Optimal sensor placement and measurement of wind for water quality studies in urban reservoirs

We collaborate with environmental scientists to study the hydrodynamics and water quality in an urban district, where the surface wind distribution is an essential input but undergoes high spatial and temporal variations due to the complex urban landform created by surrounding buildings. In this work, we study an optimal sensor placement scheme to measure the wind distribution over a large urban reservoir with a limited number of wind sensors. Unlike existing sensor placement solutions that assume Gaussian process of target phenomena, this study measures the wind which inherently exhibits strong non-Gaussian yearly distribution. By leveraging the local monsoon characteristics of wind, we segment a year into different monsoon seasons which follow a unique distribution respectively. We also use computational fluid dynamics to learn the spatial correlation of wind in the presence of surrounding buildings. The output of sensor placement is a set of the most informative locations to deploy the wind sensors, based on the readings of which we can accurately predict the wind over the entire reservoir surface in real time. 10 wind sensors are finally deployed around or on the water surface of an urban reservoir. The in-field measurement results of more than 3 months suggest that the proposed sensor placement and spatial prediction approach provides accurate wind measurement which outperforms the state-of-the-art Gaussian model based or interpolation based approaches.

Sensor placement and measurement of wind for water quality studies in urban reservoirs

We study the water quality in an urban district, where the surface wind distribution is an essential input but undergoes high spatial and temporal variations due to the impact of surrounding buildings. In this work, we develop an optimal sensor placement scheme to measure the wind distribution over a large urban reservoir using a limited number of wind sensors. Unlike existing solutions that assume Gaussian process of target phenomena, this study measures the wind that inherently exhibits strong non-Gaussian yearly distribution. By leveraging the local monsoon characteristics of wind, we segment a year into different monsoon seasons that follow a unique distribution respectively. We also use computational fluid dynamics to learn the spatial correlation of wind. The output of sensor placement is a set of the most informative locations to deploy the wind sensors, based on the readings of which we can accurately predict the wind over the entire reservoir in real time. Ten wind sensors are deployed. The in-field measurement results of more than 3 months suggest that the proposed sensor placement and spatial prediction scheme provides accurate wind measurement that outperforms the state-of-the-art Gaussian model based on interpolation-based approaches.

Extended studies on fibre diameter measurement with OFDA instrument

OFDA 2000 is a widely used fibre diameter measurement instrument. The instrument can provide improved statistical accuracy measurements in comparison with traditional technology. In this paper, a new technique has been developed to enable fibre diameters to be measured in an aqueous environment using the OFDA 2000 instrument. This new technique was utilised to assess the effects of pH and temperature on the diameters of Merino wool fibres in aqueous environments. Significant changes in fibre diameter under aqueous conditions were found as a function of pH and temperature. It is also demonstrated in this paper that the fibre diameter measurement results can be affected by fibre colour. In both dry and aqueous conditions, variation in fibre diameter was observed on fibres with different colours. This could be due to an optical effect or more likely due to physical changes in the dyed fibres as a result of the presence of dyes. Apart from their physical bulk, dyes may also affect the water content of fibres and hence have an influence on the swelling of fibres when they are measured under ambient regain and wet conditions.

Evaluation of the fineness of degummed bast fibers

Fiber fineness characteristics are important for yarn production and quality. In this paper, degummed bast fibers such as hemp, flax and ramie have been examined with the Optical Fiber Diameter Analyzer (OFDA100 and OFDA2000) systems for fiber fineness, in comparison with the conventional image analysis and the Wira airflow tester. The correlation between the results from these measurements was analysed. The results indicate that there is a significant linear co-relation between the fiber fineness measurement results obtained from those different systems. In addition, the mean fiber width and its coefficient of variation obtained from the OFDA100 system are smaller than those obtained from the OFDA2000 system, due to the difference in sample preparation methods. The OFDA2000 system can also measure the fiber fineness profile along the bast fiber plants, which can be useful for plant breeding.

