Urban Offices Research Articles

Green view factor and satisfaction with window views in urban offices

Greenery is a key element of quality window views. This study aims to clarify the quantitative effect of greenery on view satisfaction in urban offices. Green view factor (GVF) is proposed to measure greenery visible through windows. Subjective evaluation experiments were conducted using a virtual reality system for different GVFs between 0% and 100%. It was found that greenery increases view satisfaction by up to 20 to 30 points on a 100-point scale. But the view satisfaction does not simply depend on the GVF. The layout and spacing of greenery are important. Greenery occupying about 50% of the window width at intervals maximizes the view satisfaction in the case of full-window walls.

Characterization and Quantification of Surficial Sediment Microplastics and Its Correlation with Heavy Metals, Soil Texture, and Flow Velocity

Investigating the presence of microplastics in the Pasig River, the highest plastic-emitting river in the Philippines and one of the ocean’s leading contributors of these materials, is highly relevant. In this study, surficial sediments in eight stations along the main channel of the Pasig River were analyzed for microplastic content, heavy metals, and soil texture. The microplastics were categorized according to shape, color, and size. The polymer type was determined using infrared spectroscopy. The number of microplastics was correlated with heavy metals, soil texture, and flow velocity. The results show that the dominant shape, color, size, and polymer type were fragment, color white, size range from 0 to 500 μm, and polyvinyl alcohol, respectively. Downstream stations 5 and 8 had the highest microplastic concentration. The number of microplastics showed a positive moderate correlation with percent sand (r = 0.40) and clay (r = 0.42), and a negative high correlation with percent silt (r=-0.80). For microplastics and heavy metals, a positive moderate correlation was observed for iron (r = 0.52) and zinc (r = 0.58), while a negative weak correlation was present for lead (r=-0.06). Microplastics and flow velocity showed weak correlations demonstrating that the accumulation in the bottom river sediment may be based on the proximity of the plastic source rather than on the flowing water with plastic sources. Results reflect the diverse influences on the Pasig River which is surrounded by informal settlements, manufacturing industries, urban offices, and residential areas. More plastic management initiatives and better implementation of existing laws should be done by the government.

Chapter Seven: Art and Labor in Han Song's Regenerated Bricks

Abstract The romantic and ecological legacy of Homo faber sheds light on Han Song's Regenerated Bricks. In that novella the victims of the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake, guided by an architect, produce bricks by using debris, straw, and corpses. Regenerating lives and hopes of the victims and furnishing building material, the brick testifies to a practice that combines labor and art and a biological rebirth associated with the fertility of the earth. The brick is not only useful but also aesthetically resonant. Working closely with the workers in the fields and workshops rather than from urban offices, the elite architect transforms into a “barefoot architect.” On the other hand, the culture market, neoliberal ideology, and digital media quickly turn the brick into a simulacrum and a consumer icon, alienating the brick and the creators from their vital connection with nature and the earth.

People Have Mixed Reactions to Both Physiological and Psychological Explanations of Disproportionate Pain.

