Morphological design control for large-scale city development: A new proposal

Whereas many good examples can be found of the study of urban morphology informing the design of new residential areas in Europe, it is much more difficult to find examples relating to other land uses and outside of Europe. This paper addresses a particular issue, the control and coordination of large and complex development schemes within cities, and, in doing so, considers commercial and mixed-use schemes outside of Europe. It is argued that urban morphology has much to offer for both the design of such development and its implementation over time. Firstly, lessons are drawn from the work of Krier and Rossi in Berlin, the form-based guidance developed in Chelmsford, UK, and the redesign and coordination of the Melrose Arch project in Johannesburg, SA. A recent development at Boggo Road in Brisbane, Australia, is then subjected to a more detailed examination. It is argued that the scheme has been unsatisfactory in terms of both design and implementation. An alternative framework based on historical morphological studies is proposed that would overcome these deficiencies. It is proposed that this points the way to a general approach that could be incorporated within the planning process internationally

Structuring Spreadsheets with the “Lish” Data Model

A spreadsheet is remarkably flexible in representing various forms of structured data, but the individual cells have no knowledge of the larger structures of which they may form a part. This can hamper comprehension and increase formula replication, increasing the risk of error on both scores. We explore a novel data model (called the “lish”) that could form an alternative to the traditional grid in a spreadsheet-like environment. Its aim is to capture some of these higher structures while preserving the simplicity that makes a spreadsheet so attractive. It is based on cells organised into nested lists, in each of which the user may optionally employ a template to prototype repeating structures. These template elements can be likened to the marginal “cells” in the borders of a traditional worksheet, but are proper members of the sheet and may themselves contain internal structure. A small demonstration application shows the “lish” in operation

Wide, long, or nested data? Reconciling the machine and human viewpoints

Data expressed in tables may be re-arranged in various forms, while conveying the same information. This can create a tension when one form is easier to comprehend by a human reader, but another form is more convenient for processing by machine. This problem has received considerable attention for data scientists writing code, but rather less for end user analysts using spreadsheets. We propose a new data model, the “lish”, which supports a spreadsheet-like flexibility of layout, while capturing sufficient structure to facilitate processing. Using a typical example in a prototype editor, we demonstrate how it might help users resolve the tension between the two forms. A user study is in preparation

Prediction in functional linear regression

There has been substantial recent work on methods for estimating the slope function in linear regression for functional data analysis. However, as in the case of more conventional finite-dimensional regression, much of the practical interest in the slope centers on its application for the purpose of prediction, rather than on its significance in its own right. We show that the problems of slope-function estimation, and of prediction from an estimator of the slope function, have very different characteristics. While the former is intrinsically nonparametric, the latter can be either nonparametric or semiparametric. In particular, the optimal mean-square convergence rate of predictors is $n^{-1}$, where $n$ denotes sample size, if the predictand is a sufficiently smooth function. In other cases, convergence occurs at a polynomial rate that is strictly slower than $n^{-1}$. At the boundary between these two regimes, the mean-square convergence rate is less than $n^{-1}$ by only a logarithmic factor. More generally, the rate of convergence of the predicted value of the mean response in the regression model, given a particular value of the explanatory variable, is determined by a subtle interaction among the smoothness of the predictand, of the slope function in the model, and of the autocovariance function for the distribution of explanatory variables.Supported in part by NSF Grant DMS-03-06576 and a grant from the Australian Research Council

Gamma Ray Emissions from Binary Pulsar Systems

A method is developed for estimating the gamma ray flux impinging upon the earth from production in binary pulsar systems. We calculate production of the 6.13 MeV gamma ray line characteristic of 16O. These are produced by protons emitted by the pulsar interacting with 16O atoms at the surface of the companion. We examine different types of companion stars and estimate the gamma ray flux at the earth as a function of proton emission from the pulsar and distance from the earth. Prospects for detection from earth are discussed

Yield Response to Deep Ripping of Canola, Wheat and Barley on Soils with Multiple Constraints

Yellow Tenosols (yellow deep sand) in the Western Australian grainbelt often have multiple constraints to crop production, which include non-wetting, subsoil compaction and acidity. As a result of these multiple limitations these soils have been considered poor cropping soils with estimated costs in lost production exceeding $200/ha. A systems approach to managing these soils has been developed to improve crop production, which includes a winter fallow, limesand application and deep tillage in late winter and seeding canola in the following autumn

Methods for the calculation of critical loads and their exceedances in the UK

Report to Defra, prepared under Contract AQ0826. This report describes the calculation and mapping of critical loads and their exceedances in the UK. It consolidates information from earlier “UK Status Reports” into a single report. Part I describes the methods and data used to (a) map the distribution of 14 UK habitats sensitive to acidification and/or eutrophication; (b) calculate critical loads of acidity and of nutrient nitrogen. Part II describes the calculation of critical load exceedances (ie, the amount of excess deposition above the critical load) and presents results and maps based on UK deposition data for 2009-2011. Part III describes the application of site-relevant critical loads to UK SACs, SPAs, SSSIs

Unlock your insight:employing a gamified app to engage manufacturers with servitization

This paper discusses the creation and dissemination of the gamified software application Unlock Your Insight. The app is based on an original workshop activity designed to engage representatives from the manufacturing industry with research into servitization. Both the workshop activity and the app encourage participants and users to reflect upon their organization’s competitive strategy; comparing their current and future visions in relation to the competitiveness of their product, price or package that they offer their customers. We argue that the gamification and digitalization of the activity allowed servitization research to be disseminated further and more quickly than previously possible