Contribution of fungi to primary biogenic aerosols in the atmosphere: wet and dry discharged spores, carbohydrates, and inorganic ions

Biogenic aerosols play important roles in atmospheric chemistry physics, the biosphere, climate, and public health. Here, we show that fungi which actively discharge their spores with liquids into the air, in particular actively wet spore discharging Ascomycota (AAM) and actively wet spore discharging Basidiomycota (ABM), are a major source of primary biogenic aerosol particles and components. We present the first estimates for the global average emission rates of fungal spores.

Measurement results and budget calculations based on investigations in Amazonia (Balbina, Brazil, July 2001) indicate that the spores of AAM and ABM may account for a large proportion of coarse particulate matter in tropical rainforest regions during the wet season (0.7–2.3 μg m⁻³). For the particle diameter range of 1–10 μm, the estimated proportions are ~25% during day-time, ~45% at night, and ~35% on average. For the sugar alcohol mannitol, the budget calculations indicate that it is suitable for use as a molecular tracer for actively wet discharged basidiospores (ABS). ABM emissions seem to account for most of the atmospheric abundance of mannitol (10–68 ng m⁻³), and can explain the observed diurnal cycle (higher abundance at night). ABM emissions of hexose carbohydrates might also account for a significant proportion of glucose and fructose in air particulate matter (7–49 ng m⁻³), but the literature-derived ratios are not consistent with the observed diurnal cycle (lower abundance at night). AAM emissions appear to account for a large proportion of potassium in air particulate matter over tropical rainforest regions during the wet season (17–43 ng m⁻³), and they can also explain the observed diurnal cycle (higher abundance at night). The results of our investigations and budget calculations for tropical rainforest aerosols are consistent with measurements performed at other locations.

Based on the average abundance of mannitol reported for extratropical continental boundary layer air (~25 ng m⁻³), we have also calculated a value of ~17 Tg yr⁻¹ as a first estimate for the global average emission rate of ABS over land surfaces, which is consistent with the typically observed concentrations of ABS (~10³–10⁴ m⁻³; ~0.1^–1 μg m⁻³). The global average atmospheric abundance and emission rate of total fungal spores, including wet and dry discharged species, are estimated to be higher by a factor of about three, i.e. 1 μg m⁻³ and ~50 Tg yr⁻¹. Comparisons with estimated rates of emission and formation of other major types of organic aerosol (~47 Tg yr⁻¹ of anthropogenic primary organic aerosol; 12–70 Tg yr⁻¹ of secondary organic aerosol) indicate that emissions from fungi should be taken into account as a significant global source of organic aerosol. The effects of fungal spores and related chemical components might be particularly important in tropical regions, where both physicochemical processes in the atmosphere and biological activity at the Earth's surface are particularly intense, and where the abundance of fungal spores and related chemical compounds are typically higher than in extratropical regions.

Retrofitting for ventilation, infiltration and comfort

Legislation is demanding that our existing building stock be improved to a minimum of 4.0 Star AGBRS (Aust. Green Building Rating Scheme) energy standards. In the 'Green Building Fund' scheme for office buildings and other government incentives, retrofitting our existing building stock makes plain good sense. However, many of the stakeholders (owners, facilities managers, occupants) do not know where to begin to invest, for making these savings. This paperdemonstrates through two case studies, in government related  office buildihgs,how real energy savings were approached and obtained. It illustrates a process whereby preliminary and pretesting results lead to solutions of building ventilation, infiltration and comfort improvement. Furthermore, it discusses how post building performance testing results verified improvement as well as provided inputs to energy simulation, indicating where further invested improvements could be made.
One case study illustrates how the weatherisation of a building prevented a 1.5 million dollar retrofitting spending, costing the client less than one-tenth of the initial retrofitting cost. Another example demonstrates how over-engineering and incorrect ventilation concepts can cost the client up to 70% of their energy bill. Both papers involve real evidence-based pre and post measurement results in existing occupied buildings.

