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The article explores uys , I just learned about this STD called ‘blue waffle,'" Kylee said as she bounced into Gillian's eighth-grade classroom on a Monday morning, a week after the class ended a multiweek research unit (student names are pseudonyms; STD is short for sexually transmitted disease). "Did you guys know about this? When you catch it, it turns your junk blue!" Gillian was stunned. The class had just spent a month discussing source credibility.

The article explores ay back in eighth-grade math, the teacher assigned a hands-on project: construct a scale model house using shoeboxes. There is much to appreciate about such an assignment, particularly that it departed from the typical pencil-and- paper worksheet. In designing my blueprint and replica, I crafted my dream house to embody much of what my physical reality did not, including a large library, reading nooks, a sunroom, and an in-ground pool.

Highlights • Mechanical ventilation was enabled between a hyper-insulated test building and a sunspace. • A smart controller was implemented and tuned to optimize the air mix through the partition. • Different setups were field tested and comparatively assessed as regards energy and comfort. • Each performance was related to the main driving forces and boundary conditions. • The optimal glazed percentage and ventilation settings were inferred. Abstract An experimental study was conducted to examine the energetic and ergonomic impacts of an optimized mechanically controlled ventilation system, implemented on the partition wall between a hyper-insulated test building and the attached sunspace, to overcome most of the inherent limitations of a purely radiative heat transfer in presence of very low thermal transmittance envelope. The system comprised two vented holes (at floor and ceiling level), piloted by a smart controller on the basis of the temperature difference between the two air volumes. The threshold was progressively reduced from 2 °C to 0.5 °C to ameliorate the energy performance without trespassing the comfort boundaries. Calls for extra heating from the active technical system (electric radiators) were thus minimized, regardless of the climatic conditions: the energy consumption (normalized over the indoor-outdoor daily average temperature difference and over the daily mean solar irradiation) decremented by 36% and 66% respectively compared to the 1 °C and 2 °C configurations, which, in turn, exhibited similar performance. The ergonomic penalty due to thermal overshooting was statistically acceptable. The outcomes were compared to those of a previous monitoring run on the same case study, with 20% less glazed surface: the new configuration more than halved the energy expenditure. Finally, the albedo of the surrounding materials was shown to be a key-player: even under extremely cold and overcast conditions, the sunspace temperature rose up to 40 °C when fresh snow layered all around the perimeter. Further investigation could support broadening the spectrum of potentially efficient applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The experiments were focused on the design and execution of the equipment for the administration of solid chemical fertilizers within the disciplines of Mechanization of the Ion Ionescu de la Brad University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine in Iasi. The determination of uniformity administration of solid chemical fertilizers was achieved using the gravitational method. Experience have shown that the equipment satisfies the qualitative requirements and qualities of fertilizer uniformity using a high precision method for determining the distribution of the fertilizer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research paper collects the outcomes of an experimental study focused on the energy benefits achieved by coupling an energy efficient building with a sunspace in winter season and Mediterranean climate. Acting as passive Solar heating elements, sunspaces are intended to be a valuable tool among sustainable and energy-efficient constructive and/or retrofitting strategies. In order to assess the energy saving potential of the above-mentioned coupling and relate it to the main design parameters, two operative steps were carried out: the numerical step allowed different simulated configurations to be evaluated in order to identify the optimal one from an energy perspective and physically realize it; the monitoring phase served the double purpose of calibrating the simulation model and provide on-site validated data for subsequent assessments and comparisons. Three main sunspace configurations were tested: irradiative single-glazed, irradiative double-glazed and convective double-glazed. The convective double glazed configuration was found to outperform the others since the daily energy consumption reduction exceeded the 27% (compared to the irradiative, double glazed counterpart) for all weather conditions. Besides, the activation of a mechanical ventilation system was slightly counterproductive in terms of discomfort phenomena since a less stable indoor air temperature was guaranteed. Comparing the two irradiative configurations, it was found that the addition of an extra glass layer was responsible of a quite constant reduction of 1 kW h/day, thus increasing the percent heating energy demand saving achieved through the insertion of the sunspace from approximately 3,3%–8,7%, while minimizing indoor air temperature fluctuations too. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study a comprehensive review of vernacular architecture research status is presented. The objective of the study is to identify energy efficient vernacular architecture features affecting indoor thermal comfort conditions for adaptation in modern architecture to suit present day lifestyles. The main features identified are: built mass design, orientation with respect to sun, space planning, openings, sunspace provision, construction techniques, and building and roof materials. Earth with its low compressive strength and durability is found to be prominently used vernacular building material due to its thermal insulation property. The current status and codal provisions regulating use of earth as a building material in different countries namely Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, France, New Mexico, Colombia, Spain and India, are reviewed so as to assess its suitability in modern context. Vernacular architecture features in different climatic zones of India including north-western Himalayan state of Himachal Pradesh are also studied along with a case study in composite climate of Hamirpur region, which identifies the relation of vernacular architectural features with thermal comfort conditions. The study identifies an emerging architectural style for this Himalayan region incorporating thermal comfort, energy efficient features, passive solar features, current design and construction techniques. Studies