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To link to full-text access for this article, visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ydbio.2007.09.011 Byline: Kasumi Murai (a), Ann E. Vernon (b)(c), Anna Philpott (b), Phil Jones (a) Keywords: hes6; Xenopus; Patterning; Gastrulation; Groucho Abstract: The specification of mesoderm into distinct compartments sharing the same lineage restricted fates is a crucial step occurring during gastrulation, and is regulated by morphogenic signals such as the FGF/MAPK and activin pathways. One target of these pathways is the transcription factor XmyoD, which in early gastrulation is expressed in the lateral and ventral mesoderm. Expression of the hairy/enhancer of split transcription factor hes6, is also restricted to lateral and ventral mesoderm in gastrula stage Xenopus embryos, leading us to investigate whether it has a role in XmyoD regulation. In vivo, Xhes6 is required for FGF-mediated induction of XmyoD expression but not for induction of early mesoderm. The WRPW domain of Xhes6, which binds Groucho family transcriptional co-regulators, is essential for the XmyoD-inducing activity of Xhes6. Two Groucho proteins, Xgrg2 and Xgrg4, are expressed in lateral and ventral mesoderm, and inhibit expression of XmyoD. Xhes6 binds both Xgrg2 and Xgrg4 and relieves their inhibition of XmyoD expression. We also find that lowering Xhes6 expression levels blocks normal myogenic differentiation at tail bud stage. We conclude that Xhes6 is essential for XmyoD induction and acts by relieving Groucho-mediated repression of gene expression. Author Affiliation: (a) MRC Cancer Cell Unit, Hutchison-MRC Research Centre, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge CB2 0XZ, UK (b) Department of Oncology, University of Cambridge, Hutchison-MRC Research Centre, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge CB2 0XZ, UK (c) Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, University of Pennsylvania, 421 Curie Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA, 19104-6160, USA Article History: Received 12 March 2007; Revised 22 August 2007; Accepted 5 September 2007

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has led to significant global health emergencies in recent years, prompting widespread recommendations across various regions for opening windows in building codes. However, official guidelines have not adequately addressed the details of window opening arrangements related to the supporting evidence from existing literature. This study investigated the risk of disease outbreaks via respiratory transmission in large university studio classrooms. It examined the effectiveness of window-door opening strategies combined with mechanical ventilation in mitigating the infection risk of respiratory diseases in such spaces. A full-scale school ventilation performance test bed was used to measure indoor airflow and CO 2 distribution patterns. Comparisons were made with the numerical simulation of exhaled viral emissions. A modified Wells-Riley equation was employed to calculate inhalation exposure and disease infection risks at the room level. Measurements showed that fresh air ventilation from the mechanical system was relatively low compared to existing standards, especially in pandemic situations. The results show that opening windows can lead to a decrease to low probabilities (below 5 %) of infection risk in 85.02 % area of a classroom over an 8-h period, which demonstrates that window-opening behavior is an effective supplementary strategy for large educational spaces with mechanically ventilated systems during emergencies when active measures are insufficient for diluting diseases. Furthermore, the study reveals that maximizing outdoor air rates by opening all windows may occasionally result in adverse indoor airflow redistribution, increasing virus load from 0.0382 to 0.8926 quanta/m3 near the virus source locations. • Opening windows increases the area with the low infection risk to 85.02 % in 8 h. • Cross-ventilation does not always benefit infection risk mitigation. • Either air leakage through corridor doors or opening them increases infection risk. • CO 2 is a valid tracer for evaluating indoor airborne viral particles. • The need for epidemic mitigation and energy conservation should be balanced in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper describes a study that uses computer simulation to assess the extent of heat stress experienced by pedestrians in three Welsh cities during heatwaves, with a view to identifying implications for urban planning and design practice. The simulation model used localized radiant temperature, wind speed, air temperature, as well as the metabolic rate and clothing insulation of occupants. Simulated results were partially evaluated using field measurement data and from the Land Surface Temperature data obtained from Landsat satellite thermography. Results suggest that peak heat stress is expected to increase by 4.5 °C in Universal Thermal Climate Index equivalent temperature by 2080, especially for urban areas exposed to direct sunlight. The percentage of daytime hours without heat stress are expected to decrease significantly, from 30 to 80% in 2020 to 10–70% by 2080. The study suggests that mitigation measures are essential to reduce future heat stress in Welsh cities and towns; these include interventions such as green and blue infrastructure, choice of trees and artificial shading, choice of both artificial surface materials and vegetation