Sustainable model for regional hospitals in humid tropical climate

Developing countries are facing numerous challenges in the process of providing adequate health care to often deprived and diminished social groups. In countries and regions with poor road infrastructure, this often means that the population outside major urban centres is even physically incapable of getting some sort of health aid in a timely manner. Being a country made up of a mainland territory and five islands in Gulf of Guinea, almost entirely covered by tropical rainforest, Equatorial Guinea is a showcase of various obstructions in developing effective health care system. The sustainable primary, secondary and tertiary health care assumes good accessibility as well as proper understanding of local conditions. The paper presents a model for sustainable health care building – a local hospital capable of providing all basic types of health service while retaining a high level of technical independence. The architectural design for a regional hospital was developed aiming to maximize the use of natural ventilation, daylight and rainwater management, leaving the operation block, laboratory and intensive care unit practically the only parts of the structure that would need mechanical air conditioning. The layout was designed having in mind local culture and customs, thus offering a possibility of strong integration with local community, and the building technology was thought over to enable efficient and costeffective construction and proper resilience for tropical rainforest environment. The result is a structure providing for contemporary, high quality medical service, interpreting local climatic and cultural contextual premises through modern architectural expression. Some design features developed for regional hospital were also explored in somewhat different conditions – a major clinical centre (in Malabo, the capital) and a local health centre with the basic services for the most remote areas

Municipality policy as key factor for the role of architecture and technology in public health

The construction of the so-called "social infrastructure" (kindergartens, schools, health centres, hospitals), which is the basis for a "public health" in a broader sense, in many countries is led by the administration (state and municipal). The quality of the built environment largely depends on the quality of financier, in this case embodied in some kind of state/municipal authorities, committees and civil servants. In this paper, an example of the application of up to date high-tech design methods and technologies in the design and construction of public buildings is presented. Belgrade public buildings designed and constructed in the period 2009 – 2013, is shown. The first five projects for construction of energy efficient kindergartens (up to passive house standard) with the use of renewable energy sources and realised through architectural competition, were considered as a passing fad, but such a practice has become standard procedure for the design of the other public buildings, and even the only option for the construction project of 1400 social apartments in Borča. The paper presents these projects, and, in particular, highlights the necessary processes and procedures established to ensure that these projects would be implemented

Preparation of composite material BCP/DLPLG with a different content of ceramic and polymer component

Using a new approach of synthesis, homogenisation of DLPLG polymer powder and BCP gel, BCP/DLPLG composite material has been obtained with morphological and structural characteristics making it potentially very suitable for practical application in certain fields of the reconstructive medicine. The composite material has been synthesised with different ratios of ceramics and polymer BCP/DLPLG; 65/35w/w, 10/90 w/w, 5/95 w/w and 2/98w/w. The samples were characterized by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM).Physical chemistry 2006 : 8th international conference on fundamental and applied aspects of physical chemistry; Belgrade (Serbia); 26-29 September 200

ENERGY ANALYSIS OF REPOWERING STEAM POWER PLANTS BY FEED WATER HEATING

Modern society and economic development are completely dependent on various forms of energy while the ever-increasing demand for energy, in combination with significant environmental topics, has resulted in state-of-the-art ideas and solutions for fulfilling these often-contradictory goals, i.e. increasing efficiency or environmental protection and economic goal. The efficiency of the existing operating units for electricity production based on the usage of low-quality coal does not go hand in hand with the requirements of this new concept.One of the most efficient ways to reduce specific energy consumption is using Combined Heat and Power plants. In comparison to classical, separate heat and power plants, the advantage for CHP plants comes from their high efficiency. The result of higher efficiency is lower primary energy consumption and lower environmental pollution due to low values of CO2 emissions.Several revitalization configurations can be applied in order to fit the existing thermal power plants into combined cycles. The idea is to install, at the existing location, one gas turbine to increase the overall efficiency. This paper analyzes the potential of a combined gas-steam facility in the situation where the gas facility is used for heating feed water, which enters the heat recovery steam generator.A comparison of energy efficiency for various operating regimes, with and without heat production, is performed for this option.

Sustainable Modularity Approach to Facilities Development Based on Geothermal Energy Potential

The study presented in this paper assessed the multidisciplinary approach of geothermal potential in the area of the most southeastern part of the Pannonian basin, focused on resources utilization. This study aims to present a method for the cascade use of geothermal energy as a source of thermal energy for space heating and cooling and as a resource for balneological purposes. Two particular sites were selected—one in a natural environment; the other within a small settlement. Geothermal resources come from different types of reservoirs having different temperatures and chemical compositions. At the first site, a geothermal spring with a temperature of 20.5 ◦C is considered for heat pump utilization, while at the second site, a geothermal well with a temperature of 54 ◦C is suitable for direct use. The calculated thermal power, which can be obtained from geothermal energy is in the range of 300 to 950 kW. The development concept was proposed with an architectural design to enable sustainable energy efficient development of wellness and spa/medical facilities that can be supported by local authorities. The resulting energy heating needs for different scenarios were 16–105 kW, which can be met in full by the use of geothermal energy

