Vertical Window Research Articles

Reimagining Kangaroo Care for Preterm Infants: A Novel Garment for Safe and Comfortable Bonding.

Kangaroo Care (KC) has been proven to enhance physiological stability, growth, and bonding in preterm, low-birthweight infants. Despite its benefits, KC is underutilized in Level IV Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) due to challenges in managing medical equipment. This study introduces the Kangarobe™, a novel garment designed to facilitate safe, comfortable, and efficient KC for medically fragile infants in high-acuity NICUs. From 2021 to 2023, a feasibility study was conducted involving 25 infant-parent dyads in a Level IV NICU. The Kangarobe™ was designed using human-centered design principles and tested on infants dependent on respiratory support. Surveys employing a 5-point Likert scale were administered to parents and nursing staff to assess safety, comfort, ease of use, and procedural access. Survey results showed positive feedback from both parents and nursing staff, particularly in the areas of safety and comfort. For example, 72-80% of parents and nurses responded positively regarding ease and comfort. High level of agreement (76%) on the security of medical line management, with minimal negative feedback. In addition, parents using the Kangarobe™ held their infants for an average of 171 min per session, with a notable increase compared to the typical 75 min, indicating enhanced comfort and feasibility for extended KC sessions. The Kangarobe™ successfully enabled the secure management of medical lines and tubes, with the vertical access window improving procedural efficiency without interrupting KC. The Kangarobe™ demonstrates promise in addressing barriers to KC in high-acuity NICUs. By enhancing safety, comfort, and ease of use, it supports wider adoption of KC practices, potentially improving patient safety, staff efficiency, and family-centered care.

Modelling of Indoor Air Quality and Thermal Comfort in Passive Buildings Subjected to External Warm Climate Conditions

Air renewal rate is an important parameter for both indoor air quality and thermal comfort. However, to improve indoor thermal comfort, the air renewal rate to be used, in general, will depend on the outdoor air temperature values. This article presents the modelling of indoor air quality and thermal comfort for occupants of a passive building subject to a climate with warm conditions. The ventilation and shading strategies implemented for the interior spaces are then considered, as well as the use of an underground space for storing cooled air. The indoor air quality is evaluated using the carbon dioxide concentration, and thermal comfort is evaluated using the Predicted Mean Vote index. The geometry of the passive building, with complex topology, is generated using a numerical model. The simulation is performed by Building Thermal Response software, considering the building’s geometry and materials, ventilation, and occupancy, among others. The building studied is a circular auditorium. The auditorium is divided into four semi-circular auditoriums and a central circular space, with vertical glazed windows and horizontal shading devices on its entire outer surface. Typical summer conditions existing in a Mediterranean-type environment were considered. In this work, two cases were simulated: in Case 1, the occupation is verified in the central space and the four semi-circular auditoriums and all spaces are considered as one; in Case 2, the occupation is verified only in each semi-circular auditorium and each one works independently. For both cases, three strategies were applied: A, without shading and geothermal devices; B, with a geothermal device and without a shading device; and C, with both shading and geothermal devices. The airflow rate contributes to improving indoor air quality throughout the day and thermal comfort for occupants, especially in the morning. The geothermal and shading devices improve the thermal comfort level, mainly in the afternoon.

Optimization of infrared emissivity design for radiative cooling windows using artificial neural networks: Considering the diversity of climate and building features

Proper design of emissivity is key to promoting passive cooling for radiative cooling (RC) windows. This work developed an artificial neural network (ANN) to guide the design of RC window emissivity. The ANN model demonstrates good predictive performance with a coefficient of determination greater than 0.8 in all verification cases. Long-term predictions were made for RC effects of adjustment of window emissivity under eight tropical climate cities and different building characteristics. Considering the building characteristics, vertical windows are more suitable for selective high emissivity (SE) designs in most cases; while skylights are more recommended for broadband high emissivity (BE) designs when the window-to-wall ratio is large. There exists a critical window-to-wall ratio that makes RC windows more suitable for SE designs into more suitable for BE designs; this value generally fluctuates around 75 %, depending on specific orientations and climates. Considering the climate characteristics, BE designs should be prioritized when RC windows are in dry climates with low ambient temperatures and strong solar radiation; whereas SE designs should be prioritized when RC windows are in humid climates with high ambient temperatures but relatively weak solar radiation. This work provides more convenient and targeted guidance for the design of RC window emissivity.