cover, and street layout with proper orientation and aspect ratio. The results have significant implications for local authorities, town planning, and landscape practice. • A simulation model was developed to assess pedestrian heat stress at street level. • It considers radiation, wind, temperature, humidity, metabolic rate and clothing insulation. • The model was applied to assess the current and future heatwaves in Welsh cities. • Heat exposure relates to street aspect, tree, water, shading, surface materials. • The results have implications for local authorities, town planning and landscape practices. • A software tool has been subsequently developed in support of policy and planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focussing on the changes in sitting tenants' right to buy their council house (introduced in the UK in 1980), we explore the long-term impact of this policy change upon the lives of UK citizens. Using two longitudinal studies of UK citizens born in 1958 and 1970, we exam how policies aimed at achieving one set of goals (providing families with their own homes, reducing the control of councils and weakening the Labour Party's voting bloc) may have also altered experiences of housing, homelessness, and contact with the criminal justice system not just for those for whom the policies were initially designed (adults living in council owned properties in the 1980s) but also for subsequent generations (most typically their children). Our contribution examines how legislative changes may have altered the lives of citizens, and highlights some of the unintended consequences of the 'right to buy' in the UK. We are able to investigate what happens when systems which have previously been tightly regulated suddenly become much less well regulated. Our paper utilises ideas developed by life-course theorists and historical institutionalists in order to understand in more depth how radical policy changes may shape and alter the lives of citizens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Successful chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) can markedly reduce angina symptom burden, but many patients often remain on multiple antianginal medications (AAMs) after the procedure. It is unclear when, or if, AAMs can be de-escalated to prevent adverse effects or limit polypharmacy. We examined the association of de-escalation of AAMs after CTO PCI with long-term health status.Methods: In a 12-center registry of consecutive CTO PCI patients, health status was assessed at 6 months after successful CTO PCI with the Seattle Angina Questionnaire and the Rose Dyspnea Scale. Among patients with technical CTO PCI success, we examined the association of AAM de-escalation with 6-month health status using multivariable models adjusting for revascularization completeness and predicted risk of post-PCI angina (using a validated risk model). We also examined predictors and variability of AAMs de-escalation.Results: Of 669 patients with technical success of CTO PCI, AAMs were de-escalated in 276 (35.9%) patients at 1 month. Patients with AAM de-escalation reported similar angina and dyspnea rates at 6 months compared with those whose AAMs were reduced (any angina: 22.5% vs 20%, P = .43; any dyspnea: 51.8% vs 50.1%, P = .40). In a multivariable model adjusting for complete revascularization and predicted risk of post-PCI angina, de-escalation of AAMs at 1 month was not associated with an increased risk of angina, dyspnea, or worse health status at 6 months.Conclusions: Among patients with successful CTO PCI, de-escalation of AAMs occurred in about one-third of patients at 1 month and was not associated with worse long-term health status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The microclimate of a high-density city affects building energy consumption and thermal comfort. Despite the practical needs in building design and urban planning to predict conditions inside street canyons, literature is sparse for physics-based models that can support early stage design. Existing tools such as the Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) method is computationally expensive and cannot easily be coupled with other simulation models to account for solar heat gains at urban surfaces and anthropogenic heat from traffic and building HVAC systems. This paper describes a zonal model developed to assess airflow and air temperature in street canyons in high-density cities. The model takes into account 3D urban geometries, external wind, buoyancy, convective heat transfers from urban surfaces; it can simulate zonal air temperature, pressure, and airflow patterns by interactively solving mass, pressure and energy balance equations. The model was evaluated using field measurement on a 'mock-up' site consisted of movable concrete bins mimicking buildings and street canyons in high-density cities. Experiments were conducted on 3 alternative street layouts of various height-to-width aspect ratios: moderate (H/W = 1), dense (H/W = 2), and high-density (H/W = 3). Agreements between predicted and measured air temperatures were satisfactory across 3 layouts (RMSE < 0.0041). Temperature differences between simulated and measured results were largely within 1 K. The model can provide a reliable and quick assessment of the impact of street canyons on urban heat island (UHI) in high-density cities. The next step is to couple this model with building energy models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biosensing measures of physiological (somatic) response offer a potentially powerful tool for capturing people's subconscious reactions to environmental stimuli. Combining biosensing with other techniques allows insights to be generated not only about the intensity of somatic response but also, crucially, the underlying causes of that response. Despite pioneering work in this area, a rigorous, empirically-led analysis of biosensing measures in mixed methods research has hitherto been lacking. We address this lacuna through a case study of urban walking, comparing a field-based study (30 participants) with a virtual exercise undertaken in a lab (25 participants). Combining biosensing with data on environmental stimuli (recorded using video/GPS) and interviews, three analytical modes are examined: biosensing-led; environment-led; and thematic-led. The analysis shows how each dataset can add contextualizing information to significant phenomena observed in the others. We demonstrate, however, that biosensing measures become considerably more difficult to interpret beyond the controlled environment of the lab. The paper concludes that biosensing should be seen as a valuable measure in field studies, but one which requires careful interpretation through other datasets, being of limited usefulness and reliability taken alone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China’s rapid urbanisation has already led to the development of more large-scale cities than ever before. One result is that China is now the largest carbon emitter in the world. Meanwhile, China is facing enormous challenges in respect to environmental degradation, and limiting the use of natural resources in urban areas when it comes to balancing rapid economic development and environmental protection. To address this issue, China has to explore a new approach to urban development, namely green urban development. Various green urban theories are in the process of being formulated in China due to the difference in the responsibility of the central government and the gradual changes in national policies. The lack of a clear vision and target is a common barrier to green urban development in China. This paper reviews three new concepts and approaches to green urban development in China, and analyses how these concepts and approaches have been adopted, defined and developed within the Chinese context. Three typical projects are then selected to illustrate green city development in order to develop a better understanding of the application of the green theories of urban development in China. Finally, methods of future green urban development in China are proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban heat disrupts the use of parks, although the extent of such disruptions remains disputed. Literature relies on "small data" methods, such as questionnaires, field studies, or human-subject experiments, to capture the behavioural response to heat. Their findings are often in contradiction with each other, possibly due to the small sample sizes, the short study period, or the few sites available in a single study. The rise of "big data" such as social media offers new opportunities, yet its reliability and usefulness remain unknown. This paper describes a study using Twitter data (tweets) to study park attendance under the influence of hot weather. Some 20,000 tweets geo-coded within major parks were obtained in Hong Kong over a period of three years. Field studies have been conducted in parallel in a large park covering the hot and cool seasons and some 40,000 attendance were recorded over three months. Both the "small" and "big data" were analyzed and compared to each other. Findings suggest that a 1 °C increase in temperature was associated with some 4% drop in park attendance and some 1% drop in park tweets. The differences between the two data sources be explained by the 'leakage' of indoor tweets to parks caused by GPS drift near buildings. The Universal Thermal Climate Index can better predict self-reported thermal sensations, compared with other biometeorological indicators. This study has contributed to methodologies and new evidence to the study of behaviors and thermal adaptations in an outdoor space, and geo-coded tweets can serve as a powerful data source. • Twitter data were used to study park attendance influenced by hot weather in Hong Kong. • "big data" and "small data" confirmed negative correlations between attendance and temperature. • 'Hotspots' identified from the two data sources were in agreement with each other. • The new data analysis protocol is of value for follow-up studies in monitoring outdoor activities. • UTCI can better explain thermal sensations compared with WBGT, OUT_SET* or PET. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Up to half of patients with non–ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) do not receive dual antiplatelet therapy before angiography “pretreatment” because of the risk of increased bleeding if coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) operation is needed. Several models have been published that predict the likelihood of CABG after NSTEMI, but they have not been independently validated. The purpose of this study was to validate these models and improve the best one. Methods We studied patients with NSTEMI who were enrolled in the 24-center Translational Research Investigating Underlying Disparities in Acute Myocardial Infarction Patients’ Health Status (TRIUMPH) registry between 2005 and 2008. Previous CABG prediction models were assessed using