The influence of a polyvinyl chloride（PVC）-panel on the cooling load of a residential apartment in Mashad,Iran,is analyzed by the DeST-h software.And the summer natural ventilation of the residential apartment is in...The influence of a polyvinyl chloride（PVC）-panel on the cooling load of a residential apartment in Mashad,Iran,is analyzed by the DeST-h software.And the summer natural ventilation of the residential apartment is investigated to determine the wind speed into the apartment through the computational fluid dynamics software.The evaluation results of the indoor wind velocity show that most parts of the apartment are comfortable.The cooling load of the penthouse can be decreased about 10.5% or 6.5% when an air layer exists or does not exist between the ceiling and the PVC-panel,respectively,indicating that the existence of the air layer can decrease the cooling load.However,the effect of the increase in the air layer＇s thickness on the decrease in the cooling load is obvious.Adding a thin layer of air between the ceiling and the PVC-panel is a good step toward sustainable buildings.展开更多
Recently introduced in the treatment algorithms and guidelines for the treatment of ulcerative colitis,biological therapy is an effective treatment option for patients with an acute severe flare not responsive to conv...Recently introduced in the treatment algorithms and guidelines for the treatment of ulcerative colitis,biological therapy is an effective treatment option for patients with an acute severe flare not responsive to conventional treatments and for patients with steroid dependent disease.The reduction in hospitalization and surgical intervention for patients affected by ulcerative colitis after the introduction of biologic treatment remains to be proven.Furthermore,these agents seem to be associated with increase in cost of treatment and risk for serious postoperative complications.Restorative proctocolectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis is the surgical treatment of choice in ulcerative colitis patients.Surgery is traditionally recommended as salvage therapy when medical management fails,and,despite advances in medical therapy,colectomy rates remain unchanged between 20% and 30%.To overcome the reported increase in postoperative complications in patients on biologic therapies,several surgical strategies have been developed to maintain long-term pouch failure rate around 10%,as previously reported.Surgical staging along with the development of minimally invasive surgery are among the most promising advances in this field.展开更多
AIM: To compare thromboembolism rates between hospitalized patients with a diagnosis of ulcerative colitis and other hospitalized patients at high risk for thromboembolism. To compare thromboembolism rates between pat...AIM: To compare thromboembolism rates between hospitalized patients with a diagnosis of ulcerative colitis and other hospitalized patients at high risk for thromboembolism. To compare thromboembolism rates between patients with ulcerative colitis undergoing a colorectal operation and other patients undergoing colorectal operations. METHODS: Data from the National Hospital Discharge Survey was used to compare thromboembolism rates between (1) hospitalized patients with a discharge diagnosis of ulcerative colitis and those with diverticulitis or acute respiratory failure, and (2) hospitalized patients with a discharge diagnosis of ulcerative colitis who underwent colectomy and those with diverticulitis or colorectal cancer who underwent colorectal operations. RESULTS: Patients diagnosed with ulcerative colitis had similar or higher rates of combined venous thromboembolism (2.03%) than their counterparts with diverticulitis (0.76%) or respiratory failure (1.99%), despite the overall greater prevalence of thromboembolic risk factors in the latter groups. Discharged patients with colitis that were treated surgically did not have signifi cantly different rates of venous or arterial thromboembolism than those with surgery for diverticulitis or colorectal cancer.CONCLUSION: Patients with ulcerative colitis who do not undergo an operation during their hospitalization have similar or higher rates of thromboembolism than other medical patients who are considered to be high risk for thromboembolism.展开更多
