The Influence of Immediate Urban Surroundings on Energy Performance of Historical Buildings

High-density urban areas contain large number of historical buildings whose structures and artistic values are protected by regulations. This restricts the improvements can be made to building envelope to reduce energy demand of historical buildings. Therefore, immediate urban surroundings (IUS) may play a central role on energy performance of historical buildings (EPHB). Yet, literature has provided little or no evidence, so far. To address the gap, the current experimental inquiry aims to test the significance of IUS’s influence on the EPHB. To achieve, historical structure in hothumid climate was selected and surveyed thoroughly. Control and intervention cases were considered to measure the influence IUS. The control case corresponds to the former state of IUS; whereas the intervention described as the IUS which includes a recently built office block with reflective glass façade. The numerical result obtained from computational thermal simulations were used for comparison. Accordingly, the increase in heating demand substantially surpassed the decrease in cooling demand for the case under study. Therefore, a significant increase in total energy demand was observed in the presence of intervention. In addition, the energy performance of the individual volumes located in the lower floors presented higher fluctuations due to intervention’s shading effect

Emotional labor and burnout at work: A study from Turkey

Bu çalışma, 01-02 Aralık 2012 tarihleri arasında Jakarta[Endonezya]’da düzenlenen International Congress on Interdisciplinary Business and Social Sciences (ICIBSoS)’da bildiri olarak sunulmuştur.The aim of this study was to evaluate which variables of emotional labor dimensions have a significant effect in explaining the levels of burnout of employees in the service sector. The study participants ranged in age from 23 years to 56 years, approximately 61% were female, 52% were married and the mean duration of their work was calculated as 8.33 +/- 6.65 years. No statistically significant difference was found in the emotional labor and burnout variables from the results of the analysis according to gender. The highest relationship obtained in the emotional labor scale subdimensions was between faking emotions and hiding emotions (r=0.44, p<0.01). In the explanation of emotional exhaustion and depersonalization levels of the employees, the hiding emotions variable of the emotional labor variable was found to be statistically significant

Impact of obstructive sleep apnoea on left ventricular mass and global function

Obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) might be a cause of heart failure. The present study aimed to assess left ventricular mass and myocardial performance index (MPI) in OSAS patients. A total of 67 subjects without any cardiac or pulmonary disease, referred for evaluation of OSAS, had overnight polysomnography and echocardiography. According to apnoea-hypopnoea index (AHI), subjects were classified into three groups: mild OSAS (AHI: 5-14; n=16), moderate OSAS (AHI: 15-29; n=18), and severe OSAS (AHI: ≥30; n=33). Thickness of interventricular septum (IVS) and posterior wall (LVPW) were measured by M-mode, along with left ventricular mass (LVM) and LVM index (LVMI). Left ventricular MPI was calculated as (isovolumic contraction time+isovolumic relaxation time)/aortic ejection time by Döppler echocardiography. There were no differences in age or body mass index among the groups, but blood pressures were higher in severe OSAS compared with moderate and mild OSAS. In severe OSAS, thickness of IVS (11.2 ± 1.1 mm), LVPW (11.4 ± 0.9 mm), LVM (298.8 ± 83.1 g) and LVMI (144.7 ± 39.8 g·m-2) were higher than in moderate OSAS (10.9 ± 1.3 mm; 10.8 ± 0.9 mm; 287.3 ± 74.6 g; 126.5 ± 41.2 g·m-2, respectively) and mild OSAS (9.9 ± 0.9 mm; 9.8 ± 0.8 mm; 225.6 ± 84.3 g; 100.5 ± 42.3 g·m-2, respectively). In severe OSAS, MPI (0.64 ± 0.14) was significantly higher than in mild OSAS (0.50 ± 0.09), but not significantly higher than moderate OSAS (0.60 ± 0.10). In conclusion, severe and moderate obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome patients had higher left ventricular mass and left ventricular mass index, and also left ventricular global dysfunction. Copyright©ERS Journals Ltd 2005

Effects of Early Postnatal Exposure to Ethanol on Retinal Ganglion Cell Morphology and Numbers of Neurons in the Dorsolateral Geniculate in Mice