c-statistics and calibration assessments to determine the best model. Variables from TRIUMPH likely to be associated with CABG were tested to see whether they could improve the best model’s performance. Results Among 2,473 patients with NSTEMI, 11.8% underwent in-hospital CABG. C-statistics for the Modified Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction, Treat Angina With Aggrastat and Determine the Cost of Therapy With an Invasive or Conservative Strategy–Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction 18, Poppe, and Global Risk of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) models were 0.54, 0.61, 0.61, and 0.62, respectively. The GRACE model showed the best discrimination and calibration. From the TRIUMPH registry, preselected variables were added to the GRACE model but did not significantly improve model discrimination. A GRACE model risk score of less than 9 had high sensitivity (96%), thus making it useful for predicting patients with NSTEMI who were at low risk for requiring CABG, which included approximately 21% of patients with NSTEMI. Conclusions This study could not improve on the GRACE model, which had the best predictive value for identifying a need for CABG after NSTEMI with a broader range of predicted risk levels and high sensitivity, especially in patients with scores lower than 9. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous research shows that feelings of vulnerability, as measured by fear of crime, are associated with preferences for physically formidable and dominant mates (PPFDM), ostensibly because of the physical protection such mates can afford. In the lab and in the field, we tested whether the relationship between PPFDM and fear of crime is pronounced when the risk of crime is relatively high, and for crimes that are evolutionarily more costly. In Study 1, women were presented with daytime and night time images that featured a lone shadowy male figure, crime hotspots and safespots, and they reported their risk of victimisation in the situation depicted in the image. In Study 2, we had female participants walk through crime hotspots and safespots in a city centre during the daytime, and had them report their perceived victimisation risk for different types of crime, perpetrated by a male- versus female. Participants in Study 1 and 2 also completed a scale that measures PPFDM. In both studies, we found that PPFDM was positively associated with fear of crime in hotspots and in safespots. Additionally, fear of crime was significantly affected by risk situation (i.e., safespot versus hotspot, night time versus daytime). The relationship between PPFDM and fear, however, did not vary in relation to risk situation, perpetrator gender, or crime type, suggesting that the psychological mechanisms underlying the relationship between perceived risk of victimisation and PPFDM are general in nature. Women who prefer physically formidable and dominant mates tend to feel more at risk of crime, regardless of the situational risk factors present. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concept of ‘Buildings as Power Stations’ (BAPS) represents a major shift in the way that electricity is generated, stored and used. Buildings are no longer simply consumers of electricity, but active players in the electric power system. Reducing energy demand to ‘PassivHaus’ levels of performance and the full integration of photovoltaic modules and wind turbines with buildings is itself a challenge to architects and house builders. Combining these with the sizing of the batteries for electrical storage through a ‘systems’ approach, optimizing performance and cost across reduced energy demand, renewable supply and storage, needs a suitable ‘user-friendly’ modeling framework, which is currently not generally available to designers. The new BAPS tool presented in this paper assesses if a building has the potential to become a ‘Power Station’ by analyzing the energy generated from building-integrated renewables (including, solar and wind), the effect of using electrical energy storage systems and the impact of introducing demand reduction technologies. The BAPS tool enables an architect, via an easy to understand user interface, to assess the potential for renewable energies and battery storage and provides guidance on the selection of the battery system for a range of residential applications. The paper describes how the tool has been used in the design of the prototype ‘near zero’ carbon SOLCER House, currently under construction in South Wales, UK. The tool has been used to evaluate the building energy system, including the sizing of solar PV panels and the li-ion battery storage, in the context of the buildings reduced demand for electricity, through the use of LED lighting and high efficiency appliances. The optimum mix of renewable energy and grid based energy supply is presented for the SOLCER House. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper discusses an overall strategy for reducing energy demand in non-domestic buildings, mainly focusing on office developments. It considers four areas: reducing internal heat loads; addressing passive design through the building construction; using efficient and responsive HVAC systems and focusing on chilled (heated) surface systems; integrating renewable energy supply systems into the building design. The impact on energy use and carbon dioxide emissions will be discussed. The paper will draw from a range of design projects carried out in Europe, where this integrated approach has been applied, and then explore the benefits in relation to applications in the Middle East and China. Energy modeling results, to inform the design process will be presented, using energy simulation for three case study locations, in Zurich, the Chongqing and Abu Dhabi. