Air pollutant levels in air-conditioned and naturally ventilated museums: a pilot study

An air-conditioned and a naturally ventilated museum in a highly polluted part of London were compared for effectiveness of pollution control. Nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide and hydrogen sulphide concentrations were measured inside and outside using diffusion tubes. Airborne particles were measured using a Grimm laser counting device. It was found that the benefits normally attributed to air-conditioning with filtration were not as great as might be thought. Only nitrogen dioxide and particle levels were significantly lower in the air-conditioned museum than in the naturally ventilated museum

Preventive conservation strategies for sustainable urban pollution control in museums

The last 40 years have seen major changes in the sources and concentrations of urban pollution (nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, and particulates). During this time, research has advanced our understanding of the impact of pollutants on objects in urban museums. As a consequence, pollutant control has become an important aspect of preventive conservation. There is also increased awareness of the need for pollution control strategies that are sustainable at an organizational and global level. This report, prepared by a chemist, a conservator, and two building scientists, reviews strategies for minimizing the impact of urban pollution on museum collections. The results of new research funded by the UK government identify current (1999) internal pollution levels in both naturally ventilated and air-conditioned museums with particle and gaseous filtration, in relation to external concentrations, ventilation strategies, and the characteristics of the internal fabric and finishes of these buildings. The last 40 years have seen major changes in the sources and concentrations of urban pollution (nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, and particulates). During this time, research has advanced our understanding of the impact of pollutants on objects in urban museums. As a consequence, pollutant control has become an important aspect of preventive conservation. There is also increased awareness of the need for pollution control strategies that are sustainable at an organizational and global level. This report, prepared by a chemist, a conservator, and two building scientists, reviews strategies for minimizing the impact of urban pollution on museum collections. The results of new research funded by the UK government identify current (1999) internal pollution levels in both naturally ventilated and air-conditioned museums with particle and gaseous filtration, in relation to external concentrations, ventilation strategies, and the characteristics of the internal fabric and finishes of these buildings

Undergraduate student wellbeing: The lived experience in higher education

The wellbeing of undergraduate students in Higher Education (HE) is often associated with the student experience. Previous research has shown that measuring wellbeing is problematic because of its complexity. Moreover, the lived experiences of students are often missing from the equation of measuring wellbeing. This article explores the perceptions of students’ wellbeing pre-COVID19 and their lived experiences both inside and outside of HE; and the relationships between students’ characteristics. This study increases our understanding of student’s lived experiences and student wellbeing in HE. A survey was used to identify the perceptions of undergraduate students (n=105) of wellbeing. The findings indicated that student recognise the importance of access to library systems on and off campus (m=4.44, S.D.=0.752), module tutor (m=4.37, S.D.=0.657), computers on campus (M= 4.17, S.D.=0.902), photocopying and printing (m=4.11, S.D.=0.926) for student wellbeing in HE. In their personal lives, students believed that access to study facilities where they live (m=4.30, S.D.=0.876), friends (m=4.22, SD=0.734), health (m=4.18, SD=0.948) and their wider family (m=4.07, S.D.=1.129) were critical elements for their wellbeing. The most popular activities outside university life that improve student wellbeing were talking to peers and friends (98%), sleeping and resting (86%). Sports activities (16%) and counselling (12%) ranked lower. Student’s perceptions of wellbeing were not associated with notions of “medicalised” mental health. This study concludes that student wellbeing in their academic and personal lived experiences revolves around access to resources and relationships that helps them get on with their studies while at university, and where they live

Technological requirements for solutions in the conservation and protection of historic monuments and archaeological remains

