Design for walkable neighbourhoods in Singapore using Form-based Codes

Walkability is often regarded as a key resilience and liveability indicator for urban neighbourhoods and the city (Robertson and Hachem-Vermette 2017). Singapore often tops the rankings as the most liveable city in Asia, especially due to its easy access to public amenities (The Strait Times 2018). However, active mobility, including walking and cycling, only account for a minority of all ridership in the city (CLC and ULI 2017). This raises two key questions: 1) what factors hinder walkability in Singapore and 2) how can the built environment be improved to promote active mobility. This study argues that the lack of detailed urban design guidelines impedes the creation of pedestrian-friendly environments, especially for public housing neighbourhoods that form the main urban landscape of Singapore. It then explores the possibility of using Form-based Codes (FBC) to improve walkability for the public housing neighbourhoods. Such codes have been repeatedly proved in the Western cities as an effective design guideline to regulate the built environment and create walkable neighbourhoods (Hansen 2014). However, they have never been applied in the Asian context. Methodologically, this research first diagnosed main problems pertaining to poor walkability of public housing neighbourhoods based on a comprehensive review of existing studies and site survey. The problems then provide a lens to assess the literature and the best practices of FBC, identifying the strengths and limitations of applying such codes to Singapore’s public housing neighbourhoods. On this basis, a framework and key principles for developing new FBC were derived, and new design guidelines were tested using two case studies. This study for the first time explored applying FBC to high-density tropical cities in Asia. The research findings indicate that the FBC principles and methods for improving neighbourhood walkability are potentially useful for enhancing liveability and resilience of other similar urban environments

Clotho, a collaborative information weaving tool / by Alexandre Stouffs.

Thesis (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, School of Architecture and Planning, Program in Media Arts and Sciences, 2002.Includes bibliographical references (leaf 50).Clotho is a collaborative field-reporting tool that provides an environment for gathering stories about a subject or event in a meaningful structure. The relationships between stories constitute the backbone of the structure. Because the main use of the tool is geared towards capturing immediacy, the focus is on mobile devices such as wireless-enabled PDAs. We present the implementation of the tool based on Java and JXME, an open peer-to-peer architecture for mobile devices. An evaluation of the tool and its results are examined. Keywords: collaborative, linking, mobile, pda, field-reporting, news, peer-to-peer.S.M

Design for walkable neighbourhoods in Singapore using Form-based Codes

Walkability is often regarded as a key resilience and liveability indicator for urban neighbourhoods and the city (Robertson and Hachem-Vermette 2017). Singapore often tops the rankings as the most liveable city in Asia, especially due to its easy access to public amenities (The Strait Times 2018). However, active mobility, including walking and cycling, only account for a minority of all ridership in the city (CLC and ULI 2017). This raises two key questions: 1) what factors hinder walkability in Singapore and 2) how can the built environment be improved to promote active mobility. This study argues that the lack of detailed urban design guidelines impedes the creation of pedestrian-friendly environments, especially for public housing neighbourhoods that form the main urban landscape of Singapore. It then explores the possibility of using Form-based Codes (FBC) to improve walkability for the public housing neighbourhoods. Such codes have been repeatedly proved in the Western cities as an effective design guideline to regulate the built environment and create walkable neighbourhoods (Hansen 2014). However, they have never been applied in the Asian context. Methodologically, this research first diagnosed main problems pertaining to poor walkability of public housing neighbourhoods based on a comprehensive review of existing studies and site survey. The problems then provide a lens to assess the literature and the best practices of FBC, identifying the strengths and limitations of applying such codes to Singapore’s public housing neighbourhoods. On this basis, a framework and key principles for developing new FBC were derived, and new design guidelines were tested using two case studies. This study for the first time explored applying FBC to high-density tropical cities in Asia. The research findings indicate that the FBC principles and methods for improving neighbourhood walkability are potentially useful for enhancing liveability and resilience of other similar urban environments

A bumpy ride on the diagnostic bench of massive parallel sequencing, the case of the mitochondrial genome

The advent of massive parallel sequencing (MPS) has revolutionized the field of human molecular genetics, including the diagnostic study of mitochondrial (mt) DNA dysfunction. The analysis of the complete mitochondrial genome using MPS platforms is now common and will soon outrun conventional sequencing. However, the development of a robust and reliable protocol is rather challenging. A previous pilot study for the re-sequencing of human mtDNA revealed an uneven coverage, affecting predominantly part of the plus strand. In an attempt to address this problem, we undertook a comparative study of standard and modified protocols for the Ion Torrent PGM system. We could not improve strand representation by altering the recommended shearing methodology of the standard workflow or omitting the DNA polymerase amplification step from the library construction process. However, we were able to associate coverage bias of the plus strand with a specific sequence motif. Additionally, we compared coverage and variant calling across technologies. The same samples were also sequenced on a MiSeq device which showed that coverage and heteroplasmic variant calling were much improved

