Current methods to predict hydrodynamic loads rely either on oversimplified and semiempirical methods or the use of numerical simulation and analysis techniques such as Finite Element Analysis (FEA) or Boundary Element Analysis (BEA). These methods are conservative which results in the over-design of these craft so they are heavier and slower than they could otherwise be. Better understanding of load intensities will inform the design process of marine structures and could result in lighter and more efficient designs. This research investigates the possibility of solving these problems employing artificial intelligence (AI) as an alternative to the current methods. Few studies have applied Artificial Intelligence to the design of marine structures. Detailed review of the past and present research shows that AI and in particular Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) can be used as an inverse problem solver when there are no closed form relationships that exist between the input and the output. An inverse approach is defined as the problem where response of the structure is known but the load that caused that response is unknown. In real problems/structures the response to a point load is experienced throughout the structure with different levels of intensities which is the link between the external load and these differential intensities. Determining this relationship will result in a unique solution without the knowledge of material constitutive laws, material properties and structure size or thickness. The aim of this investigation is to develop a real time in-service load measurement tool using an inverse approach. To achieve this, ANN, experimental techniques and FEA analysis are combined to form a hybrid inverse problem solver that can be trained to use structural response, such as strains at various locations, to predict the loads that caused them. The main objective of this research is to investigate the suitability of the proposed methodology for real time in-service load monitoring on large marine structures. The proposed system must be able to measure both steady-state as well as transient load such as equivalent slamming load. The outcome of this investigation was successful prediction of the external loads in terms of their approximate location and load intensities. The only disadvantage of this method is that the solver requires training and can only learn from cases that it has been subjected to. However, once the system is trained it can predict both static and dynamic loads quickly and accurately.

<p> Ancient Alien Protectors is an exhibition that tells the story of the wonders and benefits of horseshoe crabs. What are they and why should anyone care about them? Researching the topic revealed that more often than not an inhabitant of the Western Shore or any of the landlocked geographical locations in the United States has limited knowledge about horseshoe crabs. Their kind has inhabited our Earth for over 475 million years. They have outlasted over ninety-nine percent of all the species that ever swam or walked on the planet but are now in peril due to human activity. They have been harvested for farmers to make fertilizer for crops, chopped up as bait for fishermen, and captured and bled by biomedical companies. Their copper-based blue blood is used to produce a life-saving product that is hypersensitive to bacteria. The injectable drugs and medical devices that come in contact with our blood must be tested for the presence of toxins, horseshoe crabs have now become an invaluable commodity to modern medicine. </p><p> Horseshoe crab eggs are a food source for many crustaceans and fishes. Their eggs are an integral part of the diet of many shorebirds, allowing them to refuel and gain weight before continuing their journey northward to the Arctic. Disappearance of the horseshoe crab from the waters of the Atlantic Ocean would be a critical blow to the life-sustaining connection between members of local ecosystems. </p><p> The goal of this research is to create an exhibition that sparks an awareness about how we are an intrinsic part of the natural world. The exhibition is designed so that visitors will have an opportunity to enter a museum located in the Delaware Bay region, the natural setting where the largest population of horseshoe crabs are born, grow to maturity, and reproduce. Visitors can immerse themselves in an environment that will stimulate their senses as well as their mind and leave inspired to engage in the conservation and protection of this resilient species. The proposed site will also house a research facility collocated with the museum to foster cooperation and knowledge sharing among scientists. A partnership between the conservation and medical communities would strengthen the commitment to finding better ways to strategically manage and preserve this precious living resource.</p>

No description available.

Det finns ett stort antal människor med rörelsehinder. Det finns även ett stort utbud av hjälpmedel för att underlätta för funktionsnedsatta i vardagen. Tekniken går snabbt framåt och många nya produkter kommer ut på marknaden varje år. Trots det så lever många med funktionshinder i miljöer som skulle kunna anpassas bättre.  Om miljön anpassas efter människors individuella förmågor blir funktionsnedsättningarna inga hinder för att kunna leva ett självständigt liv.