AIM:To evaluate the incidence of contrast-induced nephropathy(CIN)in cirrhotic patients and to identify risk factors for the development of CIN.METHODS:We performed a retrospective review of 216 consecutive patients w...AIM:To evaluate the incidence of contrast-induced nephropathy(CIN)in cirrhotic patients and to identify risk factors for the development of CIN.METHODS:We performed a retrospective review of 216 consecutive patients with cirrhosis who underwent computed tomography(CT)with intravenous contrast at the University of Rochester between the years 2000-2005.We retrospectively examined factors associated with a high risk for CIN,defined as a decrease in creatinine clearance of 25%or greater within one week after receiving contrast.RESULTS:Twenty-five percent of our patients developed CIN,and 74%of these patients had ascites seen on CT.Of the 75%of patients who did not develop CIN,only 46%had ascites.The presence of ascites was a significant risk factor for the development of CIN(P=0.0009,OR 3.38,95%CI 1.55-7.34)in multivariate analysis.Patient age,serum sodium,Model for End-stage Liver Disease score,diuretic use,and the presence of diabetes were not found to be significant risk factors for the development of CIN.Of the patients who developed CIN,11%developed chronic renal insufficiency,defined as a creatinine clearance less than baseline for 6 wk.CONCLUSION:Our results suggest that in hospitalized cirrhotic patients,especially those with ascites,the risk of CIN is substantial.展开更多
This article examines integration vs. segregation of Arabs in Israel＇s social sphere. Most geo-spatial studies regarding inter-ethnic relations are single dimensional, focusing on residential segregation assuming its...This article examines integration vs. segregation of Arabs in Israel＇s social sphere. Most geo-spatial studies regarding inter-ethnic relations are single dimensional, focusing on residential segregation assuming its association to the social domain. We argue that in the globalizing world daily activity spaces, social networks and influences on everyday life conditions are rooted in growing horizons around residential location weakening the power of residential location to dictate life conditions. Hence we suggest employing a multi-dimensional approach. Specifically, we explore the associations among residential spaces （relating to Arab residents of： purely Arab localities; mixed-Jewish-Arab cities, and Jewish cities）; main activity spaces （commuters to Jewish areas and localists--people staying mostly in the Arab localities） and social integration （social networks; repertoire of identities; attitudes toward integration and knowledge of Hebrew）. The data incorporate tracking the movements of 177 responders for a week （using a GPS logger） and in-depth interviews, which were analyzed quantitatively. Core findings suggest that both residential place and activity spaces affect social integration, however, the locality type has a greater affect. In addition, we identified four integration sorts according to kinds of municipality, activity spaces, and integration measures： （1） segregated localists living in Arab municipalities; （2） commuters living in Arab localities characterized by limited integration; （3） Arabs residing in Jewish cities that succeeded economically but are characterized by limited social integration, and （4） those living in mixed cities which enjoy the highest, yet limited integration level.展开更多
The expansion of social housing in Brazil is solving the great demand among low-income populations, ltowever, these projects are not considering climatic factors and thermal comfort strategies. There is a standardizat...The expansion of social housing in Brazil is solving the great demand among low-income populations, ltowever, these projects are not considering climatic factors and thermal comfort strategies. There is a standardization of architectural projects, which leads to the user discomfort. Bioclimatic solutions that improve the thermal performance of buildings should be valued in the projects of buildings. This paper presents a comparative study noticing the thermal comfort provided by a earth tube ventilation system with a natural ventilation system based in the opening of the windows. In this study, three Brazilian bioclimatic zones defined by NBR （Brazilian Standard） 15220 （2005）, Zone 1 （Curitiba）, 2 （Camaqu~,） and 7 （Cuiabfi）, were considered. To make this comparison, computer simulation was used to observe the thermal confort conditions in RTQ-R （Quality Technical Standard for Energy Efficiency Level in Residential Buildings） （2010）, with the help of Energy Plus software and Schektch Up with the plug in Open Studio for modeling the residence. After the energy modeling, the results were analyzed with the Analisys Bio software in order to obtain the percentage of hours of comfort for the year （8,760 h）. The conclusion is drawn that the natural ventilation strategy with the opening and closing of the windows is more efficient in Bioclimatic Zone 1. For the Bioclimatic Zone 2, the earth tubes should be used only in the summer and, in Bioclimatic Zone 7, earth tubes are efficient throughout the year because of the high temperatures in the exterior environment.展开更多