to develop this architecture style, improvement in the strength and durability of earth as building material and thermal comfort studies of vernacular houses are identified as follow up research areas. The study is of relevance for utilizing vernacular materials and architectural features for improving thermal comfort in modern buildings worldwide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several new technologies can be today implemented in buildings in order to achieve the NZEB goal. In this paper a novel computer model for predicting the energy demand of buildings integrating phase change materials, photovoltaic-thermal collectors, adjacent sunspaces and innovative daylighting control is presented. Through this tool, DETECt 2.2, written in MatLab and conceived for research purposes, the overall energy and economic performance of multi-zone NZEBs can be assessed. Both the active and passive effects on the energy demands of all the above mentioned technologies, even if simultaneously utilized, are taken into account by means of an integrated building modelling approach. In addition, parametric and sensitivity analyses, with a single simulation run, can be carried out for design purposes. A novel relevant case study referred to the energy design of a non-residential NZEB for Mediterranean climates is developed. For this building a suitable energy optimization analysis was also carried out. For each use of the indoor space, the optimal value of the pivotal design and operating parameters is calculated. Details about the optimal position of building PCMs and thermal insulation layers, also coupled to BIPV and/or BIPV/T systems, are provided. For the obtained best configuration very low heating and cooling demands are achieved (0.9 and 1.5 kWh/m 3 y, respectively). Results about a simplified economic analysis carried out on the investigated energy saving technologies are also reported. At last, new NZEB definition details and criteria are provided for non-residential buildings located in the southern European zones (Mediterranean climates). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thermal mass is essential in passive solar spaces designed to store heat. Given the diversity of climates with useful cool-season sun, climate-responsiveness in thermal mass design might be expected; however, rules developed in the dry, sunny American Southwest dominate teaching and practice throughout the country. Evidence from the UK, Alaska, and western Oregon now suggest that conventional thermal mass rules require substantial revision for rainy, cloudy climates. To address this issue, we here employ a series of field-validated Pacific Northwest sunspace models to quantify limitations of conventional thermal mass design in the region and to reveal more suitable parameters with respect to the sizing and ground configuration of floor-based thermal mass. Results favored thermal mass in far smaller quantities, and with much-reduced ground contact, than specified by conventional rules, with optimal parameters varying by design priority: daytime warmth, evening warmth, or early-morning warmth. A subsequent field test confirmed model predictions and elucidated underlying mechanisms, supporting specific revisions of contemporary passive solar design guidelines for the Pacific Northwest and related West Coast Marine climates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research shows the study and analysis of sunspaces behaviour as passive elements of architecture during the summer, taking into account that they are fundamentally passive solar heating elements for winter. This study is carried out through monitoring and energy simulation of six case studies, applying it to summer 2011–2012 which was extremely hot for the climate zone in which it is located. These results are useful for the study of residential buildings with the forecasts of climate change for Pamplona, especially for an architectural element as sensitive to overheating as is an attached sunspace. The research concludes that attached sunspaces also have a good thermal behavior in summer, even in extreme conditions, as long as they are designed and used properly, and therefore no active cooling system is necessary. This research also explores the energy efficiency and optimized design of the sunspaces for different climate zones in Spain, selected attending mainly to the severity of summer although with different winter conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a new control strategy for improving the performance of one interior and/or exterior planar shade(s). The control strategy is based on performing an energy balance on the fenestration system and calculating the total heat flow (i.e. solar gains + overall heat losses). The heat flow can be maximized or minimized depending on the needs of the space. A solarium model was developed in order to assess the performance of the proposed shading strategy. The solarium model can simulate passive and active thermal storage using sensible and phase change materials. A prototype solarium with motorized interior and exterior shadings has been instrumented and subjected to controlled conditions. The numerical simulations are in good agreement with experimental results. The simulation model has then been used to perform annual simulations of an attached solarium for the location of Montreal, Canada. The year was divided in a heating mode and a mixed mode. During the heating mode (i.e. October through April), heating is provided to keep a minimum temperature of 10 °C and surplus heat is considered when the temperature reaches 28 °C. By using the proposed algorithm for the control of one interior and/or exterior shade(s) in the heating mode, heating requirements of the simulated solarium have been reduced by 3–9% and an additional 9–14% of surplus heat have been collected when compared to a control based on near optimum global horizontal solar radiation levels. During the mixed mode, thermal comfort can be improved significantly (+1822 h) when the interior shade is controlled with the proposed algorithm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Selecting optimum windows in heating dominated climates is a complex task because of the inherent trade-off between their U -value and solar heat gain coefficient. In addition, the use of shades is known to reduce heat losses, but they are rarely selected for this intent and considered as an integrated fenestration system at the design stage. This paper presents a method for selecting optimum fenestration systems (windows with shades) to maximize the annual net energy balance. The method has the capability to simulate a one or two layer shading system with one exterior and/or one interior planar shade(s). This methodology generates 2D schematics indicating the net energy balance of different fenestration systems. Such schematics are useful at an early design stage when there is a need to compare different design options for different orientations on a relative basis. Diagrams are presented for five glazings with an interior roller shade, an exterior roller shutter and a combination of both, for the four cardinal orientations for the city of Montreal, Canada. A comparison of simulated and experimental U -values of four shading devices indicates results reasonably close to each other. