Estudo experimental em células-teste sobre a influência térmica de módulos fotovoltaicos aplicados em fachada em Curitiba/PR

Orientadora: Profa. Dra. Francine Aidie RossiDissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Federal do Paraná, Setor de Tecnologia, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Engenharia Civil. Defesa : Curitiba, 23/06/2022Inclui referências: p. 132-142Resumo: A matriz elétrica brasileira é majoritariamente renovável devido à favorável condição hídrica do país. À medida que precisamos de mais energia, questões ambientais assim como sociais, econômicas e tecnológicas nos induzem à diversificação. A energia solar fotovoltaica se mostra uma alternativa com grande potencial de expansão por ser limpa e infinita. A produção de energia próximo ao local de consumo e a possibilidade de utilização de uma rede já existente reforçam a viabilidade. Opõe-se à perspectiva de grande crescimento o alto custo dos sistemas fotovoltaicos, sobretudo no Brasil pois apresentam pouca produção nacional. A tendência mundial em agregar mais de uma função ao módulo fotovoltaico vem para reforçar a aplicação deste como elemento arquitetônico, no revestimento e cobertura de edificações. Para esta prática denominada pela sigla em inglês BIPV (Building Integrated Photovoltaics), que pode ser traduzida como sistemas fotovoltaicos integrados à edificação, agrega-se ainda o termo Thermal quando há troca de potencial térmico com a edificação que recebe o sistema, transformando-se em BIPV/T. Além do potencial utilizado para aquecimento este sistema tende a evitar o aquecimento e assim a manutenção da eficiência na produção de energia das células fotovoltaicas. A utilização desta tecnologia exige conhecimento do comportamento térmico destes elementos por parte dos arquitetos e engenheiros. O presente trabalho visa avaliar de forma experimental os efeitos de um módulo fotovoltaico de Silício Policristalino aplicado sobre uma fachada. O experimento foi desenvolvido por comparação com a confecção de duas células-teste sendo que uma recebeu a instalação do módulo fotovoltaico na face orientada para o norte. As análises ocorreram pela comparação das temperaturas superficiais e do ar. Os resultados indicaram que a proteção do painel previne o aquecimento da célula nas condições de verão e favorece minimamente a inércia do conjunto. Também indicaram um potencial de aquecimento que, pela pouca inércia térmica da parede de alvenaria com pouca espessura e pela falta de comunicação com o ar do interior das células, não foi explorado.Abstract: The Brazilian electricity matrix is mostly renewable due to the country's favorable hydric condition. As we need more energy, environmental as well social, economic, and technological issues drive us to diversity. Photovoltaic solar energy is an alternative with great potential for expansion because it is clean and infinite. The production of energy close to the consumption point and the possibility of using an existing network reinforce the feasibility. Against the prospect of great growth is the high cost of photovoltaic systems, especially in Brazil which has little national production. The worldwide trend of adding more than one function to the photovoltaic module reinforces its application as an architectural element, in the coating and covering of buildings. For this practice called by BIPV (Building Integrated Photovoltaics), the term Thermal is also added when there is an exchange of thermal potential with the building that receives the system, becoming in BIPV/T. In addition to the potential used for heating, this system tends to avoid heating and thus maintain the efficiency in the energy production of photovoltaic cells. The use of this technology requires knowledge of the thermal behavior of these elements by architects and engineers. The present work aims to experimentally evaluate the effects of a polycrystalline silicon photovoltaic module applied on a facade. The experiment was developed by comparison with the manufacture of two test cells, one of which received the installation of the photovoltaic module on the north-facing face. The analyzes were carried out by comparing surface and air temperatures. The results indicated that the protection of the panel prevents the heating of the cell in summer conditions and minimally favors the inertia of the set. They also indicated a heating potential that, due to the low thermal inertia of the thin masonry wall and the lack of communication with the air inside the cells, was not explored

Residential radon - Comparative analysis of exposure models in Switzerland.

Residential radon exposure is a major public health issue in Switzerland due to the known association between inhaled radon progeny and lung cancer. To confirm recent findings of an association with skin cancer mortality, an updated national radon model is needed. The aim of this study was to derive the best possible residential radon prediction model for subsequent epidemiological analyses. Two different radon prediction models were developed (linear regression model vs. random forest) using ca. 80,000 measurements in the Swiss Radon Database (1994-2017). A range of geographic predictors and building specific predictors were considered in the 3-D models (x,y, floor of dwelling). A five-fold modelling strategy was used to evaluate the robustness of each approach, with models developed (80% measurement locations) and validated (20%) using standard diagnostics. Random forest consistently outperformed the linear regression model, with higher Spearman's rank correlation (51% vs. 36%), validation coefficient of determination (R <sup>2</sup> 31% vs. 15%), lower root mean square error (RMSE) and lower fractional bias. Applied to the population of 5.4 million adults in 2000, the random forest resulted in an arithmetic mean (standard deviation) of 75.5 (31.7) Bq/m <sup>3</sup> , and indicated a respective 16.1% and 0.1% adults with predicted radon concentrations exceeding the World Health Organization (100 Bq/m <sup>3</sup> ) and Swiss (300 Bq/m <sup>3</sup> ) reference values

Accommodating Learners With Dyslexia in English Language Teaching in Sri Lanka : teachers' knowledge, attitudes and challenges