Hybrid energy saving performance of translucent CdTe photovoltaic window on small ship under sailing condition

Deck photovoltaic (PV) system has been widely investigated on ocean-going ships to reduce oil consumption. However, its adoption on smaller ship encounters obstacles such as limited deck space, reduced energy efficiency, and cumbersome support structures. This paper explores the application of vertical PV windows on small ships as an alternative solution. By retrofitting standard glass with PV windows, the electricity generation area is expanded without occupying valuable deck space or requiring heavy brackets. Unlike deck PV system that solely generate electricity, PV windows also have the added benefit of reducing cooling load inside cabin, enhancing the overall energy-saving effect. Solar energy received by vertical surface is related to heading angles during navigation, a factor that has received scant attention in previous studies. Therefore, hybrid energy saving performance of PV window system is investigated under sailing condition by experiment and simulation methods. The electricity performance of PV window exhibits periodic fluctuations in closed-route trails, with sailing resulting in better electricity performance than mooring. Annual simulation research indicates that PV window system can generate 300.0 kWh of electricity actively, decrease 374.4 kWh of air conditioning load passively and reduce 472.0 kg of CO2 emission. The optimal transmittance of PV window is 0.4%.

A new strategy for prestack time migration velocity analysis to assess and mitigate structural uncertainty

Velocity uncertainty represents a significant contributor to structural uncertainty in seismic imaging. Therefore, improving velocities and enhancing the resolution of velocity spectra are crucial for reducing structural uncertainty. In the present study, a novel approach is introduced to increase velocity resolution and mitigate structural uncertainty. The methodology's impact on spatial and temporal uncertainty of image points is compared with the improved velocity continuation method. The proposed strategy involves modifying the equations of the weighted semblance method and integrating them into the equations of the velocity continuation method. Specifically, the vertical analysis window of the weighted semblance, typically applied on coherency panels is changed to a horizontal window that is applied on common-image gathers. Correspondingly, the weighting factor is adjusted using a time-adaptive function. The velocity uncertainty equation in the velocity continuation method is then replaced by the new weighted semblance eq. A similar substitution can be performed for structural uncertainty equations. These new equations are then used on common-image gathers obtained by the velocity continuation method to increase the accuracy of the velocity model and then investigate changes in structural uncertainty. In the proposed strategy, prestack time migration is initially conducted on seismic common-offset sections using various constant velocities within a predefined range. Subsequently, the weighted semblance technique is used for automatic velocity model updating in all common-image gathers. The new velocity model is then used for final prestack time migration. In the equations pertaining to velocity uncertainty, a width equivalent to one standard deviation on both sides of the picked velocity value is considered as the uncertainty range. By narrowing this width through the proposed method, it is expected to mitigate subsequent structural uncertainty, specifically for 1D media. Results from applying the presented method on synthetic and marine seismic data demonstrate its effectiveness in reducing structural uncertainty for 1D time migrated images compared to the velocity continuation method. It is also shown that horizontal structural uncertainty is significantly more sensitive to velocity errors rather than vertical uncertainty. An added benefit is that the increased resolution in velocity spectra also provides appropriate panels for automatic velocity picking.

Investigation of influential variations among variables in daylighting glare metrics using machine learning and SHAP

Previous studies have shown the inconsistent performance of various daylighting glare prediction metrics in office daylit-dominated environments. This lack of consensus may stem from a limited understanding of how their component variables contribute to the prediction power reflected on these discomfort glare models. Previous studies predominantly focused on individual variables' linear, independent impact on glare discomfort prediction, neglecting to explore their non-linear and interaction contributions. This study addressed these limitations by evaluating regularly used glare variables using machine learning-based feature selection and SHAP interpretation methods to parse the collected dataset in a subjective survey. By applying different machine learning algorithms and SHAP explainers, we have identified their contribution importance to the prediction of different scales of glare discomfort rating when incorporated into one model and have observed the difference of interaction effects between these variables on predicting glare discomfort ratings. Our findings indicate that vertical eye illuminance, maximal luminance, and window mean luminance exhibit strong prediction power and significant interaction effects on glare discomfort sensations, indicating that they could be the dominant contributors to glare predictive metrics. Contrast effect variables within the field of view had less predictive influence on glare scales when combined with other variables. This innovative approach enables a comprehensive assessment of different variables' influential sequence and interaction consequences when incorporated into the glare prediction model. It facilitates the development of the new glare discomfort prediction model.

