Computer simulations in the ventilation network of the Vulcan Mine

Maintaining safety and health conditions underground, especially where potentially explosive atmospheres are possible, depends mainly on how the ventilation system is built, applied and operated in the ventilation network. The ventilation networks of a mining unit for the exploitation of the useful mineral substance are mining works that aim to ensure optimal microclimate conditions in the underground. An ventilation network is built of nodes and branches, in order to establish its structure. In order to establish the optimal air flows at branch level, specialized programs are used, with the help of which the modeling, solving and optimization of the ventilation networks can be performed. Optimizing the management of the ventilation system involves in-depth and complex analyzes on the ventilation network that require a huge volume of data that can be processed only with the help of computing technology. The paper presents an analysis of the ventilation network of the Vulcan mine using the calculation technique to simulate situations that may occur in the ventilation system.

Physiological Response and Production Ability of Beef Cattle Raised Based on Different Altitudes in Sinjai Regency

The breeders' knowledge of the suitability of the breeding environment for cattle breeds may increase livestock productivity. Determining the differences in microclimate environmental conditions, physiological responses, and production capabilities of Bali and Limousine crossbred cattle raised at different altitudes in Sinjai Regency were the aim of this study. The research was carried out on people's farms in Sinjai, which were divided into three locations based on the height of different rearing places; low areas (0-100 masl) were represented by East Sinjai sub-district, South Sinjai sub-district for medium plains areas (100-400 masl), and highland areas (>400 masl) were represented by West Sinjai sub-district. The selection was based on the height of the place and beef cattle business in the area. The materials used were 30 Balinese cattle and 24 Limousine hybrids. This research was conducted from July to September 2020. The method of the research used direct observation in the field. Data collection used the method of direct observation in the field. The parameters observed were; microclimate conditions, physiological responses, and beef cattle production capabilities. The research found that the altitude of keeping Bali cattle and Limousine breeding affected the microclimate conditions such as air temperature and humidity in the highlands. The air temperature is lower in the highlands but the humidity is higher than the lowlands. Besides, on the physiological response parameters, the altitude effected on the Limousine hybrid as well as respiratory frequency and pulse rate of Bali cattle. Respiratory and pulse rates are lower at high altitudes. The height of the breeding ground also affected the height of the Bali cattle, and the chest circumference of the Limousine hybrid.

Paku Epifit pada Gymnospermae di Kebun Raya Cibodas

Epiphytic ferns can be found in host trees from the Angiosperm and Gymnosperm groups. Epiphytic ferns in Angiosperm plants host have been widely studied, but there is little known for Gymnosperm plants host. The aim of this study was to identify the species of epiphytic ferns in the Gymnosperm plants host at Cibodas Botanical Garden and to analyze the diversity of epiphytic ferns based on microclimate conditions and the surface texture of Gymnosperms plants host. Epiphytic ferns diversity data was obtained using purposive random sampling method. Factors that influence the occupancy of ferns are analyzed using Principal Component Analysis. Epiphytic ferns in Gymnosperm host at Cibodas Botanical Garden were identified as 18 species including 7 family. The most dominant species of epiphytic fern is Davallia denticulata (59.45%). Diversity of epiphytic fern on Gymnosperm at Cibodas Botanical Garden is moderate (H’ = 1.81).

Study of microclimatic conditions under different environments in wheat crop

An experiment was cunducted to study the wheal microclimate for higher grain yield production at research farm of Hisar 'Agriculture’ University (HAU). Profiles of temperature relative humidity, leaf temperature leaf wetness wind speed were measured in the crop canopies of different sowing treatments. Higher air temperatures and lower soil moisture were observed during reproductive phase under delayed sowings. Albedo varied between 0.19 and 0.23. Test weight decreased with delay in sowing time. Sowing of wheat between 31 October and 14 November produced statistically higher yield under favourable microclimate conditions at dirrerent phenophases.

