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Due to land resource scarcity, sustainable urban development in high-density cities has long been challenging. As such, many cities are formulating plans to “dig deep”, resulting in more citizens working and/or staying underground for longer periods of time. However, owing to the particularities of underground space, the factors involved in the creation of a healthy environment are different from those involved in aboveground developments. This study thus aims to investigate the influences of various underground environment factors on users' health through a holistic approach.

To achieve this aim, 12 underground sites and 12 corresponding aboveground sites are selected for a large-scale questionnaire survey, resulting in 651 survey samples. The survey covers post-occupancy evaluation of health (physical and psychosocial), underground environmental quality (visual, thermal, acoustic comfort, indoor air quality and ventilation), space design and greenery. Independent-sample T-test, Pearson correlation, multiple regression modelling and structural equation modelling are used to investigate whether significant differences exist between health of underground and aboveground users, and to develop an underground environment-health model for unveiling the significant associations between underground environment factors and users' health. To cross validate the results, an objective field measurement study is further conducted on six underground sites. The objective measurement results are used to cross validate the survey results.

The questionnaire results provide the following evidence: (1) health of underground users is significantly poorer than that of their aboveground counterparts; (2) underground development users' health is significantly affected by space design, greenery and environmental quality in terms of thermal comfort, indoor air quality, ventilation and acoustic comfort but not visual comfort; and (3) amongst the various identified factors, space design has the strongest predicting effects on human health. The field study echoes the survey findings and further unveils the relationships between different environmental factors and human health.

The results shed light on the importance of distinguishing between underground developments and aboveground ones in various guidelines and standards, especially those related to space management.

The purpose of this study is to investigate environmental factors impacting Ajanta mural deterioration, assessing global tourism effects and visitor conduct on cave environment and murals. This study recognizes stakeholder roles in conservation, providing data-driven insights to guide institutions like the Archaeological Survey of India. The objective is sustainable tourism practices to balance public access with mural preservation for future generations.

Over 25 years, Ajanta Caves' visitors doubled, impacting microclimatic conditions for ancient murals. This study assesses visitor impact to establish a regime and determine carrying capacity, considering temperature, humidity and pollution. Challenges arise from quantifying capacity because of variables. This research informs global tourism and heritage conservation, offering methodologies applicable to cultural sites worldwide.

This study examines environmental impacts on mural preservation in Ajanta Caves, including humidity, microbial growth, sunlight exposure, air quality and tourist presence. Tourist influx escalates CO₂ levels, directly endangering murals. Concerns about particulate matter, especially during visits, emphasize the need for data-driven decision-making and modern technology use to protect Ajanta Caves' artwork, crucial because of its global significance and tourism-related vulnerabilities.

This study carries substantial social implications with a global resonance. The active engagement of the local community and tourism stakeholders in conserving and promoting the Ajanta Caves fosters empowerment, igniting a sense of pride, ownership and responsibility among residents and ensuring sustainable enjoyment of cultural heritage while safeguarding it for future generations. In addition, there will be socioeconomic benefits to local residents such as employment opportunities as tour operators, tour guides, hospitality staff, artisans and souvenir shopkeepers.

This study integrates art conservation, environmental science, cultural heritage preservation and social aspects to address global tourism challenges. Focusing on a site of worldwide significance, this study offers practical strategies for artwork preservation, tourism management and environmental concerns. These recommendations provide real-world solutions applicable to heritage sites globally, bridging scientific analysis with social and cultural insights.

本研究调查了影响阿詹塔壁画退化的环境因素, 评估了全球旅游业和游客行为对洞穴环境和壁画的影响。它承认利益相关者在保护中的作用, 为印度考古调查等机构提供数据支撑的见解。目的是实践可持续旅游, 平衡公众进入和供子孙后代使用的壁画保护。

25年来, 阿詹塔洞穴的游客增加了一倍, 影响了古壁画的小气候条件。该研究评估了游客的影响, 考虑温度、湿度和污染, 建立了一个制度并确定承载能力。量化承载能力的指标面临着挑战。这项研究为全球旅游业和遗产保护提供了信息, 提供了适用于世界各地文化遗址的方法。

这项研究考察了环境对阿詹塔洞穴壁画保护的影响, 包括湿度、微生物生长、阳光照射、空气质量和游客的存在。游客的涌入使二氧化碳含量上升, 直接危及壁画。对颗粒物的考虑, 尤其是在参观期间, 强调了数据驱动决策和现代技术应用对保护阿詹塔洞穴的艺术品的必要性。这一点至关重要, 因为它具有全球意义和旅游相关的脆弱性。

