HOBO Data Logger Research Articles

English

Experiments at Mbaga hills of Siaya County in Kenya were aimed to determine the most effective organic baiting technique for mass harvesting of Macrotermes bellicosus. Around two separate mounds, 5 treatments replicated 3 times, using earthen pot and plastic containers with maize stocks, eucalyptus stems, lantana camara twigs, Napier grass and rice husks, were set up. Termite counts, at 6.00 am and 6.00 pm, and data on temperature and humidity, from a Hobo data logger were collected over the 21 days period. The data were analyzed using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) at (p=0.05) and Least Significance Difference (LSD) tests. Substrate preference differed significantly (p< 0.05) with highest being maize (2,919). Mean termite count differed significantly by containers (p< 0.05) with highest being earthen pots (1787). Termite count at 6.00 am (2,021) differed significantly (p< 0.05) with at 6.00 pm (1,952). The count further differed significantly by temperature at night (22.1 0C) and day (30.2±0.13). Finally, count differed by relative humidity (p< 0.05) at night (91.0±0.10) and day (69.1±0.50). Results on the effect of bait type, container type, humidity and temperature on count of termites may have practical, policy and theoretical implications for sustainable agriculture.   Key words: Macrotermes bellicosus, substrate preference, mass trapping.

THERMAL PERFORMANCE OF CLASSROOM BLOCK: A COMPARISON OF HOBO DATALOGGER AND DESIGN-BUILDER

The study intended to compare the effectiveness of the two distinctive methods of measuring the school buildings' thermal performance using a classroom block as a specimen. The building under study is located in the Birnin-kebbi area of the Kebbi state of Nigeria. The methods are Design builder, energy efficiency software (Computer Simulation), and Hobo Data-logger (Physical temperature measurement). At the end of the analysis, the two instruments' output was further scrutinized using the SPSS package for correlation. The two results show a positive and significant relationship at 0.05 (p<0.05). However, based on the established strong relationship between the two approaches, it is concluded that either technique can be employed to measure the building's thermal performance and yield a satisfactory result, provided the procedures are maintained and followed judiciously.

Shedding light on light exposure in elderly with intellectual disabilities.

BackgroundLight exposure affects mood and sleep regulation. Sleep problems and mood complaints are common in elderly with intellectual disabilities (ID) living in care facilities. Insufficient light exposure is hypothesised to contribute to the high prevalence of these problems. The current study is the first to describe the personal light exposure pattern during the waking day in elderly with ID.MethodsThe study sample consists of 82 elderly with ID (aged 62.3 ± 9.4 years) living in 16 residential homes of three care organisations in the Netherlands. Personal light exposure was measured continuously for 7–10 days using a HOBO data logger light sensor, measuring illuminance at chest height. Participants wore a wrist‐worn accelerometer (Actiwatch or Geneactiv) to indicate the bedtimes to determine the waking day.ResultsThe variation in illuminance is small during the waking day. Elderly with ID spend most of their waking day (mean duration = 14:32:43 h) in dim light (1–500 lux) environment and spend a median of 32 min in light > 1000 lux. Within participants, the threshold associated with better sleep (>50 min of light > 1000 lux) was reached for 34% of the days, and the threshold associated with less depressive symptoms (>30 min of light > 1000 lux) was reached in 46% of the days. Exposure > 1000 lux was lower during weekends than during weekdays.ConclusionElderly with ID spend most of their waking day in low light levels and did not meet the proposed values associated with better sleep and mood. Given the importance of adequate light exposure for regulation of sleep and mood, and the prevalence of sleep and mood problems in elderly with ID, the current study suggests that the lit environment for this already frail population should be given more attention.

