Networking historic environmental standards to address modern challenges for sustainable conservation in HBIM

Awareness of the logic and context of original (and subsequent) design priorities is critical to informing decisions relating to valorisation, repair, refurbishment, energy retrofit or re-use of built heritage. A key benefit of collating data through Historic Building Information Modelling (HBIM) should be to assist others facing similar challenges. Here, examples for sharing understanding of how components belong to a system are outlined in the context of a newly completed dataset of public library buildings in the UK funded by Andrew Carnegie, predominantly built between 1900 and 1914. Demands for the functionality and economy of public library buildings, coupled with the emergent standardisation of building components at the time, provide a specific condition with potential for further iteration to other buildings of the period or related typologies. The work highlights the urgency of providing cost-efficient knowledge sharing structures in an era of altered priorities with respect to energy use for modern heritage. We propose the means for mapping common features to network knowledge amongst stakeholders through relevant open source pathways. The results demonstrate that integrating geographic approaches to knowledge sharing in HBIM with environmental considerations also supports wider questions of risk management related to the stewardship of historic buildings in the context of climate change

Shielding Gas Coaxial Jet Pipes Numerical Study of a Vertical Laser Welding Process of AZ91 Magnesium Alloy

The laser welding of magnesium alloys, largely used in many fabrication applications, has gained considerable interest especially in aerospace, electronics, automotive industry etc. Unfortunately, this process is associated to an undesired phenomenon which is “oxidation”. For this reason, a good shielding system of the welding zone is of major importance. This paper presents a numerical study using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) of a laser welding process employing a moving volumetric heat source. Starting with the turbulence model validity, a parametric study of this welding process in a vertical position aiming to optimize the design of protection gas device, the gas jet inclination, the appropriate welding direction and the gas type is, then, proposed. The optimum parametric combination ensuring the largest gas coverage area is the one where the shielding gas is Argon, supplied by the coaxial nozzles at a downward inclination angle with respect to the laser beam axis, and a downward welding direction

Carnegie Libraries of Britain: Assets or Liabilities? Managing Altering Agendas of Energy Efficiency for Early 20th Century Heritage

After over a century of service, many Carnegie library buildings in Britain are at risk, often condemned for presumed poor energy performance with heritage protection perceived as a further burden to negotiate. Although most now have heritage status, saving them from demolition, demands to meet changing agendas for efficiency mean that increasingly these buildings are being sold and re-used. A more nuanced reading of measures of performance is necessary. By interrogating operational data in context and establishing indicators for life-cycle analysis, this paper aims to offer generalizable steps to justify their continued service in promoting wellbeing

A single species, two basic chromosomal numbers: case of Lygeum spartum (Poaceae)

The existence of two chromosome numbers (2n = 16 and 2n = 40) in Lygeum spartum is confirmed in the Algerian steppe populations of Oran region. Chromosome counts were established for 11 Algerian populations and three supplementary populations from Italy, Spain and Greece. The karyotypes were characterized by chromosome markers obtained using fluorescence in situ hybridization and fluorochrome bandings. The organization of 5S and 18S-5.8S-26S (35S) rDNA was studied in both cytotypes. Six signals of 35S and 2 signals of 5S were observed in 2n = 16 population, while 10 signals of 35S and 4 signals of 5S were detected in the population with 2n = 40. All 35S loci were also strongly marked by chromomycin, but negatively stained by Hoechst, which indicates the presence of GC rich DNA in rDNA regions. The B chromosomes were found in both cytotypes, bearing a 35S locus in 2n = 16 population. Genome size, determined by cytometry of 10 populations, ranged from 9.27 pg for 2n = 16 to 26.63 pg for 2n = 40 populations. The sequencing of plastid and nuclear DNA markers did not reveal major differences among 2n = 16 and 2n = 40 populations. However, given the differences between two cytotypes and based on their morphological and cytogenetic characteristics, the 2n = 16 cytotype merits novel taxonomic treatment.This study was supported by the CMEP (Le Comité Mixte d'Evaluation et de Prospective Franco-Algérien - Programme TASSILI; Nb. 01 MDU/530).Peer reviewe

Structural changes induced by NaCl in companion and transfer cells of Medicago sativa blades

Medicago sativa var. Gabes is a perennial glycophyte that develops new shoots even in high salinity (150 mM NaCl). In the upper exporting leaves,K+ is high and Na+ is low by comparison with the lower leaves, where Na+ accumulation induces chlorosis after 4 weeks of NaCl treatment. By secondary ion mass spectroscopy, a low Na+/K+ ratio was detected in the phloem complex of blade veins in these lower leaves. By transmission electron microscopy, the ultrastructural features were observed in the phloem complex. In the upper leaves of both control and NaCl-treated plants, companion cells in minor veins were found to be transfer cells. These cells may well be involved in the intravenous recycling of ions and in Na+ flowing out of exporting leaves. Under the effect of NaCl, companion cells in the main veins develop transfer cell features, which may favor the rate of assimilate transport from exporting leaves toward meristems, allowing the positive balance necessary for the survival in salt conditions. These features no longer assist the lower leaves when transfer cells are necrotized in both minor and main veins of NaCl-treated plants. As transfer cells are the only degenerating phloem constituent, our observations emphasize their role in controlling nutrient (in particular, Na+) fluxes associated with the stress respons

Role of aerobics exercise and kettlebell training improving on selected health related physical fitness parameters in obese male adults

International audiencePurpose: The aim of the this research is to assess the improvement in various variables related to health fitness among obese adults on administrating a twelve weeks aerobics exercise training and kettlebell training. Materials and Methods: Total sixty male adults with obese (Mean ± SD; age: 18.92 ± 1.54 yrs.; height: 172.4 ± 5.4 cm.; weight: 84.4 ± 6.3 kg) were randomly allocated into three equal (n = 20) groups: Aerobic Exercise Training (AET), Kettlebell Training (KBT) and a control group. The AET and KBT training protocol was performed three days per week for 12 weeks. All the selected variables of physical fitness has been examined at baseline and 12 weeks. Control group does not perform any exercise. Analysis and findings: There were significant difference in terms of Flexibility (F), Muscular Endurance (ME), Muscular Strength (MS) and Cardiovascular Endurance (CE), between the AETG and KBTG have been compared with control group (p < 0.05). Body Composition (BF) significant reductions in AET and KBT groups have been compared with control group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Our findings suggest that AET and KBT protocols have greater effects than control group on health related physical fitness variables in obese male adult individuals. It is recommended that schools and colleges should administrate the aerobic exercise session and kettlebell training among adults for better health perspectives