这项研究具有重大的社会影响并引起全球共鸣。当地社区和旅游利益相关者积极参与阿旃陀石窟的保护和推广, 可以增强居民的赋权, 激发居民的自豪感、主人翁意识和责任感, 确保可持续享受文化遗产, 同时为子孙后代保护文化遗产。此外, 还将为当地居民带来社会经济效益, 例如旅游经营者、导游、接待人员、工匠、纪念品店主等的就业机会。

这项研究综合了艺术保护、环境科学、文化遗产保护和社会方面以应对全球旅游业的挑战。它关注一个具有世界意义的遗址, 为艺术品保护、旅游管理和环境问题提供了实用的策略。这些建议提供了适用于全球遗产地的现实世界解决方案, 将科学分析与社会和文化见解联系起来。

El estudio investiga los factores medioambientales que influyen en el deterioro de los murales de Ajanta, evaluando los efectos globales del turismo y el comportamiento de los visitantes sobre el entorno de las cuevas y los murales. Se examina el papel que desempeñan las partes interesadas en la conservación y aporta datos para orientar a instituciones como la encuesta arqueológica de India. El objetivo son las prácticas turísticas sostenibles para equilibrar el acceso del público con la conservación de los murales para las generaciones futuras.

A lo largo de 25 años, los visitantes de las cuevas de Ajanta se han duplicado, con un impacto en las condiciones microclimáticas de los murales antiguos. El estudio evalúa el impacto de los visitantes para establecer una regulación y determinar la capacidad de carga, teniendo en cuenta la temperatura, la humedad y la contaminación. La cuantificación de la capacidad plantea problemas debido a las variables. La investigación aporta información al turismo mundial y a la conservación del patrimonio, ofreciendo metodologías aplicables a sitios culturales de todo el mundo.

Este estudio examina los impactos ambientales en la conservación de los murales de las cuevas de Ajanta, incluyendo la humedad, el crecimiento microbiano, la exposición a la luz solar, la calidad del aire y la presencia de turistas. La afluencia de turistas aumenta los niveles de CO2, poniendo directamente en peligro los murales. La preocupación por las partículas, especialmente durante las visitas, pone de relieve la necesidad de tomar decisiones basadas en datos y de utilizar tecnología actual para proteger las obras de arte de las cuevas de Ajanta, algo crucial debido a su importancia mundial y a las vulnerabilidades relacionadas con el turismo.

Este estudio conlleva importantes implicaciones sociales con una resonancia global. La participación activa de la comunidad local y las partes interesadas del turismo en la conservación y promoción de las Cuevas de Ajanta fomenta el empoderamiento, generando un sentido de orgullo, propiedad y responsabilidad entre los residentes y garantiza el disfrute sostenible del patrimonio cultural al mismo tiempo que lo salvaguarda para las generaciones futuras. Además, habrá beneficios socioeconómicos para los residentes locales, como oportunidades de empleo como operadores turísticos, guías turísticos, personal de hostelería, artesanos, comerciantes de souvenirs, etc.

Este estudio integra la conservación del arte, las ciencias medioambientales, la preservación del patrimonio cultural y los aspectos sociales para abordar los retos del turismo mundial. Centrándose en un sitio de importancia mundial, ofrece estrategias prácticas para la conservación de las obras de arte, la gestión del turismo y los problemas medioambientales. Estas recomendaciones aportan soluciones reales aplicables a lugares patrimoniales de todo el mundo, tendiendo puentes entre el análisis científico y las percepciones sociales y culturales.

This study aims to investigate the effect of speckle pattern on displacement measurements using different speckle diameters and coverage ratios.

In order to compare the coverage ratio and speckle diameter during the evaluation of the correlation of digital images (DIC) study, template speckle plates were produced on a computer numerical control (CNC) punch press with 600 punches per minute. After the speckle plates were manufactured, the speckled pattern was randomly painted on a plain white side through the manufactured template plates, and then tensile tests were performed under the same loading conditions for each sample to observe displacement variation via correlation parameters.

During the manufacturing of templates with thin plates, a punch diameter of less than 1.7 mm will cause tool failure; therefore, uniform speckle size can be assessed before operation. A higher coverage ratio resulted in more accurate and reliable results in displacement data. With smaller coverage, the facet size should be increased to achieve favorable results.