To improve employee well-being, reduce healthcare costs, and meet the desires of a younger workforce, this study used frameworks of holistic wellness to identify which well-being amenities, services, and programs (i.e. those aimed at encouraging healthy behaviors) are valued by urban campus employees and what influential factors encourage their utilization. To enhance employee well-being and reduce healthcare costs many companies have adopted wellness programs which incorporate a myriad of programs, services, and amenities for the purpose of improving health. Yet, according to the research organization, RAND (2014), participation rates are low (20% to 40%) while reasons for this remain unclear. Literature has identified obesity, lack of physical activity (PA) and stress management as the leading health concerns within the current workplace (Hallal, Andersen, Bull, Guthold & Hanskell, 2012; Makrides, Heath, Farquharson & Veinot, 2007). In order to align potential amenities aimed at improving such health conditions, the author studied amenity types and organized them accordingly based upon the International Facility Management Association’s amenity categorization (2012). By cross-comparing these health concerns to IFMA’s amenity categories, it was determined that Food & Refreshments, Fitness & Recreation, and Work-Life Balance appeared to have the highest potential to improve these health concerns. Thus, these three types of amenities were the focus of this study. At the same time, changing workforce demographics suggest a growing preference towards urban areas that offer access to public amenities, thus leading companies to rethink their office locations in hopes of attracting and retaining talent (Vogelmann, 2016). Yet, despite evidence suggesting the work environment plays an important role in achieving these goals, employers may forfeit desirable amenities when faced with acquiring real estate capable of supporting their staff within desirable, yet costly, urban locations. Consequently, urban campus employees are a demographic of growing importance, as their workplace environment typically offers close proximity to many amenities. As amenities have come to be viewed as a means to satisfy business objectives, understanding their role and effectiveness within the workplace may play an important role in improving employee wellness, and attracting and retaining talent. However, there is little empirical knowledge regarding which amenities employees’ value or which factors may influence their utilization. Therefore, this research study sought to determine the well-being amenities valued by corporate urban campus employees, and what factors play a role in their utilization. / A Thesis submitted to the Department of Interior Architecture and Design in partial fulfillment of the Master of Fine Arts. / Summer Semester 2017. / July 19, 2017. / Interior Architecture, Interior Design, Well-Being, Workplace Amenities, Workplace Design, Workplace Well-Being / Includes bibliographical references. / Amy Huber, Professor Directing Thesis; Jim Dawkins, Committee Member; Marlo Ransdell, Committee Member.

Established over 220 years ago, the first American hotels helped facilitate a quickly growing body of travelers with the essential amenities of shelter, food, drink, and other services and goods usually obtained within the household (Sandoval-Strausz, 2007). Fast-forwarding to the current year, hotels are still using these early guiding amenities, but over time, have adapted them to meet the values and needs of each passing generation. The Millennial generation, those born between the years of 1981-1996 (Gallup, 2014), demonstrate a shift in mindfulness of how they choose to live their lives that is different from previous generations (Gensler, 2016b). Their traveling habits are beginning to blend two common traveling styles together to form “bleisure” travel (Worker, S., n.d., ¶ 3). Bleisure travel is what occurs when business trips extend into weekend leisure vacations (Worker, S., n.d.). The hotel industry is in a position to adapt to this new traveling style. Hotel’s seek to retain customers as fully engaged brand followers, as they are the company’s most profitable consumer in both good and bad economic times, with high levels of emotional attachment (Sorenson and Adkins, 2014). Unfortunately, Millennials exhibit the lowest percentage of hotel engagement levels when compared to other traveling generations (Gallup, 2014). The goal of this study seeks to identify the values and needs of the Millennial generation in order to increase their engagement levels via bleisure style hotel brands. To identify the values and needs of Millennials, this study surveyed Millennial travelers staying at hotel accommodations for business, leisure, and bleisure type travel. From the survey, the author has synthesized the data results into two guest personas which illustrate the top attributes of a Millennial who is traveling for bleisure. These findings have informed the programming, site selection, and proposed design solution for a bleisure style hotel that addresses a potential solution for increasing engagement levels of the traveling Millennial. / A Thesis submitted to the Department of Interior Architecture and Design in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Fine Arts. / Summer Semester 2017. / June 28, 2017. / Brand Engagement, Hotels, Interior Design / Includes bibliographical references. / Jim Dawkins, Professor Directing Thesis; Marlo Ransdell, Committee Member; Kenan Fishburne, Committee Member.

