Post Occupation Research Articles

Transfer and persistence of intruder DNA within an office after reuse by owner

The heightened sensitivity of DNA typing techniques, paired with the extensive use of trace DNA in forensic investigations, has resulted in an increased need to understand how and when DNA is deposited on surfaces of interest. This study focussed on the transfer, persistence, and prevalence of trace DNA in a single occupation of an office space by an intruder, when all contacts made during occupation and for the two hours prior and post occupation were known. The extent to which DNA could be recovered from contacted/not contacted surfaces was investigated. This study investigates the impacts of these movements and use of an office space when the duration of occupancy, surface contact histories and shedder status of participants are known. Contacts were documented and surfaces in the office space were targeted for sampling. Categories were set for target sampling that included different types of contact. Direct and indirect DNA transfer was detected in 55 % and 6 % of samples, respectively. Contactless DNA transfer was detected in 0.5 % of samples. The owner was observed as the sole/major/majority contributor in 77 % of the samples and as minor contributor in 10 % of samples. The intruder was observed as the sole/major/majority contributor in 14 % of samples and as the minor contributor in 16 %. An increased number of contacts increased the relative DNA contribution of the individual making the contact, however, not all observed direct contacts resulted in detectable DNA transfer. The outcome of this study will aid in better sample targeting strategies and contribute to the pool of data assisting in the development of activity level assessments.

Assessment of user satisfaction in an intelligent office building in Istanbul

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to evaluate an intelligent office building based on the post occupation evaluation (POE) criteria in relation to physical and psychosocial user needs.Design/methodology/approachData were collected using a questionnaire. The first group of questions was to determine demographic information; the second group of questions includes questions, which aim to measure the comfort level of the building users. The questionnaire also includes open-ended questions on other comments and suggestions. The data of the research were evaluated with the SPSS program and frequency and percentage distributions were determined. A total of 110 employees participated in the survey.FindingsThe results showed that the participants were generally satisfied with the design quality, indoor air quality and building support services quality of the building, while there were also participants who report dissatisfaction about the floor covering materials and ventilation of the spaces. At the end of the study, attention was drawn to the importance of POE in connection with user requirements.Originality/valueIt is considered that this study will shed light on future works by developing a perspective on intelligent office buildings in terms of user requirements and research process with the results obtained.

Housing by people and work

Housing by people and work

Evaluation of the Front Square of Harbin West Railway Station Based on POE Method

The square in front of the railway station is an important portal space in the city, carrying important functions such as transportation hub, people gathering and distribution, and leisure and entertainment. Based on the theory and method of POE, this paper takes the space in front of Harbin West Railway Station as the research object, and constructs the research system of post occupation evaluation of space use from two aspects: satisfaction evaluation and use mode evaluation. The activity characteristics and demands of the people using the square in front of the station are understood through the methods of participatory observation, questionnaire issuance and interview. The information and data obtained from the survey are analyzed through SD method and behavioral map method, and the evaluation results of users on the square in front of the station are obtained. Combining with the evaluation results using SPSS statistical methods of correlation analysis between evaluation factors and overall satisfaction, it obtains the priority of reconstruction in the square in front of Harbin West Railway Station, and then puts forward the effective

Housing by people and work

Housing by people and work

How the commitment to disclose in-use performance can transform energy outcomes for new buildings

The paper describes the transformation that has taken place over the last 15 years in the energy efficiency of new office buildings constructed in Australia and considers if and how the UK could follow suit. The success in Australia has been greatest for the ‘base building’: the energy performance of the HVAC services in tenanted spaces and of all end uses in the common parts. It embraces a ‘ design for performance’ culture, supported by the NABERS ‘Commitment Agreement’, where developers and their teams sign up to an in-use performance target. The process is underpinned by advanced simulation, strategic sub-metering and fine-tuning post occupation to help eliminate wasteful deviations. The paper considers the opportunity for the UK to introduce a Commitment Agreement process for new office buildings, integrated with the Soft Landings Framework. It is argued that from a technical perspective base building energy performance in new UK offices could be as good as it is in Australia. However, there are non-technical drivers missing in the UK. To compete with their Australian peers, the UK property and construction industries need a base building energy measurement and rating system, creating the ability to set a performance target and disclose the outcome. Practical application: Design for performance uses a much more realistic building simulation model at the design stage. Although this requires a lot more inputs (details of the building’s proposed chillers, AHUs, ducts and valves, etc. and their controls), it enables the designers to capitalise from computer-aided-design to improve energy efficiency. This process deploys the technology improvement template by which much of the modern world has progressed so fast, and enables innovation to flourish. The more advanced HVAC model can predict target energy budgets for each sub-system (boilers, chillers, fans, pumps, etc.) against which the actual energy used, as measured with sub-meters, can be compared to inform fine tuning during early operation. Although a model’s predictions can be considered the ideal energy performance of the as-built system, there’s an expectation that the base building’s real performance should turn out to be within around 10% of that anticipated from the modelling.