If thick template plates are selected, speckle painting cannot be done properly; therefore, template thickness shall also be assessed before operation.

For randomly distributed DIC templates, increasing coverage beyond 50% does not make sense due to difficulties in the production process in the punch press.

Evaluating DIC results via templates manufactured in a punch press with different speckle diameters and coverage ratios is a new topic in literature.

Food is a key element in tourism experiences. This study aims to investigate the interplay of sensory and non-sensory factors in food tourism experiences and models their influence on satisfaction and behavioural intentions.

The study focuses on the culinary experiences of 304 tourists dining at ethnic restaurants and uses causal relationship discovery modelling to analyse data.

Sensory factors are important in tourists’ culinary experiences with cleanliness, noise levels and room temperature at the top of the causal chain. Results also indicate the interplay between sensory and non-sensory factors to explain overall satisfaction, intention to return and intention to say positive things.

Using embodied cognition theory, the study offers novel insights into the role of senses in food tourism experiences at rural destinations.

美食是乡村旅游的主要吸引物之一。本研究的目的是调查游客在用餐体验中感官和非感官因素的相互作用, 以及这些因素如何影响游客的满意度和行为意愿。

本研究使用因果关系建模的方法来分析 304 名在某地方特色餐厅用餐的游客的问卷数据。

结果显示, 对于游客的用餐体验而言, 感官和非感官因素具备同等的重要性。此外, 结果发现, 游客感知到的噪音水平、适宜的室内温度及清洁度在与其他因素的相互作用中非常重要, 并能激发游客的满意度和重游意愿。

基于认知理论, 本研究为更好地理解感官因素和非感观因素在乡村旅游情境下的游客用餐体验中的作用提供了新的知识。

La comida es un elemento clave en las experiencias turísticas. Este estudio investiga la interacción de factores sensoriales y no sensoriales en las experiencias de turismo gastronómico y modela su influencia en la satisfacción y las intenciones de comportamiento.

El estudio se centra en las experiencias culinarias de 304 turistas que cenan en restaurantes étnicos y utiliza modelos de descubrimiento de relaciones causales para analizar los datos.

Los factores sensoriales son importantes en las experiencias culinarias de los turistas con la limpieza, los niveles de ruido y la temperatura ambiente en la parte superior de la cadena causal. Los resultados también indican la interacción entre factores sensoriales y no sensoriales para explicar la satisfacción general, la intención de regresar y la intención de decir cosas positivas.

Utilizando la teoría de la cognición incorporada, el estudio ofrece nuevos conocimientos sobre el papel de los sentidos en las experiencias de turismo gastronómico en destinos rurales.

This paper aims to concentrate on recent innovations in flexible wearable sensor technology tailored for monitoring vital signals within the contexts of wearable sensors and systems developed specifically for monitoring health and fitness metrics.

In recent decades, wearable sensors for monitoring vital signals in sports and health have advanced greatly. Vital signals include electrocardiogram, electroencephalogram, electromyography, inertial data, body motions, cardiac rate and bodily fluids like blood and sweating, making them a good choice for sensing devices.

This report reviewed reputable journal articles on wearable sensors for vital signal monitoring, focusing on multimode and integrated multi-dimensional capabilities like structure, accuracy and nature of the devices, which may offer a more versatile and comprehensive solution.

The paper provides essential information on the present obstacles and challenges in this domain and provide a glimpse into the future directions of wearable sensors for the detection of these crucial signals. Importantly, it is evident that the integration of modern fabricating techniques, stretchable electronic devices, the Internet of Things and the application of artificial intelligence algorithms has significantly improved the capacity to efficiently monitor and leverage these signals for human health monitoring, including disease prediction.

Evaluating the multiphysics performance of an electric motor can be a computationally intensive process, especially where several complex subsystems of the motor are coupled together. For example, evaluating acoustic noise requires the coupling of the electromagnetic, structural and acoustic models of the electric motor. Where skewed poles are considered in the design, the problem becomes a purely three-dimensional (3D) multiphysics problem, which could increase the computational burden astronomically. This study, therefore, aims to introduce surrogate models in the design process to reduce the computational cost associated with solving such 3D-coupled multiphysics problems.

