Empirically derived formulas to predict indoor maximum, average, and minimum temperatures in roofpond buildings using minimum climatic information

This thesis introduces an empirically developed formula to predict the comfort conditions and thermal performance of a Skytherm(TM) Southwest Roofpond placed over a light-weight un-insulated structure built at the School of Architecture at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. The predictive formula introduced in this study may be used in different parts of the world (particularly developing nations where insulation and air-conditioning are rarely used) to predict the performance of a Skytherm(TM) Southwest Roofpond using minimal climate data. The data collected in the experimental setup at the Natural Energies Advanced Technologies Laboratory included outside and inside temperatures of various surfaces of two different test cells built on the site (i.e. a Skytherm(TM) Southwest Roofpond test cell and a control room). For the purposes of this thesis, only outdoor climatic data and indoor air and ceiling temperatures were used to analyze the performance of the system. The period covered by this study was October of 2004 through September of 2006 and March of 2009 through October of 2009. The predictive formula developed in this study may be used along with similarly developed formulas to identify and suggest the most appropriate locations for the installation of the roofpond system

Volunteer experiences in community housing during the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake, Japan

The recovery phase of disasters is long term and the victims require intensive support. Experiences in disasters can be traumatic and affect people physically and psychologically. Recovery is not only about the rebuilding of infrastructure in the affected area but also about the rehabilitation of people and the rebuilding of their life. The importance of long-term mental health care after disasters has been emphasized in the literature and the authors’ volunteer participation during the Japanese Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake in 1995 reinforced its importance. This article reports on the authors’ experiences as health professional volunteers caring for dislocated people living in temporary housing after the earthquake, when kodokushi (death alone and, initially, unnoticed) and alcoholism claimed the life of some of these people

THE STRUCTURING OF SÃO PAULO CITY FROM THE ROADS AND RAILS (1867-1930)

This article presents a proposal for using digital cartography applied to the comparative analysis of a series of 13 historical maps of São Paulo city. The analysis sought to establish links between the rail transport infrastructure and the process of structuring the city of São Paulo between 1870 and 1930. Therefore, we produced thematic maps from a selection of historical maps of the city and the following were identified: urban sprawl, existing neighborhoods, planned housing developments, paths design, railways and streetcars. It proved to be a practical way for digital cartography to be supported by Geographic Information Systems made more agile for handling, visualization and overlapping information in different historical maps, facilitating the comparative analysis process of the structuring role of paths and trails in the formation of the urban area, the work hypothesis verified at the end of the article