Health and social problems associated with recent Novel Psychoactive Substance (NPS) use amongst marginalised, nightlife and online users in six European countries.

Continued diversification and use of new psychoactive substances (NPS) across Europe remains a public health challenge. The study describes health and social consequences of recent NPS use as reported in a survey of marginalised, nightlife and online NPS users in the Netherlands, Hungary, Portugal, Ireland, Germany and Poland (n = 3023). Some respondents were unable to categorise NPS they had used. Use of ‘herbal blends’ and ‘synthetic cannabinoids obtained pure’ was most reported in Germany, Poland and Hungary, and use of ‘branded stimulants’ and ‘stimulants/empathogens/nootropics obtained pure’ was most reported in the Netherlands. Increased heart rate and palpitation, dizziness, anxiety, horror trips and headaches were most commonly reported acute side effects. Marginalised users reported substantially more acute side effects, more mid- and long-term mental and physical problems, and more social problems. Development of country-specific NPS awareness raising initiatives, health and social service needs assessments, and targeted responses are warranted

Thermal Conductivity Measurements of Weathered Limestone

Thermal properties of geological materials are required for analysis and design of energy geostructures. In Florida the weathered limestone bedrock, which has highly variable engineering properties, can be found near the ground surface and its thermal properties will need to be incorporated into the design of such systems. Thermal conductivity values for split tension sized specimens were determined using a specially designed thermal apparatus. The apparatus is capable of determining four thermal conductivity values for each specimen, which provided a measure of variability of the measurements. Thermal conductivities ranged between 2.65 and 3.75 W/m-K with specimen measurement standard deviations and coefficient of variations as high as 0.415 W/m-K and 11.1%, respectively. The variability of the results can be attributed to both dissolution, which would decrease thermal conductivity, and dolotomitization, which would increase thermal conductivity. Thermal conductivity values are in the lower range of values reported in the literature

Thermal Conductivity Measurements of Weathered Limestone

Thermal properties of geological materials are required for analysis and design of energy geostructures. In Florida the weathered limestone bedrock, which has highly variable engineering properties, can be found near the ground surface and its thermal properties will need to be incorporated into the design of such systems. Thermal conductivity values for split tension sized specimens were determined using a specially designed thermal apparatus. The apparatus is capable of determining four thermal conductivity values for each specimen, which provided a measure of variability of the measurements. Thermal conductivities ranged between 2.65 and 3.75 W/m-K with specimen measurement standard deviations and coefficient of variations as high as 0.415 W/m-K and 11.1%, respectively. The variability of the results can be attributed to both dissolution, which would decrease thermal conductivity, and dolotomitization, which would increase thermal conductivity. Thermal conductivity values are in the lower range of values reported in the literature