Globalization and modernization since the discovery of oil have greatly affected the built environment of the twenty-first century Saudi Arabian city. These changes span all aspects of life and impact the social structure of residential communities. The design of cities, towns, and the buildings within them has been influenced by greater exposure to non-Saudi building types that came as a result of greater affluence and globalization. This study addressed changes in the design of the congregational mosque in Saudi Arabia after the discovery of oil in the 1930s. It explored the role of the congregational mosque in the twenty-first century Saudi Arabia, and its influence on residents’ attachment to their neighborhoods and sense of community respective to design. Feelings of connectedness to the community at large and attachment to residential neighborhoods are essential for the wellbeing of residents. Identifying with a place plays an important role in helping people attach meaning to places and forming emotional connections to them. Cities with places where socialization between community members occurs can support strong attachment to place. Prior to the discover of oil in Saudi Arabia, the congregational mosque served as the main community gathering place. Much of the communal activity, both religious and social, occurred in the mosque. Following the discovery of oil and changes in building types, communities changed. To better understand the impact of the changes in the design and role of the mosque, a survey was sent to 3000 employees of the Royal Commission for Jubail with 325 completed responses received. In addition to surveys, interviews were conducted with eight mosque attendees and the Imam (the leader of the mosque) to further understand the phenomenon of the mosque as a communal place. A case study of the Farouq congregational mosque in Jubail Industrial city was conducted and analyzed using spatial syntax methodology. The study revealed six themes related to the research questions including: social interaction between residents of the local neighborhood, neighborhood attachment, the use of the current-day mosque, the mosque as a social gathering place, the mosque as a community influencer, and the mosque’s architecture. Findings indicated the presence of a small community formed around the congregational mosque. However, results showed a decrease in the use of the mosque as a community gathering place when compared to mosques prior to the discovery of oil. Survey results indicated an interest in the mosque as a place to gather for prayer, as well as activities other than prayer. Therefore, findings suggest more efforts should be made to utilize the mosque facility as a place to help strengthen the social relationships between residents. More connection among residents has the potential to promote a stronger sense of community and attachment to residential environments. / A Thesis submitted to the Department of Interior Architecture and Design in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science. / Spring Semester 2018. / March 21, 2018. / mosque, neighborhood community, residents' attachment, saudi arabia, sense of attachment, sense of community / Includes bibliographical references. / Lisa Waxman, Professor Directing Thesis; Jill Pable, Committee Member; Marlow Ransdell, Committee Member.