PUMICE LAYER: A SOLUTION TO DIMINISH THERMAL ON HORIZONTAL LEFTOVER PLACE IN ROOFTOP

There are many ways to solve thermal on buildings, such as the installation of horizontal and vertical sun-shading devices on four-direction facades. However, rooftops are often ignored. In low-rise to high-rise buildings’ rooftop, there are leftover places exposed to solar heat radiation all day. Some rooftop places are equipped with polymer thermal roof insulation, and some are even without outer thermal insulation. The research aims to find a solution to diminish the horizontal thermal radiation by using eco-friendly material, pumice, as an outer thermal insulation. Exploiting method was used on one roof model as a conventional rooftop (without outer insulation), and another as a modified rooftop model covered with pumice. Couple HOBO data logger U12-012 temperature sensors were used to measure rooftop surface temperatures and room model temperatures. Results show that the thermal radiation were blocked efficiently: 26oC on pumice covered rooftop. It saved 8.4oC room temperature.

LAND SURFACE EFFECTS AND THERMAL PERFORMANCE IN HOT-HUMID CLIMATE AREA

This study aims to evaluate the effects of land surface characteristics to the microclimate condition and indoor thermal performance on an office building in urban and suburban areas by analyzing temperature, humidity, and air velocity, and also natural ventilation system. The research method is performed with the measurement of the thermal condition using LSI-LASTEM Multi Logger, HOBO data logger, and HOBO data logger with an external sensor. The results show that indoor thermal condition in urban and suburban areas is uncomfortable level with the average of indoor temperature is around 29°C in the suburban area and over 31°C in the urban area. Average of relative humidity is about 72% in the suburban area and 77% in the urban area. Average of air velocity is lower than 0.3 m/s in both regions. The temperature in the urban area higher than that in the suburban area of around 2°C. Indicates that, changes in land surface characteristics can influence the thermal performance and microclimate conditions in urban and suburban areas.

Field Investigation of Indoor Thermal Performance in Malaysia Air-Welled Terraced House

This paper aims to determine the performance of the air well system in a hot and humid tropical climate with existing full-scale air well of single-storey terraced house. The application of air well in residential building widely applied in a traditional building, especially in the Middle East and Europe countries. However, resulted from the development, the application of passive cooling strategies such as air well is gradually replaced by a mechanical cooling system. The aim of the study is to investigate the cooling system role in tropics, where hot and humid climate the overheating of building interior are a critical dilemma due to solar penetration through building fenestration. A field measurement has been carried out in a single storey terraced house with built-in air well in Kuching, Sarawak for 5 days. The field measurement investigates the thermal performance of the single-storey terrace house air well under tropical context. The investigation was measured with U-12 HOBO data logger for temperature and humidity while the air velocity was measured with HD32.3 DeltaOhm measurement logger. Both types of the instrument placed in the air well in a vertical position while another U12 HOBO datalogger placed in a test room with window connected to air well. The outdoor weather data set were measured with HOBO U30. Findings show that the under Malaysia tropical climate, the mean air velocity induced by the air well throughout the measurement days marked as 0.91m/s while during the hottest hour of the measurement days, the air velocity induced in the upper air well could reach 1.09m/s with an outdoor air temperature of 33.6°C and solar radiation of 198 Wh/m². The findings of the study have explained the effectiveness of the air well in providing the thermal performance in the indoor environment and further study on modification of the air well configuration could enhance the airflow and air temperature

Indoor thermal environment in tropical archipelago city

This study aims to evaluate the indoor thermal comfort of the office building in the tropical archipelago city of Ternate, Indonesia. Survey and data collection were performed using several instruments, LSI-LASTEM Thermal Comfort Multi Logger, HOBO data logger, and HOBO data logger with the external sensor for measuring temperature, relative humidity, and wind velocity. At the time of measurement, thermal condition perceived by respondents is observed by the questionnaires of Thermal Comfort Vote (TCV) and Thermal Sensation Vote (TSV). TSV is performed by ASHRAE standard 55 and TCV from Bedford scale. The results show that indoor thermal condition is in uncomfortable level with the average temperature exceeds 29°C, RH is more than 70%, and wind velocity is lower than 0.5 m / s. More than 60% employees feel warm condition in TCV and TSV scales, but a majority of them (67%) still accept these conditions. It indicates that the employees in tropical archipelago city are quite tolerant to high temperatures. About 59% of respondents feel wind velocity is uncomfortable and 70% respondents expect to increase of wind velocity. Therefore, the new design concepts are needed to improve natural ventilation performance by combining cross ventilation with clerestory ventilation systems and planting trees around the building to reduce solar heat gain that penetrates to the building’s interior.

