An evaluation of the lighting environment in the public space of shopping centres

Interior lighting quality influences people's visual comfort and satisfaction with a space. Based on a field study about the effects of lighting environments on occupancies in eight shopping malls with three different latitudes and a wide range of size from 30,000 to 210,000 m2 all over China, this study investigates the differences in subjective evaluations, the correlations between the lighting environments of public spaces and people's evaluations, and the regressions of scene mean luminance. A questionnaire survey and HDR-image techniques have been used to gather subjective feedback and collect physical lighting data. The results show that the subjective evaluations among different groups (gender, age, education background, and duration of stay in the shopping malls) are similar. The existence of daylighting plays an important role in subjective satisfaction, but not crucial enough to their brightness perception. The mean luminance values of these scenes are closely correlated to the diversity of the subjective evaluations. For shopping centres, the optimal Lmean value is 1000 cd/m2 for a mixed daylighting and artificial lighting environment, and 75 cd/m2 as the recommended Lmean value for an artificial lighting environment

Relationship between future orientation and pain severity in fibromyalgia patients : self-compassion as a coping mechanism

The present study examined the relationship between future orientation and fibromyalgia related pain severity in a sample of 287 adults with fibromyalgia. Specifically, we examined dimensions of self-compassion (e.g., self-kindness, isolation, mindfulness) as possible mechanisms through which future orientation might be associated with pain severity. Results of conducting a multiple mediator test with 10,000 bootstraps indicated that the significant negative association between future orientation and pain severity was mediated through one specific self-compassion dimension, namely, isolation. Some implications of the present findings for working with fibromyalgia patients are discussed

The Oslo Health Study: Is bone mineral density higher in affluent areas?

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Based on previously reported differences in fracture incidence in the socioeconomic less affluent Oslo East compared to the more privileged West, our aim was to study bone mineral density (BMD) in the same socioeconomic areas in Oslo. We also wanted to study whether possible associations were explained by socio-demographic factors, level of education or lifestyle factors.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Distal forearm BMD was measured in random samples of the participants in The Oslo Health Study by single energy x-ray absorptiometry (SXA). 578 men and 702 women born in Norway in the age-groups 40/45, 60 and 75 years were included in the analyses. Socioeconomic regions, based on a social index dividing Oslo in two regions – East and West, were used.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Age-adjusted mean BMD in women living in the less affluent Eastern region was 0.405 g/cm²and significantly lower than in West where BMD was 0.419 g/cm². Similarly, the odds ratio of low BMD (Z-score ≤ -1) was 1.87 (95% CI: 1.22–2.87) in women in Oslo East compared to West. The same tendency, although not statistically significant, was also present in men. Multivariate analysis adjusted for education, marital status, body mass index, physical inactivity, use of alcohol and smoking, and in women also use of post-menopausal hormone therapy and early onset of menopause, did hardly change the association. Additional adjustments for employment status, disability pension and physical activity at work for those below the age of retirement, gave similar results.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>We found differences in BMD in women between different socioeconomic regions in Oslo that correspond to previously found differences in fracture rates. The association in men was not statistically significant. The differences were not explained by socio-demographic factors, level of education or lifestyle factors.</p

A Passively Climatized Building, 2500 m Above Sea Level

After many years of research, Bakirlitepe-Saklikent near Antalya was selected as the site for Nationl Observatory of Turkey. Bakirlitepe, which can be classified within the best locations whole over the world for observation purposes has an altitude of 2547 m. Close to the observatory buildings a main building for the observers to rest and sleep during daytime had to be designed and constructed. There were many environmental and functional restrictions for the design. The clear sky, which increases the opportunity for observation and results in high solar radiation values, reminded the designers of the potential of solar utilization. The restrictions that shaped the building, the passively climatized architectural features and the thermal analysis are described in the paper

Analysis of Thermal Performance of a Building Design Located at 2465: Antalya - Saklikent National Observatory Guesthouse

This study is based on thermal performance analysis and evaluation of the National Observatory guesthouse with the software SUNCODE-PC. The study is unique owing to its high-altitude site (2465 m) in a remote area, harsh climate (with almost no data available), and functional restrictions of astronomical facilities. The design is thermally evaluated through differant modes of application of insulation, materials, types of glazing, window/wall-ratios, Trombe walls, winter night insulation, summer ventilation and shading

Risk factors for violence against women by intimate partners in Sakarya, Turkey

Objectives: Intimate partner violence (IPV) is an important public health problem in many countries including Turkey, with serious short- and long-term physical and mental health consequences, as well as significant social and public health costs. To understand the violence characteristics and the individual risk factors for both the married women victims and the perpetrator partners are the objectives of this study. Methodology: 243 married women, who have consulted to hospitals and village clinics between 2008 and 2009 with the mean age of 36.76 (SD = 11.59), accepted to participate in the study voluntarily. Participants were divided into two groups as victimized (58.8%, n = 143) and non-victimized (41.2%, n = 100) women. Victimized group consisted of women who have had any type of violence from their husbands during their life. A 61-item questionnaire was prepared that included items on demographics, IPV experience, attitudes about IPV and knowledge of legal rights. Results: As compared to non-victimized group, women in victimized group mostly lived in villages than in town/city centers, were illiterate, had bride-price agreement and were younger when married. Place of accommodation, age and number of pregnancies were associated with the risk of victimization. Conclusions: In order to prevent IPV, further qualitative research is required to evaluate the involved risk factors and training programs on how to behave against violence in association with the legal rights should be designed for poorly educated women in their natural settings and hospitals. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd and Faculty of Forensic and Legal Medicine. All rights reserved