There are two general frameworks that conceptualize pain that is more intense or persistent than expected based on measurable pathologic findings: the psychological (unhelpful thoughts and emotions) and the physiological (purported nervous system dysfunction, such as central sensitization). Some clinicians believe people will be more receptive to a physiological conceptualization. Prior quantitative research demonstrated that carefully crafted psychological explanations are rated similarly to crafted physiological explanations, with relatively mixed reactions. This qualitative study was undertaken in parallel with that quantitative study to help develop effective communication and treatment strategies by identifying specific thoughts and feelings (themes) regarding the physiological and psychological conceptualizations of disproportionate pain that make people more or less comfortable considering comprehensive, biopsychosocial treatment approaches. What themes arise in patient thoughts and feelings regarding physiological and psychological conceptualizations of pain that is more intense or persistent than expected? We sought to understand the experience of considering pain as a biopsychosocial experience (phenomenology approach) by studying the thoughts and feelings that arise as people seeking care for arm and back pain engage with physiological and psychological conceptualizations of pain that is more intense or persistent than one would expect based on the pathology. We recruited 29 patients presenting for upper extremity or back pain specialty care at one of two urban offices, intentionally recruiting people of various ages, genders, backgrounds, socioeconomic status, as well as type and duration of pain (purposive sampling). The 29 patients included 18 women and 11 men (16 married, 15 non-White, 20 with arm pain) with a median (interquartile range) age of 62 years (42 to 67). The interviews were conducted by a trained woman orthopaedic surgeon interviewer using a semistructured interview guide soliciting participants' thoughts and feelings about a physiological explanation (nerves in the central nervous system stuck in the on position can make pain more intense) and a psychological explanation (unhelpful thoughts and feelings of distress can make pain more intense) for pain more intense or persistent than expected. The interviews were transcribed and themes were identified as the data were collected. Based on current experimental evidence, including what is known about the physiological effects of thoughts, feelings, and context (placebo/nocebo effects), we assumed an underlying physiological basis for pain that is variably experienced and expressed (mixed postpositive/interpretive approach). Themes were identified in the interview transcripts systematically by two coders and then discussed with the entire research team to arrive at consensus. We stopped enrolling patients when the authors agreed that additional themes did not arise in five consecutive interviews. The following themes and interpretations were derived from the analysis: Neither the physiological nor the psychological explanation for disproportionate pain (1) avoided the stigma associated with mental health, (2) was consistently understood, (3) provided a consistent sense of control, (4) consistently provided hope, and (5) represented the stress and emotion of disproportionate or persistent pain. The physiological explanation also generated mixed reactions regarding whether or not it: (1) was a useful point of conversation, (2) was reassuring or frightening, and (3) supported physiological or psychological treatments. The psychological explanation made some people feel worse. People have mixed reactions to both physiological and psychological explanations of disproportionate pain. As such, without direction on content, communication might be most effective by focusing on relational aspects, such as emotional connection and trust. Although there is room to improve the content of strategies for explaining more pain than expected to patients, our findings extend the discoveries of others in highlighting the need for tailored relational communication strategies that prioritize feeling heard, validated, and accompanied.

Low-Frequency Magnetic Fields in Cars and Office Premises and the Geomagnetic Field Variations.

In this study, we measured and analyzed the spectral characteristics of a low-frequency magnetic field (MF) inside several gasoline-powered cars while driving on busy city roads. The spectra obtained upon measurements in the interior of the cars are compared with those measured in office locations at different times of the day and with different disturbances of the geomagnetic field (k-index of disturbance 2-8). The power spectral density of the electromagnetic field in cars moving on busy roads in the frequency range of 10-3 -102 Hz is one to three orders of magnitude higher than that in urban offices. This raises a question regarding the possible influence of these MFs on the psychophysiological state of drivers. In turn, in the daytime, the MF power in the range from 10-3 to 1 Hz inside the locations is three times higher compared with the power of a strong geomagnetic storm. Despite such an overwhelming magnetic background, geomagnetic storms affect various organisms. The nonspecific effect of magnetic storms is supposed to be associated with relatively long (lasting several hours or more [frequency range of 10-4 -10-5 Hz]) periods of enhancement or weakening of the local geomagnetic field. In this range, especially at night, the power spectral density of geomagnetic disturbances is comparable to and can even exceed the power density of urban MFs. © 2020 Bioelectromagnetics Society.

Urban strategy playground: Rethinking the urban planner’s toolbox

This article presents the results of the Urban Strategy Playground research group. Over the last 5 years, the focus of an interdisciplinary team of researchers was the conception, implementation and evaluation of a decision-support system for inner-city urban and architectural planning. The overall aim of past and ongoing research is to enable planners to validate and compare possible planning measures based on objective criteria. The Urban Strategy Playground software framework is an expandable toolbox that supports planners in developing strategies, evaluating them and visually preparing them for political decision-making processes and public participation. Examples of implemented tools are the simulation and monitoring of building codes, analysis of key density indicators and green space provision, simulation of shading, building energy and noise dispersion. For visualising the planning results, the framework provides interfaces for rapid prototyping of haptic models, as well as web viewers and a connection to Augmented Reality applications. Core aspects of the system were evaluated through case studies in cooperation with urban planning offices, housing companies and municipalities, proving feasibility, high acceptance of the decision-support software, and need for more tailored tools.