Intensity of Urban Heat Islands in Tropical and Temperate Climates

Nowadays, most of the Earth’s population lives in urban areas. The replacement of vegetation by buildings and the general soil sealing, associated with human activity, lead to a rise in cities temperature, resulting in the formation of urban heat islands. This article aims to evaluate the intensity and the hourly maintenance of the atmospheric heat islands in two climates: one tropical (Presidente Prudente, Brazil) and one temperate (Rennes, France) throughout 2016. For this, air temperature and hourly averages were measured and calculated using both a HOBO datalogger (U23-002—protected under the same RS3 brand) and weather stations Davis Vantage PRO 2. The daily evolution of the heat islands presented characteristics that varied according to the hours and seasons of the year. For both Rennes and Presidente Prudente, the largest magnitudes occurred overnight, being more greatly expressed in the tropical environment and during the driest months (winter in the tropical city and summer in the temperate one). The variability of synoptic conditions from one month to another also leads to a great heterogeneity of UHI intensity throughout the year.

A validation of technologies monitoring dairy cow feeding, ruminating, and lying behaviors

The objective of this study was to evaluate commercially available precision dairy technologies against direct visual observations of feeding, rumination, and lying behaviors. Primiparous (n=24) and multiparous (n=24) lactating Holstein dairy cattle (mean ± standard deviation; 223.4±117.8 d in milk, producing 29.2±8.2kg of milk/d) were fitted with 6 different triaxial accelerometer technologies evaluating cow behaviors at or before freshening. The AfiAct Pedometer Plus (Afimilk, Kibbutz Afikim, Israel) was used to monitor lying time. The CowManager SensOor (Agis, Harmelen, Netherlands) monitored rumination and feeding time. The HOBO Data Logger (HOBO Pendant G Acceleration Data Logger, Onset Computer Corp., Pocasset, MA) monitored lying time. The CowAlert IceQube (IceRobotics Ltd., Edinburgh, Scotland) monitored lying time. The Smartbow (Smartbow GmbH, Jutogasse, Austria) monitored rumination time. The Track A Cow (ENGS, Rosh Pina, Israel) monitored lying time and time spent around feeding areas for the calculation of feeding time. Over 8 d, 6 cows per day were visually observed for feeding, rumination, and lying behaviors for 2 h after morning and evening milking. The time of day was recorded when each behavior began and ended. These times were used to generate the length of time behaviors were visually observed. Pearson correlations (r; calculated using the CORR procedure of SAS Version 9.3, SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC), and concordance correlations (CCC; calculated using the epiR package of R version 3.1.0, R Foundation for Statistical Computing, Vienna, Austria) evaluated association between visual observations and technology-recorded behaviors. Visually recorded feeding behaviors were moderately correlated with the CowManager SensOor (r=0.88, CCC=0.82) and Track A Cow (r=0.93, CCC=0.79) monitors. Visually recorded rumination behaviors were strongly correlated with the Smartbow (r=0.97, CCC=0.96), and weakly correlated with the CowManager SensOor (r=0.69, CCC=0.59). Visually recorded lying behaviors were strongly correlated with the AfiAct Pedometer Plus (r >0.99, CCC >0.99), CowAlert IceQube (r >0.99, CCC >0.99), and Track A Cow (r >0.99, CCC >0.99). The HOBO Data Loggers were moderately correlated (r >0.83, CCC >0.81) with visual observations. Based on these results, the evaluated precision dairy monitoring technologies accurately monitored dairy cattle behavior.

