Coupled TRNSYS-CFD simulations evaluating the performance of PCM plate heat exchangers in an Airport Terminal building displacement conditioning system

This is the post-print version of the Article. The official published version can be accessed from the link below. Copyright @ 2013 Elsevier.This paper reports on the energy performance evaluation of a displacement ventilation (DV) system in an airport departure hall, with a conventional DV diffuser and a diffuser retrofitted with a phase change material storage heat exchanger (PCM-HX). A TRNSYS-CFD quasi-dynamic coupled simulation method was employed for the analysis, whereby TRNSYS® simulates the HVAC and PID control system and ANSYS FLUENT® is used to simulate the airflow inside the airport terminal space. The PCM-HX is also simulated in CFD, and is integrated into the overall model as a secondary coupled component in the TRNSYS interface. Different night charging strategies of the PCM-HX were investigated and compared with the conventional DV diffuser. The results show that: i) the displacement ventilation system is more efficient for cooling than heating a space; ii) the addition of a PCM-HX system reduces the heating energy requirements during the intermediate and summer periods for specific night charging strategies, whereas winter heating energy remains unaffected; iii) the PCM-HX reduces cooling energy requirements, and; iv) maximum energy savings of 34% are possible with the deployment of PCM-HX retrofitted DV diffuser.This work was funded by the UK Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), Grant No: EP/H004181/1

A Study on Human Rights Education in Myanmar (Arkar Hein Soe, 2019)

Human rights education can promote values, beliefs and attitudes that encourage all levels of people to uphold their rights and others. Human rights education is also a key on building social structures to support democracy. This study aim to assess the situation of existing awareness on human rights by the stakeholders and to assess the knowledge of right holders and duty bearers. The survey results of the study are based on the structured questionnaire and proceed with the analysis of the questions. To obtain the objectives of the study, the survey analysis is presented the respondents understanding on human rights instruments and human rights concepts. And also Key Informant Interviews is selected interviewees who are human rights educators to assess the current human rights education. As a result, there is still lack of awareness on human rights concepts and human rights instruments. The strong will of government and human rights educators are needed because human rights education is a lifelong process and have to make sure that no one leave behind from it

Analysing UNESCO's education for peace and sustainable development curriculum in Myanmar through a postcolonial lens

Since the 1990s, a model of peace education focusing on attitudinal and behavioural change has been implemented globally in conflict-affected contexts. This article examines the content of UNESCO’s ‘Education for Peace and Sustainable Development’ (EPSD) programme delivered in Myanmar through the lens of Santos’ (2016) ‘Epistemologies of the South.’ The analysis reveals potential limitations of the EPSD programme in two areas: 1) it features often-used conceptions of peace and sustainability with limited integration of local epistemologies, and 2) it emphasises individual behavioural change for sustainable development without paying sufficient attention to structural factors. This article argues that these limitations risk creating blind spots that may unintentionally marginalise local knowledge systems. This article, therefore, proposes opportunities for developing an ecology of knowledges that integrates both well-established and locally embedded conceptions in the effort of peacebuilding in Myanmar while also balancing the focus between structural and individual analysis to better understand sustainable development

MEDIATING FINANCIAL AND HSE ROLES IN RISK MANAGEMENT IMPACT ON MYANMAR CONSTRUCTION SUCCESS

This study seeks to examine the effects of risk management strategies on the success of construction projects in Myanmar, a country with a rapidly expanding construction industry that has received little scholarly attention. Using a combination of traditional paper-based surveys and online questionnaires, a comprehensive dataset has been compiled for this study. The participants, which included project managers, project engineers, safety engineers, financial experts, and project proprietors, played a crucial role in providing diverse perspectives. From the initial sample of 500 questionnaires, a response rate of 84.6 percent yielded 397 valid responses. Using Smart PLS as a data analysis instrument, the study deconstructed risk management into its fundamental components: identification, analysis, response, and monitoring. In addition to the immediate effects, the study reveals the intermediate roles played by financial performance and Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) issues. The findings indicate a correlation between the implementation of effective risk management strategies and the overall success of construction projects. The intermediate effect of financial performance and HSE performance strengthens the relationship between these variables. This research offers significant academic and practical insights by providing evidence-based strategies to improve risk management practices in Myanmar's rapidly developing construction industry

Clinical Presentation and Short-term Outcomes of Endovascular Onyx Embolisation in Dural Arteriovenous Fistula: A Prospective Observational Study

