2,568 research outputs found
Series of experiments for empirical validation of solar gain modelling in building energy simulation codes - experimental setup, test cell characterization, specifications and uncertainty analysis
Empirical validation of building energy simulation codes is an important component in understanding the capacity and limitations of the software. Within the framework of Task 34/Annex 43 of the International Energy Agency (IEA), a series of experiments was performed in an outdoor test cell. The objective of these experiments was to provide a high-quality data set for code developers and modelers to validate their solar gain models for windows with and without shading devices. A description of the necessary specifications for modeling these experiments is provided in this paper, which includes information about the test site location, experimental setup, geometrical and thermophysical cell properties including estimated uncertainties. Computed overall thermal cell properties were confirmed by conducting a steady-state experiment without solar gains. A transient experiment, also without solar gains, and corresponding simulations from four different building energy simulation codes showed that the provided specifications result in accurate thermal cell modeling. A good foundation for the following experiments with solar gains was therefore accomplished
A strategic study of energy efficient and hybrid energy system options for a multi-family building in Korea
This study is to identify performance of energy efficiency measures and to match low-carbon and renewable energy (RE) systems supplies to demands in the context of multi-family residential buildings in Korea. An approach to the evaluation of the hybrid energy systems was investigated, including consideration of heat and power demand profiles, energy system combinations, building design options and strategies for matching supply to demand. The approach is encapsulated within an integrated software environment. Building energy simulation technology was exploited to make virtual energy use data. Low-carbon and RE system modelling techniques were used to predict energy supply profiles. A series of demand/supply matching-based analyses were made to identify the effect of energy efficient demand measures (e.g. roof-top gardens, innovative underfloor heating system) and evaluate the capacity utilisation factor from the hybrid energy systems. On the basis of performance information obtained at the conceptual design stage, the design team can pinpoint the most energy efficient demand/supply combination, and consequently, maximise the impact of hybrid energy systems adoption
The dispersive self-dual Einstein equations and the Toda lattice
The Boyer-Finley equation, or -Toda equation is both a reduction
of the self-dual Einstein equations and the dispersionlesslimit of the
-Toda lattice equation. This suggests that there should be a dispersive
version of the self-dual Einstein equation which both contains the Toda lattice
equation and whose dispersionless limit is the familiar self-dual Einstein
equation. Such a system is studied in this paper. The results are achieved by
using a deformation, based on an associative -product, of the algebra
used in the study of the undeformed, or dispersionless,
equations.Comment: 11 pages, LaTeX. To appear: J. Phys.
Factors influencing communication and decision-making about life-sustaining technology during serious illness: A qualitative study
© 2016, BMJ Publishing Group. All rights reserved. Objectives: We aimed to identify factors influencing communication and decision-making, and to learn how physicians and nurses view their roles in deciding about the use of life-sustaining technology for seriously ill hospitalised patients and their families. Design: The qualitative study used Flanagan\u27s critical incident technique to guide interpretive description of open-ended in-depth individual interviews. Setting: Participants were recruited from the medical wards at 3 Canadian hospitals. Participants: Interviews were completed with 30 healthcare professionals (9 staff physicians, 9 residents and 12 nurses; aged 25-63 years; 73% female) involved in decisions about the care of seriously ill hospitalised patients and their families. Measures: Participants described encounters with patients and families in which communication and decision-making about life-sustaining technology went particularly well and unwell (ie, critical incidents). We further explored their roles, context and challenges. Analysis proceeded using constant comparative methods to form themes independently and with the interprofessional research team. Results: We identified several key factors that influenced communication and decision-making about life-sustaining technology. The overarching factor was how those involved in such communication and decision-making (healthcare providers, patients and families) conceptualised the goals of medical practice. Additional key factors related to how preferences and decision-making were shaped through relationships, particularly