Modeling and spatial visualization of indoor micro-climates for personalized thermal comfort

The indoor thermal environment is conventionally considered homogeneous as anchored on a universal thermal comfort paradigm, although occupants’ experience is often diversified and influenced by several physio-cognitive factors. Personal comfort devices aim to enhance thermal comfort acceptance through localized heating and cooling while reducing overall energy consumption as temperature set-points of centralized HVAC systems can be relaxed. To further incentivize the adoption of distributed HVAC systems, it is critical to examine the energy benefits and the spatial characteristics of heterogeneous thermal environments. Here we developed a parametric framework based on building energy modeling coupled with a spatial visualization of micro-climatic thermal fields, which respond to a variable space occupation. HVAC system loads and indoor environmental conditions, extracted from the energy model, are integrated with an analysis of the human thermal balance. As a case study, a thermoelectric-based system for personalized thermal comfort was considered in an office space, based on a specific layout of workstations and meeting rooms. The contribution of distributed heating and cooling systems to the overall HVAC energy consumption was analyzed for the office, and the micro-climatic variability was visualized based on transient occupation patterns. Understanding the impact of variable occupation for the building energy balance is significant for developing performative metrics for next-generation distributed HVAC systems. At the same time, it can inform novel design strategies based on micro-climatic controls to maximize personalized thermal comfort and enhance the quality of indoor environments

The Cool Japan Project and the Globalization of Anime and Manga in the United States

: This research paper will primarily discuss the impact that Japanese animation and manga have had on American popular culture and the subsequent cult following they developed. It will discuss what distinguishes Japanese animation from Western animation, how Japanese animation initially gained popularity among American audiences, and how it has subsequently impacted American popular culture. This paper will also focus on the subculture of otaku, a group of people known for their devoted following to Japanese animation and comic books. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the relative popularity of Japanese animation and manga amongst American audiences as an example of globalization impacting the United States from another country

Faculty and Guest Artist Recital: Joshua Russell

Kemp Recital HallSeptember 7, 2011Wednesday Evening8:00 p.m

Non-Uniform Assemblage: Mass Customization in Digital Fabrication

This paper focuses on the development of parametric detailing, mass customization in CNC fabrication and its computational and handcrafted realizations in actualized built work. The projects studied are examples of student and faculty applied research work at Columbia University’s Graduate School of Architecture that engage parametric design strategies to integrate digital fabrication processes with manual assembly procedures, including prefabricated components and assemblies. The presented case studies include the design, fabrication and assembly of two full-scale pavilion projects

Discovering the Higgs Bosons of Minimal Supersymmetry with Bottom Quarks

We investigate the prospects for the discovery of a neutral Higgs boson produced with one bottom quark followed by Higgs decay into a pair of bottom quarks at the CERN Large Hadron Collider (LHC) and the Fermilab Tevatron Collider. We work within the framework of the minimal supersymmetric standard model. The dominant physics background is calculated with realistic acceptance cuts and efficiencies including the production of $bb\bar{b}$, $\bar{b}b\bar{b}$, $jb\bar{b}$ ($j = g, q, \bar{q}$; $q = u, d, s, c$), $t\bar{t} \to b\bar{b}jj\ell\nu$, and $t\bar{t} \to b\bar{b}jjjj$. Promising results are found for the CP-odd pseudoscalar ($A^0$) and the heavier CP-even scalar ($H^0$) Higgs bosons with masses up to 800 GeV for the LHC with an integrated luminosity ($L$) of 30 fb$^{-1}$ and up to 1 TeV for $L =$ 300 fb$^{-1}$.Comment: Revised version to appear in Physics Letters

Evaluating a streamlined clinical tool and educational outreach intervention for health care workers in Malawi: the PALM PLUS case study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Nearly 3 million people in resource-poor countries receive antiretrovirals for the treatment of HIV/AIDS, yet millions more require treatment. Key barriers to treatment scale up are shortages of trained health care workers, and challenges integrating HIV/AIDS care with primary care.</p> <p>The research</p> <p>PALM PLUS (Practical Approach to Lung Health and HIV/AIDS in Malawi) is an intervention designed to simplify and integrate existing Malawian national guidelines into a single, simple, user-friendly guideline for mid-level health care workers. Training utilizes a peer-to-peer educational outreach approach. Research is being undertaken to evaluate this intervention to generate evidence that will guide future decision-making for consideration of roll out in Malawi. The research consists of a cluster randomized trial in 30 public health centres in Zomba District that measures the effect of the intervention on staff satisfaction and retention, quality of patient care, and costs through quantitative, qualitative and health economics methods.</p> <p>Results and outcomes</p> <p>In the first phase of qualitative inquiry respondents from intervention sites demonstrated in-depth knowledge of PALM PLUS compared to those from control sites. Participants in intervention sites felt that the PALM PLUS tool empowered them to provide better health services to patients. Interim staff retention data shows that there were, on average, 3 to 4 staff departing from the control and intervention sites per month. Additional qualitative, quantitative and economic analyses are planned.</p> <p>The partnership</p> <p>Dignitas International and the Knowledge Translation Unit at the University of Cape Town Lung Institute have led the adaptation and development of the PALM PLUS intervention, using experience gained through the implementation of the South African precursor, PALSA PLUS. The Malawian partners, REACH Trust and the Research Unit at the Ministry of Health, have led the qualitative and economic evaluations. Dignitas and Ministry of Health have facilitated interaction with implementers and policy-makers.</p> <p>Challenges and successes</p> <p>This initiative is an example of South-South knowledge translation between South Africa and Malawi, mediated by a Canadian academic-NGO hybrid. Our success in developing and rolling out PALM PLUS in Malawi suggests that it is possible to adapt and implement this intervention for use in other resource-limited settings.</p