Introduction: Dural Arteriovenous Fistulas (dAVFs) are abnormal vascular channels formed between venous sinuses or cortical veins and dural arteries, with idiopathic or multi-factorial causations, varied clinical presentations, and complex radiological angio-architecture. However, intra-arterial embolisation is the preferred management. Aim: To study the clinical presentation and short-term outcomes of endovascular onyx embolisation for dAVFs. Materials and Methods: The present prospective observational study was conducted at a tertiary care centre in Maharashtra, India from September 2016 to August 2017. Adults presented to an Emergency department with the symptoms of headache, convulsions, vomiting, or stroke and subsequently underwent Digital Subtraction Angiography (DSA) were screened. Patients diagnosed with dAVFs and treated with endovascular embolisation under general anaesthesia via the transfemoral route using a liquid embolic agent (onyx) were studied. Clinical presentation and angio architecture of dAVF have been reported along with the post embolisation complications. Results: A total of 10 (8 males) patients were studied. Patients had an age range of 21-45 years. Convulsions 5 (50%) neurodeficit, and headache 4 (40%) each) were the most common presenting complaints. Left transverse sinus was the prominent dAVF location observed 4 (33.33%). A total of 12 arteries were embolised, (10 (83.33%) arteries showed no angiographic residue after a single session of embolisation, and 2 (16.67%) patients had minimal residue after two sessions of trans-arterial onyx embolisation). Conclusion: Endovascular onyx embolisation should be the treatment of choice for dAVFs. Onyx in appropriate concentration and a finely-honed technique achieves better cure rates

Temperament and character dimensions, marital adjustment, and sexual satisfaction in couples with sexual dysfunction

Object: The objective of the study is to investigate the differences in temperament and character dimensions, marital adjustment and sexual satisfaction between the couples with and without sexual dysfunction (SD). Methods: The study group consists of 78 married women and 23 married men with SD diagnosis according to DSM-IV-TR diagnostic criteria and also their spouses (n=202). The comparison group is composed of married couples without SD (n=200). The participants were applied Personal Information Form, Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI), Golombok-Rust Inventory of Sexual Satisfaction (GRISS), Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS). Results: The couples with SD were observed to have higher cooperativeness and self-transcendence and lower self-directedness scores than those of the comparison group. The women partners in the couples with SD were found to take higher harm avoidance and lower self-directedness scores than the women in comparison group. Dyadic satisfaction, affectional expression and DAS total scores in the couples with SD were seen to be significantly less than those of the couples in the comparison group. It was found out that the women in the couples with SD took significantly higher scores in GRISS total score and all subscales, and men in the couples with SD took significantly higher scores in GRISS total score and subscales of satisfaction, avoidance, premature ejaculation and impotence than those in the comparison group. Discussion: It can be said that cyclothymic character, harm avoidance and self-directedness were the risk factors for SD. Marital adjustment and sexual satisfaction are insufficient in the couples with SD

Development of a 3D Printed New Metering Mechanism for a Multi-Crop Seed Broadcasting System Using an Autonomous Small-Scale Vehicle

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Evaluation of Energy Efficiency of Buildings Based on LCA and LCC Assessment: Method, Computer Tool, and Case Studies

In this chapter, the development of a computer tool for the determination of nearly zero energy buildings (nZEB) metrics upgraded with life cycle assessment (LCA) and life cycle cost (LCC) indicators is presented, following the requirements of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD). The computer tool was developed for the assessment of new and renovated buildings to support the holistic decision-making process. The tool itself consists of two modules: the building description module (BDU), based on the national certification tool of buildings’ energy performance, and the LCA tool (Etool). BDU enables the assessment of energy needs, final energy demand, and primary energy needs. According to the EPBD, supporting standards was upgraded with the life cycle inventory database. The database includes data on predefined building materials, envelope components, heat generators, and energy carriers and is used by Etool with which mid-point and end-point life cycle impact assessment can be done by taking into account impact groups and damage factors from IMPACT2002+ and ReCiPe methods. The LCC assessment module, which is also part of Etool, was developed according to Commission Delegated Regulation No. 244/212. The use of computer tools is demonstrated through the case studies

A partial prehistory of the Southwest Silk Road: Archaeometallurgical networks along the sub-Himalayan corridor

Historical phenomena often have prehistoric precedents, with this paper we investigate the potential for archaeometallurgical analyses and networked data processing to elucidate the progenitors of the Southwest Silk Road in Mainland Southeast Asia and southern China. We present original microstructural, elemental and lead isotope data for 40 archaeological copperbase metal samples, mostly from the UNESCO-listed site of Halin, and lead isotope data for 25 geological copper-mineral samples, also from Myanmar. We combined these data with existing datasets (N=98 total) and compared them to the 1000+ sample late prehistoric archaeometallurgical database available from Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Vietnam and Yunnan. Lead isotope data, contextualised for alloy, find location and date, were interpreted manually for intra-site, inter-site and inter-regional consistency, which hint at significant multi-scalar connectivity from the late 2nd millennium BC. To test this interpretation statistically, the archaeological lead isotope data were then processed using regionally-adapted productionderived consistency parameters. Complex networks analysis using the Leiden community detection algorithm established groups of artefacts sharing lead isotopic consistency. Introducing the geographic component allowed for the identification of communities of sites with consistent assemblages. The four major communities were consistent with the manually interpreted exchange networks and suggest southern sections of the Southwest Silk Road were active in the late 2nd millennium BC