Objective To summarize clinical characteristics and treatment strategy of Chinese elderly mitral regurgitation （MR） inpatients under the current guidelines, and to identify factors related to treatment options in th...Objective To summarize clinical characteristics and treatment strategy of Chinese elderly mitral regurgitation （MR） inpatients under the current guidelines, and to identify factors related to treatment options in them. Methods A single center retrospective study was conducted in which patients hospitalized in Fuwai hospital from May ist of 2014 to April 30 of 2015 with moderate to severe MR assessed by transthoraeic echocardiography were enrolled consecutively （n = 1741）. Patients 〉 60 years old were grouped as elderly group （n = 680） and patients 〈 60 years were grouped as control group （n = 1061）. The elderly group was categorized into two subgroups based on surgical status. Results The mean age of the elderly group was 66.98 i 5.94 years. The most common reason of MR in elderly group was degenerative MR （41.18%）. Atherosclerotic risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes or hyperlipidaemia were more commonly observed in elderly group than the control group （45.44% vs. 25.17%, P 〈 0.001; 19.56% vs. 8.48%, P 〈 0.001; 35.29% vs. 19.51%, P 〈 0.001）. Elderly group had higher Enroscore Ⅱ score （5.54 ± 2.42 vs. 3.15 ± 1.66）, greater left ventricular end diastolic diameter （LVEDD） （57.72±12.3 vs. 57.33 ± 10.19 ram） and a lower surgery rate （54.71% vs. 63.91%）; P 〈 0.05. Age, left ventricular ejection fraction （LVEF）, regurgitation grade, Eu- roScore-Ⅱ high risk stratification and having diabetes were identified as factors associated with therapy decisions in elderly MR patients. Conclusions Valve surgery was denied in 45.29% of elderly MR inpatients. Older age, impaired LVEF, lower regurgitation grade, Euro- Score-Ⅱ high risk stratification, and having diabetes were factors most significantly associated with surgery denial among elderly Chinese inpatients with MR.展开更多
Indoor CO2 concentration depends on the number of persons, their metabolic rates, other sources of indoor pollution, ventilation rate and ventilation efficiency. These factors are not considered by the Spanish technic...Indoor CO2 concentration depends on the number of persons, their metabolic rates, other sources of indoor pollution, ventilation rate and ventilation efficiency. These factors are not considered by the Spanish technical building code since ventilation is set only by a fixed air change rate. This paper aims to explore the possibilities of DCVS （demand controlled ventilation systems） to ensure adequate and sustainable ventilation. It is based on a research project carried out by the University of the Basque Country （EHU-UPV） and Euskadi Public Housing and Soil Join-Stock Company （VISESA）： the living rooms of 90 dwellings were provided with DCVS, where CO2 sensors were used to dynamically control the ventilation rate. Tests were carried out using tracer gas techniques, with results showing the air age to be adequate at every point of the occupied zones and free of stagnant areas, therefore proving the system＇s effectiveness and rapid response, and its energy savings.展开更多
Recently, the number of system interconnection of the renewable energy such as PV （photovoltaic） generation system and wind power generation system has been increasing drastically. A distribution system with the dis...Recently, the number of system interconnection of the renewable energy such as PV （photovoltaic） generation system and wind power generation system has been increasing drastically. A distribution system with the distributed generation must be operated keeping reliability of power supply and power quality. When high-capacity PV systems are interconnected to the distribution system, the system voltages may be deviated from the upper limit or lower limit of proper voltage in the distribution system. In this study, the authors propose a cooperative voltage control method of the distribution system by the power factor control of plural residential PV systems. In order to verify the validity of the proposal method, the numerical calculations are carried out by using an analytical model of distribution system which interconnected residential PV systems.展开更多