As it is estimated that 10% of the world population has dyslexia or related learning difficulties, it is vital for language teachers to have a thorough understanding of such difficulties and of inclusive teaching techniques. It is believed that teacher training can increase teachers’ knowledge of dyslexia and inclusion, inculcate positive attitudes among them on inclusion and increase their self-efficacy beliefs. The study discussed in this paper analysed if a teacher training programme aimed at a group of ELT professionals in Sri Lanka could do the same and also the challenges that they would face in introducing inclusive practices into their context. A questionnaire and interview data revealed that the teacher training programme was able to change teachers’ negative attitudes towards dyslexia, increase their knowledge of dyslexia and inclusive practices and increase their readiness to implement inclusive classroom techniques. The findings also revealed that institutional barriers such as a rigid examination system and lack of flexibility in the curriculum may hinder how inclusive practices are implemented. In addition, negative socio-cultural ideology and some practical classroom problems may also affect implementation

Special and inclusive education in the Republic of Ireland: reviewing the literature from 2000 to 2009

Provision for pupils with special educational needs in Ireland has undergone considerable change and review in the first decade of the twenty first century. In response to international demands for a more equitable education system which recognises diversity and considers how schools might address the needs of pupils who have been previously marginalised, Irish legislation has focused upon the development of inclusive schooling. Researchers during this period have endeavoured to understand how responses to the demand for greater inclusion have impacted upon the perceived need for change. This paper reviews the research literature for this period and identifies four key themes under which research has been conducted. The literature pertaining to these themes is explored and a possible agenda for future researchers identifie

Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London

Looking in the mirror: Reflecting on 25 years of Inclusive Education in Australia

This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from Taylor & Francis (Routledge) via the DOI in this record.Australia was an early signatory to the Salamanca Statement, and it espouses inclusive education (IE) as the overarching philosophy of education for all. A 2015 critique of IE in Australia (Anderson and Boyle 2015) found that while some gains had been made, particularly in the recognition of the needs of some of the nation’s minority groups, the lack of a nationally accepted understanding of IE meant that it was transpiring in fundamentally distinctive ways across the eight education jurisdictions, with different outcomes for different groups of students. This paper reflects upon why Australia has struggled to enact the recommendations outlined in the Salamanca Statement a quarter of a century ago. The impacts of current education reforms, including the current model of educational provision, the understanding of disability and educational need, and the neo-liberal concepts of standardisation, measurement, and choice are explored. It challenges the idea that IE is the work of schools, and instead argues the need for a national approach to IE. Governments must acknowledge the barriers that their current policies and structures erect and shift towards a more inclusive model of educational delivery – for the benefit of all children and young people in Australia

Integrating artificial with natural cells to translate chemical messages that direct E. coli behaviour

Previous efforts to control cellular behaviour have largely relied upon various forms of genetic engineering. Once the genetic content of a living cell is modified, the behaviour of that cell typically changes as well. However, other methods of cellular control are possible. All cells sense and respond to their environment. Therefore, artificial, non-living cellular mimics could be engineered to activate or repress already existing natural sensory pathways of living cells through chemical communication. Here we describe the construction of such a system. The artificial cells expand the senses of Escherichia coli by translating a chemical message that E. coli cannot sense on its own to a molecule that activates a natural cellular response. This methodology could open new opportunities in engineering cellular behaviour without exploiting genetically modified organisms

Randomised feasibility trial of a teaching assistant led extracurricular physical activity intervention for 9 to 11 year olds: Action 3:30

Background: Extracurricular programmes could provide a mechanism to increase the physical activity (PA) of primary-school-aged children. The aim of this feasibility study was to examine whether the Action 3:30 intervention, which is delivered by teaching assistants, holds promise as a means of increasing the PA of Year 5 and 6 children. Methods: A cluster randomised feasibility trial was conducted in 20 primary schools. Ten schools received the Action 3:30 intervention and 10 schools were allocated to the control arm. The intervention was 40 one-hour sessions, delivered twice a week by teaching assistants. The proportion of participants recruited per school was calculated. Session delivery and session attendance was calculated for intervention schools. Weekday and after-school (3.30 to 8.30 pm) moderate to vigorous intensity physical (MVPA) was assessed by accelerometer at baseline (T0), during the last few weeks of the intervention (T1) and four months after the intervention had ended (T2). The costs of delivering the intervention were estimated. Results: Five intervention schools ran all 40 of the intended sessions. Of the remaining five, three ran 39, one ran 38 and one ran 29 sessions. Mean attendance was 53%. The adjusted difference in weekday MVPA at T1 was 4.3 minutes (95% CI −2.6 to 11.3). Sex-stratified analyses indicated that boys obtained 8.6 more minutes of weekday MVPA than the control group (95% CI 2.8 to 14.5) at T1 with no effect for girls (0.15 minutes, 95% CI −9.7 to 10.0). There was no evidence that participation in the programme increased MVPA once the club sessions ceased (T2). The indicative average cost of this intervention was £2,425 per school or £81 per participating child during its first year and £1,461 per school or £49 per participating child thereafter. Conclusions: The effect of the Action 3:30 intervention was comparable to previous physical activity interventions but further analysis indicated that there was a marked sex difference with a positive impact on boys and no evidence of an effect on girls. The Action 3:30 intervention holds considerable promise but more work is needed to enhance the effectiveness of the intervention, particularly for girls