Cold Start SI Passenger Car Emissions from Real World Urban Congested Traffic

The tailpipe exhaust emissions were measured under real world urban driving conditions by using a EURO4 emissions compliant SI car equipped with an on-board heated FTIR for speciated gaseous emission measurements, a differential GPS for travel profiles, thermocouples for temperatures, and a MAX fuel meter for transient fuel consumption. Emissions species were measured at 0.5 Hz. The tests were designed to enable cold start to occur into congested traffic, typical of the situation of people living alongside congested roads into a large city. The cold start was monitored through temperature measurements of the TWC front and rear face temperatures and lubricating oil temperatures. The emissions are presented to the end of the cold start, defined when the downstream TWC face temperature is hotter than the front face which occurred at ~350-400oC. Journeys at various times of the day were conducted to investigate traffic flow impacts on the cold start. The test route had traffic and pedestrian crossing lights, several major road junctions and a busy shopping area. The time aligned vehicle moving parameters with pollutant emission data and fuel consumption enabled the micro-analysis of correlations between these parameters. The average cold start emissions, fuel consumption and temperature data are presented for the journeys into different levels of congestion (based on the mean speed of the cold start journey). The mean complete journey speed during was shown to reasonably correlate the emissions, which increased as mean speed reduced. The cold start congested traffic portion was separately analysed to show the much higher emissions for equivalence mean speeds. Engine vehicle specific power (VSP) output was calculated and used together with the fuel flow to determine the instantaneous and average thermal efficiency. Three way catalysts (TWC) light off was approximately 200 seconds, much longer than for the NEDC test cycle. Currently urban air quality monitoring does not include cold start into congested traffic from vehicles at houses along the road, but does have procedures where cold start occur at large car parks

Speciation of nitrogen compounds in the tailpipe emissions from a SI car under real world driving conditions.

The tailpipe exhaust emissions were measured using a EURO4 emissions compliant SI car equipped with on-board measurement systems such as a FTIR system for gaseous emission, a differential GPS for velocity, altitude and position, thermal couples for temperatures, and a MAX fuel meter for transient fuel consumption. Various nitrogen species emissions (NO, NO2, NOx, NH3, HCN and N2O) were measured at 0.5 Hz. The tests were designed and employed using two real world driving cycles/routes representing a typical urban road network located in a densely populated area and main crowded road. Journeys at various times of the day were conducted to investigate traffic conditions impacts such as traffic and pedestrian lights, road congestion, grade and turning on emissions, engine thermal efficiency and fuel consumption. The time aligned vehicle moving parameters with Nitrogen pollutant emission data and fuel consumption enabled the micro-analysis of correlations between these parameters. The average data for journeys such as emissions, thermal efficiency and fuel consumption were presented, though this paper is focused on nitrogen compounds. Traffic events and vehicle transient movements' impact on emissions were studied. Engine power output has been calculated by using vehicle specific power (VSP). The analysis result of tailpipe emissions and their relation to real world driving profile improved understanding of urban area nitrogen compound emissions, which will be useful for controlling of urban air quality

Editorial

The Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) industries have long sought techniques to decrease project cost, increase productivity and quality, enhance safety, and reduce project delivery time. Building Information Modeling (BIM) offers the potential to achieve these goals. BIM simulates the construction project in a virtual environment. With BIM technology, an accurate virtual model of a facility is digitally constructed. When completed, the computer-generated model contains precise geometry and relevant data needed to support the programming, fabrication, procurement, construction, and post-construction activities. It can be used by project stakeholders for planning and decision making throughout the project life cycle. BIM represents a new paradigm within AEC, one that encourages integration of the roles of all stakeholders on a project. It has the potential to promote greater efficiency and harmony among players who, in the past, saw themselves as adversaries

Lessons learnt from the use of relationship-based procurement methods in Australia: clients’ perspectives