The Influence of Reflected Light on the Assessment of the Quality of Daylighting in Rooms with Vertical Windows

The light distribution nature determines the quality of luminous environment created by the daylight in the room. How the daylight flux received through the window will be distributed throughout the room depends on the reflectivity of the enclosing surfaces. However, the efficiency of using the reflectivity of the material is determined not only by the value of the reflection coefficient, but is a complex function depending on the geometric parameters of the room, the configuration and characteristics of the light openings, the ratio of the reflection coefficients of various surfaces of the room. According to the accepted rationing system, the effect of reflections inside the room is taken into account with help of the coefficient r0. This coefficient is determined by the tables given in the standards of the Russian Federation. In this article, the Author examine the properties of the illuminance, created by the reflection part and how it influences the light quality in the room with daylighting. The conclusions were made according to the results of the reflection influence research of daylight factor and cylindrical illuminance. The importance of the reflected component share, which is creating by the multiple reflections, is illustrated. Also conclusions about the importance of taking into account the configuration of rooms, as well as the ratio of reflection coefficients of all surfaces of the room for maximum use of the reflection effect are given.

Enerji Verimli Aydınlatma Tasarımı: Farklı Pencere Boyutlarında Optimum Gün Işığı Kullanımı Üzerine Bir Araştırma

In recent years, with the frequently discussed concept of sustainability, designers have been increasingly demanded to improve spatial comfort conditions. The growing emphasis on energy efficiency in design has led designers to consider these issues at earlier stages of the design process. Daylight, seen as a clean, uninterrupted energy source and a cost-effective alternative to artificial lighting, also ensures visual comfort for individuals due to its good color rendering. Despite all these well-known benefits, design criteria have not been established to reduce the energy consumption rate caused by artificial lighting while taking into account the factors affecting daylight, an important input. This study presents an investigation aimed at achieving energy savings in lighting by using the ideal window concept and other parameters to optimally benefit from daylight. The study has been applied under cloudy sky and deep room conditions, which represent the worst-case scenarios. As an alternative to time-consuming mathematical calculations, the Velux Daylight Visualizer lighting simulation program was used to create three-dimensional designs for horizontal, vertical, square, and roof windows separately, and the effects of these windows on the daylight factor were analyzed. The impact of different furniture colors in the interior space was also examined. Following the investigations, it was observed that roof windows produced more daylight compared to others. However, since roof windows cannot be used in multi-story buildings, a comparison was made between horizontal, vertical, and square windows, and it was concluded that horizontal windows placed close to the upper wall were more efficient than the others. In addition, it was observed that lighter-colored furniture, among the light and dark furniture, produced more daylight compared to the other.

Optimizing hybrid ventilation and daylight-linked dimming control for carbon reduction and thermal comfort in a subtropical high-rise office building

The dominant contributors to electricity consumption in existing buildings are air-conditioning and lighting systems. This study aims to optimize hybrid ventilation and daylight-linked dimming control in a subtropical high-rise office building. The objective is to reduce carbon emissions while ensuring thermal and visual comfort. These two strategies can be retrofitted in a typical curtain wall system with vertical windows without encountering any technical limitations. EnergyPlus is used to analyze the impact of these strategies on enhancing thermal comfort and illuminance while achieving electricity savings in the high-rise office building. Based on the typical meteorological year of Hong Kong, using natural ventilation in perimeter zones can reduce the energy use intensity (EUI) by 2.6 to 3.41 % for 30.09 to 34.97 % of total operating hours, depending on window-to-wall ratios (WWRs). Furthermore, daylight-linked dimming control in perimeter zones can reduce EUI by 18.91 % to 21.9 % in the HVAC portion and 8.09 % to 12.25 % in the lighting portion during 91.39 % to 98.28 % of total operating hours. Using daylighting with a high WWR helps reduce 6.31 to 9.21 % in total greenhouse gas emissions. The study also develops a logistic regression model using three climatic variables to predict the natural ventilation status. Overall, the use of daylighting greatly improves the percentage of acceptable predicted mean vote (PMV), with the greatest improvements observed in perimeter zones facing east and west on the middle floors. However, the combined application of both strategies results in a tempered improvement. The novelty of this study lies in providing guidance on suitable WWRs for implementing both strategies to achieve carbon reduction. Moreover, the significance lies in providing a quantitative assessment of how enhanced ventilation and lighting controls contribute to lower carbon emissions while improving thermal comfort.