Increasing Understanding During Collaboration Through Advanced Representations

this paper is to present an environment which has been specifically designed for multiple ways to represent and manipulate information. Several representations, when coupled with appropriate visualization techniques, lead to opportunities for increasing understanding of AEC project characteristics. More specifically, when a numerical constraint solver (SpaceSolver) is integrated within a document-centric collaboration environment (ICC), synergies between information exchange and solution space exploration contribute very positively to the quality of projects. In particular, the ICC environment provides a framework for representing and visualizing information structures that are created during collaboration. Conceptually, an information architecture and visualization techniques to support the virtual AEC enterprise are emphasized. A plug-in architecture allows for the addition of processspecific functionality. The constraint solver SpaceSolver presents a complementary collaborative approach, with strict semantics to support decision making and conflict management. The use of solution spaces during collaborative negotiation avoids premature decisions in the design process, allows detection of conflicting project requirements at early stages of the project, and increases the designers' understanding of hidden relations between design parameters. Together, the ICC environment supports the management of an information space that, when linked to a constraint satisfaction problem, can explain important restrictions and decisions for an effective negotiation. The combination of a flexible framework with more rigid modules, such as constraint solvers, provides a useful compromise and, thus, comprehensive support for a range of AEC projects. Two recently completed construction pr.

Cogénération héliothermodynamique avec concentrateur linéaire de Fresnel (modélisation de l'ensemble du procédé)

Le concentrateur à réflecteur linéaire de Fresnel (LFR) est une technologie solaire thermodynamique en plein essor : petites applications industrielles (chaleur, froid, électricité) à centrales électriques (10-100 MWel). Ce travail de thèse établit un modèle global du procédé solaire, en régime permanent, pour un prédimensionnement du système. Le modèle comprend trois parties chaînées : (i) les transferts radiatifs dans le concentrateur optique, modélisés précisément par une méthode de Monte Carlo (environnement EDStar) ; (ii) les transferts thermiques dans le récepteur, évalués analytiquement (puissances, températures) ; (iii) le cycle thermodynamique, avec Thermoptim. L application étudiée couple un concentrateur LFR à un moteur Ericsson. L air est fluide caloporteur et de travail. Un prototype est en construction. L hybridation et le stockage thermique sont des options clés. Un modèle systémique permettrait d optimiser l opération du procédé, en étudiant son comportement dynamique.Linear Fresnel Reflector (LFR) is a promising Concentrating Solar Power technology. Research is booming and industrial applications are emerging. Applications range from small production units (heat, cold, electricity) to utility scale power plants (several tenths of MW). This PhD work establishes a global model of the solar process, in order to improve our knowledge of the system s performances. It is a static model suited for a pre-design of the system. The model is chaining three parts. Radiative heat transfer in the optical concentrator is modelled by Monte Carlo statistical Method. The algorithm enables a detailed study of any geometrical configuration, especially through absorbed power flux maps on the receiver. The simulation tool is using the environment of development EDStar. The thermal model calculates analytically the useful thermal power, losses and temperature profiles along the receiver (glass cover, fluid, pipe...). The thermodynamic cycle is simulated analytically using the software Thermoptim. The studied application uses air as heat transfer and working fluid. Air directly feeds an Ericsson engine. The engine developed by LaTEP laboratory is promising for small scale cogeneration (1 to several tenths of kWel). The prototype Linear Fresnel Reflector built in Ecole des Mines d Albi will enable experimental study of a solar process coupling an LFR concentrator and an Ericsson engine. The technology under study can feed a power plant or a cogeneration system in the industry, producing electricity and heat at 100 to 250C. Hybridisation with an other energy source (biomass, gas...) and thermal storage (molten salt?) are key features to investigate. To optimise the operating strategy of the process, dynamic behaviour must be studied: a systemic or agent based model is a very relevant approach.TOULOUSE-INP (315552154) / SudocSudocFranceF

Perceptual correlates of homosynaptic long-term potentiation in human nociceptive pathways: A replication study

