Applied Mechanics and Materials Vols. 209-211

Abstract: The Wenchuan Earthquake of 8.0 magnitude at Richter scale hit large region of Sichuan, China on May 12, 2008. It was a terrible disaster that caused great casualties and serious damages, and largely destroyed natural mountainous ecosystems in the earthquake-hit areas. Since the restoration of those damaged mountainous ecosystems plays an important role in ecological security in this region, it is argued that the reconstruction of those earthquake-damaged ecosystems should be given greater attention before and during the ecological recovery process. Yet, to date, little effort has been made to review and summarize the major unresolved questions relating to the ecosystem recovery after the earthquake. Focusing on the priorities for future research in this subject, based on the study and comparison of literatures we identified and examined four important research questions that need to be addressed, even two years after the earthquake. All these questions need to be resolved before significant progress can be made in habilitating the damaged natural ecosystems, and perhaps more importantly, the results provide very useful information for cost-effective restoration decision making and policy planning for the earthquake-hit areas.

Abstract: Old downtown areas are faced with numerous threats such as removal and rebuilding. The purpose of this research is to reinvigorate the old downtown by low-carbon method rather than the elimination. The article elaborates the understanding of design in the respect of old downtown area renewal with case study of the renewal design of the old industrial district beside Xietang River. And it is pointed out that architectural design and landscape plan should revitalize the site in the city with a combination of retaining site’s history and context with modern language and new technology, which meets the needs of the citizens and realizes the site’s sustainable development.

Abstract: The paper deals with solutions of brownfields in Slovakia in the context of the regional development. It refers to the potential that brownfields have for the benefit of further development at not only local but also at regional level in order to create aesthetically and ecologically balanced environment and landscape. It also shows the interaction of revitalization and subsequent reuse of brownfields in order to minimize regional disparities in the territory of the Slovak Republic.

Abstract: Streets constitute the skeleton of the commercial space in traditional towns, and the commercial buildings are its flesh and blood. The under-eave space serves as the transition of the streets and commercial buildings, and it is viewed as a part of both streets and commercial buildings. However, the variable conformation and contents of the under- eave space lead to temporal polymorphism and spatial multi-functionality, which manifest its commercial value ,and become an important component of traditional commercial districts.

Abstract: Sustainable development becomes the significant tool of planning and design of building structures and infrastructures in this decade. The land use development for neighbourhood construction should be protected from being overused and devastated. Malaysia must starts to incorporate sustainable neighbourhood planning and design so that the future generation can be benefited from this type of development. However less focus is being paid to this type of development which needs attention to be given especially on small-scale green areas. The main concern of this paper is to address the practice of sustainable neighbourhood planning and design in Malaysia as it gives much impact to the living environment of a group of community. The issues pertaining Malaysian sustainable development planning and sustainable neighbourhood design were discussed in this paper. Results from the Malaysian Local Council Structure Plan review were discussed to highlight the sustainable neighbourhood importance. The result indicates that the sustainable neighbourhood planning and design in Malaysia needs to be improved over the current practices to create more environmental-friendly neighbourhood.

Abstract: Markowitz mean-variance model was the first applied to study rural infrastructure investment and a rural infrastructure optimal portfolio was established to find the optimal investment proportion of rural infrastructures with maximum total return. Fuzzy mathematical method was used to model solution for the fuzziness of rural infrastructure return and rural Shaanxi was taken as an application tested the feasibility of the model.

Abstract: The transformation of global economy into a low-carbon mode is an irreversible trend today.Low-carbon logistics will be a hot spot in logistics industry。This paper first introduces the environmental backgroud and international situation of China’s logistics industry. Through the analysis of current situation of China’s logistics industry,points out the areas to be improved in carbon emissions.Finally drops an conclusion of taking measures in both forward and reverse logistics to cut down carbon emissions.Besides,by the way of tracking carbon footprint to record carbon emissions so that to manage and control it in real-time.

Abstract: In this paper, the two physical models for the porous solar wall heating system with localized underfloor air distribution (UFAD), and the one with ceiling air supply are established, respectively.Based on Brinkman-Forchheimer Extended Darcy and energy two-equation models for saturated porous medium, the heat transfer and flow characteristics of two kinds of system are simulated and analyzed by using numerical simulation. The results show that the localized underfloor air distribution (UFAD) has better performance on flow and temperature distribution, utilization of solar power than the localized ceiling air supply for the porous solar wall heating system.

Abstract: The present article deals with the issue of renewable energy sources for the development needs of Čakanovce municipality in terms of solar, geothermal, and biomass energy which are available for this region. Using renewable energy is viewed not only in the context of environmental benefits, but also in the context of further socio-economic development of communities and an increase of its energy independence. The analysis of the solved problems was based on relevant data on the possibilities of using different types of renewable energy in relation to supporting the development of Olšava-Kecerovce region which also includes Čakanovce. Choice of the most appropriate types of renewable energies to promote further development of Čakanovce municipality was based on proportionately index method, according to pre-defined decision-making factors.

Abstract: A thin Ag layer embedded between layers of zinc tin oxide (ZTO) are compared to cells using an indium tin oxide electrode was investigated for inverted organic bulk heterojunction solar cells employing a multilayer electrode. ZTO/Ag/ ZTO (ZAZ) electrode is the preparation at room temperature, a high transparency in the visible part of the spectrum, and a very low sheet resistance comparable to treated ITO without the need for any thermal post deposition treatment as it is necessary for ITO. The In-free ZAZ electrodes exhibit a favorable work function of 4.3 eV and are shown to allow for excellent electron extraction even without a further interlayer. This renders ZAZ a perfectly suited bottom electrode for inverted organic solar cells with simplified cell architecture.