Wind-driven rain tightness of building-integrated photovoltaics panels

The exposure to wind-driven rain (WDR) is a key factor impacting the performance and the durability of the building envelope. Building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) panels are increasingly used as roofing and façade materials, but little information is available on their weather protection performance. Although WDR exposure has been qualitatively investigated in laboratories, only few studies have directly quantified the water intrusion through BIPV. This article presents the results from a WDR laboratory test of a BIPV product, where water intrusion was both qualitatively and quantitatively investigated. Furthermore, as roof integration is the primary function of the studied BIPV panels, the results from the same test performed on another traditional roofing material, i.e., concrete tiles, are described and discussed. The test results showed that the BIPV panels performed better as façade cladding than as roofing material, since no quantifiable water leakages were detected at 90° inclination. At 15° and 30° inclinations, the total water leakages through the BIPV system were around 90% lower than those of the concrete tile roofing. This article's findings demonstrate that the quantification of water intrusion through BIPV panels is feasible and can provide significant information for further developing and improving the design of BIPV systems as climate screens.publishedVersio

Moisture robustness of eaves solutions for ventilated roofs – experimental studies

Ventilated pitched wooden roofs with eaves (roof overhangs) is a common building practice in the Scandinavian countries. The eaves are protecting the façade from rain, wind driven rain (WDR) and snow, and it covers the roof ventilation aperture. The eaves should be designed so that the least possible amounts of rainwater and snow enters the ventilation aperture between the roof cladding- and underlayer roofing. At the same time, adequate ventilation of the roof must be ensured to promote proper drying-out capabilities of the roof and to avoid problems of snow melt and ice formation at eaves and gutters during winter season. Small or almost nonexisting eaves is a trend in modern architecture. It is a common perception that such solutions are more vulnerable to moisture damages due to possible increase of water penetration into the roof aperture. The aim of the study is to experimentally investigate the moisture robustness of the described risk area and to find answers to how the design of eaves influence the amount of rain that is driven on to the underlayer roofing under the aperture in ventilated roofs. It was found that the amount of collected water in the different test series to a large extent are given by the water droplet size as well as the wind velocity inside the air cavity. The results from this study simulates an example of a rain event with heavy rain intensity and strong winds (storm). The test represents an example of a storm event with a given droplet size distribution. The results indicate that an increased pressure drop decreases the water ingress. Comparative tests showed that installation of a wire mesh largely decreases the measured water collection and the dynamic pressures inside the air cavity

Unngå at vinduene blir boligens kjøleelement

Det er flere gode grunner til å velge vinduer med trelags isolerglass fremfor tolags. Sparte kroner og økt komfort er kanskje de viktigste for boligeiere

Unngå at vinduene blir boligens kjøleelement

Det er flere gode grunner til å velge vinduer med trelags isolerglass fremfor tolags. Sparte kroner og økt komfort er kanskje de viktigste for boligeiere.publishedVersio

Protocol of a randomised, controlled trial comparing immediate curative therapy with conservative treatment in men aged ≥75 years with non-metastatic high-risk prostate cancer (SPCG 19/GRand-P)

Background Older men (aged ≥75 years) with high risk, non-metastatic prostate cancer (PCa) are increasingly treated with curative therapy (surgery or radiotherapy). However, it is unclear if curative therapy prolongs life and improves health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in this age group compared to conservative therapy, which has evolved considerably during the last decade. Study Design The Scandinavian Prostate Cancer Group (SPCG) 19/Norwegian Get-Randomized Research Group-Prostate (GRand-P) is a randomised, two-armed, controlled, multicentre, phase III trial carried out at study centres in Norway, Denmark, Finland, and Sweden. Endpoints The primary endpoints are overall survival and HRQoL (burden of disease scale, European Organisation for the Research and Treatment of Cancer [EORTC] Elderly Cancer patients). Secondary endpoints are PCa-specific survival, metastasis-free survival, role-functioning scale (EORTC quality of life questionnaire 30-item core), urinary irritative/obstructive scale (26-item Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite [EPIC-26]), bowel scale (EPIC-26), intervention-free survival, PCa morbidity, use of secondary and tertiary systemic therapies, mean quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs), and mean total healthcare costs. Patients and Methods A total of 980 men (aged ≥75 years) with non-metastatic, high-risk PCa will initially be screened with Geriatric 8 (G8) health status screening tool and Mini-COG© brief cognitive test. Participants identified by G8 as ‘fit’ or ‘frail’ will be randomised (ratio 1:1) to either immediate curative therapy (radiotherapy or prostatectomy) or conservative therapy (endocrine therapy or observation). Participants who are unable or unwilling to participate in randomisation will be enrolled in a separate observation group. Randomised patients will be followed for 10 years. Trial Registration Ethics approval has been granted in Norway (457593), Denmark (H-22051998), Finland (R23043) and Sweden (Dnr 2023-05296-01). The trial is registered on Clinicaltrials.org (NCT05448547)

Investigating survival, quality of life and cognition in PROton versus photon therapy for IDH-mutated diffuse grade 2 and 3 GLIOmas (PRO-GLIO): a randomised controlled trial in Norway and Sweden

Introduction The use of proton therapy increases globally despite a lack of randomised controlled trials demonstrating its efficacy and safety. Proton therapy enables sparing of non-neoplastic tissue from radiation. This is principally beneficial and holds promise of reduced long-term side effects. However, the sparing of seemingly non-cancerous tissue is not necessarily positive for isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH)-mutated diffuse gliomas grade 2–3, which have a diffuse growth pattern. With their relatively good prognosis, yet incurable nature, therapy needs to be delicately balanced to achieve a maximal survival benefit combined with an optimised quality of life.Methods and analysis PRO-GLIO (PROton versus photon therapy in IDH-mutated diffuse grade 2 and 3 GLIOmas) is an open-label, multicentre, randomised phase III non-inferiority study. 224 patients aged 18–65 years with IDH-mutated diffuse gliomas grade 2–3 from Norway and Sweden will be randomised 1:1 to radiotherapy delivered with protons (experimental arm) or photons (standard arm). First intervention-free survival at 2 years is the primary endpoint. Key secondary endpoints are fatigue and cognitive impairment, both at 2 years. Additional secondary outcomes include several survival measures, health-related quality of life parameters and health economy endpoints.Ethics and dissemination To implement proton therapy as part of standard of care for patients with IDH-mutated diffuse gliomas grade 2–3, it should be deemed safe. With its randomised controlled design testing proton versus photon therapy, PRO-GLIO will provide important information for this patient population concerning safety, cognition, fatigue and other quality of life parameters. As proton therapy is considerably more costly than its photon counterpart, cost-effectiveness will also be evaluated. PRO-GLIO is approved by ethical committees in Norway (Regional Committee for Medical & Health Research Ethics) and Sweden (The Swedish Ethical Review Authority) and patient inclusion has commenced. Trial results will be published in international peer-reviewed journals, relevant conferences, national and international meetings and expert forums.Trial registration number ClinicalTrials.gov Registry (NCT05190172)