Background: The adverse effects of fetal and early postnatal ethanol intoxication on peripheral organs and the central nervous system are well documented. Ocular defects have also been reported in about 90% of children with fetal alcohol syndrome, including microphthalmia, loss of neurons in the retinal ganglion cell (RGC) layer, optic nerve hypoplasia, and dysmyelination. However, little is known about perinatal ethanol effects on retinal cell morphology. Examination of the potential toxic effects of alcohol on the neuron architecture is important because the changes in dendritic geometry and synapse distribution directly affect the organization and functions of neural circuits. Thus, in the present study, estimations of the numbers of neurons in the ganglion cell layer and dorsolateral geniculate nucleus (dLGN), and a detailed analysis of RGC morphology were carried out in transgenic mice exposed to ethanol during the early postnatal period

Comparison of iron-reduced and iron-supplemented semisynthetic diets in T cell transfer colitis

Clinical observations in inflammatory bowel disease patients and experimental studies in rodents suggest that iron in the intestinal lumen derived from iron-rich food or oral iron supplementation could exacerbate inflammation and that iron depletion from the diet could be protective. To test the hypothesis that dietary iron reduction is protective against colitis development, the impact of iron reduction in the diet below 10 mg/kg on the course of CD4+ CD62L+ T cell transfer colitis was investigated in adult C57BL/6 mice. Weight loss as well as clinical and histological signs of inflammation were comparable between mice pretreated with semisynthetic diets with either < 10mg/kg iron content or supplemented with 180 mg/kg iron in the form of ferrous sulfate or hemin. Accumulation and activation of Ly6C(high) monocytes, changes in dendritic cell subset composition and induction of proinflammatory Th1/Th17 cells in the inflamed colon were not affected by the iron content of the diets. Thus, dietary iron reduction did not protect adult mice against severe intestinal inflammation in T cell transfer induced colitis

Prospects for Engineering Thermoelectric Properties in La _1/3NbO ₃ Ceramics Revealed via Atomic-Level Characterization and Modeling

A combination of experimental and computational techniques has been employed to explore the crystal structure and thermoelectric properties of A-site-deficient perovskite La 1/3NbO 3 ceramics. Crystallographic data from X-ray and electron diffraction confirmed that the room temperature structure is orthorhombic with Cmmm as a space group. Atomically resolved imaging and analysis showed that there are two distinct A sites: one is occupied with La and vacancies, and the second site is fully unoccupied. The diffuse superstructure reflections observed through diffraction techniques are shown to originate from La vacancy ordering. La 1/3NbO 3 ceramics sintered in air showed promising high-temperature thermoelectric properties with a high Seebeck coefficient of S 1 = -650 to -700 μV/K and a low and temperature-stable thermal conductivity of k = 2-2.2 W/m·K in the temperature range of 300-1000 K. First-principles electronic structure calculations are used to link the temperature dependence of the Seebeck coefficient measured experimentally to the evolution of the density of states with temperature and indicate possible avenues for further optimization through electron doping and control of the A-site occupancies. Moreover, lattice thermal conductivity calculations give insights into the dependence of the thermal conductivity on specific crystallographic directions of the material, which could be exploited via nanostructuring to create high-efficiency compound thermoelectrics. </p

Characterization of Heavy Metals in Some Edible Dried Fruits and Nuts Using Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy

The heavy metal content of dried fruits, seed and nuts show some fluctuations depending on the source of fruit, seed and nut types. The amounts of Cd and Co in air-dried fruit samples ranged from 0.05721 µg/g (white mulberry) and 0.21724 (persimmon) to 0.05101 (white mulberry) and 0.40833 µg/g (persimmon), respectively. Also, the content of Cr and Mo in dried fruit samples was found to be between 5.05 (white mulberry) and 15.85 (persimmon) and 0.01374 µg/g (white mulberry) and 0.15071 (persimmon), respectively. The heavy metal content of the fruits was different. The content of Cr, Ni and Pb in fruits is higher than other heavy metals. The content of Pb and Se in nuts and seeds is determined to be between 0.04613 (sunflower) and 0.66848 µg/g (roasted pumpkin) and 0.237 (raw almond) and 1.85 µg/g (salted peanut), respectively. The concentration order of elements in different edible seed and nuts was: Cr >Ni > Pb > Se >Co >Cd >Mo

\u27Vitamin D and cognition in older adults\u27: updated international recommendations.