Risk Evaluation: Brief Review and Innovation Model Based on Fuzzy Logic and MCDM

The risk assessment of engineering systems represents an important part of the quality of service and dependability. The existing methods for risk evaluation use crisp sets for rating partial indicators' proposition and their cumulative products as an overall indicator. In this paper, existing FMEA and FMECA methods have been improved using the fuzzy expert system for calculating the risk priority number. The application of fuzzy logic allows the use of linguistic descriptions for risk analysis. In this way, the state of the system in terms of risks and consequences is better described. The settings of the fuzzy systems are based on the application of two multi-criteria decision-making methods. The AHP method was used to define the mutual relationship of the impact of partial indicators (occurrence, severity, and detectability) on risk. In this way, subjectivity in risk assessment is reduced. In the composition of the fuzzy model, the TOPSIS method is introduced to reduce the dissipation of results, which contributes to the accuracy of the outcome. This contributes to the accuracy of the results. The results were verified through a case study of a complex engineering system-bucket-wheel excavators. The risk was observed from the aspect of the danger of damage and the danger of downtime. The initial information for weak points of ES is defined according to historical damage events and statistics of downtime. Expert knowledge was used for weak points grading in the model. Additional model verification was performed using similar methods, using the same input data. The innovative model, presented in the paper, shows that it is possible to correct different weights of risk indicators. The obtained results show less dispersion compared with other existing methods. Weak points with increased risk have been located, and an algorithm has been proposed for risk-based maintenance application and implementation

POSSIBILITIES TO MINIMIZE GREENHOUSE GASES EMISSION AND MAINTAIN THERMAL COMFORT IN OFFICE BUILDINGS WITH CO-SIMULATION ASSISTED OPERATION OF AIR HANDLING UNITS

Energy efficiency measures in existing buildings include improvements in heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems but from the perspective of system renovation and components upgrade. These measures target the building energy consumption and resulting greenhouse gases emissions, with thermal comfort of occupants being seen only by one or two parameters. Improvements in existing system operation can lead to minimal greenhouse gases emission, but with thermal comfort maintained at the desired level. This paper evaluates the possibility to minimize greenhouse gases emission while maintaining occupant thermal comfort within prescribed class, by optimizing the existing air conditioning system operation with 5 weekdays planning horizon. Particle swarm optimization method is used. The paper shifts the focus from minimal emissions to minimal emissions for desired thermal comfort range, without system renovation or upgrade. The results show that maintaining thermal comfort results in higher greenhouse gases emission compared to usual system operation where emissions are lower but thermal comfort is outside desired range almost all the time

Identifikacija lokusa za kvantitativna svojstva kod kukuruza u uslovima suše - prinos i morfološka svojstva

Drought is one of the most important factors contributing to crop yield loss. In order to develop maize varieties with drought tolerance, it is necessary to explore the genetic basis. Mapping quantitative trait loci (QTL) that control the yield and associate agronomic traits is one way of understanding drought genetics. QTLs associated with grain yield (GY), leaf width (LW3, LW4) plant height (PH), ear height (EH), leaf number (NL), tassel branch number (TBN) and tassel length (TL) were studied with composite interval mapping. A total of 43 QTLs were detected, distributed on all chromosomes, except chromosome 9. Phenotypic variability determined for the identified QTLs for all the traits was in the range from 20.99 to 87.24%. Mapping analysis identified genomic regions associated with two traits in a manner that was consistent with phenotypic correlation among traits, supporting either pleiotropy or tight linkage among QTLs.Suša je jedan od najznačajnijih faktora koji utiče na smanjenje prinosa. Mapiranje lokusa za kvantitativna svojstva (QTL) koja kontrolišu prinos i vezane agronomske osobine daju uvid u genetičku osnovu odgovora biljke na stres suše i omogućavaju stvaranje tolerantnih genotipova. Lokusi za kvantitativna svojstva vezani za prinos, širinu lista, visinu biljke, visinu biljke do klipa, broj listova, broj grana metlice i dužinu metlice identifikovani su primenom composite interval mapping metode. Detektovano je ukupno 43 QTL-a, na svim izuzev na 9 hromozomu. Fenotipska varijabilnost za ova svojstva bila je u opsegu od 20.99 to 87.24%. Identifikovani su genomski regioni vezani za dva ili više svojstva, i istovremeno je kod njih detektovana visoka fenotipska korelacija, što ukazuje na postojanje plejotropnih ili epistatičkih interakcija između QTL-ova

SCADA SYSTEMS IN DISTRICT HEATING – THE IMPACT ON INCREASING ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND THE REDUCTION OF CO2 EMISSION

