Towards a framework to evaluate the ‘total’ performance of buildings

Internationally, buildings are a major contributor to carbon emissions. Despite significant advances in the technology and construction of energy-efficient buildings, in many cases a performance gap between designed and actual performance exists. While much research has investigated the drivers of the building energy performance gap – both static and transient– there has been considerably less research into the total performance gap, defined here as performance gaps in building energy use, occupant satisfaction and Indoor Environmental Quality parameters such as thermal comfort and air quality which may impact on occupant health and wellbeing. This paper presents a meta-analysis of building performance data from buildings in the UK and China – selected due to their contrasting development environments – which illustrate the presence of and complexities of evaluating total performance gaps in both countries. The data demonstrate the need for (1) high end-use, spatial granularity and temporal resolution data for both energy and Indoor Environmental Quality, and (2) developing methodologies that allow meaningful comparisons between buildings internationally to facilitate learning from successful building design, construction methodologies and policy environments internationally. Using performance data from a UK building, a potential forward path is illustrated with the objective of developing a framework to evaluate total building performance. Practical application: While much research has examined building energy performance gaps, Indoor Environmental Quality and occupant satisfaction gaps are rarely included despite their relationship to energy. We use a meta-analysis of energy, indoor environmental quality, and occupant satisfaction data from buildings in the UK and China to illustrating the presence of and complexities of evaluating total performance gaps for buildings in the two countries, and the need for high resolution dynamic buildings data and novel methodologies for comparison between buildings across different contexts. Illustrative case studies are used to demonstrate potential future directions for evaluating ‘total’ building performance

The anisotropy of granular materials

The effect of the anisotropy on the elastoplastic response of two dimensional packed samples of polygons is investigated here, using molecular dynamics simulation. We show a correlation between fabric coefficients, characterizing the anisotropy of the granular skeleton, and the anisotropy of the elastic response. We also study the anisotropy induced by shearing on the subnetwork of the sliding contacts. This anisotropy provides an explanation to some features of the plastic deformation of granular media.Comment: Submitted to PR

Internal states of model isotropic granular packings. III. Elastic properties

In this third and final paper of a series, elastic properties of numerically simulated isotropic packings of spherical beads assembled by different procedures and subjected to a varying confining pressure P are investigated. In addition P, which determines the stiffness of contacts by Hertz's law, elastic moduli are chiefly sensitive to the coordination number, the possible values of which are not necessarily correlated with the density. Comparisons of numerical and experimental results for glass beads in the 10kPa-10MPa range reveal similar differences between dry samples compacted by vibrations and lubricated packings. The greater stiffness of the latter, in spite of their lower density, can hence be attributed to a larger coordination number. Voigt and Reuss bounds bracket bulk modulus B accurately, but simple estimation schemes fail for shear modulus G, especially in poorly coordinated configurations under low P. Tenuous, fragile networks respond differently to changes in load direction, as compared to load intensity. The shear modulus, in poorly coordinated packings, tends to vary proportionally to the degree of force indeterminacy per unit volume. The elastic range extends to small strain intervals, in agreement with experimental observations. The origins of nonelastic response are discussed. We conclude that elastic moduli provide access to mechanically important information about coordination numbers, which escape direct measurement techniques, and indicate further perspectives.Comment: Published in Physical Review E 25 page

Structural Performance of Reinforced Concrete Flat Plate Buildings Subjected to Fire