Vacuum insulated glazing (VIG) units under wind load—part 1: global deformation and stresses on the outer glass surfaces

This paper presents the first part of a study on the effect of wind loads on Vacuum Insulated Glass (VIG) units. The study provides background information on VIG and relevant Standards, explains the numerical modelling process, and discusses the implications of the results in relation to European and North American codes and Standards. The focus of the study is on vertical windows and façade installations in low-rise buildings (< 25 m) commonly found in residential buildings. The mechanical behaviour of VIG was analysed using the Finite Element Method (FEM) with respect to various design parameters such as glass pane size, glass thickness, surface pressure magnitude, and edge boundary conditions. The study analysed global deformation as well as the stresses on the outer glass surfaces. The VIG features such as pillar geometry and contact dynamics, and material non-linear effects, were explicitly modelled. In addition, monolithic glass plates were also modelled, and the FEM results of the monolithic cases were in reasonable agreement with an analytical solution obtained from linear thin plate theory. These results highlight the limit of linear behaviour in monolithic plate bending. The centre-of-pane deflection of the VIG was in good agreement with the FEM and analytical solutions of the equivalent thickness monolithic pane, for sample sizes below 800 × 800 mm. However, for larger glass sizes, a deviation was found, and the VIG exhibited a higher plate stiffness than the equivalent thickness monolithic pane. The simulations also showed that the stresses in the glass panes are highly dependent on the edge of glass boundary condition. Finally, the results demonstrated that with appropriate design choices, the VIG can satisfy the Standards requirements for wind load and glass design in both Europe and North America.

Brief communication: On the definition of the low-level jet

Abstract. Low-level jets (LLJs) are examples of non-logarithmic wind speed profiles affecting wind turbine power production, wake recovery, and structural/aerodynamic loading. However, there is no consensus regarding which definition should be applied for jet identification. In this study we argue that a shear definition is more relevant to wind energy than a falloff definition. The shear definition is demonstrated and validated through the development of a European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) fifth-generation reanalysis (ERA5) LLJ climatology for six sites. Identification of LLJs and their morphology, frequency, and intensity is critically dependent on the (i) vertical window of data from which LLJs are extracted and (ii) the definition employed.

PREE: Heuristic builder for reverse engineering of network protocols in industrial control systems

Industrial control systems (ICS) play a critical role in the operation of our vital infrastructures. They consist of field sites and a control center, with programmable logic controllers (PLCs) used at field sites to control physical processes directly. These systems communicate with the control center using proprietary protocols for remote monitoring, control, and configuration. The ability to reverse engineer these protocols can improve digital forensics techniques for investigating ICS attacks. The existing methods for reversing ICS protocols are manual forensics, binary analysis, probabilistic methods, or predefined network traffic analysis tools. ICS protocols, designed to operate in industrial environments, exhibit overlapping functionality, like uploading/downloading control logic to a PLC, which results in shared standard fields, such as function code and PLC memory address. Our hypothesis is that knowledge of one ICS protocol can aid in reverse engineering other proprietary ICS protocols. The paper introduces a heuristic builder, PREE, which enables control engineers with ICS protocol knowledge to create heuristics for identifying fields in other ICS protocols. We test our hypothesis by creating seven heuristic variants using the rolling window, vertical window, and frequency table techniques. We evaluate our heuristics on six ICS protocols, i.e., Modbus TCP, UMAS, ENIP, Omron FINS, CLICK, and PCCC. The evaluation involves five PLCs from four vendors: Modicon M221, Allen Bradley 1400 and 1100, Omron CP1L, and AutomationDirect CLICK Koyo. Results show that PREE can effectively identify common fields in multiple protocols, such as function code, message type, message length, PLC memory address, data size, and session/transaction IDs. PREE outperforms existing reverse engineering tools like NetPlier, Netzob, and Discoverer in terms of accuracy, conciseness, completeness, and consistency. We also demonstrate PREE's applications in a vulnerability study on CLICK Koyo PLC and present SNORT rules for investigating various attacks on it.