Contribution of fungi to primary biogenic aerosols in the atmosphere : active discharge of spores, carbohydrates, and inorganic ions by Asco- and Basidiomycota

Spores and related chemical compounds from actively spore-discharging Ascomycota (AAM) and actively spore-discharging Basidiomycota (ABM) are primary biogenic components of air particulate matter (characteristic size range 1–10 μm). Measurement results and budget calculations based on investigations in Amazonia (Balbina, Brazil, July 2001) indicate that the forcible discharge of fungal spores may account for a large proportion of coarse air particulate matter in tropical rainforest regions during the wet season. For the particle diameter range of 1–10 μm, the estimated proportions are ~25% during day-time, ~45% at night, and ~35% on average. For the sugar alcohol, mannitol, the budget calculations indicate that it is suitable for use as a molecular tracer for actively discharged basidiospores (ABS), and that the literature-derived emission ratio of about 5 pg per ABS may be taken as a representative average. ABM emissions may account for most of the atmospheric abundance of mannitol, and can explain the observed diurnal cycle (higher abundance at night). ABM emissions of hexose carbohydrates might also account for a significant proportion of glucose and fructose in air particulate matter, but the literature-derived ratios are not consistent with the observed diurnal cycle (lower abundance at night). AAM emissions appear to account for a large proportion of potassium in air particulate matter over tropical rainforest regions during the wet season, and they can also explain the observed diurnal cycle (higher abundance at night). The results of our investigations and budget calculations for tropical rainforest aerosols are consistent with measurements performed at other locations.

Based on the average abundance of mannitol in particulate matter, which is consistent with the above emission ratio and the observed abundance of ABS, we have also calculated a value of ~17 Tg yr−1 as a first estimate for the global average emission rate of ABS over land surfaces. Comparisons with estimated rates of emission and formation of other major types of organic aerosol (~47 Tg yr−1 of anthropogenic primary organic aerosol; 12–70 Tg yr−1 of secondary organic aerosol) indicate that emissions from actively spore-discharging fungi should be taken into account as a significant source of organic aerosol. Their effects might be particularly important in tropical regions, where both physicochemical processes in the atmosphere and biological activity at the Earth's surface are particularly intense, and where the abundance of fungal spores and related chemical compounds are typically higher than in extratropical regions.

Characterization and optimization to improve uneven surface on MEMS bridge fabrication

This paper presents an optimized fabrication method for developing a freestanding bridge for RF MEMS switches. In this method, the sacrificial layer is patterned and hard baked a 220°C for 3min, after filling the gap between the slots of the coplanar waveguide. Measurement results by AFM and SEM demonstrate that this technique significantly improves the planarity of the sacrificial layer, reducing the uneven surface to less than 20nm, and the homogeneity of the Aluminum thickness across the bridge. Moreover, a mixture of O2, Ar and CF4 was used and optimized for dry releasing of the bridge. A large membrane (200×100μm2) was released without any surface bending. Therefore, this method not only simplifies the fabrication process, but also improves the surface flatness and edge smoothness of the bridge. This fabrication method is fully compatible with standard silicon IC technology.