STORABILITY POTENTIAL OF CARROT (Daucuscarota L.) UNDER STEM SPONGE PADDED EVAPORATIVE COOLING STRUCTURES

A zero energy stem sponge padded evaporative cooling storage was evaluated using fresh carrots (Daucuscarota L.) with control refrigerator and a similar structure without any cooling pad. The overall percentage loss in weight (during the period of experiment) of the carrot was much in the refrigerator (53.97%) and control structure (32.80%) compared to those stored in the evaporative cooling structure (25.19%). Similarly, trend of result was recorded in firmness, loss in firmnesss of the carrots stored in the control structure was greater than the ones in the evaporative cooling sytructre. However, the evaluation of the evaporative cooling system shows that the carrots can be stored for an average of twelve (12) days with negligible changes in weight, colour and firmness unlike the refrigerator and the control structure which noticeable changes began to occur from the fifth day. The modification of the microclimate by use of the zero energy evaporative and evapotranspirative cooling principles helps attain the microclimate conditions favourable for longer storage periods. With reference to the developed stem sponge padded cooler in this study, the modified environment helped in reducing respiration and metabolic rates in the stored carrots. The high relative humidity and low temperatures in the padded evaporative cooling system discouraged microorganism action on the stored carrots leading to a lengthened shelf-life

Towards Meaningful University Space: Perceptions of the Quality of Open Spaces for Students

This study investigated students’ attitudes towards the use of outdoor open space in universities, identifying the most comfortable conditions and favourable factors, including urban layout, physical features, and outdoor thermal conditions, as well as the students’ needs and behaviour. A quasi-experiment was used to assess the quality of the outdoor spaces. Three outdoor open spaces on the university’s campus were used for the case study. A spatial analysis employing space syntax was used to determine the integration, agent, and connection factors. For the microclimate conditions, simulations were conducted. The students’ actions were recorded, and a questionnaire concerning their preferences was disseminated. According to the respondents, the key advantages of campus open spaces are that they provide places in which to socialise and rest and to pass by. The data revealed a correlation between microclimate conditions and the use of outdoor spaces. However, the students use outdoor venues even in unfavourable microclimates. The visual factor and spatial configuration of the site have a significant impact on the use of open spaces; hence, visibility is an important feature in campus layouts. This study established a baseline of data to integrate social and contextual factors for the creation of meaningful spaces in universities.

Quantifying the impacts of urban morphology on modifying microclimate conditions in extreme weather conditions

It is well-known that the morphology of urban areas modifies the variations of climate variables at microscale; known as microclimate conditions. The complexity of urban morphology can lead to undesired wind conditions or excessive air temperature; particularly in extreme weather conditions. This study attempts to quantify the impacts of urban morphology on the evolution of wind speed and air temperature at the urban canopy layer using Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) simulations. In this regard, three urban neighbourhoods are generated based on a novel urban morphology parameterization method and assessed in two extreme low and high wind conditions. Results showed that wind speed (up to 75%) and air temperature (up to 28%) at the microscale can get amplified or dampened in extreme conditions. A negative correlation was observed between wind speed and air temperature variations indicating a great potential to reduce outdoor air temperature through heat removal in urban canyons. The findings of the study are categorized based on the morphological parameters to present a series of design-based strategies for the newly-built urban neighbourhoods.

The influence of perceived environmental quality on thermal comfort in an outdoor urban environment during hot summer

Thermal comfort in outdoor spaces is essential for human health and human wellbeing. A comfortable outdoor space enhances urban livability and sustainability. Previous studies on outdoor human thermal comfort highlighted that apart from the microclimate conditions, the psychological and physiological factors play an important role in human thermal comfort. The influence of environmental quality on human thermal comfort is being examined in this paper. A survey with a total of 1842 thermal comfort responses was conducted during a hot summer in Hong Kong. Perceived aesthetic and acoustic quality votes are strongly associated with Thermal Sensation Votes (TSV). Thermal Comfort Votes (TCV) in the satisfied aesthetic group and the satisfied acoustic group are significantly higher than that in the not satisfied group. A sensation of comfort was confirmed by 39.8% and 38.4% of participants in the satisfied aesthetic group and the satisfied acoustic group, while only 22.2% and 23.9% of the members of the not satisfied group felt comfortable. The study suggested that the perceived environmental qualities are highly associated with thermal sensation and thermal comfort, and a beautiful and quiet environment can improve the thermal comfort and thermal tolerance.