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Issue Addressed: The causal link between ultraviolet radiation from solarium use and skin cancer is well established. In 2012 and 2013, state governments across Australia announced plans to ban commercial solarium use from 31 December 2014. The present study examined the responses of solarium and non-solarium users to the ban on commercial solariums in Australia.Methods: Participants (n = 488; 388 females, 100 males; mean age = 26.02, s.d. = 9.95) completed an online questionnaire during the summer prior to the ban relating to solarium usage and their opinions about the ban.Results: Overall, 49% (n = 237) of participants were aware of the impending ban; 17% (n = 83) had used a solarium at some point in their life. The response to the solarium ban was positive; however, some current solarium users intended post-ban to use privately owned sunbeds and or spend a greater amount of time sun-tanning.Conclusions: These findings indicate a high level of public support for the solarium ban, which has removed a risky source of ultraviolet radiation in Australia. SO WHAT? Further steps are now needed to monitor the tanning behaviours of previous solarium users post-ban and their access to private sunbed use and other potentially dangerous methods of tanning (e.g. tanning injections). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Residential building sector in Serbia has changed dramatically over the last two decades. Large scale projects have given way to individual, private initiative resulting in smaller interventions rarely exceeding one lot. For this reason architectural concepts, building types, scopes and construction technology have been marginalized and fallen under the influence of market mechanisms and stringent local planning procedures. New regulations on energy efficiency have risen the standards for thermal insulation therefore increasing the thickness of building enclosure. This actually means that construction costs are increased and net built area, therefore expected profit, reduced. In order to provide the viable ground for both implementation of new regulations and economic benefits for investors, authors of energy efficiency regulations in Serbia have noted a whole set of solar systems, among which sunspaces that would not count as a part of gross area, provided that they contribute to the increase of energy performance of the building. This paper describes the case of a typical residential new construction in Belgrade that has applied the prescribed solutions and became the first building that has obtained the building permit by applying a sunspace as an efficient strategy for energy saving. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The stress effect of cadmium absorption between aloe and Solarium nigrum L was studied through a simulation experiment with different cadmium contents in soil. The results showed that the growth characteristics, biomass and Cd content in the plants of aloe and S. nigrum L were closely related to Cd content in the soil, and S. nigrum L and aloe had a strong tolerance to Cd in the experiment. pH of rhizosphere soil with S. nigrum L and aloe planted was generally higher than that of non-rhizosphere soil, which is related to the planting pattern. Compared with aloe, S. nigrum L had a stronger capacity to accumulate Cd, and intercropping S. nigrum L and aloe could inhibit aloe's absorption of Cd, which is favorable to the sate planting of aloe. In addition, S. nigrum L has the potential to restore polluted soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The poem explores I had a metaphor on my mind this morning, but it slipped away like a slab of warm butter down the side of a breakfast plate. I remember where I was standing, in the kitchen next to the pantry when the metaphor hit me. I should write about that, I thought.

In this paper are presented several new aspects related to the effects of fragipanization phenomenon on pedogeochemical processes in particular case of soils from protected areas (greenhouses and solariums). A special attention was paid to dynamic evolution of macro- and micro-elements in conditions of soils from protected areas, affected by fragipanization phenomenon, and to the correlation between these and pedogeochemical segregation and salinization processes. In addition, were highlighted a number of issues relating to the conditions of emergence and dynamics of the frangipane in soils from protected areas. The fragipane represents both a degradation phenomenon and an initiator for soil degradation phenomena. The formation of fragipane horizons is directly correlated with the apparition and development of pedogeochemical segregation, compaction and salinization processes that have strong negative influence on pedological and agrochemical characteristics of soils. The impacts fragipane is highlights, in general, by: (i) the discontinuity of water circulation in the soil profile, (ii) contrasting physico-chemical conditions between the upper and lower horizons, (iii) particular and atypical evolutions of the organic matter dynamics, speciation processes and inter-phase distribution of macro- and micro-elements etc., (iv) simultaneously with the formation horizons fragipane (emphasis segregation pedogeochimice) are rapidly degraded the physical-chemical and agrochemical characteristics of soils, with negative effects on their productivity and quality of obtained agricultural products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In sunspaces, there is an observable temperature rise above the external air temperature, caused by solar gains and the buffering effect of their enclosure. In addition, their external partitions form a barrier preventing the direct influence of the external environment and delaying the natural deterioration of elevation surface. In the paper, the temperature rise in a glazed balcony attached to a typical flat in a multifamily building, together with the energy demand in the living zone, were assessed with the use of dynamic computer simulations. Ten variants of the sunspace casing were analysed, with different thermal and solar energy transmittance of the glazing (which is a novel subject in the research area). This enabled us to evaluate average values of the temperature reduction factor during the year and to choose the most efficient variant of the sunspace external partitions. It turned out to be an insulated, double-glazed casing with a spectrally selective coating (type O 21), combining high insulative properties with high solar transmittance. These features allowed the temperature in the sunspace to rise by almost 10°C (compared with the external air) and lower total energy demand in the flat by 33% (compared with a flat with an open balcony). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Materials that store the energy of warm days, to return that heat during cool nights, have been fundamental to vernacular building since ancient times. Although building with thermally rechargeable materials became a niche pursuit with the advent of fossil fuel-based heating and cooling, energy and climate change concerns have sparked new enthusiasm for these substances of high heat capacity and moderate thermal conductivity: stone, adobe, rammed earth, brick, water, concrete, and more recently, phase-change materials. While broadly similar, these substances absorb and release heat in unique patterns characteristic of their mineralogies, densities, fluidities, emissivities, and latent heats of fusion. Current architectural practice, however, shows little awareness of these differences and the resulting potential to match materials to desired thermal performance. This investigation explores that potential, illustrating the correspondence between physical parameters and thermal storage-and-release patterns in direct-, indirect-, and isolated-gain passive solar configurations. Focusing on heating applications, results demonstrate the superiority of water walls for daytime warmth, the tunability of granite and concrete for evening warmth, and the exceptional ability of phase-change materials to sustain near-constant heat delivery throughout the night. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Increased use of solariums worldwide has led to health concerns linking regular exposure to ultraviolet light with skin cancer. Most studies have attempted to delineate attitudes and motivations of users, with little inquiry into those entrusted as "service providers." Methods: A questionnaire was designed specifically for the survey on the basis of World Health Organization guidelines. Twenty-one solariums in major cities from each country were randomly chosen via telephone directory and visited in Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom. A prospective customer asked a series of questions to assess conformity with these guidelines. Results: Solariums in Australia were most successful at adhering to World Health Organization guidelines, followed closely by those in the United Kingdom. Overall, solariums in New Zealand did not comply as well, especially with the use of consent forms, and did not adequately inform customers of the potential adverse side effects including skin cancer risks. Conclusions: Our data have shown several differences in the way solariums conform to guidelines in our 3 chosen countries. A plausible reason for these differences is the difference in solarium regulations worldwide. The limited number of solariums selected for the survey, together with individual country variation, does not enable firm conclusions to be drawn about the operations of solariums in each country. However, it does provide knowledge of the variation between solariums and further suggests the need to evaluate the workings of these service providers in each country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This paper reviews and analyzes the compatibility of the simplified empirical method based on the dimensionless parameter of Solar Load Ratio (SLR) and the monthly procedure of the standard ISO 13790 for indirect gains, specifically for unconditioned zones adjacent to a conditioned zone, but separated from it by a partition wall (sunspaces). The main contribution of the work presented here is the new formulation to account SLR correlations in ISO 13790, obtained for sunspaces, but generalizable for other solar systems with known SLR functions. Simulation models are used to perform a sensitivity analysis of internal gains and heat transfer through solar collector surfaces, both issues that distinguishes ISO 13790 from Load Ratio methods. The analysis shows that internal gains can be added to the heat source term or subtracted to heat transfer term without influencing the utilization factor dependence with the gain-to-loss ratio. On the other hand, the SLR assumption that solar collector surfaces are neutral elements and, therefore, not added to the heat transfer term, results in large inconsistencies between SLR and ISO 13790 methods. The detailed monthly methodology of ISO 13790 fairly reproduces results obtained by simulation. However, predictions from the simplified monthly methodology of ISO 13790 fail in mid season months and coldest months. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Among solar passive systems integrated in buildings, sunspaces or solar greenhouses represent a very interesting solution. A sunspace is a closed, southbound volume, constituted by transparent surfaces, adjacent to a building, which reduces winter energy demand thanks to the use of solar gains. The effect of a typical solar greenhouse on the energy balance of a building was evaluated during the heating period with two stationary procedures (Method 5000 and EN ISO 13790) and with a dynamic tool (TRNSYS). After the analysis of the greenhouse alone, the behavior of an entire house was simulated; a flat equipped with a sunspace, recently built thanks to public contributions provided by the Umbria Region in Italy to widespread bio-climatic architecture, was used as case-study. Simulations were carried out for the examined flat, both with a steady-state tool and with a dynamic one; the contribution of the sunspace was estimated thanks to the various methods previously mentioned. Finally, the simulated data were satisfactorily compared with the real energy consumptions (natural gas for heating) of the flat; the sunspace allows a reduction of winter energy demand of the flat of about 20%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Solar heat gains obtainable from attached sunspaces to air-conditioned rooms are evaluated by means of the solution to the optical problem of incident solar radiation absorption through the windows and of the temperature field in the shell separating the sunspace from outdoors and adjacent spaces. The effective absorption coefficient of the sunspace was used for these evaluations as well as the ratio of the absorbed energy of the internal surfaces to the solar energy entering, and the utilization factor of the solar contributions that represent the fraction of the absorbed energy supplied to the indoor air. With reference to a pre-established geometry and to a system of windows made up of clear double-glazing, the solar gains of the sunspace and the adjacent spaces are calculated for some Italian localities at variation of exposure, optical properties and thermal capacity of the opaque surfaces, the amount of ventilation and of the shading device. Finally, the operative temperature was determined for an estimate of comfort acceptability conditions in the sunspace. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Energy audits of existing buildings require efficient devices and procedures to assess the solar potential through windows and building openings. The use of insolation is related to solar rights, solar gain, daylight potential and solar control. The methods described in the literature to assess insolation on windows require the geometric characterization of solar obstructions. In this paper we present a simple optical device which permits sky vaults that can be viewed from a central point of building openings to be characterized by means of photographs and image analysis. When these images are processed, it is possible to determine hours of solar insolation and characterize the obstruction angles, the sky opening indicator and the view factor indicator. The results of the proposed model are shown graphically in the form of stereographic, orthogonal, gnomonic, isoaire and cylindrical sun path projection diagrams. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Thermal conditions in a 3 m2 sunroom attached to a residence building were estimated from a vegetable production perspective. The set points of the air temperature were 12-24 °C, an appropriate temperature range for most vegetables. The air temperatures in the full scale model sunroom could be maintained over 12 °C with up to 417 W supplemental heating for the measuring period. In the sunroom, the averaged overall heat loss coefficients between the sunroom and the outside and between the sunroom and the residence building for 24 days during nighttime in February and March were 2.6 and 13.0 W/m2 °C, respectively. The tendency of the diurnal range of air temperature in the sunroom could be roughly simulated for the measuring period except in some daytime cases in February, although the simulation method was a simple and approximate energy balance model with the averaged overall heat loss coefficients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The thermal performance of a sunspace attached to a living room located in Amman-Jordan has been investigated. Six configurations that differ by the ratio of glazed surface area to opaque surfaces area are studied. A novel configuration that utilizes an inclined front surface is thermally investigated. The effect of orientation of the sunspace, opaque wall and floor absorption coefficients and number of glass layers on the thermal performance is evaluated. Results show that the sunspace reduces the heating load during the winter, while it creates a serious overheating problem during summer. The contribution of reducing heating requirements increases with increasing the ratio of glazed surface to opaque surface area. Also, the optimal contribution was obtained when the sunspace was oriented to the south. Two passive cooling techniques are proposed and evaluated to overcome the summer overheating problem. Additionally, a passive heating technique is proposed to minimize the thermal losses during winter nights. Internal shading and night ventilation successfully minimize the overheating problem. Employing the three passive techniques with sunspace, results show that as high as 42% reductions in annual heating and cooling load can be achieved. Utilizing an inclined front surface with double layer of glass can further reduce heating and cooling load requirements. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Indoor tanning is common in spite of its classification as carcinogenic. Too high an ultraviolet (UV) irradiance and a lack of compliance with regulations have been reported. We measured UV irradiance from a large number of Norwegian solariums (sunbeds and stand-up cabinets) currently in use. Compliance (solariums and facilities) with national regulations and the effect of inspections delegated to local authorities (since 2004) were also studied. In 2008, 78 tanning facilities were selected from six regions throughout Norway that contained municipalities with and without local inspections. UV irradiance was measured with a CCD spectroradiometer in 194 out of 410 inspected solariums. Mean erythema weighted short (280–320 nm) and long (320–400 nm) wave UV irradiances were 0.194 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.184–0.205) and 0.156 (95% CI 0.148–0.164) W m−2, respectively. Only 23% of the solariums were below the UV type 3 limit (<0.15 W m−2, short and long wave). Irradiances varied between solariums: spectral UVB (280–315 nm) and UVA (315–400 nm) irradiances were 0.5–3.7 and 3–26 times, respectively, higher than from Oslo summer sun. In total, 89.9% of the tanning facilities were unattended. Overall compliance increased since the first study in 1998–1999, but total UV irradiance did not decrease, mainly because of higher UVA irradiance in 2008. Solariums have become even less similar to natural sun due to higher UVA irradiance. Local inspections gave better compliance with regulations, but irradiances were significantly higher in municipalities with inspections (p ≤ 0.001, compared to without). Unpredictable UV irradiance combined with insufficient customer guidance may give a high risk of negative health effects from solarium use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To assist in the development of the 2008 Australian/New Zealand standard on solaria and related regulations, Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency scientists visited a number of tanning establishments during 2008 to measure the intensity and spectral distribution of the ultraviolet radiation (UVR) emissions from a range of solaria. The 2002 Australian/New Zealand Standard 'Solaria for cosmetic purposes' (AS/NZS 2635) allowed a maximum UVR output from solaria of UV Index 60, a compromise between the solarium industry who wanted no upper limit and the health agencies who wanted to limit intensity. Of the 20 solaria examined in detail, only one had emissions of intensity less than UV Index 12, typical of mid-latitude summer sunlight, 15 units emitted more than UV Index 20, while three units emitted at intensities above UV Index 36, the maximum allowed by the new standard, AS/NZS 2635 (2008) and would thus not comply. UVA emissions ranged from 98 W · m up to a maximum of 438 W · m, more than six times the UVA content of mid-latitude summer sunshine. The results indicate that solaria users in Australia have access to solaria that are high intensity units with both significantly higher UVB and UVA emissions than sunlight, with implications for resultant adverse health effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the street artwork project "Orange Work," (OW) which was primarily carried out by street artist John Hawke. The project incorporated elements of painting, sculpture, and architecture in order to manipulate people's understandings of public space. The color orange was used by the project because it is a color often associated with construction work and signage. Portions of the project found in various cities are described, such as a mock bus station in Brooklyn, New York, a solarium in Oslo, Norway, and a bench in Brooklyn, New York.

