Modelling double skin façades (DSFs) in whole-building energy simulation tools: Validation and inter-software comparison of a mechanically ventilated single-story DSF

Double skin façades (DSFs) have been proposed as responsive building systems to improve the building envelope's performance. Reliable simulation of DSF performance is a prerequisite to support the design and implementation of these systems in real buildings. Building energy simulation (BES) tools are commonly used by practitioners to predict the whole building energy performance, but the simulation of the thermophysical behaviour of DSFs may be challenging when carried out through BES tools. Using an exhaust-air façade case study, we analyse and assess the reliability of four popular BES tools when these are used to simulate a DSF, either through available in-built models or through custom-built representations based on zonal models. We carry out this study by comparing numerical simulations and experimental data for a series of significant thermophysical quantities, and we reflect on the performance and limitations of the different tools. The results show that no tool is outstandingly better performing over the others, but some tools offer better predictions when the focus is placed on certain thermophysical quantities, while others should be chosen if the focus is on different ones. After comparing the different models’ limitations and challenges, we conclude that BES tools can simulate the performance of DSF systems over long periods. However, their use alone is not recommended when the simulation's scope is to replicate and study short-term phenomena and dynamic aspects, such as sizing the building's HVAC system

Influence of the substrate-induced strain and irradiation disorder on the Peierls transition in TTF-TCNQ microdomains

The influence of the combined effects of substrate-induced strain, finite size and electron irradiation-induced defects have been studied on individual micron-sized domains of the organic charge transfer compound tetrathiafulvalene-tetracyanoquinodimethane (TTF-TCNQ) by temperature-dependent conductivity and current-voltage measurements. The individual domains have been isolated by focused ion beam etching and electrically contacted by focused ion and electron beam induced deposition of metallic contacts. The temperature-dependent conductivity follows a variable range hopping behavior which shows a crossover of the exponent as the Peierls transition is approached. The low temperature behavior is analyzed within the segmented rod model of Fogler, Teber and Shklowskii, as originally developed for a charge-ordered quasi one-dimensional electron crystal. The results are compared with data obtained on as-grown and electron irradiated epitaxial TTF-TCNQ thin films of the two-domain type

Problem gambling: a suitable case for social work?

Problem gambling attracts little attention from health and social care agencies in the UK. Prevalence surveys suggest that 0.6% of the population are problem gamblers and it is suggested that for each of these individuals, 10–17 other people, including children and other family members, are affected. Problem gambling is linked to many individual and social problems including: depression, suicide, significant debt, bankruptcy, family conflict, domestic violence, neglect and maltreatment of children and offending. This makes the issue central to social work territory. Yet, the training of social workers in the UK has consistently neglected issues of addictive behaviour. Whilst some attention has been paid in recent years to substance abuse issues, there has remained a silence in relation to gambling problems. Social workers provide more help for problems relating to addictions than other helping professions. There is good evidence that treatment, and early intervention for gambling problems, including psycho-social and public health approaches, can be very effective. This paper argues that problem gambling should be moved onto the radar of the social work profession, via inclusion on qualifying and post-qualifying training programmes and via research and dissemination of good practice via institutions such as the Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE). Keywords: problem gambling; addictive behaviour; socia

Extensive remodeling of DC function by rapid maturation-induced transcriptional silencing.

The activation, or maturation, of dendritic cells (DCs) is crucial for the initiation of adaptive T-cell mediated immune responses. Research on the molecular mechanisms implicated in DC maturation has focused primarily on inducible gene-expression events promoting the acquisition of new functions, such as cytokine production and enhanced T-cell-stimulatory capacity. In contrast, mechanisms that modulate DC function by inducing widespread gene-silencing remain poorly understood. Yet the termination of key functions is known to be critical for the function of activated DCs. Genome-wide analysis of activation-induced histone deacetylation, combined with genome-wide quantification of activation-induced silencing of nascent transcription, led us to identify a novel inducible transcriptional-repression pathway that makes major contributions to the DC-maturation process. This silencing response is a rapid primary event distinct from repression mechanisms known to operate at later stages of DC maturation. The repressed genes function in pivotal processes--including antigen-presentation, extracellular signal detection, intracellular signal transduction and lipid-mediator biosynthesis--underscoring the central contribution of the silencing mechanism to rapid reshaping of DC function. Interestingly, promoters of the repressed genes exhibit a surprisingly high frequency of PU.1-occupied sites, suggesting a novel role for this lineage-specific transcription factor in marking genes poised for inducible repression