IMPACTS OF LABOUR SHORTAGE ON ORGANIZATION PERFORMANCE: A CASE STUDY MINISTRY OF WATER AND IRRIGATION-TANZANIA

Labour shortage is the most challenging factor in economic growth in Tanzania particularly in Water and Health sectors. The Ministry of Water currently is facing critical labour shortage particularly technical staffs and engineers in both rural and urban water Offices. This problem have caused by many factors including, lack of promotion, lack of motivation, job mishmash, and low salary. This paper analysis and demonstrated recognition and good working environment as the key players in retaining labour and removing labour shortage in an organization. Many scholars demonstrates low salary and promotion as the only key players and forget about good working environment and recognition. The objective of this study is to investigate the scope and impacts of labour shortage on organizational performance. Likewise, the study have more significant in reminding the organization about the values of Human Resources for its development. In analyzing the study problem in this study conceptual and theoretical framework have been used.
 The study have used both qualitative and quantitative method in collecting and analyzing data obtained from different sources. Likewise this study have used hypothesis and theories to describe the results. The results of this finding is described through figures percentages and statistics chats which shows the importance and significant of promotion and good working environment in employees retention.
 All in all Tanzania suffers from considerable human resources constraints including inadequate staffing, imbalances in deployment and retention of professional water technical experts and supporting staffs, hence poor service delivery and economic stagnation, here the government must create good policies and proper environments to the workers.

Inclusive growth through Saemaul Undong in Korea

ABSTRACT Saemaul Undong (SMU) is a ‘comprehensive community development programme’ launched by the government of the Republic of Korea in 1970 to reduce the economic gap between rural and urban areas, and subsequently extended to urban factories, schools and offices. A series of SMU projects designed and operated on the principles of ‘by the people, for the people, and of the people’ contributed to inclusive growth in Korea by performing three core tasks of human civilization through people’s capacity-building: establishing ‘governance’, accumulating ‘social capital’ and practising ‘sustainability’. These SMU projects cultivated various value chains from production to processing and marketing that increased cooperation, expanded value added, reduced the gaps between rural and urban areas, mitigated gender inequality, and contributed to inclusive growth through an equitable sharing of the benefits.

Seasonal microbiological quality of air in veterinary practices in Poland.

Numerous studies focused on the bioaerosols in the areas of industry, agriculture and animal husbandry, concerning both residential and public buildings, have been conducted continuously for many years. The aim of the present work was to determine the concentration and composition of mesophilic bacterial flora in the air of selected medical and veterinary clinics located in the cities and in the countryside. Air sampling was carried out in 2011-2013 in 44 veterinary practices in autumn-winter and spring-summer seasons. The concentration of bacteria ranged from 39 - 5,034 cfu/m(3) , with higher values recorded in offices operating in the cities. In the examined medical and veterinary offices, Gram-positive bacteria comprised the largest group of microorganisms, among which Gram-positive cocci of the genus Staphylococcus prevailed, with the highest average of 1,074.40 cfu/m(3) in urban offices during the autumn season. The smallest group was represented by Gram-negative bacteria, with a concentration of 0.0 - 215 cfu/m(3). In total, 93 kinds/species of bacteria were identified. A 12-month series of studies showed the highest mean concentrations of microorganisms in autumn for offices located in the city, while the lowest in winter for rural centres. The environment of veterinary offices is a habitat of pathogenic and potentially pathogenic bacteria, which may pose health problems not only for residents, but also for the animals.

Writing letters to patients as an educational tool for medical students

BackgroundDespite rapid growth and development of medical technology, personal relationship between the patient and physician remains the basis of high quality treatment. The aim of our study was to develop, implement and evaluate patient therapeutic letters written by students as a tool in teaching family medicine.MethodsThe study included all 6th year students attending their rounds in family medicine, structured into two 10-day cycles, one in urban offices and one in offices on the Adriatic islands (rural). After receiving detailed instructions, students wrote letters to two patients after a consultation in the office. The letters were audited by patients and 3 family medicine experts who used a grading instrument (scale 0 – poor, 1 – medium, 2 – good) for 1) adequacy and clarity of description of patients’ disease/state, 2) knowledge, 3) adequacy of recommendations, 4) courtesy and respect and 5) language and style. Patients and experts were also asked to underline phrases they thought would be difficult to understand; the underlined text was subjected to content analysis.ResultsBoth the patients and the experts gave high scores for the value and quality of the letters in terms of the description of the problem, adequacy of recommendations given, and courtesy and respect (mean (±standard deviation) 5.65 ± 0.79 for patients vs. 4.87 ± 0.79 for experts out of maximum score of 6). Family medicine experts were stricter than patients in their evaluation of the content of the letters (adequacy and clarity of disease description (P < 0.001) and adequacy of recommendations (P < 0.001). Both the patients and the experts seemed to like longer letters as the length of the letter showed significant positive correlation with the quality summary score (correlation r = 0.492 vs. r = 0.338, respectively, P < 0.010). Overlapping of the text underlined as difficult to understand by patients and experts was found in 10 (11.6%) out of 86 letters. The highest overlap (20 terms) was found for the category “Technical terms unclear to a lay reader”.ConclusionsWriting of a letter to their first patients may be a useful tool for students to personally experience the practice of medicine and establish better partnership with patients in health care.