ANALISIS DEBIT DRAINASE DI RAWA PASANG SURUT HUTAN TANAMAN INDUSTRI (HTI) DI OGAN KOMERING ILIR (OKI) SUMATERA SELATAN

The net of canal and control water building are needed in achieving and improving the result production of woods industrial forest furthermore for economic national development and social property. The canal constructing is important for debit fluctuation in canal drainage in order for continuities of water resources in wetland area. The purpose of this research 1) determined debit of drainage and presentation cross section as picture and formula rating curve, 2) analyzed fluctuation drainage of debit as the result of water level HOBO measurement, this research was done in tidal wetland at industrial wood forest OKI, South Sumatera. The way in getting the fluctuation modelling for debit of drainage was using a computer program which is known as Cubic Spline Interpolation (CSI). This program was used for picturing the profil cross section which is presented in rating curve as the result of measurement distance, deep canal and flow velocity as the input. As the result of this research, the width of canal drainage is about 8-10 m with deep 3- 4 m. Debit downstream is about 6,044 m3/second. and upstream 7,866 m3/second Rating curve is Qw=a. Hw^b, where Qw is debit (m³/ second) and Hw is high of water from datum canal (m). The measurement of water level in canal drainage use Hobo data logger, the we used formula rating curve. Debit downstream max 9,311 m3/second and water level 3,110 m, min 0,129 m3/s and water level 0,270 m, at upstream of debit max 7,017 m3/s and water level 2,823 m. min 0,099 m3/s and water level 0,227 m. Key word: tidal lowland, cubic spline interpolation, rating curve. industrial woods forest.

Urbanization and its impact on Urban Heat Island Intensity in Chennai Metropolitan Area, India

Background: Urbanization results in the formation of heat pockets termed as “Urban Heat Island” (UHI) and their intensities depend on urban built geometry. This study attempts to assess the impact of urbanization on urban heat island intensity in Chennai Metropolitan Area (CMA). Methods/Analysis: Air temperature and relative humidity were measured at one hour interval at 30 fixed locations covering urban, suburban and rural locations in and around CMA. HOBO data logger (HOBO U10 Temp/RH), enclosed within a white perforated plastic box to shield the instrument from direct solar radiation were deployed for the study. UHI intensity was computed based on the reference data from Numgambakkam Meteorological station. Day time and night time temperature isopleths of CMA were derived using ArcGIS, including the isopleths at maximum and minimum temperature occurrences at 14.00 hrs and 06.00 hrs respectively. The temperature isopleths at 10:00 hrs, 14:00 hrs and 18:00 hrs were analyzed for daytime intensity of UHI and their temperature distribution pattern. Findings: Maximum daytime temperatures were recorded between 11:00 hrs and 15:00 hrs which varied between locations based on urban morphology and the time at which the measurement location is exposed to incident solar radiation. The daytime temperature isopleths at 14.00 hrs revealed the existence of a cool island in the urban core of CMA with a temperature difference of 10.4oC in summer and 3.7oC in winter. The night time UHI in the CMA was analysed with the temperature isopleths of 22:00 hrs, 02:00hrs and 06:00hrs. The night time temperature isopleths reveal the significant existence of positive UHI in the CMA. The isotherms at 06.00 hrs revealed a significant positive UHI ranging from 3.6oC in summer to 4.1oC in winter. The results of the study indicate a maximum nocturnal UHI during the calm, clear, winter periods in the CMA. The urban rural differences also revealed a significant cool island during the day with the maximum cool island intensity during summer. Applications/Improvements: A significant correlation between urban-rural differences and density of urban built form was established; indicating the significance of building regulations that define urban built geometry, in designing comfortable urban environments.

Effects of geographical directions and climatological parameters on natural weathering of fir wood

Discoloration, roughness and wettability of fir wood were studied during the natural weathering in different geographical directions with considering climatological factors. Climatological data such as sunlight, temperature and relative humidity were collected by a HOBO-Data Logger. Slats of fir wood in sizes of 20×10×2cm were cut and hanged in right angles at different geographical directions (SE, SW, NE and NW). Samples were exposed to climatological factors for 120days period. Color changes of the samples as well as contact angle and roughness were determined on samples’ surfaces during the exposure period. Regarding the results, there were daily fluctuations for temperature and relative humidity as well as sunlight intensity. Results also revealed changes for the determined parameters in the slats. Samples exposed to SE direction showed major changes in color, roughness and hydrophobicity.