Effect of migration on employment (A case study of district Hangu, Pakistan)

When a person leave his/her home place and migrate to other place, he/she may call emigrant. This paper deals with effect of migration on employment. The study was carried out to investigate the pre and post occupation of emigrants. Primary data was conducted from two villages of district Hangu, namely Shnawari and Darband through questionnaire and descriptive statistic was used to achieve the objectives. It is concluded that emigration has significant effect on employment opportunity, before emigration 45.58% people were jobless and the figure dropdown to 1.36% after migration. Most of them are drivers and majority of emigrants have qualified up to matric. They have skill but lack of technical training and the remittance they send have a significant impact on household income.

Pista multiuso da UFSM: do projeto à materialização

Esse artigo apresenta o projeto da Pista Multiuso para o Campus da Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (UFSM), desde sua fundamentação teórica, conceituação, espacialização num anteprojeto paisagístico e etapas futuras. O projeto da pista foi elaborado em 2014, mesmo ano em que as obras de execução começaram. Desde então, a equipe de pesquisa do Laboratório de Paisagismo e Arquitetura da Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (PARQ – UFSM) tem acompanhado os resultados, proposto metodologias de análise pós-ocupação e se concentrado no lançamento das próximas etapas da obra. O principal objetivo do projeto é promover mobilidade alternativa e valorização do campus universitário como um parque setorial em escala urbana. O presente artigo apresenta o desenvolvimento da proposta e visa à divulgação do conceito de espaço compartilhado, a fim de que tal modelo possa ser replicado em outros espaços livres para incentivar a mobilidade alternativa.

Methodology for Informed Design of Sustainable Tourism Accommodation in Chile's 9th Region the Gateway to Patagonia

Lying between Chile's agricultural Central Valley and the wilds of Patagonia, the micro region of Araucanía Andina, is seeing a rise in both national and international tourism. With its snow-capped volcanoes, national parks, native forests and indigenous Mapuche culture, the region offers a wide range of activities to the Special Interest Tourist. The development of winter sports facilities and the growth in Northern Hemisphere visitors during the austral winter is extending the season, in what was previously predominantly a destination for Chilean summer holidaymakers. The tourism infrastructure must therefore respond to provide comfortable, energy efficient, sustainable accommodation during both the cold wet winters and short hot summers, meeting the expectations of an ever more demanding international market. The government funded research project “Sustainable Construction System and Energy Efficiency for Special Interest Tourist Infrastructure in the Araucanía Andina,” FONDEF Regional D10R1003, aims to provide the knowledge needed by the local tourist industry to achieve this goal. This paper presents the methodology and outcomes of the project, including the study of local vernacular architecture, post occupation evaluation of existing infrastructure, bioclimatic analysis, environmental and technical assessment of insulation and construction materials, digital simulation of proposals and the construction of physical test cells. The resulting proposal is a system of timber-framed walls, insulated with sheep's wool, finished externally with a ventilated façade. It is hoped that this prefabricated system, in conjunction with best practice guidelines for construction and management, should enable a sustainable future for the region's tourism. At the same time, the methodology provides a replicable template that has already been applied in other regions of the country.

