causes green areas to decrease, both in quantity and size, and puts increased pressure on the remaining green areas. Furthermore, it results that children's play environments in the city are reduced, which are important areas for children's physical, mental and social development. A possible solution to the densification problem is claimed to be the strategy to apply "multifunctionality" to green areas. Against this background, is the purpose of this study to investigate whether playgrounds and green areas can be multi-functional, based on a comparison of two analysis with different focuses. Multi-functional surfaces mean that several functions interact on the same surface. Furthermore, investigates if application of multi-functional playgrounds and green areas are a part of the solution to handle the densification problems. To answer the purpose, this study investigated how the functions of “children’s play” and “ecosystem services” interact on a surface and if this leads to opportunities or contradictions. The investigation was based on a play value analysis and an analysis of identified ecosystem services, in order to discern the correlation between the two functions. The result shows that the functions “children’s play” and “ecosystem services” can interact on a surface and are compatible in several aspects. Most of the identified play values correlate with nature since it creates opportunities for different types of play, such as physical-, fantasy- and social play. This demonstrates that multifunctionality is a considerable part of the solution to handle the densification problems. However, contradictions also occur, which can lead to trades-off between functions. For this reason, it is essential with high-quality planning with guidelines, if multifunctionality should be a part of the solution to handle the densification problem

Coefficients of Friction for Apple on Various Surfaces as Affected by Velocity

Rosana G. Moreira, Editor-in-Chief; Texas A&M UniversityThis is a Technical Paper from International Commission of Agricultural Engineering (CIGR, Commission Internationale du Genie Rural) E-Journal Volume 5 (2003): C. Puchalski, G. Brusewitz, and Z. Slipek. Coefficients of Friction for Apple on Various Surfaces as Affected by Velocity. Vol. V. December 2003

Att planera för social hållbarhet

Att planera för social hållbarhet – en studie av strategier och hur de kan tillämpas Boverket konstaterar i en kunskapsöversikt att boendesegregation på social grund är det mest grundläggande hindret för social hållbarhet men att svenska kommuner gör för lite för att effektivt motverka den. Därför är en fördjupad kunskap om social hållbarhet är nödvändig för att med stadsplanering som verktyg kunna arbeta för en mer hållbar och jämlik stad. Långsiktighet, medvetna strategier och att de boende är delaktiga är centralt för att nå positiva resultat. Syftet med studien var att ta reda på hur social hållbarhet konkret kan främjas, främst med avsikt på att skapa förutsättningar för en mer jämlik stad. Hållbarhetsbegreppet är mycket centralt i planeringsdiskursen och det råder stor samstämmighet kring att det är viktigt. Trots det är litteraturen och forskningen om social hållbarhet bristfällig och kunskapen otillräcklig om hur målsättningen borde påverka den fysiska miljön. Vad innebär egentligen målsättningen om social hållbarhet inom fältet för fysisk planering? I uppsatsen görs en definition av begreppet social hållbarhet, en kort redogörelse för hur en socialt ohållbar stad ser ut samt en sammanfattning av vilka strategier för social hållbarhet svenska kommuner främst använder sig av. Med hjälp av en fallstudie av ett stadsförnyelseprojekt i Brisbane, Australien och en egen fördjupning av områdesprogrammets genomförande i Seved, Malmö exemplifieras det konkreta arbetet för social hållbarhet. Litteraturstudier samt en kvalitativ intervju har använts för att inhämta information till uppsatsen. En slutsats är att arbetet för social hållbarhet måste tillskrivas ett eget värde för att lyckas. Annars finns det en risk att andra värden än de mänskliga sätts främst. Den inneboende spänningen mellan stadsutveckling och segregation kan göra det problematiskt att genomföra stadsförnyelseprojekt utan bortträngning av resurssvaga grupper.To plan for social sustainability – a study of strategies and how they can be implemented The Swedish National Housing Board (Boverket) states that segregation of housing based on social injustice is the most fundamental obstacle for social sustainability but that Swedish municipalities do too little to efficiently counteract this. Therefore, a greater knowledge on social sustainability is necessary in order to work for a more sustainable and equal city with urban planning as a tool. Long-term strategies based on awareness as well as resident participation are crucial to achieve positive results. The purpose of the study was to find out how social sustainability can be supported mainly aimed at creating a basis for a more equal city. The concept of sustainability is a central concern within the discourse of planning and there is big oneness round the importance of it. Nevertheless the literature and the research on social sustainability are insufficient and there is not enough knowledge on how the aim should affect the physical environment. What does the aim of social sustainability really amount to within the field of spatial planning? In the paper a definition is made of the concept of sustainability, a short review of what a socially unsustainable city looks like is carried through and a summary of what strategies for social sustainability Swedish municipalities mainly use is made. Via a case study of a city renewal project in Brisbane, Australia and an own specialization of the implementation of the area programme in Seved, Malmö, the work for social sustainability is exemplified. Literature studies and a qualitative interview have been used to gather information for the paper. One conclusion of the paper is that special significance must be ascribed to the work for social sustainability in order for it to succeed. Or else there is a risk that priority is given to other values than the social and human. The inherent tension between urban development and segregation creates a difficulty to carry through city renewal projects without causing displacement of low-income groups