Executive summary: This Study has discovered many achievements associated with European support for scientific and technological research for the protection and conservation of cultural heritage. The achievements to date are: 1. Creation of an active research community 2. A body of research of unparalleled and enviable international quality and character 3. Ongoing effectiveness of research beyond initial funding 4. Substantial rate of publication 5. Imaginative tools of dissemination and publication 6. Clear spin-offs and contribution to European competitiveness often going outside the European cultural heritage area 7. Contribution to emerging European legislation, for example, air quality management. The Study has also uncovered important research gaps associated with this field that have yet to begin to be investigated. It has also discovered the need for continuing fine scale advancement in areas where researchers have been active for a number of years. The overall picture is that European research in the field of cultural heritage protection must be put on a secure footing if it is to maintain its commanding lead over other regions of the world. This Study concludes that: 1. It would be invidious to attempt to separate basic and applied research in this area of research. Like any other scientific endeavour, this field needs to integrate basic and applied research if it is to continue to thrive. 2. Small, flexible, focused interdisciplinary teams responsive to European needs, must be sustained, promoted and celebrated as models of sustainability and that what is proposed under the European Research Area (ERA) for large and complex research projects, could inflict serious damage on this area of research. 3. Resources cannot be delegated to Member States because of the interdisciplinary nature of cultural heritage and the need for a co-ordinated pan-European perspective across this research that helps to define the essential character of European cultural heritage. National programmes only serve local needs, leading to loss of strategic output, lessening of competitiveness and risk of duplication. 4. A mechanism needs to be created to help researchers working in this field to communicate and exchange information with related sectors such as construction, urban regeneration, land reclamation and agriculture. 5. There is overwhelming agreement over the need for sustainable research funding for cultural heritage and for an iterative process of exchange among researchers, decision-makers and end-users in order to maximize benefits from project inception through to dissemination, audit and review. For all the reasons mentioned above, the most significant recommendation in this Report is the identification of the need for a European Panel on the Application of Science for Cultural Heritage (EPASCH)

Developing health enhancing physical activity modules for higher and vocational education

Health enhancing physical inactivity is a growing concern leading to health problems in Europe and nationwide. WHO (2017) stated that the current levels of physical inactivity are the consequence of insufficient participation in physical activity and an increase in sedentary behavior. The British Heart Foundation (2015) also reported that 13 to 15 years in England were sedentary for six hours or more for both genders (boys = 24%, girls = 16%) on weekdays, and there was a spike of sedentary behaviour on weekend days with 43% of boys and 37% for this age group. The "Sport, Physical Education and Coaching for Health" (SPEACH) project, is an Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union (2015-2017). The key purpose of the project to prepare professional practitioners in higher and vocational education in the areas of Physical Education, Sports and Physical Activity to change behaviors of the citizens of Europe and increase physical activity. To achieve this, the project culminated in developing, validating, piloting and evaluating five Health Enhancing Physical Activity (HEPA) related modules, which may be embedded into existing education structures in the areas of Physical Education, Sports and Physical Activity. The design of the HEPA modules attempts to test a cutting edge multidisciplinary approach that bridges the gap between research / theory and practice (Armour, 2014). The needs analysis phase of the project comprised survey responses of 660 students in higher and vocational education studying Physical Education, Sports and Physical Activity from seven European countries; 14 interviewees with subject experts; and a focus group with professional and academic field experts. The results demonstrated that students in particular welcome a multidisciplinary approach for module content. The combination of “dual” content themes in modules was a key innovation that students responded favourably to, therefore HEPA modules covered themes such as changing behavior; personal leadership; physical activity for special target groups; health policy; linked to young people, their families and sport; management; nutrition, walking sports and healthy aging; and so on.. Surveyed students’ views of desirable pedagogy / didactics for these modules were practice oriented; training; internship / work based; group-and classroom based teaching. Three HEPA modules were piloted in a real-life setting in an intensive week of teaching (20 hours) each module to three groups of undergraduate students from Physical Education, Sports and Physical Activity from Europe that opted to participate in the pilot study. The developed HEPA modules were evaluated by students and staff; and the findings demonstrated relevance, enjoyment, flexibility and differentiated levels of instruction that will facilitate the embedding of any of these modules at vocational, bachelor as well as master level. These modules will be available online in an open resource that will facilitate free access, collaboration and cooperation of stakeholders in higher and vocational education in the areas of Physical Education, Sports and Physical Activity

Экономический анализ установок наружного освещения

Приведено технико-экономическое сравнение прожекторных и уличных осветительных установок с различными источниками света. Показано, что для оценки экономических показателей освещения лучше использовать стоимость единицы световой энергии, вычислены ее значения для ряда источников. Для прожекторов минимальную стоимость дают металлогалогенные лампы, для уличного освещения - натриевые лампы. Предложена методика расчета приведенных затрат на основе стоимости единицы световой энергии

Coastal sand dunes under siege : a guide to conservation for environmental managers

