814 research outputs found
A holistic analysis method to assess the controllability of commercial buildings and their systems
This paper describes a novel design process for advanced MIMO (multiple inputs and multiple outputs) control system design and simulation for buildings. The paper describes the knowledge transfer from high technology disciplines such as aerospace flight control systems and the space industry to establish a three-step modelling and design process. In step 1, simplified, but holistic nonlinear and linearised dynamic models of the building and its systems is derived. This model is used to analyse the controllability of the building. In step 2, further synthesis of this model leads to the correct topology of the control system design. This is proved through the use of simulation using the simple building model. In step 3, the controller design is proved using a fully detailed building simulation such as ESP-r that acts as a type of virtual prototype of the building. The conclusions show that this design approach can help in the design of superior and more complex control systems especially for buildings designed with a Climate Adaptive Building (CAB) philosophy where many control inputs and outputs are used to control the building's temperature, concentration of CO2, humidity and lighting levels
Effectiveness of Pulmonary Rehabilitation in Patients with COPD
Background: Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is beneficial for patients with COPD, with improvement in exercise capacity and health-related quality of life. Despite these overall benefits, the responses to PR vary significantly among different individuals. It is not clear if PR is beneficial for patients with COPD and normal exercise capacity. Although it is believed that longer pulmonary rehabilitation programs can provide better results, most of the evidence comes from short-term programs.
Objective: The objective of this analysis was to determine the effectiveness of respiratory services provided in the hospital or community by respiratory therapists (RTs) in reducing health care utilization and improving patient outcomes. The aim was to evaluate the outcomes of a comprehensive pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Methodology: All 65 Pakistani patients who met the inclusion criteria with ages between 40 to 65 years, including both male and female, with mild to severe COPD were enrolled in the study on the basis of convenient sampling. Informed consent was taken from each patient starting about the study and their rights to withdraw from study. A demographics detail (name, age, sex) was noted along with the necessary medical history. A questionnaire was made to see the effects of pulmonary rehabilitation in patients with COPD. All necessary tests were performed to evaluate the patient betterment completely.
Results: The mean FEV1 in the subjects was 1.29 ± 0.47 L/min, 64.8 ± 23.0% of predicted. Clinically there is a little effect on CXR pattern, FEV1 and FEV1/FVC after pulmonary rehabilitation. But overall quality of life improved after pulmonary rehabilitation. Mainly improvement occurs in peak expiratory flow rate, BORG dyspnea scale, 6 mint walk test distance (meters) and Oxygen saturation after rehabilitation.
Conclusion: These results showed that patients with COPD had benefited from a comprehensive PR program in an out-patient setting regardless of disease severity. Exercise training can result in significant improvement in health-related quality of life, exercise capacity, respiratory muscle strength, and exertional dyspnea in subjects with COPD and normal exercise capacity
Compression properties of polymeric syntactic foam composites under cyclic loading
Syntactic foams are composite materials frequently used in applications
requiring the properties of low density and high damage tolerance. In the
present work, polymer-based syntactic foams were studied under cyclic
compression in order to investigate their compressibility, recoverability,
energy dissipation and damage tolerance. These syntactic foams were
manufactured by adding hollow polymer microspheres of various sizes and wall
thicknesses into a polyurethane matrix. The associated loading and unloading
curves during cyclic testing were recorded, revealing the viscoelastic nature
of the materials. SEM images of the samples were obtained in order to study
potential damage mechanisms during compression. It was observed that these
syntactic foams exhibit high elastic recovery and energy dissipation over a
wide range of compressional strains and the addition of polymer microspheres
mitigate the damage under compressional loading.Comment: 25 pages, 13 figure
Waterlogging and salinity management in the Sindh Province. Volume 1 - The irrigated landscape: resource availability across the hydrological divides
Irrigation management / River basins / Irrigated farming / Climate / Irrigation systems / Irrigation canals / Discharges / Water balance / Waterlogging / Salinity / Groundwater development / Tube wells / Water table / Drainage / Public sector / Land reclamation / Pakistan / Sindh Province / Indus Basin / Rohri / Larkana / Shikarpur / Hairdin / North Dadu / Ghotki / East Khairpur / Sukkur Barrage
Supernova remnants and gamma-ray sources
A review of the possible relationship between gamma-ray sources and supernova
remnants (SNRs) is presented. Particular emphasis is given to the analysis of
