Compact Facility for Testing Steady and Transient Thermal Performance of Building Walls

Energy efficiency retrofit of buildings represents a key effort in reducing EU energy demand by 20% by 2020. However, predictions tend to overestimate savings by large percentages. The shortfall in savings can be attributed to incorrect predictive techniques, comfort takeback along with other behavioural and workmanship variables. Common predictive techniques related to heat loss tend to be based on the U-value of the building envelope. This paper presents the design of a more straightforward and compact version of the traditional Hot-Box apparatus (measures U-value) which instead determines the thermal resistance of samples of building envelope. U-value includes the need to measure/predict the effective surface resistances. In situ surface resistances, which include radiation and convection, are difficult to predict and vary depending on climatic conditions, exposure levels, surface emissivities among many other influences. The design of the test facility eliminates the need to incorporate these surface behaviour variables. This paper details the replicable apparatus and test methodology. The results of testing a hollow block wall of typical construction using the rig is then presented. The determined R-value is found to be within 1% of calculated values and the thermal time constant also matches closely with the most accurate predictive estimates

Studies of nuclear reactions by micro-gas analytical methods

The development of an apparatus for the measurement of amounts of helium in the range 10(^-5) to 10(^-8) is described. Studies were made of the previously unmeasured average fission neutron cross section for the reaction Fe(^56)(n, a)Cr(^53) and a value of 0.39 mb, obtained from irradiations in B. E. P. O. at Harwell and D. F.R. at Dounreay. The nuclear reactions Fe(^54)(n, p)Mn(^54) and Fe(^54) (n, a)Cr(^51) were also studied and values of the average cross section measured. The absolute fission yields of Mo(^99) and Ba(^140) in the thermal neutron fission of natural uranium were determined using helium analysis of an irradiated uranium solution containing boric acid to obtain the number of fission events. The chemical separation of the nuclides and the counting and standardization procedures are fully described. The results, of 5.94 and 5.87% for Mo(^99) and Ba(^140) respectively, and the errors involved are discussed in the light of previous values. The third section of the work was concerned with the calibration of photoneutron sources by destructive analysis of the beryllium cylinders for helium, also produced in the photo-reaction. A discussion of neutron source calibrations is included. The design, and experiments carried out with an apparatus which included a silver-palladium leak for hydrogen are described. Unfortunately this work was not completed, but suggestions are included for its conclusion

Transient and Quasi-Steady Thermal Behaviour of a Building Envelope due to Retrofitted Cavity Wall and Ceiling Insulation

Accurate understanding of the thermal behaviour of building components is essential for predicting heat-ing or cooling needs and facilitates the implementation of more successful energy saving strategies and retrofits. This paper focuses on a specific measure commonly introduced through the residential energy efficiency retrofit programmes in Ireland–insulation. Traditionally, assessments of the performance of building envelopes have been based on assumed thermal resistances of the materials involved, labora-tory tests and computer modelling. The aim of the present work is to investigate the in situ thermal behaviour of a case study building and its components under transient and quasi-steady environmental conditions, comparing data before and after the fixing of cavity wall and ceiling insulation. The paper concludes by proposing that predicted values of heat loss using standardised assumed material prop-erties of the existing structure do not reflect the actual values achieved in situ for this test case. These values greatly overestimated the impact of the retrofitted insulation on heat loss through the ceiling and wall

Identity in research infrastructure and scientific communication: Report from the 1st IRISC workshop, Helsinki Sep 12-13, 2011

Motivation for the IRISC workshop came from the observation that identity and digital identification are increasingly important factors in modern scientific research, especially with the now near-ubiquitous use of the Internet as a global medium for dissemination and debate of scientific knowledge and data, and as a platform for scientific collaborations and large-scale e-science activities.

The 1 1/2 day IRISC2011 workshop sought to explore a series of interrelated topics under two main themes: i) unambiguously identifying authors/creators & attributing their scholarly works, and ii) individual identification and access management in the context of identity federations. Specific aims of the workshop included:

• Raising overall awareness of key technical and non-technical challenges, opportunities and developments.
• Facilitating a dialogue, cross-pollination of ideas, collaboration and coordination between diverse – and largely unconnected – communities.
• Identifying & discussing existing/emerging technologies, best practices and requirements for researcher identification.