Fracture prediction from repeat BMD measurements in clinical practice

Summary: We investigated whether repeat BMD measurements in clinical populations are useful for fracture risk assessment. We report that repeat BMD measurements are a robust predictor of fracture in clinical populations; this is not affected by preceding BMD change or recent osteoporosis therapy. Introduction: In clinical practice, many patients selectively undergo repeat bone mineral density (BMD) measurements. We investigated whether repeat BMD measurements in clinical populations are useful for fracture risk assessment and whether this is affected by preceding change in BMD or recent osteoporosis therapy. Methods: We identified women and men aged ≥50 years who had a BMD measurement during 1990–2009 from a large clinical BMD database for Manitoba, Canada (n = 50,215). Patient subgroups aged ≥50 years at baseline with repeat BMD measures were identified. Data were linked to an administrative data repository, from which osteoporosis therapy, fracture outcomes, and covariates were extracted. Using Cox proportional hazards models, we assessed covariate-adjusted risk for major osteoporotic fracture (MOF) and hip fracture according to BMD (total hip, lumbar spine, femoral neck) at different time points. Results: Prevalence of osteoporosis therapy increased from 18 % at baseline to 55 % by the fourth measurement. Total hip BMD was predictive of MOF at each time point. In the patient subgroup with two repeat BMD measurements (n = 13,481), MOF prediction with the first and second measurements was similar: adjusted-hazard ratio (HR) per SD 1.45 (95 % CI 1.34–1.56) vs. 1.64 (95 % CI 1.48–1.81), respectively. No differences were seen when the second measurement results were stratified by preceding change in BMD or osteoporosis therapy (both p-interactions >0.2). Similar results were seen for hip fracture prediction and when spine and femoral neck BMD were analyzed. Conclusion: Repeat BMD measurements are a robust predictor of fracture in clinical populations; this is not affected by preceding BMD change or recent osteoporosis therapy.

Up to a quarter of the Australian population may have suboptimal health literacy depending upon the measurement tool : results from a population-based survey

The objective of this paper is to measure health literacy in a representative sample of the Australian general population using three health literacy tools; to consider the congruency of results; and to determine whether these assessments were associated with socio-demographic characteristics. Face-to-face interviews were conducted in a stratified random sample of the adult Victorian population identified from the 2004 Australian Government Electoral Roll. Participants were invited to participate by mail and follow-up telephone call. Health literacy was measured using the Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Medicine (REALM), Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults (TOFHLA) and Newest Vital Sign (NVS). Of 1680 people invited to participate, 89 (5.3%) were ineligible, 750 (44.6%) were not contactable by phone, 531 (32%) refused and 310 (response rate 310/1591, 19.5%) agreed to participate. Compared with the general population, participants were slightly older, better educated and had a higher annual income. The proportion of participants with less than adequate health literacy levels varied: 26.0% (80/308) for the NVS, 10.6% (51 33/310) for the REALM and 6.8% (21/309) for the TOFHLA. A varying but significant proportion of the general population was found to have limited health literacy. The health literacy measures we used, while moderately correlated, appear to measure different but related constructs and use different cut offs to indicate poor health literacy.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon emission loads and profiles from the burning of locally grown wood species in Victoria, Australia - Some pilot project results

A testing facility for combustion of biomass and sampling of emissions has been established at Deakin University. In this pilot project using this facility, four kinds of locally grown wood species were burned and the particle emissions sampled and analysed for Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs). The selected wood species covering pine, red gum, yellow box and sugar gum, are the most popular domestic fuel wood in Australia. Particulate matter emissions from burning of each load of wood were sampled from the flue using a standard stack emission sampling train. The particle-laden filters were extracted and the .extract analysed to determine PAH concentrations by Gas Chromatographyl Mass Spectrometer (Gc/MS). The sampling was conducted under two different burning conditions with the air inlet of the combustion chamber fully open and with it half open. A suite of 15 PAHs, ranging from naphthalene (C IOHB) to dibenzolahlanthracene (C12H14), were selected for analysis. PAH profiles for the four wood species, under the different burning regimes, have been generated. Some preliminary emission factors for the different wood species have been derived as microgram of summed PAHs (rPAHs) emittedlkilogram of wood burned. Total Particulate Matter (TPM) emission factors were also obtained from gravimetric measurement of the sample filter before and after the combustion. Based on these emission factors, pine displayed the highest level of rPAHs emitted from the combustion of the four wood species, with sugar gum showing the lowest level of rPAHs emission. Emission factors associated with the slow burning condition clearly showed higher l:PAH levels compared to the faster burning condition. During the faster burning condition, red gum and pine show a higher percentage of rPAH to TPM than sugar gum or yellow box. Under the slower burning. the l:PAHlTPM ratio in every case was greater.