the observational status of the problem of cosmic ray acceleration at SNR shock
fronts. All positional coincidences between SNRs and unidentified gamma-ray
sources listed in the Third EGRET Catalog at low Galactic latitudes are
discussed on a case by case basis. For several coincidences of particular
interest, new CO(J=1-0) and radio continuum maps are shown, and the mass
content of the SNR surroundings is determined. The contribution to the
gamma-ray flux observed that might come from cosmic ray particles (particularly
nuclei) locally accelerated at the SNR shock fronts is evaluated. We discuss
the prospects for future research in this field and remark on the possibilities
for observations with forthcoming gamma-ray instruments.Comment: Final version of a review article, to appear in the Physics Reports
(82 pages, 31 figures). Figures requiring high quality are just too large and
too many to be included here. Please download them from
http://www.angelfire.com/id/dtorres/down3.htm
PREVALENCE AND ANTHELMINTIC EFFICACY OF ABAMECTIN AGAINST GASTROINTESTINAL PARASITES IN HORSES
The prevalence and anthelmintic efficacy of Abamectin against gastrointestinal parasites under field conditions in Faisalabad (Punjab, Pakistan) was studied in 100 horses. The overall prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites was 75%, including Strongylus spp. (50%), Oxyuris equi (12%), Parascaris equorum (8%) and mixed infection (5%). Among these naturally infected animals, 15 were selected. These horses were assigned to three groups on the basis of prevalent species of gastrointestinal parasites. Each group had five animals, comprising four treatment horses and a control horse. Abamectin was evaluated against these gastrointestinal parasites with a single shot at the dose rate of 0.2 mg/kg body weight administered through subcutaneous route which resulted in 98% reduction in faecal egg count after day 14 post-treatment. Non-treated horses remained positive for gastrointestinal parasites. No adverse reactions were observed during the experimental period. It was concluded that Abamectin is highly effective against gastrointestinal parasites in horses
Management and Complications of Arnold Chiari Hydrocephalus at Tertiary Health Care Center
Objective: to investigate the role of CT and MRI in diagnosis of Arnold chiari malformation of hydrocephalus and its treatment with VP shunt along with complications.
Study Design: Prospective study
Place and duration: Department of Neurosurgery, DG Khan Medical College from May 4, 2018 to May 4, 2019.
Methodology: Fifty patients of congenital hydrocephalus who were not treated previously were selected. Detailed history about disease and clinical examination of patients was performed. Follow ups were done at neurosurgery OPD. SPSS software for data analysis was used and mean ± SD, frequency and percentages were calculated for variables. P value ≤0.05 was considered as significant.
Results: Treatment in case of congenital hydrocephalus as VP shunt, intra-aneurysmal coiling, excision of meningomyelocele with VP shunt and suboccipital craniectomy + upper cervical laminectomy (scucl) were observed as 10%, 6%, 8% and 8% respectively. Twelve percent of patients were not treated.
Conclusion: CT and MRI are the main diagnostic tools for diagnosis of Arnold chiari malformation and VP shunt is the treatment of choice. Among complications of VP shunt infection of shunt and shunt block are the main complications
A randomised controlled trial of a brief cognitive behavioural intervention for men who have hot flushes following prostate cancer treatment (MANCAN)
OBJECTIVE: Hot flushes and night sweats (HFNS) are experienced by up to 80% of prostate cancer patients undergoing androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). This study evaluates the effects of a guided self-help cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) intervention on HFNS problem-rating (primary outcome), HFNS frequency, mood and health-related quality of life (secondary outcomes) in patients undergoing ADT. METHODS: Patients reporting treatment-induced HFNS were randomly assigned to CBT (n = 33) or treatment as usual (TAU) (n = 35), stratified for cancer type. The CBT intervention included a booklet, CD plus telephone contact during a 4-week period. Validated self-report questionnaires were completed at baseline, 6 weeks and 32 weeks after randomisation. The primary outcome was HFNS problem rating (perceived burden of HFNS) at 6 weeks after randomisation. Potential moderators and mediators were examined. Data analysis was conducted on a modified intention-to-treat basis. RESULTS: Compared with TAU, CBT significantly reduced HFNS problem rating (adjusted mean difference: -1.33, 95% CI -2.07 to -0.58; p = 0.001) and HFNS frequency (-12.12, 95% CI -22.39 to -1.84; p = 0.02) at 6 weeks. Improvements were maintained at 32 weeks, but group differences did not reach significance. There were significant reductions in negative HFNS Beliefs and Behaviours following CBT, but not in mood or quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: Guided self-help CBT appears to be a safe and effective brief treatment for men who have problematic HFNS following prostate cancer treatments. Further research might test the efficacy of the intervention in a multicentre trial
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