Improving energy efficiency of district heating systems as a whole is closely related to the application of computer technologies for visualization and control of heat production and distribution. Control in district heating enables fast adjustability of all sub-systems to variations in heat demand. At the same time it enables solving optimal control problems in transition periods like system start and system stop. A district heating system supplies heat to different end-users which can differ in both the quantity of supplied heat and the character of their heat demand. Heat demand of end-users varies with change in outside conditions (outside dry bulb temperature, solar radiation, wind speed and direction etc.), so it is crucial to be able to adjust heat carrier parameters in order to meet the heat demand. This can be achieved only with proper control. In addition, the quality of heat supply can be improved and heat losses reduced, which leads to the reduction in primary energy consumption, the improvement of energy efficiency of the system and, finally, the reduction in green house gasses (GHG) emissions. It is considered that the largest potential of reducing GHG emissions lies in increasing energy efficiency, especially in the district heating sector. Special attention is paid to CO2 emission, since this gas is substantially emitted through anthropogenic activities

Dijagnoza, procena težine i menadžment akutnog pankreatitisa

Severe pancreatitis occurs in 20%’30% of all patients with acute pancreatitis. Pancreatic enzymes, cytokines and other active peptides, liberated from the inflamed pancreas, convert inflammation of the pancreas as a single-organ disease of the retroperitoneum to a multisystem disease. Determinations of pancreatic serum enzymes are still "the golden standard" for diagnosis of the acute pancreatitis. Out of clinically significant pancreatic enzymes, pancreatic-amylase and lipase are suggested for routine clinical determination due to available methods for their measurement. The methods are simple, and the results may be obtained rather quickly without any special equipment. Maximal diagnostic accuracy is achieved by "cut-off" values of 182 U/L for pancreatic-amylase and 656 U/L for lipase. Treatment of patients with acute pancreatitis is based on the initial assessment of disease severity. Early staging is based on the presence and degree of systemic failure (cardiovascular, pulmonary, and renal) and on the presence and extent of pancreatic necrosis. Individual clinical parameters and laboratory biomarkers, although sometimes helpful, are not sufficiently accurate to reliable assess the severity of an acute attack. Numeric grading systems with sensitivities of about 70% are commonly used today as indicators of organ failure and disease severity. Contrast material-enhanced computed tomography is used in addition to help evaluate local pancreatic morphology and the presence and extent of pancreatic necrosis. Out of all recently studied biochemical parameters for prognostic evaluation of acute pancreatitis patients, the measurement of C-reactive protein concentration appeared to be the parameter with the highest clinical accuracy. The best differentiation of moderate from severe acute pancreatitis forms is achieved by "cut-off" CRP values of 126 mg/L, 48 hours from the onset of symptoms. For this reason, CRP measurement may be used as the alternative to computerized tomography. In compliance with the postulations for evidence- based medicine, the procedures related to diagnosis, prognosis and management of acute pancreatitis are classified into four categories: certain, probable, possible and inappropriate.Težak oblik bolesti se javlja kod 20%’30% pacijenata sa akutnim pankreatitisom. Oslobađanje pankreasnih enzima, citokina i drugih aktivnih peptide iz pankreasa zahvaćenog inflamacijom uzrokuje prelaz od zapaljenja jednog organa u retroperitoneumu ka multisistemskom oboljenju. Određivanje pankreasnih enzima u serumu još uvek ostaje "zlatan standard" u dijagnozi akutnog pankreatitisa. Od klinički važnih pankreasnih enzima za kliničko rutinsko određivanje preporučuju se pankreasna a-amilaza i lipaza zbog postojanja raspoloživih metoda za njihovo određivanje. Metode su jednostavne, rezultat može da se dobije dosta brzo i ne zahteva posebnu opremu za određivanje. Maksimalna dijagnostička tačnost se postiže pri "cut-off" vrednostima od 182 U/L za pankreasnu a-amilazu i 656 U/L za lipazu. Tretman pacijenata sa akutnim pankreatitisom se zasniva na inicijalnoj proceni težine oboljenja. Rana gradacija se zasniva na prisustvu i stepenu sistemskih oštećenja (kardiovasdkularnih, pulmonalnih i renalnih), kao i na prisustvu i veličini pankreasne nekroze. Mada individualni klinički parametri i laboratorijski biomarkeri mogu da budu od pomoći, to nije dovoljno tačno u proceni težine napada. Brojni "sistemi scorova" koriste se danas kao indikatori oštećenja organa i težine oboljenja i njihova osetljivost iznosi oko 70%. Kompjuterizovana tomografija poboljšana kontrastom se koristi za dodatnu evaluaciju lokalne pankreasne morfologije, kao i stepena pankreasne nekroze. Od svih do sada ispitivanih biohemijskih parametara za prognostičku evaluaciju pacijenata sa akutnim pankreatitisom, određivanje koncentracije C-reaktivnog proteina (CRP) predstavlja parametar sa najvećom kliničkom tačnošću. Najbolje razlikovanje blagih od teških oblika AP se postiže pri "cut-off" vrednosti CRP od 126 mg/L i to 48 sati od početka simptoma. Iz ovih razloga određivanje CRP može da se koristi kao alternativa kompjuterizovanoj tomografiji. U skladu sa postulatima na kojima se zasniva medicina zasnovana na dokazima (eng. evidence-based medicine) postupci vezani za prognozu i tretman akutnog pankreatitisa se klasifikuju u četiri kategorije: izvesni, verovatni, mogući i neodgovarajući