EFFECTS OF THE TRIPLE SPLIT WINDOW SCREEN ON VISUAL PRIVACY AND VIEW IN THE RESIDENTIAL LIVING SPACE

In order to examine the effect of the translucent level of each layer on the visual privacy and the view when the window equipment is divided into three sections, the subject experiment was carried out. It was found that “visibility from inside” and “estimated visibility from outside” were proportional to each other regardless of the window equipment condition. The relationship between “visibility from inside” and “estimated visibility from outside” was affected by the shielding position of the window equipment, and it was revealed that the clearer the view from the middle layer, the more privacy could be secured. In addition, it was suggested that opening the lower level of the window rather than the upper level would ensure both privacy and view.

COMPARING THE PRIVACY VS DAYLIGHT COMPROMISE FOR DIFFERENT WINDOW COVERINGS

Cultural factors in Libya (and other Muslim countries) require female privacy to be maintained. Outside the home, females must wear clothing that reveals only the face and hands. When inside the home and located near windows, a similar degree of clothing cover, or, window screening, is required. This reduces exposure to natural daylight, with resultant reduction in health benefits of daylight. We are therefore investigating the degree to which window privacy devices offer sufficient privacy to permit relaxed clothing in the home, and whether this leads to an increased daylight exposure. Two window coverings were tested, horizontal blinds and frosted glass, varying the free area and degree of frosting respectively. The degree of privacy offered was operationalised by identification of the clothing level worn by a target behind the window screen, the aim being to reduce this to a chance level. For horizontal blinds, the free area must be reduced to 3% to maintain sufficient privacy, which is unlikely to permit sufficient daylight to offset the wearing of relaxed clothing. While a high degree of frosting is required for a similar level of privacy, this may permit more daylight.

Knowledge, Awareness and Practices on Dengue Fever in Rural and Urban Communities

In the recent years dengue fever has become global public health concern as there has a dramatic increase of cases of dengue in tropical and subtropical regions around the world, predominantly in urban and rural areas. A community based cross sectional study was conducted among purposively selected 347 participants to ascertain the knowledge, awareness and practices on dengue fever in rural (n=196) and urban (n=151) communities of the Sylhet division, Bangladesh. Mosquito bite as mode of spread (61.22%, 82.12%), Aedes mosquito as the vector (40.83%, 64.52%), day as biting time (40.83%, 64.52%), stagnant water as breeding place (58.16%, 74.83%) and removal of water stagnation as eliminations of breeding place (40.31%, 64.90%) was mainly reported by study participants respectively in rural and urban communities. Fever (53.7%, 68.27%) was identified as a leading symptom of dengue fever. Using of bed nets (61.73%) was a conjoint recognition in rural whereas window screen (40.40%) in urban as effective measures for controlling mosquito bite. Besides preventive measures like use of bed nets (47.96%, 27.81%), window screen (7.14%, 48.34%) and for control measures removal of water stagnation (31.12%, 58.94%) was mostly utilized method in both settings. The awareness on dengue fever found good in both rural and urban communities but knowledge and preventive practices were considerably low which is predominant in rural. It could be improved through increase community participation and educational campaigns.

Window screen inspired fibrous materials with anisotropic thickness gradients for improving light transmittance

Ultrafine fibers were assembled into an anisotropic architecture for improving light transmittance.

Preference of kittens for scratchers

Objectives The objective of this study was to determine kitten preferences towards different scratchers and the effects of catnip and cat odor on kitten scratching behaviors. Methods Two-choice preference tests were conducted to compare scratchers and preferred scratchers with or without additives (ie, catnip, catnip oil, cat hair) in six studies. Kittens (n = 40, <8 weeks old) had access to two scratchers on the floor of a simulated living room for 20 mins and interactions were video-recorded. The time each kitten spent scratching each scratcher was compared. Results In study 1, the S-shaped cardboard was preferred over a hemp post with a toy on top, and no difference was observed in the other pairs of scratchers compared. In study 2, the S-shaped cardboard was preferred by kittens compared with a raised scratcher covered with window screen or with carpet, and no differences were observed between the latter two scratchers. In study 3, the scratcher covered with window screen set upright was preferred over the same scratcher laid horizontally on the floor. The S-shaped cardboard was preferred over the scratcher covered with bubble wrap. In study 4, kittens preferred the S-shaped cardboard over the scratchers covered with window screen or short-fiber carpet but not over the scratcher covered with long-fiber carpet. In study 5, the S-shaped cardboard was strongly preferred over the long cardboard and rectangular cardboard but not over the boat-shaped cardboard. In study 6, dried catnip plant, catnip oil spray or the hair from other cats did not alter the scratching behavior exhibited by the kittens vs the control S-shaped cardboard alone. Conclusions and relevance The S-shaped cardboard scratcher was a preferred scratcher for kittens. Catnip or odor of other cats did not alter this behavior in kittens. S-shaped cardboard may be a preferred scratching device for kittens.

Sustainable Building Façades: Modern Usages of the Traditional Mashrabiya

Architecture is considered to be a mirror of societies that reflect the natural environment and social values of its people. The vocabularies oftraditional architecture are used for specific functions to respond to various issues. Mashrabiya, as a wooden window screen in old times, was introduced to cover openings and windows for social and climatic reasonsthat reflectparticular eras in Middle Eastern areas. With modern technology, Mashrabiya has been reintroduced with changes in its design, mechanism, and materials. This study examined the use of Mashrabiya inhistorical and environmental aspects of architecture in Middle Eastern areas. First, this paper discusses the historical and cultural background, and comparesthe different typologies of Mashrabiya indifferent areas because its shapes differslightly from country to country. The techniques of Mashrabiya in contemporary architectureare then investigated in terms of how it has been adapted in contemporary buildings. Finally, its potential optionsin contemporary buildings are discussed.