Urban wind energy conversion: the potential of ducted turbines

The prospects for urban wind power are discussed. A roof-mounted ducted wind turbine, which uses pressure differentials created by wind flow around a building, is proposed as an alternative to more conventional approaches. Outcomes from tests at model and prototype scale are described, and a simple mathematical model is presented. Predictions from the latter suggest that a ducted turbine can produce very high specific power outputs, going some way to offsetting its directional sensitivity. Further predictions using climate files are made to assess annual energy output and seasonal variations, with a conventional small wind turbine and a photovoltaic panel as comparators. It is concluded that ducted turbines have significant potential for retro-fitting to existing buildings, and have clear advantages where visual impact and safety are matters of concern

A ducted wind turbine simulation model for building simulation

Power production is shifting away from centralized generation plants to production of heat and power at the point of demand. A technology that may play a part in this shift is the ducted wind turbine (DWT). The emergence of small building integrated micro turbines opens up the possibility of utilizing the differential pressures occurring around buildings for local power production. This paper describes work to develop and test a simple mathematical model of a ducted wind turbine and its integration within a building simulation tool. A case study in which the simulation model will be used to analyse of the likely power output from a building incorporating ducted wind turbines within the façade is also presented

Connected Classroom: A Program Evaluation of the Professional Development Program of a One-To-One Educational Technology Initiative in South Carolina

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of the first year of a multi-year, district-wide professional development program for teachers that accompanied a one-toone Apple device rollout for all students. A mixed-method research design was used to perform a logic model of program evaluation. Teacher self-reported proficiency in basic device usage, student productivity, student multimedia usage, and academic communication were gathered before the professional development program began and collected again at the 1-year mark. Data from both administrations were analyzed to determine the impact of professional development on teacher self-reported proficiency of technology integration. The researcher collected qualitative data during focus groups on the perceived barriers to professional learning and supportive conditions that allowed teachers to benefit from the professional development sessions offered by the district. This study found that teachers benefited from the professional development sessions offered by the district as part of their one-to-one technology initiative. Statistically significant gains were found in all measured areas of teacher self-reported instructional proficiency and 12 of 16 areas of mobile device proficiency. This study also highlights differences in teacher proficiency across various demographic categories

The development of a ducted wind turbine simulation model

Embedded generation has been described as a "paradigm shift" in the way in which electricity is produced, with the focus of power production shifting away from large centralised generation plants to production of heat and power close to the point of use. An emerging technology that may play a part in the evolution of this new paradigm is the ducted wind turbine (DWT). Up to this point, wind energy has not played a major role in embedded generation for the built environment. However, the development of these small micro turbines that can be integrated into the building fabric, opens up the possibility of utilising the differential pressures that occur due to airflow around buildings for the purpose of local power production. This paper describes recent work to develop and test a simple mathematical model of a Ducted Wind Turbine and its integration within the various technical domains of a building simulation tool. Specifically, the paper will describe: a) the concept of the ducted wind turbine; b) the development of the mathematical model; c) the integration of the model into a building simulation tool. The paper will conclude with a case study in which the simulation model will be used to analyse of the likely power output from a building design incorporating ducted wind turbines within the facade

To LiDAR or Not to LiDAR

This session provides an overview and discussion of the different methods of preparing a topographic survey, from conventional to mobile Lidar. The presentation will include discussion of the pros and cons for each method in different situations. Three case studies will be presented in which Lidar was used to prepare the topographic survey: an airport, an interstate, and an urban area

Pregnancy-related school dropout and prior school performance in South Africa

Using data collected in 2001 in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, this working paper examines the factors associated with schoolgirl pregnancy, as well as the likelihood of school dropout and subsequent re-enrollment among pregnant schoolgirls. This analysis triangulates data collected from birth histories, education histories, and data concerning pregnancy to strengthen the identification of young women who became pregnant while enrolled in school and to define discrete periods of school interruption prior to first pregnancy. Given the increasing levels of female school participation in sub-Saharan Africa, our findings suggest that future studies will benefit from exploring the causal relationships between prior school experiences, adolescent reproductive behavior, and subsequent school attendance