Chemically recyclable fluorescent polyesters via the ring-opening copolymerization of epoxides and anhydrides

Polymers rarely possess the desired properties for their intended application; additives (plasticizers, flame-retardants, stabilizers, colourants) modify their physical properties to those needed in the final product. Colourants are particularly detrimental to recycling technologies, since they cannot be removed by reprocessing; reprocessed plastic retains color from the original material. We have prepared single-component, coloured polymers by adding chromophore monomers to epoxide-anhydride ring-opening copolymerization reactions; chromophores need only be added at dopant levels to give highly coloured materials with little change in properties from the base polymer. We have depolymerized the polymers to the parent acid/alcohol and have remade colourless polymer from reformed epoxide and anhydride. Our approach paves the way to using dopant-level monomers to access recyclable polymers with dial-a-property tunability

From PALSA PLUS to PALM PLUS: adapting and developing a South African guideline and training intervention to better integrate HIV/AIDS care with primary care in rural health centers in Malawi

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Only about one-third of eligible HIV/AIDS patients receive anti-retroviral treatment (ART). Decentralizing treatment is crucial to wider and more equitable access, but key obstacles are a shortage of trained healthcare workers (HCW) and challenges integrating HIV/AIDS care with other primary care. This report describes the development of a guideline and training program (PALM PLUS) designed to integrate HIV/AIDS care with other primary care in Malawi. PALM PLUS was adapted from PALSA PLUS, developed in South Africa, and targets middle-cadre HCWs (clinical officers, nurses, and medical assistants). We adapted it to align with Malawi's national treatment protocols, more varied healthcare workforce, and weaker health system infrastructure.</p> <p>Methods/Design</p> <p>The international research team included the developers of the PALSA PLUS program, key Malawi-based team members and personnel from national and district level Ministry of Health (MoH), professional associations, and an international non-governmental organization. The PALSA PLUS guideline was extensively revised based on Malawi national disease-specific guidelines. Advice and input was sought from local clinical experts, including middle-cadre personnel, as well as Malawi MoH personnel and representatives of Malawian professional associations.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>An integrated guideline adapted to Malawian protocols for adults with respiratory conditions, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and other primary care conditions was developed. The training program was adapted to Malawi's health system and district-level supervision structure. PALM PLUS is currently being piloted in a cluster-randomized trial in health centers in Malawi (ISRCTN47805230).</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>The PALM PLUS guideline and training intervention targets primary care middle-cadre HCWs with the objective of improving HCW satisfaction and retention, and the quality of patient care. Successful adaptations are feasible, even across health systems as different as those of South Africa and Malawi.</p

An assessment of mental health policy in Ghana, South Africa, Uganda and Zambia

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Approximately half of the countries in the African Region had a mental health policy by 2005, but little is known about quality of mental health policies in Africa and globally. This paper reports the results of an assessment of the mental health policies of Ghana, South Africa, Uganda and Zambia.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The WHO Mental Health Policy Checklist was used to evaluate the most current mental health policy in each country. Assessments were completed and reviewed by a specially constituted national committee as well as an independent WHO team. Results of each country evaluation were discussed until consensus was reached.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>All four policies received a high level mandate. Each policy addressed community-based services, the integration of mental health into general health care, promotion of mental health and rehabilitation. Prevention was addressed in the South African and Ugandan policies only. Use of evidence for policy development varied considerably. Consultations were mainly held with the mental health sector. Only the Zambian policy presented a clear vision, while three of four countries spelt out values and principles, the need to establish a coordinating body for mental health, and to protect the human rights of people with mental health problems. None included all the basic elements of a policy, nor specified sources and levels of funding for implementation. Deinstitutionalisation and the provision of essential psychotropic medicines were insufficiently addressed. Advocacy, empowerment of users and families and intersectoral collaboration were inadequately addressed. Only Uganda sufficiently outlined a mental health information system, research and evaluation, while only Ghana comprehensively addressed human resources and training requirements. No country had an accompanying strategic mental health plan to allow the development and implementation of concrete strategies and activities.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Six gaps which could impact on the policies' effect on countries' mental health systems were: lack of internal consistency of structure and content of policies, superficiality of key international concepts, lack of evidence on which to base policy directions, inadequate political support, poor integration of mental health policies within the overall national policy and legislative framework, and lack of financial specificity. Three strategies to address these concerns emerged, namely strengthening capacity of key stakeholders in public (mental) health and policy development, creation of a culture of inclusive and dynamic policy development, and coordinated action to optimize use of available resources.</p