Fitwits MD : An Office-Based Tool and Games for Conversations about Obesity with 9- to 12-Year-Old Children

Physician feelings of ineffectiveness and family-related barriers hamper childhood obesity discussions. Physicians desire appealing, time-efficient tools to frame and sensitively address obesity, body mass index, physical activity, nutrition, and portion size. Our university design-led coalition codeveloped tools and games for this purpose. In this feasibility study, we evaluated physician-level counseling of 9- to 12-year-old children and their parents/caretakers using Fitwits MD (Carnegie Mellon University School of Design, Pittsburgh, PA), a brief, structured intervention with flashcards and take-home games. Residency-based physicians in three low- to mid-level socioeconomic urban offices provided self-report data over 8 months through surveys, comment cards, and interviews. We recruited 33 physicians and 93 preadolescents and families. Child-centered key messages resulted in 7-minute conversations, on average. For those physicians who used Fitwits MD, 96% felt improved comfort and competence and 78% noted barrier reduction. Fitwits MD improved residency-based physician self-efficacy and emphasized important health education topics regarding office-based childhood obesity discussions with preadolescents and parents/caretakers.

The Adoption and Use of Health Information Technology in Rural Areas: Results of a National Survey

Health information technology (HIT) is a national policy priority. Knowledge about the special needs, if any, of rural health care providers should be taken into account as policy is put into action. Little is known, however, about rural-urban differences in HIT adoption at the national level. To conduct the first national assessment of HIT in rural primary care offices, with particular attention to electronic medical record (EMR) adoption, range of capabilities in use, and plans for adoption. A national mail survey of 5,200 primary care offices, stratified by rurality using Rural-Urban Commuting Area categories, was conducted in 2007-2008. Regression analyses were used to assess the relationship between office characteristics and EMR adoption, capabilities used, and future adoption plans. A commercial EMR system was present in 31% of offices, with no significant differences by rurality. Of offices with EMRs, 12% reported using a full range of EMR capabilities, with 51% using a basic range and 37% using less than the basic range. Large Rural (adjusted OR = 3.71, P= .022) and Small Rural (aOR = 3.75, P= .049) offices were more likely than Urban offices to use a broader range of EMR capabilities. Among offices without EMRs, those in Isolated areas were less likely to have more immediate plans to adopt (aOR = 0.19, P= .02). HIT adoption and use in rural primary care offices does not appear to be lower than in urban offices. The situation, however, is dynamic and warrants further monitoring.

LIVING LIKE THE LAITY? THE NEGOTIATION OF RELIGIOUS STATUS IN THE CITIES OF LATE MEDIEVAL ITALY

ABSTRACTFramed by consideration of images of treasurers on the books of the treasury in thirteenth-century Siena, this article uses evidence for the employment of men of religion in city offices in central and northern Italy to show how religious status (treated as a subset of ‘clerical culture’) could become an important object of negotiation between city and churchmen, a tool in the repertoire of power relations. It focuses on the employment of men of religion as urban treasurers and takes Florence in the late thirteenth and early fourteenth centuries as a principal case study, but also touches on the other tasks assigned to men of religion and, very briefly, on evidence from other cities (Bologna, Brescia, Como, Milan, Padua, Perugia and Siena). It outlines some of the possible arguments deployed for this use of men of religion in order to demonstrate that religious status was, like gender, more contingent and fluid than the norm-based models often relied on as a shorthand by historians. Despite the powerful rhetoric of lay–clerical separation in this period, the engagement of men of religion in paid, term-bound urban offices inevitably brought them closer to living like the laity.

