Passive discomfort index as an alternative to predicted mean vote and predicted percentage of dissatisfied to assess occupant’s thermal discomfort in dwellings

Besides energy poverty, a certain tolerance to discomfort justifies Portugal's low heating energy consumption. Once Portuguese buildings stock, previous to 1990, has a weak energy performance, it is crucial to reflect on how to make renovations with more assertive benefits (besides energy), such as those related to the health and comfort of occupants. Hence, we have studied a single house in the TRNSYS dynamic simulation tool. We performed a sensitivity analysis by simulating the same building in three locations based on Portuguese climatic winter zones: I1 – Santarém, I2 – Santa Maria da Feira, and I3 – Guarda, for two ranges of wall insulation thickness, in free float. Considering Fanger's Predicted Mean Vote (PMV) and Predicted Percentage of Dissatisfied (PPD) as the Passive Discomfort Index IDP, results suggest that lowering 20 mm on the insulation thickness does not substantially impact occupants' discomfort in winter. As the variations between scenarios considering PPD > 15%, PMV < -1, or IDP (Tair < 18 ºC) are very similar, IDP could be an alternative to PMV/PPD for assessing thermal discomfort in dwellings.publishe

Dogovoreni susret – Traženje

Književno prevođenj

Tipologias de funcionamento familiar: Do desenvolvimento identitário à perturbação emocional na adolescência e adultez emergente

The family functioning contributes differently to psychological adjustment, according to the development stages and the tasks that underlie them. Through a quantitative cross-sectional design, and using a sample of 387 participants aged between 15 and 25 years (M=20.06, SD=3.21), this study aimed to: identify the typologies of family functioning, from the cohesion and conflict dimensions; and to analyse the association between the typologies of family functioning, the identity development processes, the developmental stage (adolescence and emerging adulthood) and the emotional distress. Five typologies of family functioning were identified, corresponding to: Cohesive, Disengaged, Balanced, Conflicting and Enmeshed. Taking into account the literature, the participants were divided into groups, according to age (adolescents and emerging adults) and the level of emotional distress (with and without emotional distress). The results show statistically significant associations between the typologies of family functioning, the developmental stage, the processes of identity development and the groups with and without emotional distress. Specifically, the results indicate that emerging adults perceive the functioning of their families as more Cohesive or Enmeshed, compared with the adolescents; and that the group with emotional distress perceived, for the most part, the functioning of their family as Enmeshed. The implications for the practice and the literature in the areas of Developmental Psychopathology and Family Psychology are discussed.O funcionamento familiar contribui diferentemente para ajustamento psicológico, de acordo com as etapas de desenvolvimento e com as tarefas que lhes estão subjacentes. Através de um desenho quantitativo transversal, e com recurso a uma amostra de 387 participantes com idades compreendidas entre os 15 e os 25 anos (M=20.06, DP=3.21), este estudo pretendeu: identificar as tipologias de funcionamento familiar, a partir das dimensões coesão e conflito; e analisar a associação entre as tipologias de funcionamento familiar, os processos de desenvolvimento da identidade, a etapa desenvolvimental (adolescência e adultez emergente) e a perturbação emocional. Foram identificadas cinco tipologias de funcionamento familiar, correspondentes a famílias: Coesas, Desligadas, Equilibradas, Conflituosas e Emaranhadas. Tendo em conta a literatura, os participantes foram divididos em grupos, consoante a idade (adolescentes e adultos emergentes) e o nível de perturbação emocional (com e sem perturbação emocional). Os resultados mostram associações estatisticamente significativas entre as tipologias de funcionamento familiar, a etapa desenvolvimental, os processos de desenvolvimento da identidade e os grupos com e sem perturbação emocional. Especificamente, os resultados indicam que os adultos emergentes percepcionam o funcionamento das suas famílias como mais Coeso ou Emaranhado, em comparação com os adolescentes; e que o grupo com perturbação emocional percepcionou, maioritariamente, o funcionamento da sua família como Emaranhado. São discutidas as implicações para a prática e para a literatura nas áreas da Psicopatologia do Desenvolvimento e Psicologia da Família