El siguiente artículo se propone estudiar la poesía de Luis Hernández a partir de los problemas que surgen al intentar estudiar su obra reunida. Antes que ser valorada como una poesía “inacabada”, la deliberada asistematicidad de su poética debe ser entendida como el resultado de un calculado y consciente ejercicio artístico, cuyas fuentes filosóficas tradicionalmente han pugnado por una ontología del movimiento frente a una metafísica de la permanencia. Bajo esta perspectiva, la obra de Hernández se revela como un “plano de inmanencia”, desde el cual acontece el sentido de su poesía en el quehacer de la escritura.The article aims to study Luis Hernández’ poetry from the point of view of the problems that emerge when trying to analyze his Complete Works. Rather than being assessed as “unfinished”, the deliberate and unsystematic appearance of his poetic, should rather be understood as the result of a calculated and conscious artistic practice that stems from philosophical trends which traditionally have fostered an ontology of movement against a metaphysics of permanence. Under this view, Hernández work shows up as “plane of immanence” from where sense becomes an event for the creative writing process.El següent article es proposa estudiar la poesia de Luis Hernández a partir dels problemes que sorgeixen al tractar d’estudiar la seva obra reunida. Abans de ser valorada com una poesia “incabada”, la deliberada asistematicitat de la seva poètica deu ser entesa com el resultat d’un calculat i conscient exercici artístic, fonts filosòfiques de les quals han pugnat tradicionalment per una ontologia del moviment davant una metafísica de la permanència. Sota aquesta perspectiva, l’obra d’Hernàndez es revela com un “pla d’inmanència”, des del qual esdevé el sentit de la seva poesia en el afer de l’escriptura

An approach to the use of indices-based analysis subject to money laundering and terrorist financing national risk assessment

The core aim of this study is to propose an approach to quantitate estimation of indices-based information subject to necessities of the National Risk Assessment (NRA) of money laundering and terrorist financing (ML/TF) risks. Mathematical formalization analysis for Ukraine based on 11 indices and indicators for years 2011-2015 subject to core areas of the overall situation in a country considered within its National Risk Assessment was carried out. Authors’ contribution covers scientific novelty that is a first-time analysis of a general situation in a jurisdiction in light of the National Risk Assessment’s requirements based on joint consideration of various indices and setting priority to areas of the overall country’s situation in the framework of conducted calculations. It was concluded that proposed approach is a valuable instrument for assessing priority of areas of the overall situation in the country for the National Risk Assessment’s purposes through a formalized mechanism ensuring high objectiveness. Practical significance of this study is a possibility to reach higher efficiency in allocation of available resources for the participants of the National Risk Assessment, to reduce some costs considering flexibility of the approach allowing consideration of significant volumes of information, its updating and comparison. This research could become a starting point for further research. Considering complexity of existing indices, there is a necessity to study a mechanism of their correlation and mutual influence, analyze elasticity and joint behavior, and discover the areas of preferable influence on large range of purposes not only limited to the MRA of ML/TF risks

What do we require from surveillance technology? A review of the needs of people with dementia and informal caregivers

Introduction: Dementia has become a major global concern and surveillance technology might provide support for informal caregivers and people with dementia. However, the needs of caregivers and people with dementia for surveillance technology have not been reviewed. Method: A scoping literature review was used to identify the needs of caregivers and/or people with dementia towards surveillance technology. Electronic database searching was undertaken on LexisNexis, PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Cumulative Index to Nursing, Allied Health Literature, PsycINFO, Web of Science, Assistive Technology database, and Google Scholar. Eligible studies were synthesized by theme. Results: Twenty-eight eligible studies were identified, with the majority reporting the needs of caregivers rather than people with dementia. The predominant themes for caregivers were location accuracy, and increasing the safety of the person with dementia. People with dementia wanted simple useful technology that fits within their capacity and existing routines. Conclusions: The needs of people with dementia must be considered when designing surveillance products. Studies have mostly focused on caregivers and discount ST product requirements. Further work is required to establish effective use of surveillance technology in dementia care. Therefore, further research should cross analyze these results by examining both the needs of caregivers, and people with dementia

Selling surveillance technology: semiotic themes in advertisements for ageing in place with dementia

Six advertisements were explored that sell surveillance technologies for people living with dementia through qualitative content analysis. Advertisements from the United Kingdom, Sweden, and the Netherlands were analysed to explore semiotic textual meaning and people living with dementia (N = 5) and carers (N = 4) responded to these advertisements. The semiotic themes report a “wanderer” discourse which signals to track people living with dementia, children pets and possessions. Mainly negative representations communicate the dangers of wandering towards younger-female carers, few positive representations show a smiling person with dementia and only one person was represented as interacting with technology. Participants did not understand the advertisements and people living with dementia felt stigmatised. There is a lack of reflexivity when people living with dementia are seen as objects. The reliance on stereotypes targeted at carers with misunderstood conceivable trackers hinders resilience for people living with dementia and implies the continuous stigmatisation that occurs when they are disregarded as human technology-users

