Modelling and validation of a single-storey flexible double-skin façade system with a building energy simulation tool

Double skin facades are adaptive envelopes designed to improve building energy use and comfort performance. Their adaptive principle relies on the dynamic management of the cavity's ventilation flow and, when available, of the shading device. They can also be integrated with the environmental systems for heating, cooling, and ventilation. However, in most cases, the possible exploitation of the ventilation airflow is not fully enabled, as the adoption of only one or two possible airpath limits the possibility that this facade architecture offers, meaning that flexible interaction with the environmental systems cannot be planned. This work aims to develop, using an existing software tool for building energy simulation, a numerical model of a flexible double-skin facade module capable of fully exploiting the adaptive features of such an envelope concept by switching between different cavity ventilation strategies. Leveraging the "Double Glass Facade" component available in IDA ICE, a new model for a flexible double-skin facade module was developed, and its performance in replicating the thermophysical behaviours of such a dynamic system was assessed by comparison with experimental data collected through a dedicated experimental activity using one the outdoor test cells of the TWINS facility in Torino (Italy). The accuracy of the predictions of the new model for a flexible double-skin facade was in line with that obtained by the conventional "Double Glass Facade" component to simulate traditional double-skin facades. The mean bias errors obtained were lower than 1.5 degrees C and 4 W/m2, for air and surface temperature values and for transmitted long-wave or short-wave heat flux values, respectively. By establishing a new archetype model to study the performance and optimal integration of a large class of double-skin facade modules, including fully flexible ones, this work demonstrates the possibility of modifying existing models in building energy simulation tools to study unconventional building envelope model solutions such as adaptive facade systems

Development of advanced multifunctional façade systems: Thermo-acoustic modelling and performance

The development of lightweight a nd multifunctional curta in wa ll systems, which integra te different technological solutions, is a imed at a chieving increa singly higher requirements rela ted to energy efficiency a s well a s indoor environmental quality in nonresidentia l buildings. On one ha nd lightweight a nd thin fa çade elements present several a dvantages (such a s construction time, space, a nd transportation savings, less weight on primary structure etc.), while fa cing the cha llenge of gua ranteeing the required thermal a nd a coustic performance and achieving legisla tive compliance on the other. In the framework of the Horizon 2020 Project Powerskin+ a new concept of multifunctional fa çade, which combines high performance insulation, energy harvesting, heating system, a nd la tent heat storage capabilities is under development. Within the design process of the different sub -modules (opaque and tra nsparent), performance calculations a re carried out by means of existing simulation tools, or a d-hoc developed models for more complex systems. In this study, the authors present the main steps required to a ccelerate the simula tion-based design process a nd the future thermal and a coustic optimization of the novel lightweight a nd multifunctional façade element

The domestic garden: its contribution to urban green infrastructure

Domestic gardens provide a significant component of urban green infrastructure but their relative contribution to eco-system service provision remains largely un-quantified. ‘Green infrastructure’ itself is often ill-defined, posing problems for planners to ascertain what types of green infrastructure provide greatest benefit and under what circumstances. Within this context the relative merits of gardens are unclear; however, at a time of greater urbanization where private gardens are increasingly seen as a ‘luxury’, it is important to define their role precisely. Hence, the nature of this review is to interpret existing information pertaining to gardens /gardening per se, identify where they may have a unique role to play and to highlight where further research is warranted. The review suggests that there are significant differences in both form and management of domestic gardens which radically influence the benefits. Nevertheless, gardens can play a strong role in improving the environmental impact of the domestic curtilage, e.g. by insulating houses against temperature extremes they can reduce domestic energy use. Gardens also improve localized air cooling, help mitigate flooding and provide a haven for wildlife. Less favourable aspects include contributions of gardens and gardening to greenhouse gas emissions, misuse of fertilizers and pesticides, and introduction of alien plant species. Due to the close proximity to the home and hence accessibility for many, possibly the greatest benefit of the domestic garden is on human health and well-being, but further work is required to define this clearly within the wider context of green infrastructure

Peptides highly specific to the variable region of TNF-ALFA-specific references licensed (RL) monoclonal antibodies (MAB), as potential tool to effectively assess similarity between biosimilars and the correspondig RL MAB

Background Monoclonal antibodies (mAb) have greatly facilitated the development of highly specific immunotherapy, with a significant improvement of clinical outcome in certain rheumatologic diseases. However, the approaching of many references licensed mAb (RLM) to the end of their licensing period, have stimulated a tremendous interest in the synthesis of a new generation of low-cost mAb referred to as biosimilars (BS) mAb (BSM), because of their similarity to the RLM. An essential requirement imposed by Regulatory Agencies for a mAb to be considered BS is that its variable region (VR) primary sequence must be highly similar to that of RLM. However, epitope recognition and affinity of a mAb very much depends on its VR conformational structure, which may differ even between two mAb bearing highly similar (but not identical) VR. The availability of reagents highly specific to the RLM VR may offer an unique opportunity to define whether a mAb can or cannot be considered BS to a given RLM. Objectives To isolate and characterize phage clone-expressing peptide (pc) which are highly specific for the VR of two anti-TNF-α RLP namely mAb Infliximab (Inf) and Golimumab (Gol). Methods Cross-inhibition ELISA on recombinant TNF-α (rTNF-α) was performed to define the spatial relationship among the epitopes detected by mAb. mAb-specific phage clones expressing peptide (pc) were obtained by the panning of a phage peptide display library with TNF-a specific mAb. Characterization of pc-specificity and of the spatial relationship between pc- and the TNF-a-binding site on the variable region of mAb was assessed by binding and inhibition assay. Results mAb Inf and Gol specifically and dose-dependently cross-inhibited each to the other in the binding to rTNF-a, indicating the recognition by these 2 mAb of the same or two distinct spatially related epitopes on TNF-a. The panning of mAb Inf and Gol with a phage peptide display library resulted in the isolation of one Inf-specific pc (pcInf) and three Gol-specific pc (pcGol1 to 3). Binding assay showed that pcInf and the three pcGol specifically reacted with the corresponding mAb. Furthermore, pcInf and pcGol3 specifically and dose-dependently inhibited the binding of the corresponding mAb to rTNF-α, suggesting the recognition by the pc of the corresponding mAb antigen-combining site. Finally, pcInf and all three pcGol did not react with two additional TNF-a antagonists, suggesting that they are highly specific for mAb Inf and Gol respectively. Conclusions The highly specificity of the pc described indicates that they can be eventually employed to predict similarity between a newly synthesized BSM and the claimed RLM, based on the BSM reactivity (or the lack of reactivity) with RLM-specific pc

Biological therapy with monoclonal antibodies: a novel treatment approach to autoimmune disease

Most autoimmune diseases (ADs) are still associated with high morbidity and mortality despite the use of a wide range of drugs that can delay their progression, control their symptoms, but never bring about a complete cure. This failure has aroused interest in new forms of monoclonal antibody-based experimental immunotherapy (IT), aiming at targeting cellular antigens or cytokines involved in the pathogenesis of ADs. The first part of this review offers a general overview of the molecular mechanisms that mediate the immune response and the molecule regarded as potential IT targets. A critical evaluation will then be made of some forms of IT, with particular emphasis on TNF-alpha and CD20-blocking reagents. Lastly an account will be given of active IT whereby an endogenous response against antigens regarded as the target of passive IT can be induced by anti-idiotype or peptides