BACKGROUND: Hypovitaminosis D, a condition that is highly prevalent in older adults aged 65 years and above, is associated with brain changes and dementia. Given the rapidly accumulating and complex contribution of the literature in the field of vitamin D and cognition, clear guidance is needed for researchers and clinicians. METHODS: International experts met at an invitational summit on \u27Vitamin D and Cognition in Older Adults\u27. Based on previous reports and expert opinion, the task force focused on key questions relating to the role of vitamin D in Alzheimer\u27s disease and related disorders. Each question was discussed and voted using a Delphi-like approach. RESULTS: The experts reached an agreement that hypovitaminosis D increases the risk of cognitive decline and dementia in older adults and may alter the clinical presentation as a consequence of related comorbidities; however, at present, vitamin D level should not be used as a diagnostic or prognostic biomarker of Alzheimer\u27s disease due to lack of specificity and insufficient evidence. This population should be screened for hypovitaminosis D because of its high prevalence and should receive supplementation, if necessary; but this advice was not specific to cognition. During the debate, the possibility of \u27critical periods\u27 during which vitamin D may have its greatest impact on the brain was addressed; whether hypovitaminosis D influences cognition actively through deleterious effects and/or passively by loss of neuroprotection was also considered. CONCLUSIONS: The international task force agreed on five overarching principles related to vitamin D and cognition in older adults. Several areas of uncertainty remain, and it will be necessary to revise the proposed recommendations as new findings become available

The Effects of Vitamin D Receptor Silencing on the Expression of LVSCC-A1C and LVSCC-A1D and the Release of NGF in Cortical Neurons

Recent studies have suggested that vitamin D can act on cells in the nervous system. Associations between polymorphisms in the vitamin D receptor (VDR), age-dependent cognitive decline, and insufficient serum 25 hydroxyvitamin D(3) levels in Alzheimer's patients and elderly people with cognitive decline have been reported. We have previously shown that amyloid β (Aβ) treatment eliminates VDR protein in cortical neurons. These results suggest a potential role for vitamin D and vitamin D-mediated mechanisms in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and neurodegeneration. Vitamin D has been shown to down-regulate the L-type voltage-sensitive calcium channels, LVSCC-A1C and LVSCC-A1D, and up-regulate nerve growth factor (NGF). However, expression of these proteins when VDR is repressed is unknown. The aim of this study is to investigate LVSCC-A1C, LVSCC-A1D expression levels and NGF release in VDR-silenced primary cortical neurons prepared from Sprague-Dawley rat embryos.qRT-PCR and western blots were performed to determine VDR, LVSCC-A1C and -A1D expression levels. NGF and cytotoxicity levels were determined by ELISA. Apoptosis was determined by TUNEL. Our findings illustrate that LVSCC-A1C mRNA and protein levels increased rapidly in cortical neurons when VDR is down-regulated, whereas, LVSCC-A1D mRNA and protein levels did not change and NGF release decreased in response to VDR down-regulation. Although vitamin D regulates LVSCC-A1C through VDR, it may not regulate LVSCC-A1D through VDR.Our results indicate that suppression of VDR disrupts LVSCC-A1C and NGF production. In addition, when VDR is suppressed, neurons could be vulnerable to aging and neurodegeneration, and when combined with Aβ toxicity, it is possible to explain some of the events that occur during neurodegeneration

Heart echinococcus cyst as an incidental finding: early detection might be life-saving

We present a 46-year-old female smoker who was admitted to the emergency department of our hospital due to cough with blood-tinged sputum for the last four days before admission. Using echocardiography and Multi-Detector Computed Tomography (MDCT) heart Echinococcosis was diagnosed. Echinococcosis is a severe health issue in some geographical regions of the world. Hydatid infection of the heart is rare and the clinical presentation is usually insidious but there is always the lethal hazard of cyst perforation. Early diagnosis and an integrated treatment strategy are crucial. The results of surgical treatment of heart echinococcosis are better than the conservative strategy only. Extraction of the cyst combined with chemotherapy peri or post operative aiming to decrease the recurrences, consists the lege artis method of encountering this medical entity. Surgical excision was performed and the patient had an uneventful recovery and follow up at six and twelve months