아로마 롤온흡입법이 생산직 여성 교대근로자의 직무스트레스, 우울 및 수면에 미치는 효과

본 연구는 생산직 여성 교대근로자를 대상으로 아로마 롤온흡입법을 이용하여 교대근로자의 직무스트레스,우울 및 수면에 미치는 효과를 규명하기 위한 비동등성 대조군 전후설계 유사 실험연구이다.대상자는 K도 지역의 생산직 여성 교대근로자로 대상자 선정기준에 적합한 실험군 26명,대조군 26명으로 총 52명이었으며 연구기간은 2012년 4월 1일 부터 5월 25일 까지 시행하였다.아로마 롤온흡입법을 검정하기 위해 실험군과 대조군의 사전 ·사후 직무스트레스,우울 및 수면 을 측정하였다.수집된 자료는 SPSSWin18.0을 사용하여 실험군과 대조군의 동질성 검정은 x2-test,independentt-test로 동질성 검정을 실시하였으며,실험군과 대조군의 직무스트레스,우울 및 수면에 미치는 효과는 independentt-test를 이용하 여 분석하였다.연구의 결과는 다음과 같다.제 1가설 :“아로마 롤온흡입법을 받은 실험군은 받지 않은 대조군에 비해 직무 스트레스가 감소 할 것이다”는 기각되었다(t=-0.37,p=.717).제 2가설 :“아로마 롤온흡입법을 받은 실험군은 받지 않은 대조 군에 비해 우울이 감소 할 것이다.”는 지지되었다(t=-6.11,p<.001).제 3가설 :“아로마 롤온흡입법을 받은 실험군은 받지 않은 대조군에 비해 수면상태가 증가 할 것이다.”는 지지되었다(t=3.15,p=.003).이상의 연구 결과를 통해 아로마 롤온흡입법 이 생산직 여성 교대근로자의 우울 및 수면에 효과가 있었다.또한 교대근무로 힘들어 하는 근로자들에게 직무스트레스를 감소시킬 수 있는 다양한 간호 중재 연구가 필요하다고 사료된다.

From collecting to cultivation: transitions to a production economy in the Near East

The selected articles in the current issue throw new light on our understanding of how Homo sapiens became caught in the agriculture trap in the Near East. They are the outcome of the session entitled ‘Origins of agriculture in the Near East’ held at the 15th IWGP conference in Wilhelmshaven 2010. The subject is constantly being revised as new information and more refined analyses become available, so these papers provide a state of the art in 2010/2011. Each major discovery adds complexity to what has become a multi-faceted puzzle with data being drawn from disciplines as wide apart as archaeology and genetics, plant biology and palaeo-climatology. In this issue papers concentrate on results obtained from charred plant remains and their interpretation. During the last half of the 20th century ground-breaking scholars like Hans Helbaek, Daniel Zohary, Maria Hopf, Willem van Zeist and Gordon Hillman made major contributions (Zohary and Hopf 1973; Helbaek 1959; Hillman 1984; Van Zeist and Bakker-Heeres 1982). Daniel Zohary combined genetics and information from living progenitors with Maria Hopf’s archaeobotanical knowledge to help explain the domestication of plants in the Near East. Willem van Zeist pioneered the identification and sampling of charred seeds from early Neolithic sites while Gordon Hillman developed interpretive tools for the subject. Their findings opened up avenues for hypothesizing as to how, when and why, in south west Asia, humans started systematically cultivating a selection of grain crops. In the 1980s and 1990s the puzzle appeared quite simple because it was composed of few elements and so scholars hypothesized using straightforward deterministic scenarios and models citing climate change, or population growth, or over-exploitation as possible factors which encouraged humans to adopt cultivation. Today the central elements of these hypotheses are still valid, but with hindsight simple hypotheses are no longer plausible given the archaeological and environmental diversity within the Fertile Crescent. This complex diversity is exemplified by the vast geographical area where transition sites are located, which spans different climate and vegetation zones. Thus, sites in the north of the Fertile Crescent are 1,000 km from those in the south and likewise in the east–west direction. Archaeological diversity is exemplified by the extended chronological range of transition sites. We can trace the use of wild cereals back to about 23,000 years ago when habitations consisted of simple brush huts to villages with sophisticated architecture associated with the earliest domesticated cereals 12,500 years later. The transition to a production based economy was acted out on a vast stage of multi-dimensional cultural developments. Archaeological and archaeobotanical discoveries represent only narrow windows providing unconnected fleeting glimpses of human subsistence economies. Gaps in the archaeological record may result from lack of survey work but also because early Neolithic sites are often buried beneath large Bronze Age mounds, for example at Tell el Kerkh, Motza, Tell Qaramel and Cheik Hassan. Others may be covered by post occupation alluvial sediments. G. Willcox (&) Archeorient, UMR 5133, CNRS Jales, 07460 St-Paul-le-Jeune, France e-mail: gwillcox@wanadoo.fr

