35 research outputs found
Post occupancy evaluation in architecture: experiences and perspectives from UK practice
The importance of post-occupancy evaluation (POE) is widely acknowledged in the academic literature, industry press and, increasingly, by the professional institutes. Learning from previous projects in a systematic way is central to improving building performance, resulting in a built environment that better-fits the needs of clients, end users, wider society and the environment. The key role of architects in pushing forward this agenda has been recognised, however evidence suggests that take-up of POE is low across the profession. Whilst a great deal of research has investigated barriers to POE across the construction industry, very little has considered the unique perspective of architects. Drawing on in-depth interviews with UK-based architects, this paper explores their experiences in relation to POE and their perspectives on its potential as a standard part of architectural practice. The findings indicate that a considerable amount of practical work is being undertaken, but uncertainty over what constitutes POE means it is often excluded from the POE label with significant implications for a rigorous and joined-up evidence base. The paper also identifies an appetite for more holistic evaluation measures that move beyond current preoccupation with energy efficiency and consider building performance, and thereby sustainability, in a wider value framework
Pulsars and Their Nebulae as EGRET Sources
At the end of the EGRET mission, only 6-8 Galactic sources had been
identified as young pulsars. Since then, several energetic pulsars have been
discovered in EGRET error boxes along the Galactic plane, as well as several
pulsar wind nebulae from which pulsations have not yet been discovered. Some of
these nebulae are associated with moderately variable EGRET sources, suggesting
that the gamma-ray emission might be coming from the nebula rather than from
the pulsar magnetosphere. There is also a population of unidentified EGRET
sources at mid-Galactic latitudes which have been proposed to be either nearby
middle-aged pulsars or millisecond pulsars. I review the current status of
observational studies of pulsars associated with EGRET sources and what they
suggest the upcoming AGILE and GLAST gamma-ray missions might observe.Comment: 11 pages, proceedings of talk given at "Young Neutron Stars and
Supernova Remnants" session of 35th COSPAR meeting held in Paris, France. To
appear in Advances in Space Researc
Three long period transiting giant planets from TESS
We report the discovery and orbital characterization of three new transiting
warm giant planets. These systems were initially identified as presenting
single transit events in the light curves generated from the full frame images
of the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS). Follow-up radial velocity
measurements and additional light curves were used to determine the orbital
periods and confirm the planetary nature of the candidates. The planets orbit
slightly metal-rich late F- and early G-type stars. We find that TOI 4406b has
a mass of = 0.30 0.04 , a radius of = 1.00 0.02
, and a low eccentricity orbit (e=0.15 0.05) with a period of P=
30.08364 0.00005 d . TOI 2338b has a mass of = 5.98 0.20
, a radius of = 1.00 0.01 , and a highly eccentric orbit (e=
0.676 0.002 ) with a period of P= 22.65398 0.00002 d . Finally, TOI
2589b has a mass of = 3.50 0.10 , a radius of = 1.08
0.03 , and an eccentric orbit (e = 0.522 0.006 ) with a
period of P= 61.6277 0.0002 d . TOI 4406b and TOI 2338b are enriched in
metals compared to their host stars, while the structure of TOI 2589b is
consistent with having similar metal enrichment to its host star.Comment: 24 pages, 16 figures, accepted in A
Gene expression analysis of cell death induction by Taurolidine in different malignant cell lines
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The anti-infective agent Taurolidine (TRD) has been shown to have cell death inducing properties, but the mechanism of its action is largely unknown. The aim of this study was to identify potential common target genes modulated at the transcriptional level following TRD treatment in tumour cell lines originating from different cancer types.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Five different malignant cell lines (HT29, Chang Liver, HT1080, AsPC-1 and BxPC-3) were incubated with TRD (100 ÎĽM, 250 ÎĽM and 1000 ÎĽM). Proliferation after 8 h and cell viability after 24 h were analyzed by BrdU assay and FACS analysis, respectively. Gene expression analyses were carried out using the <it>Agilent </it>-microarray platform to indentify genes which displayed conjoint regulation following the addition of TRD in all cell lines. Candidate genes were subjected to <it>Ingenuity Pathways Analysis </it>and selected genes were validated by qRT-PCR and Western Blot.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>TRD 250 ÎĽM caused a significant inhibition of proliferation as well as apoptotic cell death in all cell lines. Among cell death associated genes with the strongest regulation in gene expression, we identified pro-apoptotic transcription factors (EGR1, ATF3) as well as genes involved in the ER stress response (PPP1R15A), in ubiquitination (TRAF6) and mitochondrial apoptotic pathways (PMAIP1).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>This is the first conjoint analysis of potential target genes of TRD which was performed simultaneously in different malignant cell lines. The results indicate that TRD might be involved in different signal transduction pathways leading to apoptosis.</p