Intentional Technology For Teaching Practice

In today’s era, where educational technology is in a near-constant state of evolution, the imperative is not just to adopt technology, but to do so with a defined purpose and strategy. As educators within military education there is a growing need to discern which technological tools and practices align best with our mission and the goals we set for our students. Teaching is more than just transferring knowledge—it’s about fostering environments conducive to growth, critical thinking, and lifelong learning. This e-book contains collective insights, experiences, and reflections from faculty participating in a Faculty Learning Community (FLC) a yearlong, structured, community of practice, engaged in the thoughtful exploration of educational technology topics during the academic year of 2022-2023 at the Air Force Institute of Technology. Whether by leveraging social annotation tools to engage students in reading, formulating effective methods to produce and utilize educational content, innovating with game-based learning, or seamlessly integrating multiple applications for meaningful classroom experiences, our aim is to provide you with insights and actionable guidance for use within your own classrooms

Absence of MHC-II expression by lymph node stromal cells results in autoimmunity.

How lymph node stromal cells (LNSCs) shape peripheral T-cell responses remains unclear. We have previously demonstrated that murine LNSCs, lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs), blood endothelial cells (BECs), and fibroblastic reticular cells (FRCs) use the IFN-γ-inducible promoter IV (pIV) of the MHC class II (MHCII) transactivator CIITA to express MHCII. Here, we show that aging mice (>1 yr old) in which MHCII is abrogated in LNSCs by the selective deletion of pIV exhibit a significant T-cell dysregulation in LNs, including defective Treg and increased effector CD4 <sup>+</sup> and CD8 <sup>+</sup> T-cell frequencies, resulting in enhanced peripheral organ T-cell infiltration and autoantibody production. The proliferation of LN-Tregs interacting with LECs increases following MHCII up-regulation by LECs upon aging or after exposure to IFN-γ, this effect being abolished in mice in which LECs lack MHCII. Overall, our work underpins the importance of LNSCs, particularly LECs, in supporting Tregs and T-cell tolerance

Ferromagnetism and conductivity in atomically thin SrRuO3

Atomically thin ferromagnetic and conducting electron systems are highly desired for spintronics, because they can be controlled with both magnetic and electric fields. We present (SrRuO3)1-(SrTiO3)5 superlattices and single-unit-cell-thick SrRuO3 samples that are capped with SrTiO3. We achieve samples of exceptional quality. In these samples, the electron systems comprise only a single RuO2 plane. We observe conductivity down to 50 mK, a ferromagnetic state with a Curie temperature of 25 K, and signals of magnetism persisting up to approximately 100 K.Comment: The version published at Phys. Rev. X (open access) contains a large amount of additional material compared to the version published her

Multiple Histone Methyl and Acetyltransferase Complex Components Bind the HLA-DRA Gene

Major histocompatibility complex class II (MHC-II) genes are fundamental components that contribute to adaptive immune responses. While characterization of the chromatin features at the core promoter region of these genes has been studied, the scope of histone modifications and the modifying factors responsible for activation of these genes are less well defined. Using the MHC-II gene HLA-DRA as a model, the extent and distribution of major histone modifications associated with active expression were defined in interferon-γ induced epithelial cells, B cells, and B-cell mutants for MHC-II expression. With active transcription, nucleosome density around the proximal regulatory region was diminished and histone acetylation and methylation modifications were distributed throughout the gene in distinct patterns that were dependent on the modification examined. Irrespective of the location, the majority of these modifications were dependent on the binding of either the X-box binding factor RFX or the class II transactivator (CIITA) to the proximal regulatory region. Importantly, once established, the modifications were stable through multiple cell divisions after the activating stimulus was removed, suggesting that activation of this system resulted in an epigenetic state. A dual crosslinking chromatin immunoprecipitation method was used to detect histone modifying protein components that interacted across the gene. Components of the MLL methyltransferase and GCN5 acetyltransferase complexes were identified. Some MLL complex components were found to be CIITA independent, including MLL1, ASH2L and RbBP5. Likewise, GCN5 containing acetyltransferase complex components belonging to the ATAC and STAGA complexes were also identified. These results suggest that multiple complexes are either used or are assembled as the gene is activated for expression. Together the results define and illustrate a complex network of histone modifying proteins and multisubunit complexes participating in MHC-II transcription