how people worked toward \u27making sense of the situation\u27, how physicians and nurses approached the inherent and systemic tensions in achieving consensus with families, and how physicians and nurses conducted professional work within teams. Participants described incidents in which these key factors interacted in dynamic and unpredictable ways to influence decision-making for any particular patient and family. Conclusions: A focus on more meaningful and productive dialogue with patients and families by (and between) each member of the healthcare team may improve decisions about life-sustaining technology. Work is needed to acknowledge and support the non-curative role of healthcare and build capacity for the interprofessional team to engage in effective decision-making discussions
Rational Approximate Symmetries of KdV Equation
We construct one-parameter deformation of the Dorfman Hamiltonian operator
for the Riemann hierarchy using the quasi-Miura transformation from topological
field theory. In this way, one can get the approximately rational symmetries of
KdV equation and then investigate its bi-Hamiltonian structure.Comment: 14 pages, no figure
The algebraic and Hamiltonian structure of the dispersionless Benney and Toda hierarchies
The algebraic and Hamiltonian structures of the multicomponent dispersionless
Benney and Toda hierarchies are studied. This is achieved by using a modified
set of variables for which there is a symmetry between the basic fields. This
symmetry enables formulae normally given implicitly in terms of residues, such
as conserved charges and fluxes, to be calculated explicitly. As a corollary of
these results the equivalence of the Benney and Toda hierarchies is
established. It is further shown that such quantities may be expressed in terms
of generalized hypergeometric functions, the simplest example involving
Legendre polynomials. These results are then extended to systems derived from a
rational Lax function and a logarithmic function. Various reductions are also
studied.Comment: 29 pages, LaTe
Scaling determination of the nonlinear I-V characteristics for 2D superconducting networks
It is shown from computer simulations that the current-voltage (-)
characteristics for the two-dimensional XY model with resistively-shunted
Josephson junction dynamics and Monte Carlo dynamics obeys a finite-size
scaling form from which the nonlinear - exponent can be determined to
good precision. This determination supports the conclusion , where
is the dynamic critical exponent. The results are discussed in the light of the
contrary conclusion reached by Tang and Chen [Phys. Rev. B {\bf 67}, 024508
(2003)] and the possibility of a breakdown of scaling suggested by Bormann
[Phys. Rev. Lett. {\bf 78}, 4324 (1997)].Comment: 6 pages, to appear in PR
Self-Reported Truck Traffic on the Street of Residence and Symptoms of Asthma and Allergic Disease: A Global Relationship in ISAAC Phase 3
BACKGROUND: Associations between traffic pollution on the street of residence and a range of respiratory and allergic outcomes in children have been reported in developed countries, but little is known about such associations in developing countries. METHODS: The third phase of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) was carried out in 13- to 14-year-old and 6- to 7-year-old children across the world. A question about frequency of truck traffic on the street of residence was included in an additional questionnaire. We investigated the association between self-reported truck traffic on the street of residence and symptoms of asthma, rhinoconjunctivitis, and eczema with logistic regression. Adjustments were made for sex, region of the world, language, gross national income, and 10 other subject-specific covariates. RESULTS: Frequency of truck traffic on the street of residence was positively associated with the prevalence of symptoms of asthma, rhinoconjunctivitis, and eczema with an exposure-response relationship. Odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) for "current wheeze" and "almost the whole day" versus "never" truck traffic were 1.35 (1.23-1.49) for 13- to 14-year-olds and 1.35 (1.22-1.48) for 6- to 7-year-olds. CONCLUSIONS: Higher exposure to self-reported truck traffic on the street of residence is associated with increased reports of symptoms of asthma, rhinitis, and eczema in many locations in the world. These findings require further investigation in view of increasing exposure of the world's children to traffic
Information entropy in fragmenting systems
The possibility of facing critical phenomena in nuclear fragmentation is a
topic of great interest. Different observables have been proposed to identify
such a behavior, in particular, some related to the use of information entropy
as a possible signal of critical behavior. In this work we critically examine
some of the most widespread used ones comparing its performance in bond
percolation and in the analysis of fragmenting Lennard Jones Drops.Comment: 3 pages, 3 figure
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