The relation of wall construction to moisture accumulation in fill-type insulation

The investigation reported herewith was confined to a consideration of factors which enter into the problem of moisture accumulation in insulated and uninsulated walls, with particular reference to fill-type insulation. Both analytical and experimental methods were employed. In the analytical study, the relation which must exist among the principal factors when no moisture accumulation takes place was evaluated. The results of the study show that the water permeability of the cold side of the wall must be many times that of. the warm side to avoid moisture accumulation, even under ordinary conditions

Masonry barn design and construction

In 1913 an investigation was begun with the object of developing an all masonry barn which could be constructed at a reasonable cost and yet have the advantages of permanent and fire resistant construction. The studies which have been conducted pertain chiefly to the roof structure, with particular emphasis on the method of construction. In addition to a number of design studies, models of roof sections were built to develop a method of roof construction. Strength tests were made on roof models to check the reliability of the designs. The information obtained served as the basis of the design and method of constructing an experimental barn, which was built at Iowa State College in 1926-27. Common overall dimensions and a desirable roof shape were established to make the roof forms usable for a number of barns; wind load assumptions were adapted from reliable wind pressure investigations to permit a more intelligent and efficient roof design. The results of the design studies, construction and tests on models and roof sections, and the construction of the experimental barn, together with other related experiences, seem to warrant the following general conclusions: 1. The masonry arch is a very stable type of roof structure as shown by the tests on sections, which check closely the design calculations. 2. The construction of the roof is difficult and involves a large amount of labor because of: a. The use of heavy steel forms to carry a large part of the roof weight. b. The manipulation of the forms in erection, moving, dismantling and transporting. c. The handling and placing of roof materials. 3. The additional cost of the roof over a wood frame type construction is due. not so much to the cost of materials, as to the cost of the unproductive labor in handling the materials and in manipulation of the steel forms. The overhead cost of the forms becomes a large item in the first cost if they are used for only one or a few barns. 4. Experiments in the methods of making a roof watertight have not as yet indicated an entirely successful method. A heavy fibered asphalt has been found the best of the waterproof coatings which have been used. Leaks appear to be due to slight openings in the joints and to the development of fine cracks. 5. The construction of the roof should be directed by one . who is familiar with masonry construction. 6. A roof with a span of 34 ft. and a height of 20 ft. provides enough storage space for most conditions

What determines the length of life of prepared roll roofings?

The length of life of prepared roll roofings is a prime consideration in their selection. The durability of the various brands of roofing on the market varies widely. The useful life of a roof made of roll roofing is influenced by the degree of exposure to the weathering agencies, the condition of the sheathing and the inherent qualities of the roofing material itself. This bulletin is a summary of the results of an investigation, conducted cooperatively by the Agricultural and Engineering Experiment Stations, to determine the quality factors of three-ply prepared roll roofings as they were sold on the market at the beginning of the project in 1913. One roll or square of each of 35 brands of prepared roll roofing which were made by 19 manufacturers was purchased on the open market and included in the experiment. This provided sufficient material for one strip to be placed on the shed for weathering tests and enough additional for laboratory tests. Table I presents some general information and data of the physical qualities of the roofing sample. A review of literature on the subject reveals little work directly comparable with that given here other than the development of testing methods and specifications for prepared roll roofings

Toward a Comprehensive Approach to the Collection and Analysis of Pica Substances, with Emphasis on Geophagic Materials

Pica, the craving and subsequent consumption of non-food substances such as earth, charcoal, and raw starch, has been an enigma for more than 2000 years. Currently, there are little available data for testing major hypotheses about pica because of methodological limitations and lack of attention to the problem.In this paper we critically review procedures and guidelines for interviews and sample collection that are appropriate for a wide variety of pica substances. In addition, we outline methodologies for the physical, mineralogical, and chemical characterization of these substances, with particular focus on geophagic soils and clays. Many of these methods are standard procedures in anthropological, soil, or nutritional sciences, but have rarely or never been applied to the study of pica.Physical properties of geophagic materials including color, particle size distribution, consistency and dispersion/flocculation (coagulation) should be assessed by appropriate methods. Quantitative mineralogical analyses by X-ray diffraction should be made on bulk material as well as on separated clay fractions, and the various clay minerals should be characterized by a variety of supplementary tests. Concentrations of minerals should be determined using X-ray fluorescence for non-food substances and inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy for food-like substances. pH, salt content, cation exchange capacity, organic carbon content and labile forms of iron oxide should also be determined. Finally, analyses relating to biological interactions are recommended, including determination of the bioavailability of nutrients and other bioactive components from pica substances, as well as their detoxification capacities and parasitological profiles.This is the first review of appropriate methodologies for the study of human pica. The comprehensive and multi-disciplinary approach to the collection and analysis of pica substances detailed here is a necessary preliminary step to understanding the nutritional enigma of non-food consumption

