Development of modular green roofs for high-density urban cities

Stream A: Lifecyle of implementing green roofs and green wallsMany cities are facing problems of urban heat island and lack of greenery space. Green roofs can help mitigate the adverse effects and bring the nature back to the urban area. To apply them effectively, it is important to evaluate the constraints and identify critical factors for planning and designing the green roofs. Modular green roofs have a good potential to suit high-density urban conditions because they can offer better flexibility, convenience and cost optimisation. This paper presents the research findings to develop modular green roof systems for high-density urban cities. Three different types of modular green roofs, including mat, tray and sack systems, were studied by assessing their designs and characteristics. The urban environment and typical buildings for green roof applications in Hong Kong were evaluated. Useful information was obtained to help design and select modular green roofs that can fit into high-density urban environment. In Hong Kong, the high-rise buildings have very limited roof spaces. It is usually more effective to apply green roofs to the top of medium- or low-rise buildings/structures or the intermediate podium roofs. For existing buildings, as they often have constraints on roof structural loading, it is necessary to select extremely lightweight systems. Modular green roofs can be designed to achieve this by adopting suitable vegetation and components. They can also provide greater flexibility for instant greening, future modification and maintenance. By optimising the manufacturing, nursery and installation processes, it is possible to reduce the unit cost of green roofs and allow wider spread.postprintThe 2008 World Green Roof Congress, London, 17-18 September 2008

Polypropylene biocomposites with boron nitride and nanohydroxyapatite reinforcements

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Molecular epidemiology and phylogenetic analysis of minor HIV-1 subtypes in Hong Kong: Emergence and spread of CRF07_BC and subtype C

Paper Poster Session 3 - HIV/AIDS: PO552OBJECTIVES: HIV-1 subtype B and CRF01_AE are the pre-dominant strains in Hong Kong. A noticeable increase in non-B and non-AE infections has been observed in recent years. This study aimed to conduct a molecular epidemiological and phylogenetic analysis on CRF07_BC and subtype C to illustrate their transmission and spread in our locality. METHODS: HIV-1 partial pol sequences were available from a routine antiretroviral ...postprin

Utilization of a duplex HybProbe real-time PCR to detect and estimate IL-28B polymorphisms prevalence among HIV/HCV co-infected patients in Hong Kong

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Dignity amidst liminality: Healing within suffering among Chinese terminal cancer patients

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Quantification and viability analyses of Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata algal cells using image-based cytometry

This work aims to evaluate the feasibility of using image-based cytometry (IBC) in the analysis of algal cell quantification and viability, using Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata as a cell model. Cell concentration was determined by IBC to be in a linear range between 1×105 and 8×106 cells mL1. Algal viability was defined on the basis that the intact membrane of viable cells excludes the SYTOX Green (SG) probe. The disruption of membrane integrity represents irreversible damage and consequently results in cell death. Using IBC, we were able to successfully discriminate between live (SG-negative cells) and dead algal cells (heat-treated at 65 °C for 60 min; SG-positive cells). The observed viability of algal populations containing different proportions of killed cells was well correlated (R 2=0.994) with the theoretical viability. The validation of the use of this technology was carried out by exposing algal cells of P. subcapitata to a copper stress test for 96 h. IBC allowed us to follow the evolution of cell concentration and the viability of copper-exposed algal populations. This technology overcomes several main drawbacks usually associated with microscopy counting, such as labour-intensive experiments, tedious work and lack of the representativeness of the cell counting. In conclusion, IBC allowed a fast and automated determination of the total number of algal cells and allowed us to analyse viability. This technology can provide a useful tool for a wide variety of fields that utilise microalgae, such as the aquatic toxicology and biotechnology fields.FCT Strategic Project PEst- OE/EQB/LA0023/2013. The post-doctoral grant from FCT (SFRH/BPD/72816/2010)