A Wireless Sensor Network for Residential Building Energy and Indoor Environmental Quality Monitoring: Design, Instrumentation, Data Analysis and Feedback

This article outlines the implementation and use of a large wireless instrumentation solution to collect data over a long time period of a few years for three collective residential buildings. The sensor network consists of a variety of 179 sensors deployed in building common areas and in apartments to monitor energy consumption, indoor environmental quality, and local meteorological conditions. The collected data are used and analyzed to assess the building performance in terms of energy consumption and indoor environmental quality following major renovation operations on the buildings. Observations from the collected data show energy consumption of the renovated buildings in agreement with expected energy savings calculated by an engineering office, many different occupancy patterns mainly related to the professional situation of the households, and seasonal variation in window opening rates. The monitoring was also able to detect some deficiencies in the energy management. Indeed, the data reveal the absence of time-of-day-dependent heating load control and higher than expected indoor temperatures because of a lack of occupant awareness on energy savings, thermal comfort, and the new technologies installed during the renovation such as thermostatic valves on the heaters. Lastly, we also provide feedback on the performed sensor network from the experiment design and choice of measured quantities to data communication, through the sensors' technological choices, implementation, calibration, and maintenance.

The Trans-Gompertz Function: An Alternative to the Logistic Growth Function with Faster Growth

The growth characteristics of the recently derived Trans-Gompertz function are compared to those of the Generalized Logistic function. Both functions are defined by one shaping parameter and one rate parameter. The functions are matched at a specified point on the growth curve by equating both the first and second derivatives. Analysis shows that the matched Trans-Gompertz function will have grown at a faster rate with a larger inflection point ratio.

A unified model of sigmoid tumour growth based on cell proliferation and quiescence

OBJECTIVES

A class of sigmoid functions designated generalized von Bertalanffy, Gompertzian and generalized Logistic has been used to fit tumour growth data. Various models have been proposed to explain the biological significance and foundations of these functions. However, no model has been found to fully explain all three or the relationships between them.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We propose a simple cancer cell population dynamics model that provides a biological interpretation for these sigmoids' ability to represent tumour growth.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

We show that the three sigmoids can be derived from the model and are in fact a single solution subject to the continuous variation of parameters describing the decay of the proliferation fraction and/or cell quiescence. We use the model to generate proliferation fraction profiles for each sigmoid and comment on the significance of the differences relative to cell cycle-specific and non-cell cycle-specific therapies.

Diversity in the pastoral relationship: an evaluation of the helping styles inventory

Presents an ethnographic study of practitioners' experiences of the Helping Styles Inventory (HSI). Analyzes the data from twenty-one interviews, noting helpful and limiting aspects of the HSI. Discusses implications of the research for the HSI and for ministry in general.

[The interpreter in an intercultural clinical milieu]

The public's diversified language profile means that nursing practice must adjust to provide the same quality of care to all clients, no matter what language they speak. To improve quality and quantity of information exchanged in the nurse-client-interpreter triangle, the authors have investigated the type of information likely to be filtered and studied the various factors underlying the interpreter's choice to filter information. The authors also analyzed the values interpreters assign to information and the factors that form the background for filtering, including mistrust. The authors suggest adequately preparing interpreters; using interpreters' expertise; and developing an appropriate training program for intercultural interpreters to enable them to better function within health care institutions.

[Verbal abilities of normal adults submitting to an aphasia linguistic protocol]

A language test protocol for aphasia in French-speaking patients was drawn up recently by workers in Toulouse and Montreal. The protocol has been applied to sixty hospitalized sciatica patients of the same age range and socio-cultural level as the average population of aphasics in our department. Only one of the normal patients passed the test without any mistakes. The number and nature of the mistakes are studied statistically in relation to age, sex and socio-cultural level.