Residential building rehabilitation in Porto historic center: case study analysis by using a simulation model

Nowadays, rehabilitation in historic centers can become a challenge due to the restrictions concerning the requirements for the building envelope. Portugal has conducted studies to define the maximum U values [W/(m2 K)] for single building components based on the indoor temperature. Despite the relative humidity being crucial for thermal comfort, the current Portuguese scheme for energy certification of buildings does not consider it. Additionally, it is essential to know that most of the dwellings in Portugal are in a fleet-float regime due to cultural habits and energy poverty. Therefore, increasing the insulation thickness of exterior walls might not have a relevant impact on the indoor temperature. There is even the risk of harming the authenticity of the built heritage. Using a calibrated dynamic simulation model developed with TRNSYS software, we found that, in winter, the effect of external wall insulation on the indoor temperature is tiny. Results suggest that maximum U values [W/(m2 K)] for exterior walls might be over-defined. Further studies of cost-optimal levels should be conducted with calibrated models in a free-float regime to define the maximum U values [W/(m2 K)] of external walls for this type of buildings.publishe

O cuidado de enfermagem na promoção do autocuidado de pacientes com úlceras de perna: uma revisão integrativa

Objetivo: Identificar as evidências sobre o cuidado de enfermagem na promoção do autocuidado de pacientes com úlceras de perna. Método: Trata-se de uma revisão integrativa cujo levantamento bibliográfico foi realizado nas bases de dados: LILACS, MEDLINE, IBECS, CENTRAL, SCIELO e BDENF. Os critérios de inclusão foram: artigos em português, inglês e espanhol na íntegra e on-line, publicados no período de 2010 a 2015. Os critérios de exclusão foram: artigos repetidos em diferentes bases de dados e revisões sistemáticas. Após a análise das publicações na íntegra quanto aos critérios instituídos, apenas 4 estudos atenderam às exigências. Resultado: em geral, os estudos mostraram que o estímulo ao autocuidado trouxe melhoria no desempenho em atividades físicas, sentimentos de esperança, segurança e independência, conhecimento acerca do problema, mudança no estilo de vida, melhoria na qualidade de vida e evolução no processo cicatricial. Conclusão: Foi possível identificar resultados favoráveis à realização do cuidado de enfermagem na promoção do autocuidado de pacientes com úlceras de perna.Objetivo: Identificar la evidencia sobre los cuidados de enfermería en la promoción del autocuidado de los pacientes con úlceras en las piernas. Método: Se trata de una revisión integradora cuya literatura se llevó a cabo en las bases de datos: LILACS, MEDLINE, IBECS, CENTRAL, SciELO y BDENF. Los criterios de inclusión fueron: artículos en Portugués, Inglés y Español en su totalidad y en línea, publicados entre 2010 y 2015. Los criterios de exclusión fueron: artículos repiten en diferentes bases de datos y revisiones sistemáticas. Después de revisar las publicaciones en su totalidad cuanto a los criterios establecidos, sólo cuatro estudios cumplieron con los requisitos. Resultados: En general, los estudios han demostrado que la estimulación de autocuidado trajo un mejor desempeño en las actividades físicas, sentimientos de esperanza, seguridad e independencia, conocimiento sobre el problema, cambio en el estilo de vida, mejora en la calidad de vida y evolución en el proceso de cicatrización. Conclusión: Fue posible identificar resultados conducentes a la realización de los cuidados de enfermería en la promoción del autocuidado de los pacientes con úlceras en las piernas.Objective: To identify the evidence on nursing care in promoting self-care of patients with leg ulcers. Method: This is an integrative literature review whose search was conducted in databases: LILACS, MEDLINE, IBECS, CENTRAL, SCIELO and BDENF. Inclusion criteria were: articles in Portuguese, English and Spanish in its entirety and online, published between 2010 to 2015. Exclusion criteria were: articles repeated in different databases and systematic reviews. After reviewing the publications in full as the established criteria, only four studies met the requirements. Results: In general, studies have shown that stimulus to self-care brought improved performance in physical activities, feelings of hope, security and independence, knowledge about the problem, change in lifestyle, improvement in quality of life and evolution in the healing process. Conclusion: It was possible to identify results conducive to the realization of nursing care in promoting self-care of patients with leg ulcers