This paper aims to review the use of various construction procurement systems and present the development of Relationship-Based Procurement (RBP) Methods currently in use within the Australian construction industry. Therefore, this paper provides the historical development of procurement briefly and then focuses on the adoption of Relationship-Based Procurement (RBP) approaches in the Australian construction industry to investigate the future direction of the collaborative project procurement arrangements. Semi-structured interviews with high-level managers in the Australian state government organizations have been conducted to answer the research question. A discussion has been presented about the potential future tendency of the industry in adopting a RBP. The findings suggest that even though relationship based procurement systems offer significant benefits; they are not popular among the public sector decision makers because of inability to demonstrate Value for Money (VfM) propositions for public projects. Other reasons which may cause a move away from using RBPs in the future include the need for managers to fully engage throughout the project, and the lack of collaborative environment within the construction industry in general.

Community Knowledge, Perceptions, and Practices Associated with Urogenital Schistosomiasis among School-Aged Children in Zanzibar, United Republic of Tanzania

Background: On the Zanzibar islands, United Republic of Tanzania, elimination of urogenital schistosomiasis is strived for in the coming years. This qualitative study aimed to better understand community knowledge, perceptions, and practices associated with schistosomiasis among school-aged children on Unguja and Pemba islands, in order to inform the development of behavior change interventions contributing to eliminate urogenital schistosomiasis. Methodology: In 2011, we conducted 35 children’s discussion groups, 41 in-depth interviews with parents and teachers, and 5 focus group discussions with community members in Zanzibar. Using a modified-grounded theory approach, we transcribed and coded the narrative data followed by thematic analysis of the emergent themes. Principal Findings: Urogenital schistosomiasis is a common experience among children in Zanzibar and typically considered a boys’ disease. Children engage in multiple high-risk behaviors for acquiring schistosomiasis because of poor knowledge on disease transmission, lack of understanding on severity of disease-associated consequences, and lack of alternative options for water related activities of daily living and recreational play. Local primary school teachers had little to no training about the disease and no teaching tools or materials for students. Conclusions/Significance: Conducting activities in open natural freshwater contaminated by S. haematobium larvae compromises the health of school-aged children in Zanzibar. The perception of urogenital schistosomiasis as a minor illness rather than a serious threat to a child’s well-being contributes to the spread of disease. Understanding community perceptions of disease along with the barriers and facilitators to risk reduction behaviors among children can inform health promotion activities, campaigns, and programs for the prevention, control, and elimination of urogenital schistosomiasis in Zanzibar

Complicated Subacute Bacterial Endocarditis in a Patient with Ventricular Septal Defect

Infective endocarditis (IE) is an uncommon but life-threatening infection. Despite advances in management, it still causes high morbidity and mortality. We report the case of an 8-year-old girl who presented with a prolonged fever of 2.5 months duration and a history of a small perimembranous ventricular septal defect. She was diagnosed with subacute bacterial endocarditis secondary to Streptococcus mutans. The patient developed a septic pulmonary embolism; however, with the use of appropriate antimicrobial therapy, she made an uneventful recovery. Clinicians should have a high index of suspicion for IE as the possible cause of a prolonged fever, especially in the presence of congenital heart disease (CHD). Currently, IE prophylaxis is not indicated for unrepaired acyanotic CHD. Nevertheless, with the new changes in the guidelines, more prospective studies are needed to investigate the incidence of IE in such lesions, before long-term conclusions can be drawn

What do customers expect from social housing providers in the UK?

This research presents a preliminary investigation to understand the customers' perception and expectations of service delivery in relation to social housing within the UK. The aim of this paper is firstly to present an overview of the customer and the main providers of social housing. Secondly, the paper explores the nature of service delivery in social housing and its importance in achieving customer satisfaction. Thirdly, this paper reports on the survey undertaken with 60 tenants (customers) residing with six registered social landlords (RSLs) during focus group workshops. The findings from the survey suggest that there are numerous factors that affect customer expectations including quality of accommodation, fair rent, value for money, services, and quality of repairs undertaken either as part of day to day repairs or in the form of planned maintenance