The procedure involves using the finite element (FE) method to generate a database of several skewed rotor pole surface-mounted permanent magnet synchronous motors and their corresponding electromagnetic, structural and acoustic performances. Then, a surrogate model is fitted to the data to generate mapping functions that could be used in place of the time-consuming FE simulations.

It was established that the surrogate models showed promising results in predicting the multiphysics performance of skewed pole surface-mounted permanent magnet motors. As such, such models could be used to handle the skewing aspects, which has always been a major design challenge due to the scarcity of simulation tools with stepwise skewing capability.

The main contribution involves the use of surrogate models to replace FE simulations during the design cycle of skewed pole surface-mounted permanent magnet motors without compromising the integrity of the electromagnetic, structural, and acoustic results of the motor.

Evaluating the implementation of environmental management plans (EMPs) in highway construction projects is essential to avoid climate change. Public evaluations can help ensure that the EMP is implemented correctly and efficiently. To allow public evaluation of EMP implementations, this study aims to investigate performance indicators (PIs) for assessing EMP implementation in highway construction projects. To that end, the study objectives are to compare the critical PIs between environment auditors (EAs) and environment officers (EOs) and among the main project stakeholders (i.e. clients, contractors and consultants), create components for the critical PIs and assess the efficiency of the components.

The paper identified 39 PIs from interviews with environmental professionals and a systematic literature review. Then a questionnaire survey was developed based on the PIs and sent to EAs and EOs. The data were analyzed via mean score ranking, normalization, agreement analysis, factor analysis and fuzzy synthetic evaluation (FSE).

The analyses revealed 21 critical PIs for assessing EMP implementation in highway construction projects. Also, the critical PIs can be grouped into four components: ecological, pollution, public safety and ecological. Finally, the overall importance of the critical PIs from the FSE is between important and very important.

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this paper is the first-of-its-kind study on the critical PIs for assessing EMP implementation in highway construction projects.

The purpose of this study is to examine the buyers’ preferences influencing the purchase of privately developed affordable housing in Kolkata and to determine whether unsold houses result from misalignment with these preferences.

The literature review and user-opinion survey identified 119 independent variables that indicate buyers’ preferences. A questionnaire survey of 383 households in affordable housing units from 32 housing complexes in Kolkata recorded buyers’ preferences and satisfaction against the independent variables grouped under five levels of characteristics. The product weights of variables derived from the rank sum method and percentage satisfaction give the Utility Score. Multivariate regression and univariate linear regressions were conducted to determine the significance of each Level of characteristics and each variable, identifying the significant variables that would affect the sale of affordable houses.

The multivariate regression analysis has indicated that 68.56% of the variation in the percentage of unsold houses was explained by the five utility scores, which affirms that misalignment with buyers’ preferences significantly affects the sale of privately developed affordable houses. Furthermore, building and neighbourhood-level utility show the highest significance as predictors, while city-level and miscellaneous utility have moderate significance, but housing complex-level utility lacks statistical significance.

This study addresses a research gap in privately developed affordable housing in Kolkata, enhancing understanding of buyer preferences in this segment.

The education of deaf and hard of hearing (d/DHH) students is largely dependent on the preferred mode of communication. Historically, the mode of communication for d/DHH students was determined by society rather than by students and families. This resulted in divisiveness between the Deaf culture and proponents of oral communication. The adoption of IDEA allowed family participation in the decision-making process. Advances in technology increased student access to sound, resulting in more educational placement options. Despite the positive changes, the complex nature of hearing loss and the wide variety in cultural considerations have made it difficult to determine the best approach to deaf education. Thus, educators and providers are left in a conundrum of which version of “traditional” deaf education is best for students.

This paper aims to consider the relationship between urban events and urban public space, asking whether cities have enough space for events and whether events have enough space in cities.

Policy analysis surrounding events and festivals in the Netherlands is used to understand the dynamics of urban events, supported by content analysis of policy documents. A vignette of event space struggles in Amsterdam illustrates the contradictions of the event/space relationship.

The research identifies a policy shift in the Netherlands towards urban events from expansive, festivalisation strategies to defensive, NIMBYist policies. It exposes contradictions between protecting space as a living resource and the exploitation of space for regenerative purposes. Three future scenarios for urban events are outlined: conflict and competition, growth and harmony and digitalisation and virtualisation.

Develops scenarios for the future relationship between events and urban space.

Provides an analysis of the recursive spatial implications of the growth of the events sector for cities and the growth of cities for events.