Carbon mapping for residential low carbon retrofitting

Abstract

Background: Cognitive Muscular TherapyTM (CMT) is an integrated behavioural intervention developed for knee osteoarthritis. CMT teaches patients to reconceptualise the condition, integrates muscle biofeedback and aims to reduce muscle overactivity, both in response to pain and during daily activities. This nested qualitative study explored patient and physiotherapist perspectives and experiences of CMT.Methods: Five physiotherapists were trained to follow a well-defined protocol and then delivered CMT to at least two patients with knee osteoarthritis. Each patient received seven individual clinical sessions and was provided with access to online learning materials incorporating animated videos. Semi-structured interviews took place after delivery/completion of the intervention and data were analysed at the patient and physiotherapist level.Results: Five physiotherapists and five patients were interviewed. All described a process of changing beliefs throughout their engagement with CMT. A framework with three phases was developed to organise the data according to how osteoarthritis was conceptualised and how this changed throughout their interactions with CMT. Firstly, was an identification of pain beliefs to be challenged and recognition of how current beliefs can misalign with daily experiences. Secondly was a process of challenging and changing beliefs, validated through new experiences. Finally, there was an embedding of changed beliefs into self-management to continue with activities. Conclusion:This study identified a range of psychological changes which occur during exposure to CMT. These changes enabled patients to reconceptualise their condition, develop a new understanding of their body, understand psychological processes, and make sense of their knee pain.

Scenario Prediction of Carbon Emission Peak of Urban Residential Buildings in China’s Coastal Region: A Case of Fujian Province

“…Shi et al [15] investigated the impact of climate and economy on carbon emissions of cities in southern and northern China. Marwa Dabaieh et al [29] selected Egyptian residential buildings as their research object, aiming to develop carbon map tools and measure the carbon footprint of Egyptian residential buildings. Nematchoua et al [30] selected tropical climate regions as their research object, compared them to temperate regions, and studied the difference in carbon emissions reduction that can be implemented by residential building reconstruction in different regions.…”

Passive measures for energy-efficient economic class housing units in national housing projects

“…Hence, concerns about building performance are increasingly becoming an integral part of the building sector. This aims at reaching a sustainable building performance that result in minimal environmental impact [10]. This is particularly important in governmental national housing projects (GNHP) which include prototypical designs repeated in many cities in Egypt.…”