This report provides background information on key identification-related concepts & projects, describes workshop proceedings and summarizes key workshop findings

An Integrative Cognitive Model of Internalized Stigma in Psychosis

Background: Internalized stigma is a significant difficulty for those who experience psychosis, but it has never been conceptualized using cognitive theory. Aims: The aim of this paper is to outline a cognitive model conceptualizing internalized stigma experienced by people who also experience psychosis. Method: Previous literature is reviewed, critiqued and synthesized to develop the model. It draws upon previous social cognitive models of internalized stigma and integrates cognitive behavioural theory and social mentality theory. Results: This paper identifies key cognitive, behavioural and emotional processes that contribute to the development and maintenance of internalized stigma, whilst also recognizing the central importance of cultural context in creating negative stereotypes of psychosis. Moreover, therapeutic strategies to alleviate internalized stigma are identified. A case example is explored and a formulation and brief intervention plan was developed in order to illustrate the model in practice. Conclusion: An integrative cognitive model is presented, which can be used to develop individualized case formulations, which can guide cognitive behavioural interventions targeting internalized stigma in those who experience psychosis. More research is required to examine the efficacy of such interventions. In addition, it is imperative to continue to research interventions that create change in stigma at a societal level

“It still haunts me whether we did the right thing”: a qualitative analysis of free text survey data on the bereavement experiences and support needs of family caregivers

Background Research suggests that there may be bereavement experiences and support needs which are specific to family caregivers providing end of life care (EoLC), although this remains an under-researched area. This paper focuses on themes relating to bereavement which were derived from an analysis of free text survey responses collected in a research priority setting exercise for palliative and EoLC. Methods The priority setting exercise involved a public survey, designed to generate research priorities. Rather than identify research topics, many people instead described their experiences and raised more general questions relating to palliative and end of life care. To explore these experiences and perspectives a supplementary thematic analysis was conducted on the survey responses. 1403 respondents took part, including patients, current and bereaved carers, health and social care professionals, volunteers and members of the public. Results Several grief issues were identified, which seem specific to the experiences of family caregivers. Responses demonstrated a relationship between death experiences, feelings of guilt and bereavement outcomes for some family caregivers, as well as caregiver experiences of a “void” created by the withdrawal of professional support after death. Communication and support needs were also identified by participants. Conclusion This analysis provides further evidence of some of the specific effects that caring for a loved one at the end of life can have on bereavement experiences. Finding ways of improving communication around the time of death and effective follow up approaches post death could help to address some of these issues

The Free State Housing Campaign: supporting people-led demands for social justice and accountable governance

In South Africa, community advice offices (CAOs) have historically played an important role as intermediaries for community issues and in efforts to increase accountability. CAOs are non-profit organisations that offer free legal and human rights information, advice and services to local communities, particularly poor and marginalised groups. Since the end of apartheid, their role has changed and their funding has been cut, with some turning to state service provision, potentially compromising their social justice role. Yet CAOs remain a well-known and trusted body for local people to raise issues through. This practice paper focuses on the experience of the Free State Housing Campaign, run by a group of 22 CAOs across the province, which aimed to improve people’s access to housing. The campaign came about through a Making All Voices Count scouting process, which convened the 22 CAOs. The CAOs received an innovation grant to design and launch a housing campaign to tackle their most pressing problems. The campaign adopted a participatory action research approach as a fundamental way of working and achieving its goals. The campaign also received an embedded practitioner research and learning grant from Making All Voices Count, to enable a process of evaluation, reflection and learning, rather than simply focusing on achieving the stated campaign objectives. The key themes in this paper include: participatory action research as a way to strengthen voice and build activism; the challenge and potential of community-led activism in the current neoliberal context; building women’s leadership in a patriarchal context; lessons for donor agencies about supporting grass-roots campaigns towards accountability and good governance.DFIDUSAIDSidaOmidyar Networ

Different patterns of Australian adults\u27 knowledge of foods and nutrients related to metabolic disease risk

A nationwide survey of 2022 consumers was conducted in Australia in late 2011. A short list of questions about knowledge of the nutrient composition of common foods was administered along with questions about the respondents’ food attitudes, demographics, school education and dieting practices. Overall, the results showed that nutrition knowledge was relatively high. Latent class analysis showed two groups of consumers with ‘high’ and ‘low’ knowledge of nutrition. Higher knowledge was positively associated with age, female sex, university education, experience of home economics or health education at school, having a chronic disease, and attitudes to food issues, and negatively with type 1 diabetes or the use of diabetes-control diets. The implications of the findings for nutrition communication are discussed

Acute Inpatients’ Experiences of Stigma From Psychosis: A Qualitative Exploration.

Stigma is a common difficulty for those who experience psychosis as they are viewed as most dangerous, unpredictable, and least likely to recover. In particular, experiences of stigma are yet to be explored with inpatients admitted to psychiatric hospital. The aim of this study was to examine subjective experiences of stigma with acute psychiatric inpatients who experience psychosis. Twenty-five psychiatric inpatients with experiences of psychosis were interviewed using a semistructured interview measure to examine their subjective experiences of stigma. The interview schedule enquired about their experiences of stigma and discrimination and the personal impacts this has had. Thematic analysis was employed to analyze the qualitative data. The analysis identified 3 superordinate themes: ‘stigmatizing social environment and networks,’ ‘stigmatized person with psychosis,’ and ‘stigma interactions.’ These themes reflected experiences of stigma during the inpatient stay as well as in the community. A graphical representation of these themes and their interaction was developed. Stigma is a concern for acute psychiatric inpatients with psychosis. This concern should be explored in future research, and where appropriate addressed during admission to an acute psychiatric inpatient hospital