Introduction: Sunburning is common habit of people, and sun it is thought the biggest source of energy and basis of life on Earth Material and methods: The study was carried out among 107 students (cosmetology - 52 physiotherapy - 55) according to own questionnaire. Results: Almost 69.2% of students attended a solarium, 80.8% of cosmetology and 58.2% of physiotherapy. Nearly 66.2% of the respondents knew that solarium use is unhealthy. Students used more often sun-beds - 72.2%, cosmetology students used them (28.6%), but physiotherapy students 2-3 twice a year (31.3%). Most respondents (89.2%) argued that it was an independent decision. More than 90% of surveyed students said that solarium staff instructed them on solariurm operation, and during visit at solarium they could use a paper towel (94.6%), cosmetics (95.5%), sun glasses (89.2%), and the staff sanitized device (97.3%). Almost 51.4 % of the surveyed were against the solarium use by children or youths. Sixty-nine of the cosmetology and 62.5% of the physiotherapy students said that solarium-tanning is dangerous. Almost 3/4 of the respondents said that solarium-tanning is as dangerous as sun-tanning. SPF abbreviation was known by 70.3% of solarium advocates. Most respondents 71.6% used UV-protection cosmetics, summer usually (68.9%) and avoided tanning between Noon-15 o'clock (56.8%). Tanorexia as "an addiction to solarium-tanning" was defined by 29.7% of the respondents. For the majority (82.4%) of students main source on the rules of solarium use and healthy tanning was Internet. Conclusions: Knowledge of the students of cosmetology and physiotherapy on the rules of solarium use and solar radiation and its side-events was varied. But these differences were not significant. The majority of respondents used solarium as result of an independent decision, although they knew that it dangerous, and they against the solarium use by youths. Solarium staff instructed the respondents on solariurm operations. Most the surveyed did not know tanorexia term, duration of solarium lamp work, skin photo-type definition, and SPF abbreviation. Main source on the rules of solarium use and healthy tanning was Internet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Skin cancer is caused by ultraviolet radiation (UVR). Indoor tanning is a totally avoidable risk behaviour. This review addresses the specific characteristics of sunbed users and the differences in motivation and risk perception compared with non-users. This review is based solely on empirical original articles. Based on literature searches with widely used reference databases (‘PubMed’, ‘OVID’, ‘Social Citation Index’, ‘ERIC – Educational Resources Information Center’, ‘Web of Science’ and the ‘International Bibliography of the Social Sciences’), we included studies from developed nations with a publication date between 1 January 2000 and 12 August 2008. All studies were selected, classified and coded simultaneously by both authors on a blinded basis. All searches were performed on 13 and 14 August 2008. In accordance with the QUOROM and the MOOSE Statements, we identified 16 original studies. The typical sunbed user is female, between 17 and 30 years old, and tends to live a comparatively unhealthy lifestyle: Users smoke cigarettes and drink alcohol more frequently and eat less healthy food than non-users. Users are characterized by a lack of knowledge about health risks of UVR, and prompted by the frequent use of sunbeds by friends or family members and the experience of positive emotions and relaxation by indoor tanning. This review is the first systematic review on risk groups among sunbed users that has been published in a scientific journal. There is still a lack of information among users, particularly among young people regarding the safety of solariums. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Europe, little is known about the prevalence of indoor tanning. The aims of this study were therefore to estimate the prevalence of sunbed use and to identify risk groups and motives in a population-based survey. The cross-sectional "SUN-Study 2008" ("Sunbed-Use: Needs for Action-Study 2008") was conducted in 2008. A total of 500 adults, aged 18-45 years, were randomly selected and asked about their indoor tanning practices, their motivation and risk perception, and the compliance of staff with international sunbed use recommendations. Forty-seven percent of subjects reported having visited an indoor tanning facility at least once in their lives. Prevalence of use was not reduced in risk groups for skin cancer. Risk awareness of users equalled that of non-users. The poor quality of services and advice provided by many solariums was alarming. It can be concluded that appropriate measures to change tanning habits need to be identified. Legal regulations could be one option. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study aimed to explore the effect of an industry-led self-education intervention on voluntary compliance with the international recommendations on solaria for cosmetic purposes in New South Wales, Australia, and to establish current compliance with recommendations. This study was conducted before the recent introduction of enforceable legislation in some Australian states. Methods: Simulated customer visits were made to a sample of 106 solaria in 2003 and 2006. A ‘top-up’ sample ( n=61) was also visited in 2006 to establish current compliance levels. Simulated customers recorded whether they were asked about age, skin type or medications taken; the contents of any warning signs; information provided regarding consent forms, equipment, health risks and age restrictions; permitted frequency and duration of visits; and claims regarding safety. Results: An examination of pre-test and post-test compliance found little change over time. The current prevalence of compliance was less than optimal, with <10% of the operators suggesting that the