The installation of wind power generators on buildings located in areas with regular winds may be a suitable investment in a renewable power source. Brazil has a high eolic potential, where the annual mean wind speed ...The installation of wind power generators on buildings located in areas with regular winds may be a suitable investment in a renewable power source. Brazil has a high eolic potential, where the annual mean wind speed may reach over eight meters per second. This case study is aimed to assess the economic feasibility of the installation of small wind power plants in urban areas. This work evaluates a project for the installation of a vertical axis wind turbine in three buildings （15-, 22-, and 26-story） including the following stages： （1） installation of a real-time power meter in the 15-store unit; （2） demand analysis of the 26-store building＇s power consumption; （3） winds survey along the coast of the State of Ceara; （4） analysis of the wind turbines available in the market; （5） simulation aimed to choose the system. Vertical wind power generators offer better conditions of use in urban areas. The turnover time was established to be between four and six years in the three studied units. The installation of a wind power generator on buildings in regions with an adequate eolic regimen reaches a financial return of the investment before the end of the equipment＇s lifespan.展开更多
基金The Programme of Introducing Talents of Discipline to Universities(No.111-2-13)the Project of the State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Building Science of South China University of Technology(No.200833)
文摘The influence of a polyvinyl chloride（PVC）-panel on the cooling load of a residential apartment in Mashad,Iran,is analyzed by the DeST-h software.And the summer natural ventilation of the residential apartment is investigated to determine the wind speed into the apartment through the computational fluid dynamics software.The evaluation results of the indoor wind velocity show that most parts of the apartment are comfortable.The cooling load of the penthouse can be decreased about 10.5% or 6.5% when an air layer exists or does not exist between the ceiling and the PVC-panel,respectively,indicating that the existence of the air layer can decrease the cooling load.However,the effect of the increase in the air layer＇s thickness on the decrease in the cooling load is obvious.Adding a thin layer of air between the ceiling and the PVC-panel is a good step toward sustainable buildings.
文摘Recently introduced in the treatment algorithms and guidelines for the treatment of ulcerative colitis,biological therapy is an effective treatment option for patients with an acute severe flare not responsive to conventional treatments and for patients with steroid dependent disease.The reduction in hospitalization and surgical intervention for patients affected by ulcerative colitis after the introduction of biologic treatment remains to be proven.Furthermore,these agents seem to be associated with increase in cost of treatment and risk for serious postoperative complications.Restorative proctocolectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis is the surgical treatment of choice in ulcerative colitis patients.Surgery is traditionally recommended as salvage therapy when medical management fails,and,despite advances in medical therapy,colectomy rates remain unchanged between 20% and 30%.To overcome the reported increase in postoperative complications in patients on biologic therapies,several surgical strategies have been developed to maintain long-term pouch failure rate around 10%,as previously reported.Surgical staging along with the development of minimally invasive surgery are among the most promising advances in this field.
文摘AIM: To compare thromboembolism rates between hospitalized patients with a diagnosis of ulcerative colitis and other hospitalized patients at high risk for thromboembolism. To compare thromboembolism rates between patients with ulcerative colitis undergoing a colorectal operation and other patients undergoing colorectal operations. METHODS: Data from the National Hospital Discharge Survey was used to compare thromboembolism rates between (1) hospitalized patients with a discharge diagnosis of ulcerative colitis and those with diverticulitis or acute respiratory failure, and (2) hospitalized patients with a discharge diagnosis of ulcerative colitis who underwent colectomy and those with diverticulitis or colorectal cancer who underwent colorectal operations. RESULTS: Patients diagnosed with ulcerative colitis had similar or higher rates of combined venous thromboembolism (2.03%) than their counterparts with diverticulitis (0.76%) or respiratory failure (1.99%), despite the overall greater prevalence of thromboembolic risk factors in the latter groups. Discharged patients with colitis that were treated surgically did not have signifi cantly different rates of venous or arterial thromboembolism than those with surgery for diverticulitis or colorectal cancer.CONCLUSION: Patients with ulcerative colitis who do not undergo an operation during their hospitalization have similar or higher rates of thromboembolism than other medical patients who are considered to be high risk for thromboembolism.