Sensitivity analysis of seismic attributes parametrization to reduce misinterpretations: Applications to deepwater channel complexes

Geoscientists apply algorithms such as seismic attributes to better interpret depositional systems that enhance various aspects of the seismic data. However, they are limited by the original seismic amplitude or frequency content, data quality, and algorithm parameters considered.Additionally, our capacity to interpret depositional system architecture is limited by seismic resolution, which results in potential misinterpretations associated with the correct position of stratigraphic features. Resolution also sets a minimum thickness that can be observed in seismic data. This is particularly important as mapping reservoir architecture (geobody size, shape, and stacking patterns) in the subsurface is critical for exploring and producing hydrocarbons, CO2 storage, and geothermal resource development since it can define connectivity or compartmentalization of flow zones.To address these concerns, we investigated five synthetic seismic volumes from low to high-dominant frequencies of 15 Hz, 30 Hz, 60 Hz, 90 Hz, and 180 Hz based on an architectural model of an outcropping deepwater channelized slope system in the Magallanes Basin, Chile. We analyzed 1) how seismic bandwidth affects the resolution of stacked stratigraphic features (i.e., deepwater channel elements and Mass Transport Deposits (MTDs)) and their subsequent seismic interpretation, and 2) the effect of different seismic attributes commonly employed in channel interpretation on our data to understand the “mixing” or “vertical smearing” of stratigraphic features by comparing the seismic with the true geological model 3) we explored how the attributes’ parametrization affects the imaging of differently sized features by modifying the analysis window in each case from ± 2ms to ± 50 ms. Finally, 4) we evaluated the effect of different noise levels in the sensitivity analysis. Resultsshow that the “mixing” of events occurs mainly as a result of 1) the seismic bandwidth, 2) the algorithm used for each seismic attribute calculation, 3) the attribute vertical analysis window, and 4) the signal-to-noise ratio of the data. Broadband, higher frequency data, and small analysis windows provide clearer images of the stacked channels. In contrast, low-frequency data and larger analysis windows result in more mixing or “composite” appearances, affecting interpretations and net-to-gross estimates, especially in small-size stratigraphic features such as individual channel elements and Mass Transport Deposits (MTDs). Our observations warn of potential misinterpretations in applying default attributes to actual seismic data, especially in geometrical attributes and window-dependent ones. Recognizing these misinterpretations is paramount for reconstructing deepwater architecture (this study), sedimentary and structural studies for drilling locations, reserves estimation, and overall uncertainty assessment.

A comprehensive re‐look into Jurassic‐Cretaceous Neotethyan active margin in Iran: Evidence of deep mantle flow into subduction magma factory and formation of transitional basalts

Subduction zones display the most diverse magma compositions from various calc‐alkaline differentiates to alkaline mafic associations, but mechanisms generating Nb‐Enriched Basalts (NEB) and High‐Nb Basalts (HNB) in such settings have received less attention from the researchers. Occurrences of NEB and HNB magmas in the Mesozoic Neotethyan active margin in Iran, known as the Sanandaj‐Sirjan Zone, provide an excellent natural lab for examining this interesting petrologic puzzle. The Middle‐Jurassic typical calc‐alkaline arc plutons exhibit a NW‐SE subduction parallel trend. In the northwestern sector of the zone, the Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous magmatic rocks (JCMR) define a chain that transects the Middle‐Jurassic arc trend. The two cross‐cutting magmatic chains are chemically and genetically different. The JCMR include three distinct compositional groups: (i) tholeiites that are depleted in high‐field‐strength elements (HFSE) and show subduction‐related geochemical fingerprints, (ii) NEB with higher abundances of Nb and other HFSE, and (iii) HNB with the highest abundances of Nb and other HFSE. The latter two groups do not display typical arc signatures and are transitional between arc and plume‐type magmas. These three groups of rocks show linear major and trace element, and Sr–Nd isotopic variation trends extending from Mid‐Ocean Ridge Basalts‐like tholeiites to Oceanic Island Basalts‐like HNB. Hence, a two‐component mixing process is suggested for explaining the compositional variation of the JCMR. We propose that a vertical window resulted from slab tear created the geodynamic environment for juxtaposition of magmas originated at different mantle depths and formation of the transitional basalts by magma mixing.