Design and baseline characteristics of the finerenone in reducing cardiovascular mortality and morbidity in diabetic kidney disease trial

Background: Among people with diabetes, those with kidney disease have exceptionally high rates of cardiovascular (CV) morbidity and mortality and progression of their underlying kidney disease. Finerenone is a novel, nonsteroidal, selective mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist that has shown to reduce albuminuria in type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) while revealing only a low risk of hyperkalemia. However, the effect of finerenone on CV and renal outcomes has not yet been investigated in long-term trials. Patients and Methods: The Finerenone in Reducing CV Mortality and Morbidity in Diabetic Kidney Disease (FIGARO-DKD) trial aims to assess the efficacy and safety of finerenone compared to placebo at reducing clinically important CV and renal outcomes in T2D patients with CKD. FIGARO-DKD is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, event-driven trial running in 47 countries with an expected duration of approximately 6 years. FIGARO-DKD randomized 7,437 patients with an estimated glomerular filtration rate >= 25 mL/min/1.73 m(2) and albuminuria (urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio >= 30 to <= 5,000 mg/g). The study has at least 90% power to detect a 20% reduction in the risk of the primary outcome (overall two-sided significance level alpha = 0.05), the composite of time to first occurrence of CV death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal stroke, or hospitalization for heart failure. Conclusions: FIGARO-DKD will determine whether an optimally treated cohort of T2D patients with CKD at high risk of CV and renal events will experience cardiorenal benefits with the addition of finerenone to their treatment regimen. Trial Registration: EudraCT number: 2015-000950-39; ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02545049

What determines the length of life of prepared roll roofings?

The length of life of prepared roll roofings is a prime consideration in their selection. The durability of the various brands of roofing on the market varies widely. The useful life of a roof made of roll roofing is influenced by the degree of exposure to the weathering agencies, the condition of the sheathing and the inherent qualities of the roofing material itself. This bulletin is a summary of the results of an investigation, conducted cooperatively by the Agricultural and Engineering Experiment Stations, to determine the quality factors of three-ply prepared roll roofings as they were sold on the market at the beginning of the project in 1913. One roll or square of each of 35 brands of prepared roll roofing which were made by 19 manufacturers was purchased on the open market and included in the experiment. This provided sufficient material for one strip to be placed on the shed for weathering tests and enough additional for laboratory tests. Table I presents some general information and data of the physical qualities of the roofing sample. A review of literature on the subject reveals little work directly comparable with that given here other than the development of testing methods and specifications for prepared roll roofings.</p

Masonry barn design and construction

In 1913 an investigation was begun with the object of developing an all masonry barn which could be constructed at a reasonable cost and yet have the advantages of permanent and fire resistant construction. The studies which have been conducted pertain chiefly to the roof structure, with particular emphasis on the method of construction. In addition to a number of design studies, models of roof sections were built to develop a method of roof construction. Strength tests were made on roof models to check the reliability of the designs. The information obtained served as the basis of the design and method of constructing an experimental barn, which was built at Iowa State College in 1926-27. Common overall dimensions and a desirable roof shape were established to make the roof forms usable for a number of barns; wind load assumptions were adapted from reliable wind pressure investigations to permit a more intelligent and efficient roof design. The results of the design studies, construction and tests on models and roof sections, and the construction of the experimental barn, together with other related experiences, seem to warrant the following general conclusions: 1. The masonry arch is a very stable type of roof structure as shown by the tests on sections, which check closely the design calculations. 2. The construction of the roof is difficult and involves a large amount of labor because of: a. The use of heavy steel forms to carry a large part of the roof weight. b. The manipulation of the forms in erection, moving, dismantling and transporting. c. The handling and placing of roof materials. 3. The additional cost of the roof over a wood frame type construction is due. not so much to the cost of materials, as to the cost of the unproductive labor in handling the materials and in manipulation of the steel forms. The overhead cost of the forms becomes a large item in the first cost if they are used for only one or a few barns. 4. Experiments in the methods of making a roof watertight have not as yet indicated an entirely successful method. A heavy fibered asphalt has been found the best of the waterproof coatings which have been used. Leaks appear to be due to slight openings in the joints and to the development of fine cracks. 5. The construction of the roof should be directed by one . who is familiar with masonry construction. 6. A roof with a span of 34 ft. and a height of 20 ft. provides enough storage space for most conditions.</p