Comparative thermoelectric properties of polypropylene composites melt-processed using Pyrograf® III carbon nanofibers

The electrical conductivity (σ) and Seebeck coefficient (S) at temperatures from 40 ◦C to 100 ◦C of melt-processed polypropylene (PP) composites filled with 5 wt.% of industrial-grade carbon nanofibers (CNFs) is investigated. Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) of the two Pyrograf® III CNFs (PR 19 LHT XT and PR 24 LHT XT), used in the fabrication of the PP/CNF composites (PP/CNF 19 and PP/CNF 24), reveals that CNFs PR 24 LHT XT show smaller diameters than CNFs PR 19 LHT XT. In addition, this grade (PR 24 LHT XT) presents higher levels of graphitization as deduced by Raman spectroscopy. Despite these structural differences, both Pyrograf® III grades present similar σ (T) and S (T) dependencies, whereby the S shows negative values (n-type character). However, the σ (T) and S (T) of their derivative PP/CNF19 and PP/CNF24 composites are not analogous. In particular, the PP/CNF24 composite shows higher σ at the same content of CNFs. Thus, with an additionally slightly more negative S value, the PP/CNF24 composites present a higher power factor (PF) and figure of merit (zT) than PP/CNF19 composites at 40 ◦C. Moreover, while the σ (T) and S (T) of CNFs PR 19 LHT XT clearly drive the σ (T) and S (T) of its corresponding PP/CNF19 composite, the S (T) of CNFs PR 24 LHT XT does not drive the S (T) observed in their corresponding PP/CNF24 composite. Thus, it is inferred in PP/CNF24 composites an unexpected electron donation (n-type doping) from the PP to the CNFs PR 24 LHT XT, which could be activated when PP/CNF24 composites are subjected to that increase in temperature from 40 ◦C to 100 ◦C. All these findings are supported by theoretical modeling of σ (T) and S (T) with the ultimate aim of understanding the role of this particular type of commercial CNFs on the thermoelectrical properties of their PP/CNF composites.A.J.P. gratefully acknowledges support from FCT-Foundation for Science and Technology by the project UID/CTM/00264/2021 of 2C2T under the COMPETE and FCT/MCTES (PIDDAC) co-financed by FEDER through the PT2020 program and “plurianual” 2020–2023 Project UIDB/00264/2020. C.J.T. acknowledges the funding from FCT/PIDDAC through the Strategic Funds project reference UIDB/04650/2020-2023. E.M. acknowledges support from Project ANID PIA Anillo ACT/192023

A pan-European epidemiological study reveals honey bee colony survival depends on beekeeper education and disease control

Reports of honey bee population decline has spurred many national efforts to understand the extent of the problem and to identify causative or associated factors. However, our collective understanding of the factors has been hampered by a lack of joined up trans-national effort. Moreover, the impacts of beekeeper knowledge and beekeeping management practices have often been overlooked, despite honey bees being a managed pollinator. Here, we established a standardised active monitoring network for 5 798 apiaries over two consecutive years to quantify honey bee colony mortality across 17 European countries. Our data demonstrate that overwinter losses ranged between 2% and 32%, and that high summer losses were likely to follow high winter losses. Multivariate Poisson regression models revealed that hobbyist beekeepers with small apiaries and little experience in beekeeping had double the winter mortality rate when compared to professional beekeepers. Furthermore, honey bees kept by professional beekeepers never showed signs of disease, unlike apiaries from hobbyist beekeepers that had symptoms of bacterial infection and heavy Varroa infestation. Our data highlight beekeeper background and apicultural practices as major drivers of honey bee colony losses. The benefits of conducting trans-national monitoring schemes and improving beekeeper training are discussed

Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

Funder: European Society of Intensive Care Medicine; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100013347Funder: Flemish Society for Critical Care NursesAbstract: Purpose: Intensive care unit (ICU) patients are particularly susceptible to developing pressure injuries. Epidemiologic data is however unavailable. We aimed to provide an international picture of the extent of pressure injuries and factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries in adult ICU patients. Methods: International 1-day point-prevalence study; follow-up for outcome assessment until hospital discharge (maximum 12 weeks). Factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injury and hospital mortality were assessed by generalised linear mixed-effects regression analysis. Results: Data from 13,254 patients in 1117 ICUs (90 countries) revealed 6747 pressure injuries; 3997 (59.2%) were ICU-acquired. Overall prevalence was 26.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 25.9–27.3). ICU-acquired prevalence was 16.2% (95% CI 15.6–16.8). Sacrum (37%) and heels (19.5%) were most affected. Factors independently associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries were older age, male sex, being underweight, emergency surgery, higher Simplified Acute Physiology Score II, Braden score 3 days, comorbidities (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, immunodeficiency), organ support (renal replacement, mechanical ventilation on ICU admission), and being in a low or lower-middle income-economy. Gradually increasing associations with mortality were identified for increasing severity of pressure injury: stage I (odds ratio [OR] 1.5; 95% CI 1.2–1.8), stage II (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.4–1.9), and stage III or worse (OR 2.8; 95% CI 2.3–3.3). Conclusion: Pressure injuries are common in adult ICU patients. ICU-acquired pressure injuries are associated with mainly intrinsic factors and mortality. Optimal care standards, increased awareness, appropriate resource allocation, and further research into optimal prevention are pivotal to tackle this important patient safety threat

Correction to: Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

The original version of this article unfortunately contained a mistake

Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

Funder: European Society of Intensive Care Medicine; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100013347Funder: Flemish Society for Critical Care NursesAbstract: Purpose: Intensive care unit (ICU) patients are particularly susceptible to developing pressure injuries. Epidemiologic data is however unavailable. We aimed to provide an international picture of the extent of pressure injuries and factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries in adult ICU patients. Methods: International 1-day point-prevalence study; follow-up for outcome assessment until hospital discharge (maximum 12 weeks). Factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injury and hospital mortality were assessed by generalised linear mixed-effects regression analysis. Results: Data from 13,254 patients in 1117 ICUs (90 countries) revealed 6747 pressure injuries; 3997 (59.2%) were ICU-acquired. Overall prevalence was 26.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 25.9–27.3). ICU-acquired prevalence was 16.2% (95% CI 15.6–16.8). Sacrum (37%) and heels (19.5%) were most affected. Factors independently associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries were older age, male sex, being underweight, emergency surgery, higher Simplified Acute Physiology Score II, Braden score 3 days, comorbidities (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, immunodeficiency), organ support (renal replacement, mechanical ventilation on ICU admission), and being in a low or lower-middle income-economy. Gradually increasing associations with mortality were identified for increasing severity of pressure injury: stage I (odds ratio [OR] 1.5; 95% CI 1.2–1.8), stage II (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.4–1.9), and stage III or worse (OR 2.8; 95% CI 2.3–3.3). Conclusion: Pressure injuries are common in adult ICU patients. ICU-acquired pressure injuries are associated with mainly intrinsic factors and mortality. Optimal care standards, increased awareness, appropriate resource allocation, and further research into optimal prevention are pivotal to tackle this important patient safety threat