fair-skinned customer should not use the solarium, and only 2% of the operators refusing access to this customer. Conclusion: Industry attempts to delay enforced regulation of solarium operators via committing to self-education are not likely to produce a substantial or a sustained increase in protection for solarium users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Issue addressed: To assess the compliance of solarium centres in metropolitan Adelaide with the Australia/ New Zealand Standard, specifically determining the access of different groups, skin cancer warnings and the use of consent forms. Methods: Three groups of research assistants approached 30 solarium centres by telephone and in person. Centres were assessed on recommendations/claims made, warnings given and access to a solarium. Results: There was an extremely low level of compliance with the standard. Sixty per cent of centres allowed access to under-aged clients, 93% of centres allowed access to fair-skinned clients, and only 53% consistently required clients to sign a consent form. Restriction of under-age and fair skin access was greatly over-reported over the telephone compared to actual access. Conclusions: The results highlight the need to increase adherence to the standard. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The declared sun protection factor (SPF) is based on the use of a sunscreen layer of 2 mg cm−2. However, only around a quarter (0·5 mg cm−2) of this amount is applied by sunbathers. Theoretical calculations have suggested that the effective SPF is related to sunscreen quantity in an exponential way but this was not confirmed in vitro and has not been studied in vivo. Objectives To investigate the relation between SPF and sunscreen amount in vivo. Subjects and methods On the backs of 20 healthy volunteers, five areas of 34 cm2 each were marked. One area was phototested to determine the ultraviolet (UV) sensitivity. Four areas were treated with a sunscreen SPF 4 in different amounts: 0·5, 1, 2 and 4 mg cm−2. Thirty minutes after sunscreen application a phototest was conducted on each area. The effective SPF was calculated 22–26 h after irradiation using the UV dose needed to produce just perceptible erythema (minimal erythema dose) on protected and unprotected skin. Results In all areas the mean SPF was significantly different from an SPF of 1 (no protection) ( P ≤ 0·0001) and the SPFs of the areas with the various amounts of sunscreen differed significantly from each other ( P ≤ 0·0008). The relation between the sunscreen amount applied and the SPF provided was most likely to follow exponential growth ( r2 = 0·903). Conclusions This study indicates that the relation between SPF and sunscreen quantity follows exponential growth. Application of 1 mg cm−2 or 0·5 mg cm−2 makes the SPF fall as the square or fourth root, respectively, and 4 mg cm−2 results in an almost squared SPF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Thirteen Towers of Chankillo run north to south along a low ridge within a fourth-century B.C.E. ceremonial complex in north coastal Peru. From evident observing points within the adjacent buildings to the west and east, they formed an artificial toothed horizon that spanned—almost exactly—the annual rising and setting arcs of the Sun. The Chankillo towers thus provide evidence of early solar horizon observations and of the existence of sophisticated Sun cults, preceding the Sun pillars of Incaic Cusco by almost two millennia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the argument that ‘green’ schools enhance educational performance. Having set the context of the relationship between environmentalism and the design of schools in the twentieth century, the article explores the performance of a number of green schools built in the UK between 1980 and 1995. The aim is to discover whether attention to environmental or ecological design produces measurable benefits in terms of learning levels in the classroom and the general performance of the school. The focus of the research is upon two clusters of green primary schools built 1980-95 by the local education authorities in Essex and Hampshire. In order to undertake the evaluation a methodology is proposed with criteria established for what design and construction characteristics constitute a ‘green’ school. Key performance indicators available as a consequence of OfStEd inspections, SATS results, teacher turnover and pupil absenteeism rates are used to assess the performance of the schools in educational terms. Central to the hypothesis is that good environmental design leads to enhanced educational performance by pupils and improved productivity on the part of teachers. The methodology consists of comparing the performance of green schools with that of orthodox schools which share similar characteristics of size, location and socio-economic features, and then relating variables of educational performance to design features. Three initial findings are highlighted: first, the importance of classroom daylight levels to learning; second, the benefits to the school of secondary sun spaces; third, the need for attention to the relationship between ventilation and acoustic control in open-plan solar schools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seventy haploids were obtained by crossing the pollinator Solarium tuberosum L. Group Phureja (P.1.1.22) (2n = 2x) with tetraploid clones of Solarium tuberosum L., `Spunta' and `Desirée,' two adapted Italian varieties. By tuber morphology screening, they were grouped into six classes and six haploids were selected as representative for each class. Esterase isozyme analysis on leaves of the selected haploids indicated the presence of a considerable degree of genetic variability. Six potato haploids were evaluated for differences in nitrate acquisition efficiency. A wide variability of net nitrate uptake rate, ranging from 2.36 to 4.23 μmoleslh/g FW, was observed among the potato genotypes. Furthermore, the time needed for the expression of the nitrate uptake induction showed large differences (from 6.93 to 46.2 h). Relative growth rate of potato haploids correlated with the accumulated nitrate (At) while any correlation with the parameters relative to the induction phase of nitrate uptake was observed. Results indicated that, besides morphological variability, potato haploid populations showed a high variability in nitrate acquisition efficiency. This variability must be gauged in order to select potato varieties with improved capacity for nitrate uptake. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Daylighting systems offer tremendous potential for reducing the energy consumption of electric lighting, but their usage has been inhibited by high costs and imperfect performance of current technologies. This paper presents predictions of energy savings for two proposed daylighting technologies, a daylight-sensing switch and an automatic blinds system, which employ simple, inexpensive components and designs. Assumptions of solar irradiance, blind position, blind operation behaviour, and light switching behaviour were combined with illuminance data and daylight factors to develop an algorithm for calculating the potential energy usages of six different systems in commercial private offices and open plan offices. Results show that the combined usage of the proposed technologies perform with an average annual energy saving of 24% compared with manual switching and blinds operation in Albany, New York. Compared with a photosensor-operated dimming system, the proposed technologies combined show better performance during summer months. Comparisons were also made for the systems in six US climatic regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The list of Ground-Level Enhancements (GLEs) occurring during the on-going solar cycle (no. 23) is used to show that they are absent during a time interval of the maximum phase in which a relative reduction in the sunspot area extent occurs. This period refers to October 2000 to March 2001 and it is associated with the concept of the Gnevyshev Gap, introduced 10 years ago by the Rome cosmic ray group. Also, effects of the Gnevyshev Gap in the solar cycle modulation of the atmospheric attenuation coefficient for Rome neutron monitor during the past solar cycle (no. 22) are illustrated. Moreover, it is suggested that GLE data files should be prepared by using the appropriate attenuation coefficient for each level of solar activity. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In the present paper, the distribution of solar energy inside the uneven span solarium has been determined in terms of solar fraction on north partition wall by using Auto-CAD 2000 for New Delhi (28.5° latitude). This enables the prediction of its performance for passive heating. The concept has been extended to other shapes of greenhouses for cultivation of flowers during off-season. The other shapes included for study are even span, modified arch, vinery and modified IARI. They have similar floor area and height. Analysis has been made with the help of a model based on Auto-CAD 2000 for a typical day of each month of the year. It has been observed that the solar fraction plays an important role at low altitude for thermal heating of either a building or a greenhouse during winter months. It mainly depends on the shape and size of greenhouse and time of the nth day of the year. Based on the analysis it can be concluded that the modified arch shape greenhouse is suitable for thermal cooling through out the year. Uneven span shape greenhouse is most suitable for thermal cooling of living space in winter and heating in summer, in comparison to other shapes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The heating/cooling potential of a typical sunspace has been investigated in the present study as a function of different climatic conditions in several locations throughout Europe. Passive solar design is mainly concentrated on providing space heating during winter as well as on avoiding overheating during the summer period. In the present paper the feasibility of a sunspace as a heating system was studied taking into account the climatic conditions. Simultaneously, various passive cooling techniques are proposed and examined in order to avoid overheating during summer. For this reason, a representative case study is presented and simulated for several climatic conditions. The simulated results showed that sunspaces can be an appropriate and effective system all over Europe during the cold period of the year. Thermal mass within buildings, shading devices, buried pipes and night ventilation techniques can be essential and effective methods to control overheating during summer. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Protoplast donor tissues (leaves of shoots in culture) from a herbaceous plant (Solanum etuberosum) and two woody species (Populus alba × P. grandidentata cv. Crandon and Betula platyphylla szechuanica) were compared during plasmolysis in a range of osmotic agents and potentials. Cells from both Solanum and Populus, species proven to be amenable to protoplast division and regeneration. plasmolyzed readily at higher osmotic potentials than cells from Betula, a species recalcitrant to prolonged culture after protoplast isolation. Betula leaf mesophyll cells exhibited persistent membrane-to-wall attachments and many failed to plasmolyze even under extreme osmolarity. Although their leaves exhibited similar photosynthetic rates. photosynthetic capacity was lost from Betula protoplasts upon isolation, and retained by Solanum protoplasts. Differential stress after isolation was not detectable through vital staining, but only Solanum and Populus gave both high protoplast yields and high plating efficiencies in continued culture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]