Expenditure ceilings and fiscal policy – Swedish experiences

In the late 1990s the Swedish budget process and fiscal framework were thoroughly reformed, and in 2006 the new system had been in place for eight years. The aim of this paper is to describe this system, with an emphasis on expenditure ceilings, and to discuss the experiences gained so far. The paper is organized as follows: First the reforms of the budget process and the Swedish fiscal framework are presented. Especially, the relation between expenditure ceilings and the surplus target is explained. Then the paper discusses the track record of the expenditure ceilings, describes the budget margin mechanism and the principles for deciding the nominal levels of the ceilings. After that the paper highlights some problems with the system. Then the functioning of the system over the economic cycle 1998 to 2005 is discussed. Finally, the conclusions are summarised

Auger Conveyors

The Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service periodically issues revisions to its publications. The most current edition is made available. For access to an earlier edition, if available for this title, please contact the Oklahoma State University Library Archives by email at [email protected] or by phone at 405-744-6311Biosystems and Agricultural Engineerin

Strawberry fruit resistance to simulated handling

Harvest operations are currently the main source of mechanical injury of strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.). Experiments were designed to simulate conditions encountered during commercial handling. Individual fruits were subjected to impact or compression forces with similar energy to determine the sensitivity to mechanical injury. Bruise volume was used as the measurement of injury. Bruise severity increased as a function of impact energy for both impact types. However, dropped fruits had larger bruise volume than fruits submitted to pendulum impactor at the same energy level. Doubling the impact energy (0.040 to 0.083 J) increased bruise volume by 7 times (13 to 91 mm³). Fruits dropped from 380 mm (0.075 J) showed 71% greater bruise volume than those dropped from either 130 mm (0.025 J) or 200 mm (0.040 J). Compressed fruits showed higher bruise volume than other tests. Some cultivars are more susceptible to compression forces than others. 'Sweet Charlie' berries showed bruise volume 40% higher than the others cultivars when subjected to compression. Fruits subjected to impact showed bruise volume lower than the compressed fruits, indicating the possibility to be handled and graded in a packing line.A etapa de colheita é a principal fonte de danos físicos ao morango (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.). Experimentos foram realizados para simular condições encontradas durante manuseio. Frutos foram submetidos individualmente às forças de impacto e compressão em energias similares para determinar sensibilidade dos frutos a danos físicos. Volume da injúria física foi utilizado para mensurar a incidência do dano físico ocorrido. Severidade da lesão aumenta, com incremento da energia, tanto para força de impacto como para compressão. Todavia, frutos submetidos à queda livre demonstraram maiores volumes de danos físicos do que frutos submetidos a danos ocasionados por pendulo no mesmo nível de energia. Dobrando a energia de impacto (0,040 para 0,083 J) ocorreu aumento no volume da injúria em sete vezes (13 para 91 mm³). Frutos submetidos à queda de 380 mm (0,075 J) demonstraram volumes de danos físicos 71% superiores do que aqueles ocasionados em queda de 130 mm (0,025 J) ou 200 mm (0,040 J). Frutos em teste de compressão mostraram maiores volumes de injúrias físicas do que outros testes. Alguns cultivares são mais sensíveis à força de compressão do que outros. Frutos cultivar 'Sweet Charlie' apresentaram volume de injúria 40% superiores do que outros quando submetidos à força de compressão. Morangos submetidos à força de impacto demonstraram volume de injúria inferior do que aqueles comprimidos, indicando a possibilidade dos morangos serem classificados e manuseados em uma linha de beneficiamento

Review. Technologies for robot grippers in pick and place operations for fresh fruits and vegetables