Animal studies have shown that high-frequency stimulation (HFS) of peripheral C-fibres induces long-term potentiation (LTP) within spinal nociceptive pathways. The aim of this replication study was to assess if a perceptual correlate of LTP can be observed in humans. In 20 healthy volunteers, we applied HFS to the left or right volar forearm. Before and after applying HFS, we delivered single electrical test stimuli through the HFS electrode while a second electrode at the contra-lateral arm served as a control condition. Moreover, to test the efficacy of the HFS protocol, we quantified changes in mechanical pinprick sensitivity before and after HFS of the skin surrounding both electrodes. The perceived intensity was collected for both electrical and mechanical stimuli. After HFS, the perceived pain intensity elicited by the mechanical pinprick stimuli applied on the skin surrounding the HFS-treated site was significantly higher compared to control site (heterotopic effect). Furthermore, we found a higher perceived pain intensity for single electrical stimuli delivered to the HFS-treated site compared to the control site (homotopic effect). Whether the homotopic effect reflects a perceptual correlate of homosynaptic LTP remains to be elucidated.Fil: van de Broeke, Emanuel N.. Université Catholique de Louvain; BélgicaFil: Vanmaele, Tessa. Katholikie Universiteit Leuven; BélgicaFil: Mouraux, André. Université Catholique de Louvain; BélgicaFil: Stouffs, Alexandre. Université Catholique de Louvain; BélgicaFil: Biurrun Manresa, José Alberto. Universidad Nacional de Entre Ríos. Instituto de Investigación y Desarrollo en Bioingeniería y Bioinformática - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Instituto de Investigación y Desarrollo en Bioingeniería y Bioinformática; ArgentinaFil: Torta, Diana M.. Katholikie Universiteit Leuven; Bélgic

Safety and efficacy of parsaclisib in combination with obinutuzumab and bendamustine in patients with relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma (CITADEL-102): A phase 1 study

Parsaclisib is a potent and highly selective PI3Kδ inhibitor that has shown clinical benefit with monotherapy in a phase 2 study in relapsed or refractory (R/R) follicular lymphoma (FL). CITADEL-102 (NCT03039114), a phase 1, multicenter study, assessed the efficacy of parsaclisib in combination with obinutuzumab and bendamustine in patients with R/R FL. Patients were ≥18 years of age with histologically confirmed and documented CD20-positive FL, and R/R to previous rituximab-containing treatment regimens. Part one (safety run-in) determined the maximum tolerated dose of parsaclisib in combination with standard dosage regimens of obinutuzumab and bendamustine. Part two (dose expansion) was an open-label, single-group design evaluating safety, tolerability (primary endpoint), and efficacy (secondary endpoint) of parsaclisib combination therapy. Twenty-six patients were enrolled in CITADEL-102 and all patients received parsaclisib 20 mg once daily for 8 weeks, followed by 20 mg once weekly thereafter, in combination with obinutuzumab and bendamustine. One patient in safety run-in experienced a dose-limiting toxicity of grade 4 QT interval prolongation that was considered related to parsaclisib. Eight patients (30.8%) discontinued treatment due to treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) of colitis (2 [7.7%]), alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase increase (both in one patient [3.8%]), neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, QT prolongation, tonsil cancer, and maculopapular rash (each 1 [3.8%]). The most common reported TEAEs were pyrexia (53.8%), neutropenia (50.0%), and diarrhea (46.2%). Twenty-three patients (88.5%) experienced grade 3 or 4 TEAEs; the most common were neutropenia (34.6%), febrile neutropenia (23.1%), and thrombocytopenia (19.2%). Seventeen patients (65.4%) had a complete response and 3 patients (11.5%) had a partial response, for an objective response rate of 76.9%. Overall, results from CITADEL-102 suggest that the combination of parsaclisib with obinutuzumab and bendamustine did not result in unexpected safety events, with little evidence of synergistic toxicity, and demonstrated preliminary efficacy in patients with R/R FL who progressed following prior rituximab-containing regimens

Tools for BIM-GIS integration (IFC georeferencing and conversions): Results from the GeoBIM benchmark 2019

The integration of 3D city models with Building Information Models (BIM), coined as GeoBIM, facilitates improved data support to several applications, e.g., 3D map updates, building permits issuing, detailed city analysis, infrastructure design, context-based building design, to name a few. To solve the integration, several issues need to be tackled and solved, i.e., harmonization of features, interoperability, format conversions, integration of procedures. The GeoBIM benchmark 2019, funded by ISPRS and EuroSDR, evaluated the state of implementation of tools addressing some of those issues. In particular, in the part of the benchmark described in this paper, the application of georeferencing to Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) models and making consistent conversions between 3D city models and BIM are investigated, considering the OGC CityGML and buildingSMART IFC as reference standards. In the benchmark, sample datasets in the two reference standards were provided. External volunteers were asked to describe and test georeferencing procedures for IFC models and conversion tools between CityGML and IFC. From the analysis of the delivered answers and processed datasets, it was possible to notice that while there are tools and procedures available to support georeferencing and data conversion, comprehensive definition of the requirements, clear rules to perform such two tasks, as well as solid technological solutions implementing them, are still lacking in functionalities. Those specific issues can be a sensible starting point for planning the next GeoBIM integration agendas