The design of smart homes for people with dementia—user-interface aspects

This paper reports on the user requirements analysis, design and evaluation of smart home solutions for people with dementia. In order to be appropriate for people with dementia, smart home technologies should keep interaction with users to a minimum. In the work presented in this paper, discussions with carers, as well as a more formal user-survey, provided a good understanding of the issues that are faced by this group, and useful indications of potential design solutions. This preliminary survey work led to a design approach that used carer emulation, familiarity of appearance, incorporation of verbal prompts and reminders, and careful user-monitoring, to achieve effective devices. This design approach is illustrated through several examples of specific designs. Evaluations of stand-alone systems were carried out prior to smart home installation, and illustrated the complex interface that exists between assistive technology and people with dementia.     

Iodine in daily diet samples from some old people's homes in Slovenia

 In July 1992 we collected samples of daily meals in 51 old people's homes in the Republic of Slovenia to establish their iodine contents. The average content found was 79.6±31.9 μg of iodine in the daily meal, or 0.212±0.083 mg iodine kg^–1 dry substance. In only 15 cases of 51 analysed samples, did the quantity of iodine exceed two thirds of the recommended daily intake of iodine, i.e. more than 100 μg. Received: 14 April 1998     

基于蓝牙通讯的智能家居红外控制系统的实现

蓝牙技术作为一种在2.4GHz无线基础上新发展起来的电缆置换技术,由于其全球统一的标准性、数据传输方面的优越性、自动组网能力、低功耗、低成本和高安全性等特点,已经得到广泛认同。使用蓝牙技术实现家中各个房间之间的通讯,用红外技术实现对家中各种红外家电的统一红外控制,两种技术相结合构建智能家电控制系统,通过蓝牙红外中继器控制实现蓝牙通讯信号到红外控制信号的转换,从而实现对红外家居设备的统一管理。     

Variations of formaldehyde and VOC levels during 3 years in new and older homes

Indoor air organic compounds were continuously monitored during 3 years in new and older homes which were voluntarily selected throughout countries. The levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the new homes decreased markedly after 1 year, and steady emissions of VOCs were obtained in the initial months. Formaldehyde and a-pinene related to wooden materials need a longer flushing period than the other compounds in the new homes. The levels of the indoor air organic compounds in the older homes showed no significant fluctuation during the 3-year period. Decreases of the indoor-produced compounds in the new homes did not depend upon the ventilation systems. The results indicate that the indoor-produced compounds in the new homes will be more influenced by the aging decreases of emission source strengths than ventilation systems. The quantitative information on the trend of the indoor air organic compound levels will be useful for the risk assessment of indoor exposure to those compounds, and also for Japanese IAQ guidelines. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: The initial levels of VOCs in the new homes decreased dramatically and were close to the mean values for the older homes after one year. The results suggest that steady emissions of VOCs are obtained within initial months. However, formaldehyde and a-pinene did not follow the trend for VOCs, particularly in the wooden framed houses. The results tend to suggest that formaldehyde and a-pinene related to wooden materials will need more long a flushing period than other compounds in the new homes. Decreasing tendency of indoor air organic compound levels in the new homes did not appear to show any dependency upon the ventilation systems over the whole period. Absence of data for ventilation rates in the houses dose not permit interpretation of the relation between ventilation rates and indoor air organic compound levels with statistical certainty, but the results suggest that indoor air organic compound levels in the homes will be more influenced by emission source strengths than ventilation systems. The levels of indoor air organic compounds in the new homes are sufficiently decreased according to the ageing decreases of organic compounds when the home is ventilated with adequate quantities.     

In-situ effectiveness of residential HVAC filters

In this study, we explore different filter and contextual characteristics that influence effectiveness of high-efficiency filters in 21 residences in Toronto, Canada. The in situ effectiveness was assessed with decay tests at the beginning and the end of filter life with four different filters (MERV 8-14 from ASHRAE Standard 52.2) installed in operational HVAC systems, compared with either the system off or with no filter installed. There was considerable difference between median PM_2.5 effectiveness of the non-electret filters when compared to electret filters (16% vs. 36%) of the same nominal efficiency (MERV 8). However, median PM_2.5 effectiveness of electret filters only slightly improved (between 5% and 9% absolute increase) as MERV increased from 8 to 14. There was more variation in filter effectiveness between the same filter in different homes than there was between different filters in the same home. Variations in filter performance arose because home-specific particle loss rates (eg, ventilation rate) vary greatly in different buildings. The higher the loss rates due to non-filter factors, the lower the effectiveness of a filter. Given the relatively large variation in effectiveness for a given filter over time and in different homes, increasing system runtime may be a productive way to improve filter performance in many homes.     