High reproducibility of patellar tendon vascularity assessed by colour doppler ultrasonography : a reliable measurement tool for quantifying tendon pathology

Background: This study examined whether patellar tendon vascularity could be quantified accurately in the clinical setting using colour Doppler ultrasonography.

Methods: A sonographer and two radiologists visually estimated tendon vascularity in millimetres in 74 tendons during ultrasound (US) examination and from hard copy films. These estimates were then compared to the length of vessels measured from the digital image in millimetres and the correlation between them was determined. A subset of 16 tendons was used to compare the estimates of vascularity by two examiners at US examination.

Results: The estimation of vascular length at US examination correlated highly with the measured vascular length (r = 0.92; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.87 to 0.94), as did the length estimated from the films (r = 0.94; 95% CI 0.9 to 0.96). The correlation between examiners was 0.84 (95% CI 0.51 to 0.94) for the estimates made during US examination and 0.85 (95% CI 0.59 to 0.95) for the vessel lengths measured from the digital images.

Conclusions: These excellent correlations indicate that tendon vascularity can be reliably estimated using colour Doppler ultrasonography and tendon vascularity could therefore be used by clinicians to rate clinical change. This method of quantifying tendon vascularity could also be used in research to investigate the effects of tendon treatments on vascularity.

Agreement between adolescent self-report and parent reports of health and well-being: results of an epidemiological study.

Objective To examine parent and adolescent agreement on physical, emotional, mental and social health and well-being in a representative population.
Methodology An epidemiological design was used to obtain parent–child/adolescent dyad data on comparable items and scales of a generic measure of health and well-being, the Child Health Questionnaire (parent/proxy report 50 item, self-report 80 item). Scale analysis included intraclass correlations (ICCs) to examine strength of parent–child associations and independent t-tests for differences between adolescents (with or without an illness). Where there were significant differences in scale scores, analysis of variance and two sample t-tests were used to examine the influence of social, demographic, health concern and school variables. Single items were examined for trends in response categories.
Results 2096 parent–adolescent dyads (adolescent mean age of 15.1 years, males 50%, maternal parent 83.2%, biological parent 93.5%). ICCs were strong. Overall, adolescents reported poorer emotional and social health, and clinically significant differences were observed for perceptions of general health (mean difference 8.1/100), frequency and amount of body pain (5.94/100), experience of mental health (5.14/100), and impact of health on family activities (12.43/100), which widen significantly for adolescents with illness. Social, health and school enjoyment and performance significantly widened parent–child differences.
Conclusions All adolescents were much less optimistic about their health and well-being than their parents, and were only in close agreement on aspects of health and well-being they rated highly. Adolescent reports are more likely to be sensitive to pain, mental health problems, health in general and the impact of their health on family activities.

Learning from measurement

The Built Environment Research Group (BERG) at the School of Architecture and Building at Deakin University is involved in the monitoring of building energy consumption, lighting and acoustic levels, as well as material and thermal performance. Such measurements have taken place in several buildings over the last few years. This has been the result of a deliberate policy of BERG to initiate a process that completes the loop of design, prediction, monitoring, verification, teaching, then back to design again. This paper presents a summary of some projects that have involved building monitoring. We have established a methodology for measuring buildings which will be discussed, as well as the reasoning behind our desire to monitor buildings in general. The paper will present a summary of the results of measurement acquired to date (energy consumption, schedules, operation, etc.) and the lessons that have been learned from this monitoring program.

The measurement of attribution of blame in the self-service technology context

It is argued that attribution of blame (AoB) will differ in the Self-Service Technology (SST) context versus the interpersonal services context, due to the inherent elements of the SST environment, thereby making it a construct worthy of further research in the SST setting. This paper presents a first step in this pursuit by validating a multiple-item instrument of AoB in the SST context, which, to the researchers’ knowledge, has not been done previously. The paper comments on the surprising lack of valid, unidimensional instruments to measure each of the dimensions of AoB (locus, controllability and stability), even in the interpersonal services context. Preliminary results of a pre-test and pilot study support a three-dimensional measurement model of attribution of blame, in the SST setting.