文摘AIM:To evaluate the incidence of contrast-induced nephropathy(CIN)in cirrhotic patients and to identify risk factors for the development of CIN.METHODS:We performed a retrospective review of 216 consecutive patients with cirrhosis who underwent computed tomography(CT)with intravenous contrast at the University of Rochester between the years 2000-2005.We retrospectively examined factors associated with a high risk for CIN,defined as a decrease in creatinine clearance of 25%or greater within one week after receiving contrast.RESULTS:Twenty-five percent of our patients developed CIN,and 74%of these patients had ascites seen on CT.Of the 75%of patients who did not develop CIN,only 46%had ascites.The presence of ascites was a significant risk factor for the development of CIN(P=0.0009,OR 3.38,95%CI 1.55-7.34)in multivariate analysis.Patient age,serum sodium,Model for End-stage Liver Disease score,diuretic use,and the presence of diabetes were not found to be significant risk factors for the development of CIN.Of the patients who developed CIN,11%developed chronic renal insufficiency,defined as a creatinine clearance less than baseline for 6 wk.CONCLUSION:Our results suggest that in hospitalized cirrhotic patients,especially those with ascites,the risk of CIN is substantial.
基金Acknowledgments The authors thank the ISF-Israeli Science Foundation Bikura program for funding the project.
文摘This article examines integration vs. segregation of Arabs in Israel＇s social sphere. Most geo-spatial studies regarding inter-ethnic relations are single dimensional, focusing on residential segregation assuming its association to the social domain. We argue that in the globalizing world daily activity spaces, social networks and influences on everyday life conditions are rooted in growing horizons around residential location weakening the power of residential location to dictate life conditions. Hence we suggest employing a multi-dimensional approach. Specifically, we explore the associations among residential spaces （relating to Arab residents of： purely Arab localities; mixed-Jewish-Arab cities, and Jewish cities）; main activity spaces （commuters to Jewish areas and localists--people staying mostly in the Arab localities） and social integration （social networks; repertoire of identities; attitudes toward integration and knowledge of Hebrew）. The data incorporate tracking the movements of 177 responders for a week （using a GPS logger） and in-depth interviews, which were analyzed quantitatively. Core findings suggest that both residential place and activity spaces affect social integration, however, the locality type has a greater affect. In addition, we identified four integration sorts according to kinds of municipality, activity spaces, and integration measures： （1） segregated localists living in Arab municipalities; （2） commuters living in Arab localities characterized by limited integration; （3） Arabs residing in Jewish cities that succeeded economically but are characterized by limited social integration, and （4） those living in mixed cities which enjoy the highest, yet limited integration level.
文摘The expansion of social housing in Brazil is solving the great demand among low-income populations, ltowever, these projects are not considering climatic factors and thermal comfort strategies. There is a standardization of architectural projects, which leads to the user discomfort. Bioclimatic solutions that improve the thermal performance of buildings should be valued in the projects of buildings. This paper presents a comparative study noticing the thermal comfort provided by a earth tube ventilation system with a natural ventilation system based in the opening of the windows. In this study, three Brazilian bioclimatic zones defined by NBR （Brazilian Standard） 15220 （2005）, Zone 1 （Curitiba）, 2 （Camaqu~,） and 7 （Cuiabfi）, were considered. To make this comparison, computer simulation was used to observe the thermal confort conditions in RTQ-R （Quality Technical Standard for Energy Efficiency Level in Residential Buildings） （2010）, with the help of Energy Plus software and Schektch Up with the plug in Open Studio for modeling the residence. After the energy modeling, the results were analyzed with the Analisys Bio software in order to obtain the percentage of hours of comfort for the year （8,760 h）. The conclusion is drawn that the natural ventilation strategy with the opening and closing of the windows is more efficient in Bioclimatic Zone 1. For the Bioclimatic Zone 2, the earth tubes should be used only in the summer and, in Bioclimatic Zone 7, earth tubes are efficient throughout the year because of the high temperatures in the exterior environment.