TL and OSL Dating of Sediment and Pottery from Two Syrian Archaeological Sites

Luminescence dating is widely applied nowadays, mainly for archaeological material and artefacts and sediments of all types and origins. However, optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) from archaeological sediment, originated from mud brick buildings has been hardly studied. The archaeological sites of Tall Abu Fahd and Tall Qsubi are located in the Middle Euphrates Valley, Deir ez-Zor district, Syria. These two Bronze Age sites were recently discovered by a Spanish-Syrian team from the Directorate General of Antiquities and Museums (Damascus) and the University of Coruña. Both sites were dated (about 3.5 ka BC) by typological pottery classification. Sediment and pottery samples from these archaeological sites were collected for luminescence dating. Several analytical procedures for obtaining equivalent doses were tested on the sediment samples. Blue OSL from quartz subsamples and IRSL, post IRSL Blue OSL from feldspar contaminated quartz and polymineral subsamples were performed to obtain OSL ages. For the pottery samples, additive dose TL on a coarse grain feldspar contaminated quartz subsample was performed as well. Results have shown agreement among all the luminescence procedures tested on the Tall Abu Fahd site samples after fading correction, showing ages around 2.7 ka BP. Obtained ages from the other site samples show disagreement among quartz blue OSL and the other subsamples. Fading ratios allow correcting age underestimations from the polymineral post-IR OSL signal. However, the polymineral IRSL signal still shows underestimation. Final sediment and pottery ages have shown good agreement. Older &lt;sup&gt;14&lt;/sup&gt;C independent age (3.32 ka BP) corresponds to occupational periods of the site while sediment ages are attributed to a post occupation phase.

Classification criteria for restoration and post occupation of waste disposal sites

In Brazil, 40.49% [I] of all domestic and public solid waste produced, involves unsuitabledisposal. The dynamism of urban space causes a constant succession of soil uses in mostBrazilian cities. When a waste disposal site is deactivated, its mere abandon may behazardous to the environment and communities around it as a result of leachate percolation.Waste dumping sites deactivation with further use, whichever, exposes the population tocontamination. This paper proposes an assessment system of areas that were used as urbansolid waste disposal sites,. Even if they receive or have received care in terms ofenvironmental protection for some time before their closure, these areas do not normally havedocumented background on the events occurring there. The proposed assessment establishescriteria for classifying urban solid waste fills whose activities are being closed down and forthose that were already closed for a longer period. Indicators of potential environmental andhealth hazards are used, considering volume of the waste landfill and age; groundwater depth,soil permeability, residences proximity, commercial and industrial centres, environmentaltopographic and morphological indicators and the water balance. This paper is the result of atwo-year field study in Paracambi landfill surrounding areas, close to Rio de Janeiro city. Thisstudy included tests of physical characterizations of soil, permeability tests in the field andlaboratory, column tests on distribution and spread of pollutants, physicochemical andchemical soil analyses at various depths. Besides, downstream groundwater and surface waterwere analyzed. The prime purpose was to create a tool to help decide which activities are toreinsert areas used as waste disposal sites in the suitable urban context The result of theassessment will point to different levels of care in relation to the procedures to be adoptedwith regard to its closure and later monitoring.

Correlates of suicidal ideation among hemodialysis patients in Cheju National University Hospital: A pilot study

Objectives: To determine correlates of suicidal ideation among hemodialysis patients in Cheju National University Hospital.Methods: 41 hemodialysis patients were evaluated from April 2004 to January 2005.Sociodemographic questionnaire included age, sex, religion, marital status, education level, monthly income, subjective sense of socioeconomic status, pre-and post diagnosis occupation, hospital expense responsibility, illness duration, etc. Questionnaire for health habit included subjective sense of health status, smoking, drinking, suicidal ideation, and suicidal attempt etc. K-BDI was used to evaluate depression, and STAI for anxiety, self-esteem scale, and family and hospital staff supports scale was evaluated. We defined dependent variable as having suicidal ideation and coded positive suicidal ideation as 'r no suicidal ideation as 'O' Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to find correlates of suicidal ideation using variables that have been found to be risk factors of suicidal ideation.Result: Poor subjective sense of socioeconomic status(OR=9.688 95% CI 1.161-80.846) and education level under 12 years(OR=22.507 95% CI 1.049-483.005) were found to be correlates of suicidal ideation.Conclusions: Socioeconomical support from government and firm and constant support from medical staff and family is crucial for them not to have suicidal ideation.