Coastal regions have for centuries been of benefit to humankind. Worldwide, human populations exploited the littoral and adjoining seas as a consequence to its relatively rich resource base. Particularly in an enclosed sea as the Mediterranean, demographic growth has had a marked effect on the region's resources. In recent decades, intensive shipping-related activities, industrial and infrastructural development, and other anthropogenic activities located close to the coast have led to an increased degradation of coastal ecosystems. The Maltese Islands are no exception and although numerous dune systems were obliterated during colonial times as a result of major developments along various parts of the coast, remaining sand dunes were further degraded during the decades that followed independence. This occurred, primarily, as Malta began to transform itself into a tourist destination. Since sand dunes are much dependent on a variety of factors that lie further afield from the beach zone per se, they are among the most vulnerable coastal assemblages with respect to stability. For this reason, even topographical modifications of inland landscapes may have a severe negative influence on dune dynamics, consequent to alterations or disruptions of sediment fluxes. Sadly, only a few dune assemblages remain in the Maltese Islands, with Ramla l-Ħamra being, so far, the best example, while others vary from highly impoverished to mere remnant sites. [ text extracted from Foreword section written by Professor Charles J. Farrugia, Chairman, Maltese National Commission for UNESCO ]peer-reviewe

eLearning improves allied health professionals' knowledge and confidence to manage medically unexplained chronic fatigue states: A randomized controlled trial

Objectives: To evaluate the impact of eLearning by allied health professionals on improving the knowledge and confidence to manage people with medically unexplained chronic fatigue states (FS). Methods: Using a parallel randomized controlled trial design, participants were randomized 1:1 to a 4-week eLearning or wait-list control group. Knowledge and self-reported confidence in clinical skills to implement a therapeutic intervention for patients with FS were assessed at baseline, post-intervention and follow-up. Secondary outcomes (adherence and satisfaction with online education, knowledge retention) were also assessed. Data was analyzed using intention-to-treat. Results: There were 239 participants were randomized (eLearning n = 119, control n = 120), of whom 101 (85%) eLearning and 107 (89%) control participants completed baseline assessments and were included in the analysis. Knowledge (out of 100) improved significantly more in the eLearning group compared to the control group [mean difference (95% CI) 8.6 (5.9 to 11.4), p < 0.001]. Knowledge was reduced in the eLearning group at follow-up but was still significantly higher than baseline [6.0 (3.7 to 8.3), p < 0.001]. Median change (out of 5) in confidence in clinical skills to implement the FS intervention was also significantly greater in the eLearning group compared to the control group [knowledge: eLearning (1.2), control (0); clinical skills: eLearning (1), control (0.1); both p < 0.001)]. Average time spent on the eLearning program was 8.8 h. Most participants (80%) rated the lesson difficulty as at the “right level”, and 91% would recommend it to others. Conclusions: eLearning increased knowledge and confidence to manage FS amongst allied health professionals and was well-accepted. Registration: ACTRN12616000296437 https://anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=370222&isReview=true

Evaluating the effects of PIRAC nitrogen-diffusion treatments on the mechanical performance of Ti-6Al-4V alloy

The authors would like to thank the European Regional Development Fund (Malta) for research equipment funded through the application of the project “Developing an Interdisciplinary Material Testing and Rapid Prototyping R&D Facility (Ref. no. 012)”. The authors are also greatly indebted to MATERAþ/ERA-NET Plus for funding support for this research (Project ESM-1935).Powder Immersion Reaction Assisted Coating (PIRAC) is a relatively simple nitrogen diffusion based process which has been proposed as a technique capable of considerable improvements in the tribological performance of ceramics and metals alike; however, the necessary exposure of the substrate material to high temperatures for several hours may have an adverse effect on the bulk properties of materials such as titanium alloys. The effect of PIRAC treatments on the bulk metallography and mechanical properties of Ti–6Al–4V has been studied. Following PIRAC nitrogen-diffusion treatment, studies using X-ray diffraction and cross-sectional microscopy have shown evidence of the formation of a thin (1.4 mm) TiN/Ti2N layer, together with the presence of some Ti3Al intermetallic phase. Semi- logarithmic S–N plots show a deleterious effect after PIRAC treatment in terms of material cyclic fatigue strength, particularly at higher treatment temperatures. Samples processed at 800 1C for 4 h however exhibit better fatigue performance than others treated at lower temperatures for longer nitriding times. Fractographic inspection has shown that fatigue cracks originate at (or near) the surface for the untreated Ti-alloy and from the subsurface regions following diffusion treatment, owing to the build-up of compressive stresses in the latter, which hinder crack propagation.peer-reviewe