Simplified Building Thermal Model Used for Optimal Control of Radiant Cooling System

MPC has the ability to optimize the system operation parameters for energy conservation. Recently, it has been used in HVAC systems for saving energy, but there are very few applications in radiant cooling systems. To implement MPC in buildings with radiant terminals, the predictions of cooling load and thermal environment are indispensable. In this paper, a simplified thermal model is proposed for predicting cooling load and thermal environment in buildings with radiant floor. In this thermal model, the black-box model is introduced to derive the incident solar radiation, while the genetic algorithm is utilized to identify the parameters of the thermal model. In order to further validate this simplified thermal model, simulated results from TRNSYS are compared with those from this model and the deviation is evaluated based on coefficient of variation of root mean square (CV). The results show that the simplified model can predict the operative temperature with a CV lower than 1% and predict cooling loads with a CV lower than 10%. For the purpose of supervisory control in HVAC systems, this simplified RC thermal model has an acceptable accuracy and can be used for further MPC in buildings with radiation terminals

Diagnostic and prognostic potential of exosome non-coding RNAs in bladder cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundBladder cancer stands as the predominant malignant tumor in the urological system, presenting a significant challenge to public health and garnering extensive attention. Recently, with the deepening research into tumor molecular mechanisms, non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) have emerged as potential biomarkers offering guidance for the diagnosis and prognosis of bladder cancer. However, the definitive role of ncRNAs in bladder cancer remains unclear. Hence, this study aims to elucidate the relevance and significance of ncRNAs through a Meta-analysis.MethodsA systematic meta-analysis was executed, including studies evaluating the diagnostic performance of ncRNAs and their associations with overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS). Key metrics such as hazard ratios, sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic odds ratios were extracted and pooled from these studies. Potential publication bias was assessed using Deeks’ funnel plot, and the robustness of the results was ascertained through a sensitivity analysis.ResultsElevated ncRNA expression showed a positive correlation with improved OS, evidenced by a hazard ratio (HR) of 0.82 (95% CI: 0.66-0.96, P<0.001). Similarly, a significant association was observed between heightened ncRNA expression and DFS, with an HR of 0.86 (95% CI: 0.73-0.99, P<0.001). Diagnostic performance analysis across 17 articles yielded a pooled sensitivity of 0.76 and a specificity of 0.83. The diagnostic odds ratio was recorded at 2.71, with the area under the ROC curve (AUC) standing at 0.85.ConclusionExosome ncRNAs appear to possess potential significance in the diagnostic and prognostic discussions of bladder cancer. Their relationship with survival outcomes and diagnostic measures suggests a possible clinical utility. Comprehensive investigations are needed to fully determine their role in the ever-evolving landscape of bladder cancer management, especially within the framework of personalized medicine

Comparison of macular structural and vascular changes in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder and primary open angle glaucoma: a cross-sectional study.

AIMS: To compare macular structure and vasculature between neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) and primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) using optical coherence tomography angiography. METHODS: NMOSD patients (n=124) with/without a history of optic neuritis (ON) (NMO+ON: 113 eyes; NMO-ON: 95 eyes), glaucomatous patients (n=102) with early/advanced glaucoma (G-E: 74 eyes; G-A: 50 eyes) and healthy controls (n=62; 90 eyes) were imaged. The main outcome measures were macular ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GC-IPL) thickness, vessel density (VD) and perfusion density (PD) in the superficial capillary plexus, and diagnostic capabilities of the parameters as calculated by area under the curve (AUC). RESULTS: Significant losses in GC-IPL, VD and PD were detected in both patients with NMOSD and POAG. With matched losses in the peripapillary retinal nerve fibre layer, NMOSD group showed significant thinning of GC-IPL in the nasal-superior quadrant, whereas in POAG group, significant thinning was observed in the inferior and temporal-inferior quadrants. GC-IPL thinning was more prominent in the superior, nasal-superior and nasal-inferior quadrants in NMO+ON eyes. In G-A eyes, significant GC-IPL thinning was seen in the temporal-inferior quadrant. The specific structural parameters combining VD and foveal avascular zone (FAZ) indices showed the best diagnostic accuracies. The FAZ area in eyes with NMOSD was significantly smaller than the eyes of healthy controls and POAG. CONCLUSION: NMOSD and POAG have specific patterns of macular structural and vascular changes associated with pathophysiology. Our results indicate that FAZ could be a sensitive biomarker of macular changes in NMOSD