The development of an evaluation method to support circular building design

The conventional way of construction has become a burden to the dynamic society of the 21st century. Buildings are commonly designed with a disregard to the end-of-first-life, leading to the loss of almost all applied energy and labour and materials at the end-of-life, contributing greatly to the generation of waste. Therefore, the aim of this research is to support the transition from the current linear ‘take-make-dispose’ pattern to a so-called circular construction industry, an industry that is based on the principles of a circular economy. To achieve this goal it is considered essential to understand how the reuse potential of buildings can be increased. Therefore, the goals of this research is the development of an assessment method to evaluate the reuse potential of buildings and building products. The aim of this method is to supports designers in making informed design-decisions to increase the reuse potential of buildings and building products, and allow decision makers to set reuse potential targets to enhance the transition towards a circular construction industry. In chapter two, the background and scope of the research are defined, in which key concepts are explored, to define circular building design and develop a reuse design typology to provide a better understanding of reuse design methods and categorisation for reuse strategies. In chapter three, the main factors that influence the decision making whether or not a building product will be reused are studied from an environmental, social, organisational, compliance and legislation, technical and economical perspective. These factors are then used to develop a conceptual reuse potential framework. In chapter four, the key design for disassembly and reuse strategies have been synthesized to provide an overview of the key strategies to support reuse of building products. In chapter five, the reuse potential evaluation method is proposed, which has been tested in chapter six using a critical retrospective case study approach. The insights that have been described and the reuse potential evaluation method that has been proposed hopefully contribute to the transition towards a circular construction industry

Eine Einleitung

Ausgehend von der Kontroverse zwischen klassen- und identitätspolitischen Erklärungsmustern für den gesellschaftlichen Rechtsruck umreißt der Beitrag die Bedeutung raumbezogener Differenzierungen für die Ausbildung und Stabilisierung rechter Orientierungen. Damit einher geht die Klärung der im Gebrauch befindlichen Begriffe Extremismus, Rechtspopulismus, Konservatismus und neue Rechte. Auf urbane Räume bezogene Analysen werden darüber hinaus kritisch gegen Einwände diskutiert, etwa jene dass in den Städten eher ‘links’ gewählt werde oder dass rechte Strömungen grundsätzlich großstadtfeindlich seien. Schließlich gibt der Beitrag einen Überblick zu den Texten im Themenschwerpunkt des Heftes

A morphological design and evaluation model for the development of circular facades

The current construction industry can be characterized by its linear model of material use resulting in waste with its possible negative impact on the environment and society. As a solution to the inefficient material use of the construction industry, they should strive to a circular model of material use. This can be obtained by the application of the circular economy concept. However, clear guidance on how to apply the circular economy concept in buildings is still to be fully developed. In this research, a Circular Building Framework (CBF) and a Morphological Design and Evaluation Model (MDEM) have been developed for the facade. The CBF forms the starting point of the MDEM by providing a holistic view on all aspects related to the design and functioning of circular buildings. The MDEM forms a first draft to apply two essential principles ‘design for disassembly’ and ‘design for adaptability’ in the development of circular designed facades. In the MDEM two types of conceptual circular facade design solutions are identified making the facade designer aware about the consequences of different design decisions. The application of the MDEM will reclaim the embodied values of facade products by enabling them to enter re-life options at high quality

Stadt von rechts? Eine Einleitung

Ausgehend von der Kontroverse zwischen klassen- und identitätspolitischen Erklärungsmustern für den gesellschaftlichen Rechtsruck umreißt der Beitrag die Bedeutung raumbezogener Differenzierungen für die Ausbildung und Stabilisierung rechter Orientierungen. Damit einher geht die Klärung  der im Gebrauch befindlichen Begriffe Extremismus, Rechtspopulismus, Konservatismus und neue Rechte. Auf urbane Räume bezogene Analysen werden darüber hinaus kritisch gegen Einwände diskutiert, etwa jene dass in den Städten eher ‘links’ gewählt werde oder dass rechte Strömungen grundsätzlich großstadtfeindlich seien. Schließlich gibt der Beitrag einen Überblick zu den Texten im Themenschwerpunkt des Heftes

Opening of endothelial cell–cell contacts due to sonoporation

Ultrasound insonification of microbubbles can locally increase vascular permeability to enhance drug delivery. To control and optimize the therapeutic potential, we need to better understand the underlying biological mechanisms of the drug delivery pathways. The aim of this in vitro study was to elucidate the microbubble-endothelial cell interaction using the Brandaris 128 ultra-high-speed camera (up to 25 Mfps) coupled to a custom-built Nikon confocal microscope, to visualize both microbubble oscillation and the cellular response. Sonoporation and opening of cell-cell contacts by single αVβ3-targeted microbubbles (n = 152) was monitored up to 4 min after ultrasound insonification (2 MHz, 100–400 kPa, 10 cycles). Sonoporation occurred when microbubble excursion amplitudes exceeded 0.7 μm. Quantification of the influx of the fluorescent model drug propidium iodide upon sonoporation showed that the size of the created pore increased for larger microbubble excursion amplitudes. Microbubble-mediated opening of cell-cell contacts occurred as a cellular response upon sonoporation and did not correlate with the microbubble excursion amplitude itself. The initial integrity of the cell-cell contacts affected the susceptibly to drug delivery, since cell-cell contacts opened more often when cells were only partially attached to their neighbors (48%) than when fully attached (14%). The drug delivery outcomes were independent of nonlinear microbubble behavior, microbubble location, and cell size. In conclusion, by studying the microbubble–cell interaction at nanosecond and nanometer resolution the relationship between drug delivery pathways and their underlying mechanisms was further unraveled. These novel insights will aid the development of safe and efficient microbubble-mediated drug delivery