[EN] Robotics has been introduced in industry to replace humans in arduous and repetitive tasks, to reduce labour costs and to ensure consistent quality control of the process. Nowadays robots are cheaper, can work in hostile and dirty environments and they are able to manipulate products at high speed. High speed and reliability and low robot gripper costs are necessary for a profitable pick and place (P&P) process. However, current grippers are not able to handle these products properly because they have uneven shapes, are flexible and irregular, have different textures and are very sensitive to being damaged. This review brings together the requirements and phases used in the process of manipulation, summarises and analyses of the existing, potential and emerging techniques and their possibilities for the manipulation of fresh horticultural products from a detailed study of their characteristics. It considers the difficulties and the lack of engineers to conceive of and implement solutions. Contact grippers with underactuated mechanism and suction cups could be a promising approach for the manipulation of fresh fruit and vegetables. Ongoing study is still necessary on the characteristics and handling requirements of fresh fruit and vegetables in order to design grippers which are suitable for correct manipulation, at high speed, in profitable P&P processes for industrial applications.This work has been partially funded by research project with reference DPI2010-20286 financed by the Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovacion.Blanes Campos, C.; Mellado Arteche, M.; Ortiz Sánchez, MC.; Valera Fernández, Á. (2011). Review. Technologies for robot grippers in pick and place operations for fresh fruits and vegetables. SPANISH JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH. 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Citrus postharvest diseases and injuries related to impact on packing lines. Scientia Agricola, 66(2), 210-217. doi:10.1590/s0103-90162009000200010Foglia, M. M., & Reina, G. (2006). Agricultural robot for radicchio harvesting. Journal of Field Robotics, 23(6-7), 363-377. doi:10.1002/rob.20131Garcı́a, J. L., Ruiz-Altisent, M., & Barreiro, P. (1995). Factors Influencing Mechanical Properties and Bruise Susceptibility of Apples and Pears. Journal of Agricultural Engineering Research, 61(1), 11-17. doi:10.1006/jaer.1995.1025Garcı́a-Ramos, F. ., Ortiz-Cañavate, J., & Ruiz-Altisent, M. (2004). Evaluation and correction of the mechanical aggressiveness of commercial sizers used in stone fruit packing lines. Journal of Food Engineering, 63(2), 171-176. doi:10.1016/s0260-8774(03)00297-8Grunert, K. G. (2005). Food quality and safety: consumer perception and demand. European Review of Agricultural Economics, 32(3), 369-391. doi:10.1093/eurrag/jbi011Han, I. (2007). Vibratory orienting and separation of small polygonal parts. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part B: Journal of Engineering Manufacture, 221(12), 1743-1753. doi:10.1243/09544054jem846HAYASHI, S., GANNO, K., ISHII, Y., & TANAKA, I. (2002). Robotic Harvesting System for Eggplants. Japan Agricultural Research Quarterly: JARQ, 36(3), 163-168. doi:10.6090/jarq.36.163Hayashi, S., Shigematsu, K., Yamamoto, S., Kobayashi, K., Kohno, Y., Kamata, J., & Kurita, M. (2010). Evaluation of a strawberry-harvesting robot in a field test. Biosystems Engineering, 105(2), 160-171. doi:10.1016/j.biosystemseng.2009.09.011Herold, B., Truppel, I., Siering, G., & Geyer, M. (1996). A Pressure Measuring Sphere for monitoring handling of fruit and vegetables. Computers and Electronics in Agriculture, 15(1), 73-88. doi:10.1016/0168-1699(96)00004-xHirose, S., & Umetani, Y. (1978). The development of soft gripper for the versatile robot hand. 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(2007). Optimal grasp of vacuum grippers with multiple suction cups. Mechanism and Machine Theory, 42(1), 18-33. doi:10.1016/j.mechmachtheory.2006.02.007Menesatti, P., & Paglia, G. (2001). PH—Postharvest Technology. Journal of Agricultural Engineering Research, 80(1), 53-64. doi:10.1006/jaer.2000.0669Monta, M., Kondo, N., & Ting, K. C. (1998). Artificial Intelligence Review, 12(1/3), 11-25. doi:10.1023/a:1006595416751MORROW, C. T., & MOHSENIN, N. N. (1968). Dynamic Viscoelastic Characterization of Solid Food Materials. Journal of Food Science, 33(6), 646-651. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2621.1968.tb09093.xMuscato, G., Prestifilippo, M., Abbate, N., & Rizzuto, I. (2005). A prototype of an orange picking robot: past history, the new robot and experimental results. Industrial Robot: An International Journal, 32(2), 128-138. doi:10.1108/01439910510582255PELEG, M., & CALZADA, J. F. (1976). STRESS RELAXATION OF DEFORMED FRUITS AND VEGETABLES. 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Glucosinolates and isothiocyanates: cancer preventive effects

The anticarcinogenic bioactivity of various isothiocyanates (ITCs) has been demonstrated in various animal models such as rats, mice, and hamsters, and in different target tissues such as lung, esophagus, and forestomach. A major chemopreventive mechanism of ITCs involves suppression of reactive metabolite generation and, therefore, a decrease in DNA adducts formation. Many in vitro studies have reported the effects of ITCs on cell cycle modulation and proapoptotic effects through a number of targets, at different points of the pathways. A comparative study in human subjects showed that the hydrolysis of glucosinolates and the absorption of ITCs are greater following ingestion of raw brassica with active plant myrosinase than after consumption of the cooked plant with denatured myrosinase. Apoptosis is considered a vital component of the cellular mechanisms responsible for the maintenance of homeostasis in multicellular organisms. Understanding the pathways of associated proteins provides an insight into the induction of apoptosis by anticancer agents