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2 has inflicted heavy burdens on healthcare systems globally, although direct evidence on the quantity of exhaled viral shedding from Delta cases is lacking. The literature remains inconclusive on whether existing public health guidance, based on earlier evidence of COVID-19, should respond differently to more infectious viral strains. This paper describes a study on an outbreak of the Delta variant of COVID-19 in an auditorium, where one person contracted the virus from three asymptomatic index cases sitting in a different row. Field inspections were conducted on the configuration of seating, building and ventilation systems. Numerical simulation was conducted to retrospectively assess the exhaled viral emission, decay, airborne dispersion, with a modified Wells-Riley equation used to calculate the inhalation exposure and disease infection risks at the seat level. Results support the airborne disease transmission. The viral emission rate for Delta cases was estimated at 31 quanta per hour, 30 times higher than those of the original variant. The high quantity of viral plume exhaled by delta cases can create a high risk zone nearby, which, for a mixing ventilation system, cannot be easily mitigated by raising mixing rates or introducing fresh air supply. Such risks can be reduced by wearing an N95 respirator, less so for social distancing. A displacement ventilation system, through which the air is supplied at the floor and returned from the ceiling, can reduce risks compared with a mixing system. The study has implications for ventilation guidelines and hygiene practices in light of more infectious viral strains of COVID-19. • An outbreak of the Delta variant of COVID-19 in a mechanically ventilated auditorium was studied. • The viral emission rates from Delta cases were 30 times higher than those of the original lineage. • The more contagious viral variant cannot be mitigated by sufficient air ventilation alone. • A displacement ventilation system provides additional protections than a mixing system. • N95 masks are effective against more contagious viral variants, less so for social distancing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A novel simulation model (UGBE) was developed to assess the cooling performances of urban greenery at street-scale. • The model accounts for the time-varying interactions between plants and anthropogenic heat from buildings and traffic. • Greenery cooling performance is inhibited in a density city, due to limited sunlight and ground-level surfaces for planting. • The latent heat absorption from plants was lower than anthropogenic heat emission. • Greenery should be combined with other strategies to enhance its cooling benefits. How much can greenery cool a city remains inconclusive in literature, especially in a high-density city where plants interact with anthropogenic heat from surrounding buildings and traffic. A novel simulation model, the Urban Greenery and Built Environment, was developed to assess the time-varying interactions between plants and anthropogenic heat at street scale. The model has been evaluated using field studies in two parks in Hong Kong. A reasonably good agreement was observed between measured and predicted temperature and humidity. Sensitivity studies were then conducted to compare the cooling performances of greenery in five scenarios under various coverage ratio and climates. By covering 40% of site with greenery, a practical limit, the expected air temperature and UTCI reductions were 0.3 °C, lower than previous estimates due to limited sunlight and ground-level surfaces for planting; the cooling benefits of greenery were predicted to be higher in dry climates and lower in humid ones. In a high-density city, plants converted sensible heat into latent gains at a slower rate than the anthropogenic exhaust heat. Alternative strategies, such as breeze enhancement, water-spray and management of anthropogenic heat discharges were predicted to further help to cool the city by 3.1 °C, 6.8 °C, and 1.8 °C, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The article offers the field the first analysis of the earliest book on drama therapy: ‘Principles of Drama-Therapy: A Handbook for Dramatists’ (Austin, 1917). It reviews the nature of accounts of drama therapy's history in the literature, and includes an analysis of Austin's work in relation to the field's accounts of its own history and in creating dialog with contemporary concerns in drama therapy literature. The review argues that Austin's contribution to the theoretical origins of drama therapy offers a historical, theoretical perspective for contemporary concerns with performance and the nature of different aspects of theater process in relation to healing. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: CEREB, the Centre for Efficient and Renewable Energy in Buildings, is a pioneering new facility at London South Bank University. Created in partnership with City and Kingston Universities, CEREB is a unique resource for the teaching, research and demonstration of low carbon energy technologies in the built environment. The three partners are leaders in training and research in the built environment and the centre is at the forefront of low carbon building design. CEREB provides a high quality teaching resource in sustainable energy technology and building design, construction and management. It also offers facilities to conduct research and to demonstrate specific sustainable energy technologies. CEREB is a unique urban based showcase for low carbon energy technologies including photovoltaics, solar thermal, ground source heat pumps and wind power. Developed as a specially designed walk-through demonstration facility at roof level on LSBU’s new K2 building, CEREB will provide a focus for work on improving skills in building services and energy. The new Centre will help fill the current skills gap on renewable and energy efficient technologies in order to meet the challenging carbon reduction targets set down in UK legislation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Land plants (bryophytes, seedless vascular plants and seed plants) may have combined or separate sexes, and this variation also may occur at two life-cycle stages. Thus plants show variation in individuals’ attainment of fitness via sperms versus eggs (functional gender) and the diversity of gender morphs found in populations. We extend D.G. Lloyd''s classification of flowering plant gender to all land plants, with three main functional classes according to whether populations are dimorphic or monomorphic for gender (i.e., populations consist of either one or two distinct sex classes), and at which life cycle stages this occurs: (1) sporophyte-dimorphic, (2) sporophyte-cosexual and gametophyte-dimorphic, and (3) gametophyte-cosexual. In dimorphic sporophytes and gametophytes, morphs that reproduce mostly as females and males may be constant (dioecy) or inconstant (gynodioecy, androdioecy, trioecy). We suggest that examining the sex conditions of seedless plants using a functional perspective will reveal a diversity of sexual systems largely analogous to those found in seed plants. An extended suite of model plants with different biological attributes will allow new tests of existing models of mechanisms that select for different sexual systems, and may lead to important new questions in the field, some of which we suggest here. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Social scientists have begun engaging with participants ‘on the move’ in a variety of ways. This paper presents the results of a pilot study, which deployed a qualitative GIS technique to analyse the effectiveness of walked interviews in capturing data relating to people’s understanding of place. We give an account of the walking interview exploring two issues: the relationship between what people say and where they say it; and qualitative and quantitative differences between data generated by walking and sedentary interviews. Our results indicate that the data generated through walking interviews are profoundly informed by the landscapes in which they take place, emphasising the importance of environmental features in shaping discussions. We also demonstrate a measureable difference between walking and sedentary techniques in the production of rich place narratives both in terms of their quantity and spatial specificity to the study area. The paper concludes by acknowledging that a technocentric analysis of place runs the risk of emphasising locational above humanistic elements, but argues that, done sensitively, a qualitative GIS approach offers great potential for engaging planners and policy makers with the importance of local connections to place. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This article describes research undertaken to examine drama therapists’ use of the concept of “core processes” [Jones, P. (1996). Drama as therapy: Theatre as living. London, England: Routledge] to analyse change within their clinical practice. The research was based in qualitative, narrative approaches to in-depth analysis of vignettes provided by drama therapists. The method involved the use of the Internet through aMSN messenger. The article defines the research vignette, the processes used to analyse vignettes and the use of aMSN messenger, placing the research project as a whole, and each of these elements within a context of research literature. It present samples from the findings and reviews the use of vignettes and research conversation. The results show how the research approach identified how the core processes were seen by therapists in their understanding of change within their work. It reveals discoveries made by the drama therapists about the core processes of embodiment, role, distancing and witnessing through their vignettes and analysis of change within their practice. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This article examines the relationship between drama therapy and philosophy. It outlines key debates concerning the relationship between self, personhood and philosophy. Specific themes pertinent to drama therapy are reviewed. The themes concern concepts of self and subject, the self in relation to action and role, and the concept of the embodied self. The article shows how drama therapy''s active methods, including role play, group improvisation and play-based work, all could be said to have an innate connection to such philosophies of the self. The article identifies ways of examining the relationship between therapists’ discourse and their philosophical positions on selfhood. The implicit philosophy contained within drama therapists’ accounts of practice is analysed, revealing how it relates to the ways therapist and clients engage with the process and content of the therapy. The article demonstrates how such discourse analysis of accounts of therapy can reveal how clinical practice is built upon philosophical assumptions about the situation the client presents in therapy, the context that their “problem” or needs are seen within, the nature of the therapist''s intervention and the notion of what greater fulfilment for the client can be. The article shows that this approach to analysing discourse deepens and illuminates how practice and the process of therapeutic change is understood. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper discusses the thermal effect of covering the building envelope with vegetation on the microclimate in the built environment, for various climates and urban canyon geometries. A two-dimensional, prognostic, micro scale model has been used, developed for the purposes of this study. The climatic characteristics of nine cities, three urban canyon geometries, two canyon orientations and two wind directions are examined. The thermal effect of green roofs and green walls on the built environment is examined in both inside the canyon and at roof level. The effects of this temperature decrease on outdoors thermal comfort and energy savings are examined. Conclusions are drawn on whether plants on the building envelope can be used to tackle the heat island effect, depending on all these parameters taken into consideration. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper investigates the mathematical modelling of the effect of green roofs on mitigating raised urban temperatures. A dynamic, one-dimensional model is developed, describing heat and mass transfer in building materials, considered as capillary-porous bodies, the vegetated canopy, modelled as a combined plant–air canopy layer, the soil and the air. The model is validated with an experiment, conducted in the Welsh School of Architecture, in Cardiff, in summer 2004. The right choice of parameters that affect the accuracy of the model (such as the expression of the convective heat transfer coefficient and stomatal resistance) is discussed. Special attention is given to the comparison between the experimental results and the outputs of only heat transfer algorithms and heat and mass transfer expressions. Taking these comparisons into consideration, conclusions are drawn about developing an accurate algorithm describing the thermal effect of green roofs on the built microclimate. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper explores the disciplining of non-human actors through the example of sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) managing surface water runoff. The lens of performativity is used to examine the move from pre-modern repressive forms of discipline, to mechanisms which attempt a more productive disciplinary engagement by finding space to reform water’s more unruly behaviours. After examining the problems with traditional disciplinary approaches to water of rapid transit and exile, the paper explores the implications of a move towards SuDS technology. This change is examined using a case study of Glasgow, Scotland, where there is an attempt to utilise less repressive disciplinary mechanisms and to find spaces in the city for surface water outside the hard drainage infrastructure. New approaches to the disciplining of urban water are conceptualised as being a performance of tension between water and those who would modify its behaviour. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Integrated smartly controlled energy networks have the potential to deliver significant reductions in carbon emissions, improve air quality and reduce energy costs for end-users across the world. This paper introduces a novel methodology for the development of integrated thermal, power and mobility 5th generation (5G) smart energy networks. The proposed 5G concept builds on state of the art by connecting flexible electricity demands such as heat pumps, and electric vehicles to intermittent, renewable and secondary energy sources and storage using artificial intelligence to facilitate optimal control and to maximise revenue and carbon savings. The proposed innovative method is being applied in central London through the development of two independent 5G smart energy schemes. The proposed schemes will incorporate a range of different renewables and secondary energy sources, for example, waste heat from local data centres and the London Underground that will supply a large proportion of the energy demand of the overall district network capacity. Both networks will operate at close to ambient temperature, approximately 15–25 °C as a so-called 'ambient loop' system, with individual heat pumps for each end-user or building connected to the network. The system also integrates thermal and electrical storage to create additional flexibility for the network and smart control for demand-side management. A smart management system flexibly controls individual assets such as heat pumps and electric vehicles in response to price signals reflecting the intermittency of renewable energy sources on the electricity grid. The ambient district thermal loop will distribute low carbon energy to a range of end users. Results presented in this paper provide an understanding of capital costs associated with integrated smart energy systems and the relative performance of individual technologies in a complex system using a techno-economic modelling approach. Overall, this paper demonstrates that the implementation of the 5G concept results in lower energy costs to consumers while at the same time transforming a large existing urban area to a near zero-carbon energy system in terms of heating, cooling, electricity and transport. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A coupled simulation model of urban microclimate and building energy is developed for high density cities. • Reason agreements were observed between predicted air temperature and measurement data. • Air temperature in street canyons can rise 1–3 ºC on average above the ambient in summer. • Anthropogenic heat dominates temperature rise in street canyons in high density cities. • Temperature rise in street canyon can increase building cooling demand by 15% in summer. The energy performance of a building in a dense city depends to some extent on its surroundings. The impact of the built form, together with anthropogenic heat gains from traffic and building HVAC exhaust, determines external environmental conditions at the Urban Canopy Layer. Existing building energy models are limited in accounting for micro-scale variations of the urban microclimate, which may significantly modify a building's energy performance in density cities. This paper presents the Urban Building Energy and Climate (UrBEC) model, a coupled urban microclimate model (UMM) and building energy model (HTB2) developed to assess the time varying energy performance of a cluster of buildings and the combined heat gains to the external space from direct and reflected solar radiation, traffic and the exhaust from HVAC systems in a high-density city. The simulation results were evaluated by comparison with field measurement data collected from the Sai Ying Pun neighbourhood in Hong Kong, on a summer and winter day. Predicted and measured air and surface temperature at the four locations were found to be in reasonable agreement. Simulation results indicate an average of 1-3 ºC of temperature rise in street canyons compared with the ambient air in summer. Street level air is predicted to be 0.6 ºC warmer than those at higher levels (20m +). Anthropogenic heat from traffic and building HVAC exhaust are the dominant contributors to temperature rise in street canyons in summer, exceeding the contribution from urban surfaces. The predicted building cooling demand is expected to increase up to 15 % in summer due to the warming effect in street canyons. The UrBEC model runs significantly faster than current CFD-based approaches. Therefore, the model has the potential to support early stage design and planning decisions in a dense city. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we explore the methodological implications of conducting online qualitative interviews in the metaverse through virtual reality (VR). Technology companies have invested heavily in creating metaverse platforms for bringing people together in digital worlds, yet there is a significant absence of geographical research examining the implications of these spaces. Twenty-six undergraduate students participated in a remote interviewing exercise using the platform AltSpaceVR. Face-to-face interviews were subsequently conducted to gather their reflections about the experience of research interviews in a metaverse. The study highlights the significance of immersion and presence in virtual environments. Participants noted that, in contrast to video interviewing, the immersive nature of the virtual space resembled conventional face-to-face interviews. A sense of immersion and presence enhances the authenticity of the interview experience. There were, however, challenges in interface management and the role of avatars altering the embodied connection with the research subjects. The avatars provided personal representation but introduce complexities in establishing genuine connections and rapport. In our discussion of the implications for VR qualitative research, we emphasise the interplay of immersion, presence and embodiment which can add real value to remote interviewing experience, while reflecting on the technical and physiological limitations. • VR metaverse platforms can be used as locations for interviews. • Immersion & presence in VR boost interview authenticity. • Virtual space can resemble conventional face-to-face interview locations. • Challenges include interface management and avatar's role and representation. • Technical & physiological limitations of VR need to be considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pursuit of urban sustainability poses problems of how to evaluate proposals for new development. Without an agreed basis for comparing alternatives, it may be difficult to justify one set of proposals over another. Mathematical modeling, by quantifying aspects of the urban environment, is often promoted as the most credible way of assessing sustainability. But the use of models in practice raises many issues that need to be considered if models are to gain widespread acceptance. Four United Kingdom universities are researching an energy and environmental prediction (EEP) model to predict energy consumed and emissions produced by the built environment and traffic. As well as further technical development of the model, the research aims to study how the model can be used by different organizations to promote sustainable decision making. In this short paper we examine the role that models in general can have in supporting decision making about urban sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]