High-Resolution Imaging of Intracellular Calcium Fluctuations Caused by Oscillating Microbubbles

Ultrasound insonification of microbubbles can locally enhance drug delivery, but the microbubble–cell interaction remains poorly understood. Because intracellular calcium (Cai 2+) is a key cellular regulator, unraveling the Cai 2+ fluctuations caused by an oscillating microbubble provides crucial insight into the underlying bio-effects. Therefore, we developed an optical imaging system at nanometer and nanosecond resolution that can resolve Cai 2+ fluctuations and microbubble oscillations. Using this system, we clearly distinguished three Cai 2+ uptake profiles upon sonoporation of endothelial cells, which strongly correlated with the microbubble oscillation amplitude, severity of sonoporation and opening of cell–cell contacts. We found a narrow operating range for viable drug delivery without lethal cell damage. Moreover, adjacent cells were affected by a calcium wave propagating at 15 μm/s. With the unique optical system, we unraveled the microbubble oscillation behavior required for drug delivery and Cai 2+ fluctuations, providing new insight into the microbubble–cell interaction to aid clinical translation

Quantification of systematic errors in the electron density and temperature measured with Thomson scattering at W7-X

The electron density and temperature profiles measured with Thomson scattering at the stellarator Wendelstein 7-X show features which seem to be unphysical, but so far could not be associated with any source of error considered in the data processing. A detailed Bayesian analysis reveals that errors in the spectral calibration cannot explain the features observed in the profiles. Rather, it seems that small fluctuations in the laser position are sufficient to affect the profile substantially. The impact of these fluctuations depends on the laser position itself, which, in turn, provides a method to find the optimum laser alignment in the future

High-Frame-Rate Volumetric Porcine Renal Vasculature Imaging

Objective:The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility and imaging options of contrast-enhanced volumetric ultrasound kidney vasculature imaging in a porcine model using a prototype sparse spiral array. Methods: Transcutaneous freehand in vivo imaging of two healthy porcine kidneys was performed according to three protocols with different microbubble concentrations and transmission sequences. Combining high-frame-rate transmission sequences with our previously described spatial coherence beamformer, we determined the ability to produce detailed volumetric images of the vasculature. We also determined power, color and spectral Doppler, as well as super-resolved microvasculature in a volume. The results were compared against a clinical 2-D ultrasound machine. Results: Three-dimensional visualization of the kidney vasculature structure and blood flow was possible with our method. Good structural agreement was found between the visualized vasculature structure and the 2-D reference. Microvasculature patterns in the kidney cortex were visible with super-resolution processing. Blood flow velocity estimations were within a physiological range and pattern, also in agreement with the 2-D reference results. Conclusion:Volumetric imaging of the kidney vasculature was possible using a prototype sparse spiral array. Reliable structural and temporal information could be extracted from these imaging results.</p

Estimating the number needed to treat from continuous outcomes in randomised controlled trials: methodological challenges and worked example using data from the UK Back Pain Exercise and Manipulation (BEAM) trial

Background Reporting numbers needed to treat (NNT) improves interpretability of trial results. It is unusual that continuous outcomes are converted to numbers of individual responders to treatment (i.e., those who reach a particular threshold of change); and deteriorations prevented are only rarely considered. We consider how numbers needed to treat can be derived from continuous outcomes; illustrated with a worked example showing the methods and challenges. Methods We used data from the UK BEAM trial (n = 1, 334) of physical treatments for back pain; originally reported as showing, at best, small to moderate benefits. Participants were randomised to receive 'best care' in general practice, the comparator treatment, or one of three manual and/or exercise treatments: 'best care' plus manipulation, exercise, or manipulation followed by exercise. We used established consensus thresholds for improvement in Roland-Morris disability questionnaire scores at three and twelve months to derive NNTs for improvements and for benefits (improvements gained+deteriorations prevented). Results At three months, NNT estimates ranged from 5.1 (95% CI 3.4 to 10.7) to 9.0 (5.0 to 45.5) for exercise, 5.0 (3.4 to 9.8) to 5.4 (3.8 to 9.9) for manipulation, and 3.3 (2.5 to 4.9) to 4.8 (3.5 to 7.8) for manipulation followed by exercise. Corresponding between-group mean differences in the Roland-Morris disability questionnaire were 1.6 (0.8 to 2.3), 1.4 (0.6 to 2.1), and 1.9 (1.2 to 2.6) points. Conclusion In contrast to small mean differences originally reported, NNTs were small and could be attractive to clinicians, patients, and purchasers. NNTs can aid the interpretation of results of trials using continuous outcomes. Where possible, these should be reported alongside mean differences. Challenges remain in calculating NNTs for some continuous outcomes