Algebraic characteristic classes for idempotent matrices

This paper contains the algebraic analog for idempotent matrices of the Chern-Weil theory of characteristic classes. This is used to show, algebraically, that the canonical line bundle on the complex projective space is not stably trivial. Also a theorem is proved saying that for any smooth manifold there is a canonical epimorphism from the even dimensional algebraic de Rham cohomology of its algebra of smooth functions onto the standard even dimensional de Rham cohomology of the manifold

Automatisering van de berekening van de kosten voor benodigde energie bij teelt in de kas

Beschrijving van de gehanteerde formules en rekenvolgorde van een methode die in een computerprogramma is vertaald. Ter illustratie wordt een berekening van een teelt van lelie cv. Enchantment met assimilatiebelichting, waarvoor elektriciteit wordt geleverd door een total-energy-installatie, volledig uitgewerkt weergegeve

Restoring Hi-Tech Architecture

In this paper we will discuss a challenging, iconic, heritage, refurbishment project – Channel 4’s headquarters building located in London, England. The building was originally designed by Richard Rogers and Partners in collaboration with Arup, RFR and was executed in 1994 by Eiffel under a sub-contract package with Permasteelisa. We will methodically outline the procedures that were followed to assess and restore this ageing, iconic cable net façade where, in an almost unprecedented way, the face glass is used structurally to support the dead load of the panels below to create a chain of suspended glass panes. After approximately 25 years of service Arup was called back to provide advice to the client following a glass breakage incident.  This triggered a detailed condition survey which concluded that a project refurbishment was overdue.  Arup then provided further studies to inform strategic options as to how to best refurbish the façade.  This advice led to the appointment of Octatube to provide Pre-Construction Services Agreement (PCSA) support to assist the façade appraisal and to carry out design, material testing, calculation and to provide critical construction advice, and then lead to Ocatatube’s appointment to fully refurbish the iconic façade

Connecting Local to Global: A Case Study of Public Engagement

Public engagement is recognised as having an increasingly important role in the changing landscape of higher education in the United Kingdom (UK), and is promoted as a ‘pathway to impact’ by many higher education funding bodies. However, there is limited evidence to support the outreach and impact gained by higher education institutes that undertake international public engagement activities. Similarly, little is known about higher education staff and student’s experiences of participating in such public engagement activities. This study focusses on a Global Festival of Learning (GFoL) in delivering public engagement on an international stage through an integrated approach involving the fusion of education, research, and professional practice, and the perceived impact on staff and students. This paper proposes an adaptive model for public engagement founded on five strategic public engagement areas that can be transferred to other higher education institutes with an interest in developing their international outreach and impact

A review of air pollution impact on subjective well-being: Survey versus visual psychophysics

Air pollution is a worldwide environmental and health issue, especially in major developing countries. A recent World Health Organization report shows about 3 million deaths in the world in 2012 are due to ambient air pollution and China and India are the countries with the most severe challenge. Air pollution influences people's thought and experience of their lives directly by visual perceptions. This reduces people's subjective well-being (SWB) to a significant degree. Empirical researchers have made efforts to examine how self-reported well-being varies with air quality typically by survey method - matching SWB data with monitored air pollution data. Their findings show NO2, particles, lead, SO2 and O3 have significant negative impact on SWB. However, it is very hard to match air pollution characteristics from monitor stations with each respondent's state of SWB at the moment a survey is conducted. Also it is very hard to find the detailed trend impact from only air pollution factor on SWB. This review illustrates the features and limitations of previous survey studies on quantifying the effects of air pollution on subjective well-being. This review further displays the progress of psychophysics and its application in landscape and air quality research. We propose using psychophysics application to quantify air pollution impact on SWB