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Energyefficiency strategies based on daylight-artificial light integrated schemes have proved to be efficient by many researchers worldwide. But much larger energy savings with the benefit of visual and thermal comfort can be achieved when systems integration strategies are competently designed. They require a high level of expertise and familiarity with new design techniques. This study describes the results of three computational models suitable for the optimum integration of visual comfort, thermal comfort, and energy consumption in schemes where daylight and artificial light are integrated. This mainly involves: (i) a system identification approach in lighting control strategy, (ii) a fuzzy logic based controller to reduce glare, increase uniformity and thermal comfort, and (iii) an adaptive predictive control scheme for the dimming of artificial light. In addition to the above models the scheme must take account of occupancy and user wishes. The anticipated synergetic effects of the computational models have been validated using climate data. A SIMULINK environment is established for the real time control and analysis of daylight-artificial light integrated schemes. Overall, the schemes maximise energy cost saving while optimizing the performance and the quality of the visual environment.

Noise affects one's hearing as well as balance mechanism. The hearing mechanism of the noise-exposed individuals has been extensively studied. However, in view of the poor research focus on the sacculo-collic reflexes, especially in this study area, the present study was undertaken to examine the vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMP) in subjects with noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). A total of 30 subjects (55 ears) with NIHL participated in the present study within the age range of 30-40 years. VEMP recordings were done at 99 dBnHL using IHS instrument. The results indicated that as the average pure tone hearing threshold increased, the VEMP latencies were prolonged and peak to peak amplitude was reduced in NIHL subjects. Out of the 55 ears, VEMP was absent in 16 (29.0%) ears. The latency was prolonged and the peak to peak amplitude was reduced in 19 (34.6%) ears. VEMP results were normal in 20 (36.4%) ears. Therefore, VEMP was abnormal or absent in 67% of NIHL subjects in the present study. Hence it can be concluded that the possibility of vestibular dysfunction, specially the saccular pathway, is high in individuals with NIHL. VEMP, a non-invasive and user friendly procedure, can be employed in these individuals to assess sacculo-collic reflex.

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Over 300 bacterial strains were isolated from seven samples of activated sludge by plating on sewage agar. Gram-negative bacteria of the genera Zoogloea and Comamonas predominated. Many isolates (51%) showed sudanophilic inclusions of poly-,3-hydroxybutyric acid, whereas 34% accumulated iodophilic material on media containing starch. A large number required either vitamins or amino acids, or both, for growth. None of the isolates tested for their ability to bring about changes in autoclaved sewage produced an effluent comparable in quality to the activated sludge control, although the Zoogloea did produce activated sludgelike flocs. A study of 150 bacterial strains isolated from raw sewage revealed that they differed from the sludge isolates in several respects. Coliforms, which constitute nearly a quarter of the sewage isolates, were rarely encountered in sludge.