Risk Assessment at the Edge: Applying NERC CIP to Aggregated Grid-Edge Resources

Distributed energy resources (DERs) promise to deliver benefits for both utilities and consumers by dynamically interoperating utility systems with customer-owned grid-edge technologies. These small energy-consuming devices are increasingly being aggregated for participation in grid markets, planning and operations. A cyber attack penetrating the control system of aggregated DERs could negatively impact the operation of the grid. In the worst case, the power grid could be severely damaged and physical safety compromised.In this paper we analyze cybersecurity risks associated with the aggregation of DERs and develop an approach to mitigating that risk. The approaches to both cyber risk analysis and mitigation were developed during a recent research project that serves as an example of how the approaches could be applied. However, both the risk analysis and mitigation are applicable to the broader domain of all DERs. An important conclusion is that the successful cyber compromise of aggregated DERs could have a significant impact on the bulk power system. This is the case even if each individual DER falls below the threshold of compliance with bulk-grid cybersecurity standards.For this reason, we specifically investigate how National Electricity Reliability Corporation’s Critical Infrastructure Protection requirements could flow down to interactions between DER aggregators and the DERs themselves in order to protect the grid from these bulk-scale cyber attack impacts.     

Zero energy homes – Are they economically viable?

Whilst net zero energy homes are espoused in many policy circles, and many bespoke examples have been constructed to demonstrate their technical feasibility, there is a scarcity of evidence demonstrating such a standard would be economically rational, particularly for large scale housing development where orientation and aspect may not always be optimal. Drawing on energy monitoring evidence and construction economics associated with a nearly zero energy housing estate in Adelaide, Australia, this paper explores the economic feasibility of the net zero energy home policy in warm temperate climates. The results demonstrate that using economic tools and assumptions typically applied for building energy regulatory policy changes, net societal economic benefits significantly outweigh costs. The clear economic outcomes, combined with expected health and productivity benefits from improved levels of thermal comfort, should provide security to policy makers to progress home energy standards towards net zero energy performance.     

基于蓝牙通讯的智能家居红外控制系统的实现

蓝牙技术作为一种在2.4GHz无线基础上新发展起来的电缆置换技术,由于其全球统一的标准性、数据传输方面的优越性、自动组网能力、低功耗、低成本和高安全性等特点,已经得到广泛认同.使用蓝牙技术实现家中各个房间之间的通讯,用红外技术实现对家中各种红外家电的统一红外控制,两种技术相结合构建智能家电控制系统,通过蓝牙红外中继器控...     

Exposure matrices of endotoxin, (1 → 3)-β-d-glucan, fungi, and dust mite allergens in flood-affected homes of New Orleans

This study examined: (i) biocontaminant levels in flooded homes of New Orleans two years after the flooding; (ii) seasonal changes in biocontaminant levels, and (iii) correlations between biocontaminant levels obtained by different environmental monitoring methods. Endotoxin, (1 → 3)-β-d-glucan, fungal spores, and dust mite allergens were measured in 35 homes during summer and winter. A combination of dust sampling, aerosolization-based microbial source assessment, and long-term inhalable bioaerosol sampling aided in understanding exposure matrices. On average, endotoxin found in the aerosolized fraction accounted for < 2% of that measured in the floor dust, suggesting that vacuuming could overestimate inhalation exposures. In contrast, the (1 → 3)-β-d-glucan levels in the floor dust and aerosolized fractions were mostly comparable, and 25% of the homes showed aerosolizable levels even higher than the dust-borne levels. The seasonal patterns for endotoxin in dust and the aerosolizable fraction were different from those found for (1 → 3)-β-d-glucan, reflecting the temperature and humidity effects on bacterial and fungal contamination. While the concentration of airborne endotoxin followed the same seasonal trend as endotoxin aerosolized from surfaces, no significant seasonal difference was identified for the concentrations of airborne (1 → 3)-β-d-glucan and fungal spores. This was attributed to the difference in the particle size; smaller endotoxin-containing particles can remain airborne for longer time than larger fungal spores or (1 → 3)-β-d-glucan-containing particles. It is also possible that fungal aerosolization in home environments did not reach its full potential. Detectable dust mite allergens were found only in dust samples, and more commonly in occupied homes. Levels of endotoxin, (1 → 3)-β-d-glucan, and fungi in air had decreased during the two-year period following the flooding as compared to immediate measurements; however, the dust-borne endotoxin and (1 → 3)-β-d-glucan levels remained elevated. No conclusive correlations were found between the three environmental monitoring methods. The findings support the use of multiple methods when assessing exposure to microbial contaminants.     

Subcommittee on Needed Research on Gifted Children. Needed research on gifted children.

Alist of 11 "troublesome, unanswered questions about gifted children, questions for which the lack of experimental answers is probably directly interfering with such children's receiving optimum guidance in homes, schools, and the community." (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)