Evaluation of measurement errors of temperature and relative humidity from HOBO data logger under different conditions of exposure to solar radiation.

This study aimed to assess measurements of temperature and relative humidity obtained with HOBO a data logger, under various conditions of exposure to solar radiation, comparing them with those obtained through the use of a temperature/relative humidity probe and a copper-constantan thermocouple psychrometer, which are considered the standards for obtaining such measurements. Data were collected over a 6-day period (from 25 March to 1 April, 2010), during which the equipment was monitored continuously and simultaneously. We employed the following combinations of equipment and conditions: a HOBO data logger in full sunlight; a HOBO data logger shielded within a white plastic cup with windows for air circulation; a HOBO data logger shielded within a gill-type shelter (multi-plate prototype plastic); a copper-constantan thermocouple psychrometer exposed to natural ventilation and protected from sunlight; and a temperature/relative humidity probe under a commercial, multi-plate radiation shield. Comparisons between the measurements obtained with the various devices were made on the basis of statistical indicators: linear regression, with coefficient of determination; index of agreement; maximum absolute error; and mean absolute error. The prototype multi-plate shelter (gill-type) used in order to protect the HOBO data logger was found to provide the best protection against the effects of solar radiation on measurements of temperature and relative humidity. The precision and accuracy of a device that measures temperature and relative humidity depend on an efficient shelter that minimizes the interference caused by solar radiation, thereby avoiding erroneous analysis of the data obtained.

An Analysis of Indoor Air Temperature and Relative Humidity in Office Room with Various External Shading Devices in Malaysia

External shading devices have been utilized very extensively in office buildings in the tropics to reduce the amount of solar radiation entering into the buildings. In addition, the shading systems significantly improved the performance of day lighting by controlling the amount of lights levels of illumination entering into buildings. During hottest days, the impact was higher; however, the shading layers could still increase the amount of temperature gains through the glazing. Several methods can be employed to improve indoor thermal environment including using light colors for external surfaces, using a reflective glazing system, and using the appropriate thermal properties of external structure and roof. Therefore, this paper discusses the indoor temperature and relative humidity by using indoor temperature and relative humidity equipment (HOBO Data Logger) for office room with three different types of shading devices in Malaysia, which are focusing on the vertical shading, horizontal shading and egg-crate shading. The objectives of this research are; to measure the indoor air temperature and relative humidity in the office building, to identify the highest, lowest and average indoor temperature and relative humidity in the office building, to compare with standard guideline of air temperature and relative humidity and to find out which shading is suitable to be applied in achieving thermal comfort in an office The method use in this research is field measurement. The results indicate that egg crate shading has asignificant impact on decreasing indoor temperature as well as discomfort hours compared with other shading types.

