A Hydro-Thermal Study of the Bionic Leaf - A Basic Structural Element of the Bionic Façade Inspired by Vertical Greenery

AbstractVertical greenery systems (VGS) are proven to decrease energy consumption for cooling of the building due to the evapotranspiration and shading of the building envelope. Despite innovative architectural solutions, there are some drawbacks of VGS that are most commonly related to the maintenance. Alternatively, bionic façade inspired by VGS can be developed with the use of innovative materials to mimic positives and eliminate disadvantages. In the present experimental research a water mass- flow-rate into the bionic façade is evaluated in respect to the simulated meteorological parameters. Based on the results from the parametrical analysis, an empirical model of water mass-flow-rate of the bionic façade is developed and compared with evapotranspiration of the VGS in real conditions

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

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

Improved measurement technique for the characterization of organic and inorganic phase change materials using the T-history method

In the past decade, the interest in phase change materials (PCMs) has grown significantly due to their ability to store large amounts of thermal energy in relatively small temperature intervals. Accurate knowledge of thermo-physical properties is a prerequisite for any reliable utilization of these materials. The T-history method is widely used for the investigation of PCM. This paper presents an improved measurement technique for the characterization of PCM using the T-history method. The suggested improvements include the arrangements made in three different prospects: the experimental setup, data processing and data representation. T-history measurements of organic RT21 and inorganic SP22 A17 (RUBITHERM® GmbH) PCM were performed. The applied arrangements resulted in the temperature accuracy of ±0.3 °C and the reduction of uncertainty associated with heat stored/released between the cooling and heating measurements. The obtained results showed some important aspects of the T-history PCM investigation and could provide more effective design and development process of the thermal energy storage systems based on the investigated materials

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 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

Stigmatising attitude of medical students towards a psychiatry label

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Licens

The Opinions of Italian Psychology Students About People Diagnosed with Depression and Schizophrenia: A Comparative Study

This study explored the opinions about depression and schizophrenia among Italian psychology students, and whether students’ opinions changed during education. Of the 705 students who read a description of depression (N = 275) or schizophrenia (N = 430) and then completed a questionnaire on their opinions about the disorder, 490 made a correct diagnosis (depression = 243/275; schizophrenia: 247/430) and were included in the study. Compared to schizophrenia-group students, depression-group students: more frequently mentioned psychosocial factors and less frequently heredity among the causes; were more convinced about the usefulness of psychological therapies and less about pharmacotherapies; had more prognostic optimism; had lower perception of unpredictability and dangerousness. Compared to first-year students, fifth-year students (depression = 105; schizophrenia = 162): in both diagnostic groups more frequently cited heredity among the causes; in depression group, had lower perception of unpredictability; in schizophrenia group, had higher perception of dangerousness and more prognostic pessimism. More education about stigma should be provided to psychology students

Lightweight composite timber façade wall with improved thermal response bElektronski vir

For the construction of modern energy-efficient buildings, lightweight construction is becoming very popular among designers. EU legislation encourages such design, especially if wood, as a sustainable material, is used. However, lightweight building envelope construction, in general, exhibits poor dynamic thermal properties, which are particularly pronounced in prefabricated metal walls and thin wooden or composite building panels, such as door fillers or opaque parts (parapets) of prefabricated walls with the glazing of the skeleton-built buildings. The aim of this research was the development of a composite timber façade wall, which will not exceed the thickness of building elements, such as doors and windows, and will meet the requirements of energy efficiency and have improved dynamic thermal properties. The composite timber building element with a thickness of 68 mm, which includes two layers of advanced technologies: vacuum insulation panel (VIP) and phase change material (PCM), was developed and optimized. The optimization included a parametric study on VIP and PCM panels\u27 position in the thin, lightweight building wall. The research has shown that dynamic thermal properties comparable to the heavyweight building envelope constructions (time lag of the heat wave up to 12 h) can be achievedmoreover, the thermal transmittance is considerably reduced