Time series analysis of the skyline and employment changes in the CBD of Melbourne

This paper covers historical and micro level analyses of floor space and employment in the CBD of Melbourne during the last two decades. The time-series patterns and processes of high-rise building provision in the CBD are also focused on. The CBD has experienced very complicated changes over the last two decades. While particular types of urban functions, say finance and insurance offices and many retail activities, have been dispersed to the suburbs, newly emerged activities have replaced the old and traditional ones. Despite the growth of suburban cores (office and retail), the CBD of Melbourne has still kept its strong centrality through a role as the main location of office activity in particular. Historical and micro level viewpoints provide a new understanding of the metropolitan area. The key question must be Why is the role of the CBD of Melbourne still so strong, given substantial dispersal of population and economic activity to suburban locations?

MANAGEMENT OF TRAFFIC CONGESTION IN URBAN AREAS

The use of road vehicles is increasing, the benefits they affordhave been progressively diminished by external costs.Whereas traffic increases as we approach the centre, the roadand open space decreases. The greater specialisation allows thecity growth in size and in traffic attraction. In this way urbangrowth feeds itself !mer-urban transp011 facilities also becomemore extensive. Growth in size of the city generates greateramounts of traffic and can eventually give rise to agglomerationdiseconomies. Higher transport costs, offices and shops, attractedby the accessibility of central locations, gradually replaceresidential uses, people being forced to seek housing inthe suburbs. As the urban area expands and offices in the citycentre are built denser and highe1; traffic congestion increases.This may result in the fall in centra/land values, since accessibilitydiminishes with the saturation of transport network. Increasedpollution takes various forms as noise, smoke andovercrowded housing in the centre, urban decay in the transitionalzone as commercial development is anticipated.

An interactive, computer-based program to educate patients about genital herpes.

Education and counseling constitute a substantial portion of management of patients with genital herpes. Innovative methods for education about genital herpes are needed. To test the ability of an interactive, computer-based program to educate patients about genital herpes. Persons seeking care at five urban offices were asked to participate. A knowledge test about genital herpes was administered before and after participation. Participants' satisfaction was assessed with a questionnaire. Four hundred thirty-five participants enrolled, and 428 completed the herpes knowledge test. Of six questions evaluated, a statistically significant increase in the proportion of correct answers was noted on five of six questions. Fifty-one percent of participants answered all the questions correctly after the program, compared with 39% before the program. Satisfaction with the program was very high. Innovative, computer-based programs can provide education and assist in the management of chronic sexually transmitted infections.

WAREHOUSE FUNCTIONS, INSURANCE PLANS, AND INNER-CITY REVITALIZATION: A CANADIAN RESEARCH NOTE

The inner city contains a variety of activities that may be broadly categorized as warehouse functions. They include wholesaling, storage, and related functions of a commercial, public, or institutional nature - a miscellaneous assortment that forms a rather nebulous ‘grey zone' between the more fully researched components of the urban economy, notably retailing, offices, and manufacturing. These miscellaneous warehouse functions have been primarily identified with the margins of the central business district (cbd), and particularly with the ‘zone of discard,’ the area of delapidation away from which the cbd core has traditionally migrated.1 Such functions share fundamental characteristics: they are space-consuming, typically truck-dependent, concerned with market proximity, but relatively unconcerned with appearances.

How Parole Officers Use Records

Participant observation and interview methods were used to study the record-keeping behavior of parole officers employed in urban branch offices of a state parole agency. The data show that routine career contingencies reward parole officers for underreporting deviant behavior. Ceteris paribus , parole officers will ignore most of the crimes, incidents, and violations they observe in their caseloads. The exceptions to this rule are situations where the parole officer realizes some beneift from reporting an incident. These benefits relate generally to the control of parolees and to the satisfaction of informal bureaucratic demands. Ordinarily, the parole officer will report an incident and thereby create a record, only when he can use that record to enhance his work environment. These findings have implications for the validity of parole records, and more important, for the functional theory of parole bureaucracies.

Absorption and excretion of mercury in man. I. Relationship of mercury in blood and urine.

To evaluate the occupational hazard of the use of mercury by dentists, determinations were made of (1) the total mercury and vapor concentrations In a group of urban dental offices; and (2) the urinary excretion of mercury by the dentists. In a small but significant proportion (14%) of these offices, mercury concentrations were found In excess off the threshold limit value, Implying a lack of care in handling mercury., The average total mercury concentration was more than twice the average vapor concentration, clearly inferring that mercury particulates cannot be ignored in assessing the dental work environment. Absorption of mercury was evidenced by higher than “normal” urinary mercury levels, which correlated well with both the total ambient air concentrations and estimated exposure times.