People tend to gravitate toward nature. Edward O. Wilson (1984) stated that human beings are biologically connected to the psychological, the physical, and the spiritual through nature, establishing the definition for biophilia. Specific studies have shown that biophilic design elements enable people to live and work in healthy spaces with less stress and high productivity in healthcare facilities and learning environments. Many special needs students in South Korea spend their time in mainstreaming learning environments, which are special classrooms similar in design to regular classrooms. Literature suggests that special needs students may have less severe symptoms than those who commute to special schools, but they still likely need a well-designed learning environment that contributes to their unique development and promotes their well-being. This research identified biophilic design principles in special classrooms and other nearby spaces that support the behavioral health of special needs students in traditional middle schools in South Korea, and explored how these biophilic design principles might be integrated. To assess existing classroom conditions about special needs students' emotional behaviors regarding biophilic design attributes, this study conducted an online survey and semi-structure interview with special education instructors. The study revealed that certain biophilic attributes including windows and views, plants, wood materials, and certain furniture arrangements contribute to special needs students' behavioral health according to queried instructors. These findings gave rise to ten biophilic design guidelines for special educational environments that were then applied in a hypothetical middle school project. These strategies might be utilized by designers and educators to improve special educational environments that promote special needs students' well-being. / A Thesis submitted to the Department of Interior Architecture and Design in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Fine Arts. / Fall Semester 2018. / October 26, 2018. / Biophilic design, Learning environment, Mainstreaming environment, Special classroom design, Special needs students' emotional behaviors / Includes bibliographical references. / Jill Pable, Professor Directing Thesis; Marlo Ransdell, Committee Member; Jim Dawkins, Committee Member; Theresa Van Lith, Committee Member.

abstract: The artificial lighting plays crucial role in the human life in the contemporary, globalized and highly complex world. Its influence on the physical and psychological health of the humans was studied by numerous reputable scholars from across the globe, however this study focuses on the impact of light on the college students living in the dormitories. The study seeks to find whether there is a correlation between light and health of the student, his/her performance, productivity, mood and feelings. The paper uses a relatively new housing near Arizona State University Tempe-campus as a case study as an attempt to substantiate the problem dimensions and suggest feasible solutions. Basing on the available literature on the topic and the case study evaluation, the author determined the range of possible recommendations for the lighting professionals in the industry to maximally satisfy the needs of the students and make their stay and life in the dormitory comfortable and healthy experience. The relevant conclusions are made basing on the obtained results. / Dissertation/Thesis / Masters Thesis Design 2019

An integrated framework comprising rhetoric, semiotics, and phenomenology was constructed to provide theoretical foundations for exploring public housing residentsâ experiences engaging in the visual phenomenon of ânew signageâ and âestate art.â The focus of study concerns how design, meanings, and experiences of the visual objects evoke in residents a sense of cultural sustainability. A mixed-method âconcurrent nested qual+QUALâ strategy was developed to approach the research problem. This theory-driven methodology embeds semiotics within the dominant strategy of phenomenology. The researcher began with self-reflection, or âbracketing,â providing a descriptive account of her own experience of the phenomenon. Qualitative interviews were then conducted in four housing estates with 26 participant residents including elderly people, workers, housewives, and students. Standardized questions elicited participantsâ readings of designs within their social context; the questions were ânestedâ within informal conversations, which generated participantsâ full descriptions, first-person accounts of visual experiences interpreted within a more personal context. Bracketing identified that a rhetorical situation exists in the semiotic neighborhoods of estates wherein relocated residents appeared to have âa sense of disorientationâ and âaspiration to prosper.â These sensibilities were addressed through the design of name signs and public art. Socio-semiotic analysis of the visuals entailed seven cultural codes, representing cultural values underpinning the community. Phenomenological analysis captured residentsâ lived experience of visuals as seven phenomenological themes. The themes formed a structure of experience, indicating what it is like to perceive attributes of cultural sustainability. Further, five interpretive positions, or essences of experiences were uncovered as underlying the experiences. A synthesis of findings shows that communication and perception of cultural sustainability involved the rhetorical encoding of intended positive meanings into the visual designs, which residents decoded to come up with cultural meanings that evoked thoughts and feelings about the vitality of their community and continuity of Chinese culture. It is a result of âvisualityâ â interrelationships among designâs persuasive power, visual signification, and viewing experience â conditioned by residentsâ interpretive positions. This dissertation bridges visual design and sustainability, unveiling their enhanced social values while integrated, and strengthens the knowledge base of both fields of study, especially by its theoretical and methodological implications.