산림지역과 기상대의 기상인자를 활용한 산림연료의 수분 함량 변화 분석

산림연료의 수분함량은 산불의 발화 가능성 및 산불의 행동에 매우 중요한 인자이다. 산림연료의 수분 함량을 결정하는 중요한 인자들은 기상인자이고 기상인자와 산림연료의 수분함량 변화의 관계를 밝히는 것은 산불에 매우 중요하다. 본 연구는 강원도 춘천지역의 봄철 및 가을철 산불 조심기간 동안 기상인자에 따른 임지내 산림연료의 수분함량 변화를 분석하기 위하여 수행되었다. 산림연료의 수분함량 분석은 임지내에 낙하한 활엽수인 떡갈나무 잎과 침엽수인 소나무 잎을 사용하였으며, 산불조심기간 동안 매일 측정하였다. 임지내와 임지외의 기상현상의 차이에 따라서 산림연료의 수분함량의 변화를 분석하기 위하여 임지내에 기상기록장치(HOBO data logger)를 설치하여 이들의 자료와 기상대의 자료를 비교 분석 하였다. 기상인자와 산림연료의 수분함량 변화에 대한 상관분석을 실시한 결과 임지내에서는 두 수종 모두에서 최고온도(<TEX>$^{\circ}C$</TEX>)와 상대습도(%)가 유의성이 높은 것으로 분석되었으며, 임지외의 기상인자와의 관계에서는 봄철 산불 조심기간 동안 최저온도가 유의성이 높은 것으로 분석 되었다. 강우 후 산림연료의 수분함량 변화를 측정한 결과 강우 후 1일내지 2일정도가 지나면 20~30% 이내로 수분함량이 감소하는 것으로 나타났다. The moisture contents of forest fuel are very important roles in behavior and ignition of forest fire. Fuel moisture contents are determined by various weather factors around forest fuel, therefore research on the relationship between the change of fuel moisture contents and weather should be carried. This study was conducted to analysis on the change of forest fuel moisture contents by weather factors into forest land during forest fire danger seasons(spring and fall) at chuncheon area of Gangwon in 2013 year. The leaves of Quercus dentata Thunb. ex Murray, and needles of Pinus densiflora Siebold & Zucc. that drop in the forest land were used to analysis on forest fuel moisture contents. The moisture contents of forest fuel were measured daily during forest fire danger seasons. Weather recording device(HOBO data logger) was installed in forest land in order to analyze the change of fuel moisture contents within the forest land by weather factors. Meteorological data obtained in the forest and meteorological data of chuncheon weather station were analyzed. Among the results of correlation analysis on fuel moisture contents and meteorological data of forest land and weather station, the maximum temperature(<TEX>$^{\circ}C$</TEX>) and relative humidity(%) were significant during the forest fire danger season(spring and fall) in the meteorological data of forest land and only the maximum temperature(<TEX>$^{\circ}C$</TEX>) was significant during the spring forest fire danger season in meteorological data of weather station. The fuel moisture contents of forest fuel after precipitation during forest fire danger seasons(spring and fall) were decreased sharply within 20~30% in one or two day after rainfall.

Passive Cooling Performance of a Solar Chimney and Vertical Landscape Applications in Indonesian Terraced House

Natural ventilation has been promoted as passive indoor cooling technique in hot humid tropical region. However for a single sided window in a typical deep plan terrace house, the effect of natural ventilation is questionable. It is worst when coupled with the fact that available wind in Malang is almost static and unreliable. This paper presents alternative passive technologies integrated to existing terrace house in the city of Malang to achieve indoor cooling assisted by solar chimney and green vertical landscape. A field measurement was conducted using Onset Hobo Data Logger for a specific duration. The solar chimney is installed inside the house harnessing the thermal stack effect of hot air buoyancy that naturally forced the cyclic air movement letting hot air out and bringing in cooler air. The vertical green landscape installed just outside the front window provide shade and filter the incoming air providing cooler and cleaner air. The result showed that the average indoor temperature is within the acceptable comfort range for the whole day. This is considered a significant achievement where the use of solar chimney and green vertical landscape can improve indoor thermal condition thus provide alternative for natural cooling, reduce energy use and healthy environment.

Models for Prediction of Daily Mean Indoor Temperature and Relative Humidity: Education Building in Izmir, Turkey

In this research, several models were developed to forecast the daily mean indoor temperature (IT) and relative humidity values in an education building in Izmir, Turkey. The city is located at a hot–humid climatic region. In order to forecast the IT and internal relative humidity (IRH) parameters in the building, a number of artificial neural networks (ANN) models were trained and tested with a dataset including outdoor climatic conditions, day of year and indoor thermal comfort parameters. The indoor thermal comfort parameters, namely, IT and IRH values between 6 June and 21 September 2009 were collected via HOBO data logger. Fraction of variance ( R2) and root-mean squared error values calculated by the use of the outputs of different ANN architectures were compared. Moreover, several multiple regression models were developed to question their performance in comparison with those of ANNs. The results showed that an ANN model trained with inconsiderable amount of data was successful in the prediction of IT and IRH parameters in education buildings. It should be emphasized that this model can be benefited in the prediction of indoor thermal comfort conditions, energy requirements, and heating, ventilating and air conditioning system size.