Perceptions, attitudes and interest of Swedish architects towards the use of wood frames in multi-storey buildings

Use of wood frames from sustainable forestry instead of non-wood frames in multi-storey buildings can reduce primary energy use and carbon dioxide emissions in construction. However, construction actors might have different perceptions towards wood frames than towards steel and concrete frames. Such perceptions may influence the actors’ decision to adopt wood frames. In this study we use a web-based questionnaire to assess Swedish architects’ perceptions, attitudes and interest towards steel, concrete and wood frames in multi-storey buildings (n = 412). Results indicate that the responding architects find concrete the most suitable frame material in buildings of 3-8 storeys, mainly because of the performance of concrete with regards to the engineering aspects (e.g. stability and fire safety) that were considered important in the choice of frame material. Although wood is considered the least suitable frame material, the overall attitude towards, and interest in, using wood is positive and related to the perceived environmental benefits of wood. This may derive from an increased discussion of and information about the environmental impact of buildings. Wood may be perceived as new and innovative while not considered as adequately proven as steel and concrete with regards to engineering aspects.     

核能发电的特点及前景预测

核能发电具有经济、环保、安全的特点,发展和推广核电既能确保能源的可持续发展,也能满足环境保护的需要。近年来,核电发展取得了一定成绩,但其热污染和放射污染问题仍需引起重视并采取相关的措施。     

Clogging of Filtering Material Systems Used for Disposable Respirators

The article shows the problem of clogging in connection with the parameters of filtering materials used in respiratory protective equipment. The results of investigations of airflow resistance changes during the depositing of dust inside the filtering material are presented. The configuration of layers differing in mass per unit area and the number of layers, were taken into consideration. For each configuration, the clogging abilities and the changes of airflow resistance as a reason of loading with dust were assessed. The analysis of tested materials confirms the hypothesis that there is an important coincidence between the properties of the material used in filtering equipment and the clogging coefficient. The results show that the filter should have a layered structure and that the outer layer should be made of a nonwoven of relatively high surface density.     

A meta‐heuristic approach for supporting adaptive disassembly sequencing using a multi‐objective concept

One of the key features of environmentally conscious manufacturing has been the efforts to promote product recycling and remanufacturing. Efficient material re‐utilisation through product disassembly to retrieve the desired parts and/or subassemblies is one rational approach. This is because it can promote the conservation of both material and energy resources whilst concurrently reducing environmental impact. However, because manufactured products may be made from many components, disassembly load becomes a critical factor that may obstruct the recovery of materials. Accordingly, it is essential to develop a practical method for deriving a disassembly plan to decrease such load, and to endow a certain value to the product at the end of its life cycle. With this understanding, the authors have developed a practical procedure to produce an adaptive disassembly strategy. The authors have applied a meta‐heuristic method known as genetic programming (GP) as a search engine to derive the adaptive disassembly sequence together with a multi‐objective optimisation method termed MOON^2R. The authors have also proposed a hierarchical sequencing method to cope with large/complex products and added several ideas to increase the applicability associated with the interests in disassembly of hazardous and/or valuable parts, and alternative disassembly actions. Through numerical experiments, the authors examined the effectiveness of the proposed approach by showing its support for relevant planning and design decisions for product recycling and remanufacturing from various viewpoints.     

Sustainable polymer composites: immiscible blends prepared by extrusion of poly(trimethylene terephthalate) and polyamide6,10 with high bio-based content

Components for binary polymer blends were sought to produce an immiscible blend of improved renewable character and with good structural properties. The poly(trimethylene terephthalate) and polyamide6,10 system was selected based on the molecular structure of the molecules and the bio-based origin of the feedstocks. A preliminary study of three compositions in this system demonstrated the similar thermal properties of the two polymers as measured by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and the ability of these polymers to be processed together in conventional extrusion equipment to produce blends with micrometer-scale domains. Dispersed phases were observed by electron microscopy near the end members. Available viscosity data and the appearance of columnar blends at the 50/50 composition suggest the possibility of co-continuous blends in close proximity to this composition.     

Aspects of Tests and Assessment of Filtering Materials Used for Respiratory Protection Against Bioaerosols. Part II: Sweat in the Environment,Microorganisms in the Form of a Bioaerosol

The second part of the article presents the results of a study of antimicrobial activity of filter nonwovens with an addition of biocides, as a function of the presence of sweat in the environment and the method of microbe deposition on a nonwoven in the form of a liquid and a bioaerosol. At the same time, the filtration efficiency of nonwovens against microorganisms in the form of a bioaerosol was tested with the dynamic method. The results showed that the addition of sweat on the surface of a nonwoven resulted in an insignificant decrease of biological activity that still remained high. Moreover, an active nonwoven showed biostatic and biocidal activity only when microbes were deposited on the surface in the form of a solution. The nonwoven did not show any biological activity after deposition of microorganisms with the dynamical method in the form of a bioaerosol.     

Manual Material Handling Assessment Among Workers of Iranian Casting Workshops

Manual material handling (MMH) tasks can be found in most workplaces and they may constitute a risk factor for work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs). This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of WMSDs and to compare MMH loads with the acceptable weight and force limits among Iranian casting workers. Data were collected from 50 workers of casting workshops who performed MMH tasks. The Nordic musculoskeletal disorders questionnaire and the Snook tables were used as tools for data collection. Hand/ wrist symptoms were the most prevalent problems among the workers (84%). The results of the Snook tables showed that the loads in lifting (84%), lowering (86%), carrying (66%), pushing with initial (43%) and sustained force (59%), and pulling tasks with initial (48%) and sustained force (93%) exceeded recommended limits. WMSDs occurred in high rates among the workers and, thus, ergonomics interventions should focus on decreasing WMSDs and redesigning MMH tasks.     

From wasteland to waste site: the role of discourse in nuclear power's environmental injustices

The purpose of this essay is twofold. First, I examine interdisciplinary literature to reveal the environmental injustices associated with the front and back ends of nuclear power production in the USA – Uranium mining and high-level nuclear waste (HLW) storage. Second, I argue that the injustices associated with nuclear power are upheld, in part, through discourse. This essay examines how the term “wasteland” is invoked in relation to HLW waste storage in the USA and contributes to the discursive formation of nuclear colonialism. Examination of this discourse not only contributes to current literature on nuclear colonialism but also to environmental justice research by arguing for the importance of examining the discursive aspects of environmental injustices. Further, the essay adds to current scholarship in energy justice by highlighting the environmental injustices associated with nuclear power.     

基于风险评价的核应急分区疏散规划*

为保障核事故应急疏散的时效性和安全性,降低核事故损失,基于核辐射时空分布特征,对疏散集中点和疏散路网进行风险评价,提出分区疏散组织策略,结合行政区划法,完成核电站场外疏散区域划分;将总暴露风险作为优化目标,构建基于元胞传输的分区疏散规划模型,并以我国某沿海核电站为研究对象,验证分区疏散方案可行性。研究结果表明:考虑核辐射风险后的分区疏散方案,能够有效提高疏散效率,保障公众安全,降低疏散时间和暴露风险,优化疏散期间交通状况。研究结果可为核应急疏散组织工作提供参考。     

化学去污技术的发展及其在核设施退役中应用

综述了核设施的退役和去污，尤其是详细介绍核设施的化学去污方法和应用。简述了去污新技术。对各种去污方法的优缺点进行了比较。介绍了核设施去污的发展方向。