Invasive fungal infections secondary to traumatic injury

Invasive fungal infection (IFI) is a rare but serious complication of traumatic injury. The purpose of this article is to review the epidemiology, natural history, mycology, risk factors, diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes associated with post-traumatic IFI in military and civilian populations. The epidemiology of post-traumatic IFI is poorly characterized, but incidence appears to be rising. Patients often suffer from severe injuries and require extensive medical interventions. Fungi belonging to the order Mucorales are responsible for most post-traumatic IFI in both civilian and military populations. Risk factors differ between these cohorts but include specific injury patterns and comorbidities. Diagnosis of post-traumatic IFI typically follows positive laboratory results in the appropriate clinical context. The gold standard of treatment is surgical debridement in addition to systemic antifungal therapy. Patients with post-traumatic IFI may be at greater risk of amputation, delays in wound healing, hospital complications, and death as compared to trauma patients who do not develop IFI. More research is needed to understand the factors surrounding the development and management of post-traumatic IFI to reduce the significant morbidity and mortality associated with this disease

A Moderately Intensive Functional Treatment For Severe Auditory Comprehension Deficits Associated with Aphasia

Severe, chronic, auditory comprehension deficits secondary to aphasia can adversely impact an individual’s quality of life by limiting successful communication interactions (Bose et al., 2009). Furthermore, individuals lacking awareness of comprehension deficits may be less inclined to compensate for communication breakdowns (Knollman-Porter, Dietz, & Groh, 2012). Interventions utilizing intense and repetitive stimulation are recommended to promote neuroplasticity, and therefore, language function following a stroke (Kleim & Jones, 2008; Kurland et al., 2012). More specifically, highly intensive treatment protocols (two hours a day, five days a week for three weeks) for severe comprehension deficits have demonstrated promising gains in word comprehension and awareness with corrective feedback and researcher-selected stimuli (Knollman-Porter et al., 2012). However, not all clients and caregivers can tolerate intensive treatment protocols. Additionally, the importance of stimuli type, particularly personally relevant stimuli, has been suggested in promoting treatment outcomes (Hinckley & Carr, 2005; McKelvey et al., 2010). Therefore, further research is needed to examine more functional treatment options for individuals with comprehension deficits. This study investigated the impact of a moderately intensive treatment protocol using personally relevant stimuli and corrective feedback on auditory comprehension and self-awareness in individuals with severe, chronic, aphasia

Global positioning systems in the AFL : worthwhile or waste of time?

Global Positioning Systems (GPS) in the Australian Football League (AFL) are the big-ticket item that sees clubs trying to gain any competitive advantage over their opposition that they can. This paper explores whether the current application of GPS by clubs is worthwhile or a waste of time from three core perspectives: technical, organisational and personal. Issues include poor data storage and analysis, inaccurate units, lack of appropriate business processes in place, and resistance to use. Although many of these issues can be addressed through improved technology, resolving the organisational and personal issues will require a change in mindset to ensure the use of GPS in the AFL is a worthwhile endeavour. The paper concludes that the current use of GPS devices in the AFL is a waste of time.<br /

Influenza-like illness surveillance using a deputising medical service corresponds to surveillance from sentinel general practices

Standard sources of data for influenza surveillance include notifications of laboratory-confirmed cases and notifications from sentinel general practices. These data are not always available in a timely fashion, leading to proposals to use more immediate data sources such as over-the-counter drug sales, ambulance call-outs and web searches to monitor influenza-like illness (ILI). We aimed to assess data from a deputising medical service as another source of data for timely syndromic influenza surveillance. We measured the extent of agreement between the weekly percentage of patients with ILI reported from sentinel general practices and the corresponding weekly percentage reported from a deputising medical service in Victoria, Australia over ten years, from 1999 to 2008. There was good agreement between the two data sources, with suitably narrow limits of agreement. The deputising medical service did not use a standardised definition of ILI and is not supplemented by laboratory confirmation of suspected cases. Nevertheless, the results of this study show that such data can provide low cost and timely ILI surveillance