Overheating in the Attic Space Classroom in Summer

Abstract The presented study deals with the space located in the attic of an older building after reconstruction. Originally, the attic space was not used, as it did not have sufficient headroom. The reconstruction was designed in such a way that the entire original pitched roof was gradually raised by 1.2 meters in parts, creating a full-fledged space under the pitched pitched roof. The visual connection of the interior space with the exterior was ensured by continuous strips of vertical windows around the perimeter of the building, each window measuring 600x600 mm. The space is also illuminated by several skylights at roof level, which, although they ensure sufficient penetration of daylight from above into the interior, at the same time allow for considerably unpleasant overheating. The task was to find a way to optimize the size of transparent surfaces and determine the accumulation of building structures in order to achieve an acceptable cumulative effect of daylight and overheating, i.e., permissible increase in indoor air temperature in summer. It means trying to theoretically design a suitable and comfortable interior space in the attic in an already existing building.

Mutual Interaction of Daylight and Overheating in the Attic Space in Summer Time

The classroom space located in the attic of an old building is the subject of this study. The building was renovated and new spaces were created in the unused attic to expand classrooms. The original space under the sloping roof was not used because its internal headroom was not suitable. During the restoration, the entire original truss was raised gradually (in parts) by 1.2 m. This created a space with an entire area that can be used for classrooms. Continuous strips of vertical windows measuring 860/600 mm were installed in the space which enable a visual connection between the interior space and the exterior. At roof level, there are also two rows of skylights above each other which ensure enough daylight is present but create unpleasant overheating in the summer. The purpose of this study is to find a way to optimize the shading of transparent surfaces and the heat accumulation of building structures in order to achieve suitable interior conditions in the attic. This task was achieved by shading the windows in the attic. Shaded windows decrease illumination by 82% compared to unshaded ones. The percentage decrease in illumination is more significant than the decrease in the maximum temperature due to overheating. Additionally, the maximum temperature in the attic drops by only 31% if vertical and skylight windows are shaded with external blinds compared to unshaded windows. The minimum air temperature reached in the attic also drops by 26%. In order for users in the attic space to feel comfortable, it is necessary to use HVAC equipment in addition to the design of suitably built structures and window shading.

Visual Transitions around Tabletops in Mixed Reality: Study on a Visual Acquisition Task between Vertical Virtual Displays and Horizontal Tabletops

See-through Head-Mounted Displays (HMDs) offer interesting opportunities to augment the interaction space around screens, especially around horizontal tabletops. In such context, HMDs can display surrounding vertical virtual windows to complement the tabletop content with data displayed in close vicinity. However, the effects of such combination on the visual acquisition of targets in the resulting combined display space have scarcely been explored. In this paper we conduct a study to explore visual acquisitions in such contexts, with a specific focus on the analysis of visual transitions between the horizontal tabletop display and the vertical virtual displays (in front and on the side of the tabletop). To further study the possible visual perception of the tabletop content out of the HMD and its impact on visual interaction, we distinguished two solutions for displaying information on the horizontal tabletop: using the see-through HMD to display virtual content over the tabletop surface (virtual overlay), i.e. the content is only visible inside the HMD’s FoV, or using the tabletop itself (tabletop screen). 12 participants performed visual acquisition tasks involving the horizontal and vertical displays. We measured the time to perform the task, the head movements, the portions of the displays visible in the HMD’s field of view, the physical fatigue and the user’s preference. Our results show that it is faster to acquire virtual targets in the front display than on the side. Results reveal that the use of the virtual overlay on the tabletop slows down the visual acquisition compared to the use of the tabletop screen, showing that users exploit the visual perception of the tabletop content on the peripheral visual space. We were also able to quantify when and to which extent targets on the tabletop can be acquired without being visible within the HMD's field of view when using the tabletop screen, i.e. by looking under the HMD. These results lead to design recommendations for more efficient, comfortable and integrated interfaces combining tabletop and surrounding vertical virtual displays.