文摘Objective To summarize clinical characteristics and treatment strategy of Chinese elderly mitral regurgitation （MR） inpatients under the current guidelines, and to identify factors related to treatment options in them. Methods A single center retrospective study was conducted in which patients hospitalized in Fuwai hospital from May ist of 2014 to April 30 of 2015 with moderate to severe MR assessed by transthoraeic echocardiography were enrolled consecutively （n = 1741）. Patients 〉 60 years old were grouped as elderly group （n = 680） and patients 〈 60 years were grouped as control group （n = 1061）. The elderly group was categorized into two subgroups based on surgical status. Results The mean age of the elderly group was 66.98 i 5.94 years. The most common reason of MR in elderly group was degenerative MR （41.18%）. Atherosclerotic risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes or hyperlipidaemia were more commonly observed in elderly group than the control group （45.44% vs. 25.17%, P 〈 0.001; 19.56% vs. 8.48%, P 〈 0.001; 35.29% vs. 19.51%, P 〈 0.001）. Elderly group had higher Enroscore Ⅱ score （5.54 ± 2.42 vs. 3.15 ± 1.66）, greater left ventricular end diastolic diameter （LVEDD） （57.72±12.3 vs. 57.33 ± 10.19 ram） and a lower surgery rate （54.71% vs. 63.91%）; P 〈 0.05. Age, left ventricular ejection fraction （LVEF）, regurgitation grade, Eu- roScore-Ⅱ high risk stratification and having diabetes were identified as factors associated with therapy decisions in elderly MR patients. Conclusions Valve surgery was denied in 45.29% of elderly MR inpatients. Older age, impaired LVEF, lower regurgitation grade, Euro- Score-Ⅱ high risk stratification, and having diabetes were factors most significantly associated with surgery denial among elderly Chinese inpatients with MR.
文摘Indoor CO2 concentration depends on the number of persons, their metabolic rates, other sources of indoor pollution, ventilation rate and ventilation efficiency. These factors are not considered by the Spanish technical building code since ventilation is set only by a fixed air change rate. This paper aims to explore the possibilities of DCVS （demand controlled ventilation systems） to ensure adequate and sustainable ventilation. It is based on a research project carried out by the University of the Basque Country （EHU-UPV） and Euskadi Public Housing and Soil Join-Stock Company （VISESA）： the living rooms of 90 dwellings were provided with DCVS, where CO2 sensors were used to dynamically control the ventilation rate. Tests were carried out using tracer gas techniques, with results showing the air age to be adequate at every point of the occupied zones and free of stagnant areas, therefore proving the system＇s effectiveness and rapid response, and its energy savings.
文摘Recently, the number of system interconnection of the renewable energy such as PV （photovoltaic） generation system and wind power generation system has been increasing drastically. A distribution system with the distributed generation must be operated keeping reliability of power supply and power quality. When high-capacity PV systems are interconnected to the distribution system, the system voltages may be deviated from the upper limit or lower limit of proper voltage in the distribution system. In this study, the authors propose a cooperative voltage control method of the distribution system by the power factor control of plural residential PV systems. In order to verify the validity of the proposal method, the numerical calculations are carried out by using an analytical model of distribution system which interconnected residential PV systems.
文摘The installation of wind power generators on buildings located in areas with regular winds may be a suitable investment in a renewable power source. Brazil has a high eolic potential, where the annual mean wind speed may reach over eight meters per second. This case study is aimed to assess the economic feasibility of the installation of small wind power plants in urban areas. This work evaluates a project for the installation of a vertical axis wind turbine in three buildings （15-, 22-, and 26-story） including the following stages： （1） installation of a real-time power meter in the 15-store unit; （2） demand analysis of the 26-store building＇s power consumption; （3） winds survey along the coast of the State of Ceara; （4） analysis of the wind turbines available in the market; （5） simulation aimed to choose the system. Vertical wind power generators offer better conditions of use in urban areas. The turnover time was established to be between four and six years in the three studied units. The installation of a wind power generator on buildings in regions with an adequate eolic regimen reaches a financial return of the investment before the end of the equipment＇s lifespan.
