Energy performance characterisation of vented opaque envelope through simplified methodologies

Opaque vented façades are innovative and widely-used technological systems adopted both in new constructions and in building renovations. According to European Directive 2010/31/EU (EPBD recast) on the energy performance of buildings, each Member State should give priority to passive cooling techniques in order to enhance building performance during the summer period. For this purpose opaque vented envelope could be an appropriate technological solution to reduce the summer peak loads and the energy consumption. Although the EPBD recast has submitted the development of calculation methods for the energy performance evaluation to the European Committee of Standardisation (CEN), there is a lack in European Standards on the calculation of non conventional building envelope performance, including vented façades. The object of the present work is the thermal performance characterization of vented vertical opaque enclosures in real conditions of use, through simplified parameters. Starting from EN ISO 6946 and EN ISO 13786, new equivalent thermal parameters are defined, such as the equivalent steady state thermal transmittance, the equivalent periodical thermal transmittance and the time shift. Equivalent parameters are obtained by evaluating surface inside face conduction in the opaque components, under stabilized periodic external conditions, for the summer design day. An equivalent outside temperature is used, which considers both the convective and the radiative thermal exchanges (solar and infrared waves), for different boundary conditions (orientation). The tool used for calculations is based on the conduction transfer function – CTF – method, as implemented in the thermal dynamic simulation program Energy Plus. Through a sensitivity analysis, different opaque enclosures are analyzed, varying the design parameters such as the thickness, the height and the length of the vented cavity

On the Cost-Optimal Design: Comparison of Quasi-Steady-State and Dynamic Simplified Methods of Calculation of H/C Energy Needs

The Directive 2010/31/EU promotes the improvement of the energy performance of buildings within the European Union, by taking into account indoor climate requirements and cost-effectiveness. Thus, the cost optimisation is one of the main objectives of the EU regulatory framework concerning the energy performance of both new buildings and existing buildings subject to refurbishment actions. When assessing the cost-optimal levels of energy performance, the calculation of the energy needs is usually carried out by means of CEN standards or equivalent national calculation methods, based either on steady-state or on dynamic simplified models. However, many research studies have pointed out the limitations of the steady-state approach, especially for high performance buildings. The aim of this work is to study how the calculation method - quasi-steady or dynamic - of the energy needs for heating and cooling, impacts on the final optimal design. This is done through the application of a cost-optimal procedure to a single-family house located in Milan. The building energy needs for space heating and cooling are calculated by means of the quasi-steady-state monthly method specified by the Italian standards and the simplified hourly dynamic model of ISO 13790. The performance of the thermal systems is then assessed by means of the national standards (UNI/TS 11300), while the global cost is evaluated by means of EN 15459. Several design options with increasing levels of energy efficiency are applied to the case study. The cost-optimal solutions derived from the application of the two methods are compared, and the reasons for the deviations are discussed

L'applicazione della Legge 13

La pubblicazione analizza i contenuti della recente legislazione della Regione Piemonte in materia di rendimento energetico nell'edilizia, dalla legge regionale n. 13/2007 alle relative disposizioni attuative

Management and long-term results in patients with two-thirds gastrectomy and stomal ulcer

In 67 patients with two-thirds gastrectomy and endoscopically proven stomal ulcer, serum gastrin levels were measured under basal conditions and after intravenous infusion of bombesin (15 ng/kg/ min), calcium (4 mg/kg/hour) and secretin (2 units/ kg). All patients underwent medical or surgical therapy. The long-term results were evaluated according to the Visick grading system (average follow-up, 3.1 years). © 1981

Implementing cost-optimal methodology in existing public buildings

This study presents some preliminary results of an on-going European Project, RePublic-ZEB [1], where an analysis is conducted for identifying the cost optimal levels for the existing buildings, towards nearly Zero Energy Buildings (nZEB) performance. The analysis is applied to the reference building for an existing office building in five different countries: Italy, Portugal, Romania, Spain and Greece. The evaluation tool uses a new cost optimization procedure based on a sequential search-optimization technique considering discrete options [2] is applied and the results will be presented in terms of optimal "package of measures", energy consumption and global costs. Finally a cross-country analysis will be performed. © 2015 The Authors.Peer Reviewe