VERNAKÜLER MİMARİDE DOĞAL IŞIĞIN SÜRDÜRÜLEBİLİRLİK BAĞLAMINDA İNCELENMESİ

One of the primary aspects of the concept of sustainability is the reduction in the need for artificial light sources with the natural lighting method often used in vernacular architecture. Artificial light sources are often used in interior spaces as a result of the developments in the lighting technology. Lighting products using modern technology harm the environment during the production stage and following the expiry of their lifecycle and also cause problems as waste. Moreover, most use a technology that is far from being sustainable. They harm the environment as waste after their lifecycle expires. Examining examples of architecture constructed with modern construction methods and where natural lighting is used to the maximum extent, it is observed that daylight is preferred in interior spaces due to being more economic, healthy and environmentally friendly. However, the variety of methods used to receive natural light into interior spaces also sets the architectural character of the building. This study discusses selected examples of vernacular architecture to underline the natural lighting techniques that support the notion of sustainability. The study describes the effect of natural lighting on interior space and then examines the relationship between vernacular architecture and the natural lighting technique. The subject is described under topics such as vertical and horizontal window apertures as the method for receiving light into the interior space and the yard system, and the various modes of architecture observed in various climate regions are interpreted in the context of sustainability.

Characterizing Nonlinear Effects in Vertical Site Response of Dry Soils Using KiK-Net Data

ABSTRACT Forward engineering applications often use modulus reduction and damping ratio curves (MRD) to represent the non-linear response of the soil as a strain dependent equivalent-linear response. While a multitude of such models are available for the shear-modulus, G, only a handful of studies have attempted to constrain MRD models for the compressional-related constrained modulus, M. In this study, nonlinearity associated with the constrained modulus was studied using an extensive analysis of records from 27 KiK-net seismic stations. To represent the response of dry soil, stations with at least 10 m ground water depth (GWD) were analysed. Using frequency shifts, the modulus degradation of the horizontal (H), the vertical (V) and the vertical P-wave window (PV) components were characterized. Degradation models for the constrained modulus, for a coupled and uncoupled analysis with the shear component are suggested. We find that for PGA>0.1 g, the H component has 91% probability of developing non-linear response, while for the V and PV components it is only 55% and 43%, respectively. We further find that within those records in which nonlinearity was observed, the PGA threshold for H, V, and PV, is 0.1 g, 0.08 g, and 0.03 g, respectively. Finally, the differences we observe between the full vertical component and the extracted P-wave window suggest that the V component includes a combination of P and SV waves, implying that vertical site-response analysis should include both shear and compression-related soil properties.

Multirotors From Takeoff to Real-Time Full Identification Using the Modified Relay Feedback Test and Deep Neural Networks

Low-cost real-time identification of multirotor unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) dynamics is an active area of research supported by the surge in demand and emerging application domains. Such real-time identification capabilities shorten development time and cost, making UAVs’ technology more accessible, and enable a wide variety of advanced applications. In this article, we present a novel comprehensive approach, called DNN-MRFT, for real-time identification and tuning of multirotor UAVs using the modified relay feedback test (MRFT) and deep neural networks (DNNs). The main contribution is the development of a generalized framework for the application of DNN-MRFT to higher order systems. One of the notable advantages of DNN-MRFT is the exact estimation of identified process gain, which mitigates the inaccuracies introduced due to the use of the describing function method in approximating the response of Lure’s systems. A secondary contribution is a generalized controller based on DNN-MRFT that takes off a UAV with unknown dynamics and identifies the inner loops dynamics in-flight. Using the developed framework, DNN-MRFT is sequentially applied to the outer translational loops of the UAV utilizing in-flight results obtained for the inner attitude loops. DNN-MRFT takes on average 15 s to get the full knowledge of multirotor UAV dynamics, and without any further tuning or calibration, the UAV would be able to pass through a vertical window and accurately follow trajectories achieving state-of-the-art performance. Such demonstrated accuracy, speed, and robustness of identification pushes the limits of state of the art in real-time identification of UAVs.