Partial Dynamical Symmetry in the Symplectic Shell Model

We present an example of a partial dynamical symmetry (PDS) in an interacting fermion system and demonstrate the close relationship of the associated Hamiltonians with a realistic quadrupole-quadrupole interaction, thus shedding new light on this important interaction. Specifically, in the framework of the symplectic shell model of nuclei, we prove the existence of a family of fermionic Hamiltonians with partial SU(3) symmetry. We outline the construction process for the PDS eigenstates with good symmetry and give analytic expressions for the energies of these states and E2 transition strengths between them. Characteristics of both pure and mixed-symmetry PDS eigenstates are discussed and the resulting spectra and transition strengths are compared to those of real nuclei. The PDS concept is shown to be relevant to the description of prolate, oblate, as well as triaxially deformed nuclei. Similarities and differences between the fermion case and the previously established partial SU(3) symmetry in the Interacting Boson Model are considered.Comment: 9 figure

The inflammatory microenvironment in colorectal neoplasia

Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Gel meloksikama za topičku primjenu: In vitro i in vivo vrednovanje

Skin delivery of NSAIDs offers several advantages over the oral route associated with potential side effects. In the present investigation, topical gel of meloxicam (MLX) was formulated using N-methyl pyrrolidone (NMP) as a solubilizer and Carbopol Ultrez 10® as a gelling polymer. MLX gel was evaluated with respect to different physicochemical parameters such as pH, viscosity and spreadability. Irritation potential of MLX gel was studied on rabbits. Permeation of MLX gel was studied using freshly excised rat skin as a membrane. Anti-inflammatory activity of MLX gel was studied in rats and compared with the commercial formulation of piroxicam (Pirox® gel, 0.5 %, m/m). Accelerated stability studies were carried out for MLX gel for 6 months according to ICH guidelines. MLX gel was devoid of any skin irritation in rabbits. After 12 h, cumulative permeation of MLX through excised rat skin was 3.0 ± 1.2 mg cm2 with the corresponding flux value of 0.24 ± 0.09 mg cm2 h1. MLX gel exhibited significantly higher anti-inflammatory activity in rats compared to Pirox® gel. Physicochemically stable and non-irritant MLX gel was formulated which could deliver significant amounts of active substance across the skin in vitro and in vivo to elicit the anti-inflammatory activity.Primjena nesteroidnih protuupalnih lijekova na kožu ima nekoliko prednosti nad peroralnim načinom primjene uz koju se vežu određene nuspojave. U radu je opisana priprava gela meloksikama (MLX) za topičku primjenu. U pripravi gela korišten je N-metil pirolidon (NMP) kao otapalo i Carbopol ultrez 10® kao polimer za geliranje. Određivani su različiti fizikokemijski parametri kao što su pH, viskoznost i razmazljivost. Potencijalna iritacija MLX gela testirana je na kunićima, a svojstvo permeacije na svježim izrescima kože štakora. Protuupalno djelovanje praćeno je na štakorima i uspoređeno s registriranim pripravkom piroksikama (Pirox® gel, 0,5 % m/m). Testovi ubrzanog starenja MLX gela rađeni su tijekom 6 mjeseci prema ICH protokolu. Dobiveni rezultati ukazuju da MLX gel nimalo ne iritira kožu kunića. Kumulativna permeacija nakon 12 h bila je 3,0 ± 1,2 mg cm2, s odgovarajućem vrijednošću fluksa 0,24 ± 0,09 mg cm2 h1. MLX gel pokazao je značajno jače protuupalno djelovanje u odnosu na Pirox® gel. Pripravljeni gel je stabilan, ne iritira kožu, te in vitro i in vivo doprema kroz kožu ljekovitu tvar u dovoljnoj količini da ispolji protuupalno djelovanje