Lifestyle and breast cancer recurrences : the DIANA-5 trial

Aims and background. The DIANA (Diet and Androgens)-5 study is a multi-institutional randomized controlled trial of the effectiveness of a diet based on Mediterranean and macrobiotic recipes and principles, associated with moderate physical activity, in reducing additional breast cancer events in women with early stage invasive breast cancer at high risk of recurrence because of metabolic or endocrine milieu. The intervention is expected to reduce serum insulin and sex hormones, which were associated with breast prognosis in previous studies. Methods. Between 2008 and 2010, the study randomly assigned 1208 patients to an intensive diet and exercise intervention or to a comparison group, to be followed-up through 2015. General lifestyle recommendations for the prevention of cancer are given to both groups, and the intervention group is being offered a comprehensive lifestyle intervention, including cooking classes, conferences, common meals and exercise sessions. Adherence assessments occurred at baseline and at 12 months and are planned at 36 and 60 months. They include food frequency diaries, anthropometric measures, body fat distribution assessed with impedance scale, one.week registration of physical activity with a multisensor arm-band monitor, metabolic and endocrine blood parameters. Outcome breast cancer events are assessed through self report at semi.annual meetings or telephone interview and are validated through medical record verification. Results. The randomized groups were comparable for age (51.8 years), proportion of ER-negative tumors (22%), axillary node metastasis (42%), reproductive variables, tobacco smoking, blood pressure, anthropometric measurements and hormonal and metabolic parameters. Conclusions.DIANA-5 has the potential to establish whether a Mediterranean-macrobiotic lifestyle may reduce breast cancer recurrences. We will assess evidence of effectiveness, first by comparing the incidence of additional breast cancer events (local or distant recurrence, second ipsilateral or contralateral cancer)in the intervention and in the control group, by an intention-to-treat analysis, and second by analyzing the incidence of breast cancer events in the total study population by compliance assessment score

Recommendations for breast imaging follow-up of women with a previous history of breast cancer: position paper from the Italian Group for Mammography Screening (GISMa) and the Italian College of Breast Radiologists (ICBR) by SIRM.

Women who were previously treated for breast cancer (BC) are an important particular subgroup of women at intermediate BC risk. Their breast follow-up should be planned taking in consideration a 1.0-1.5 % annual rate of loco-regional recurrences and new ipsilateral or contralateral BCs during 15-20 years, and be based on a regional/district invitation system. This activity should be carried out by a Department of Radiology integrating screening and diagnostics in the context of a Breast Unit. We recommend the adoption of protocols dedicated to women previously treated for BC, with a clear definition of responsibilities, methods for invitation, site(s) of visits, methods for clinical and radiological evaluation, follow-up duration, role and function of family doctors and specialists. These women will be invited to get a mammogram in dedicated sessions starting from the year after the end of treatment. The planned follow-up duration will be at least 10 years and will be defined on the basis of patient's age and preferences, taking into consideration organizational matters. Special agreements can be defined in the case of women who have their follow-up planned at other qualified centers. Dedicated screening sessions should include: evaluation of familial/personal history (if previously not done) for identifying high-risk conditions which could indicate a different screening strategy; immediate evaluation of mammograms by one or, when possible, two breast radiologists with possible addition of supplemental mammographic views, digital breast tomosynthesis, clinical breast examination, breast ultrasound; and prompt planning of possible further workup. Results of these screening sessions should be set apart from those of general female population screening and presented in dedicated reports. The following research issues are suggested: further risk stratification and effectiveness of follow-up protocols differentiated also for BC pathologic subtype and molecular classification, and evaluation of different models of survivorship care, also in terms of cost-effectivenes