Electrically heated glass in Mediterranean Climate

Postprint (published version

Thermal evaluation of buildings: a convenient tool

To COST ACTION TU 1104 "Smart Energy Regions" Prof. Aleksandra Djukic and Prof. Aleksandra Krstic-Furundzic of the Faculty of Architecture of the University of Belgrade, Serbia, that gave us the opportunity of be part of the training school imparted from Monday 20th to Thursday 23rd April 2015, where we can teach the topic.The convenience of the use of environmental building evaluation tools, to know design conditions and thermal behavior, by using bioclimatic strategies for determining a good early design processes of the building, as well as an evaluation of energy consumption of buildings and for the behavior of building the use of BPS - building performance simulation tool to control the power state of the building, the emission of carbon dioxide CO2, natural lighting and thermal comfort and a CFD - Computational Fluids Dynamics analysis. We take a deeper look about the behavior of the buildings by the use of the Design Builder software, as main practice objective, to show this we explain the process to work with a BPS - building performance simulation: Pre-process, Simulation process, Post-process. This material was presented in a European Union Cost Action TU1104, Training School in Belgrade (Serbia) in 20 - 23 April of 2015

Increasing the value of buildings through environmental design

Postprint (published version

A new immunization and treatment strategy for mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) associated cancers

Mouse Mammary Tumor Virus (MMTV) causes mammary carcinoma or lymphoma in mice. An increasing body of evidence in recent years supports its involvement also in human sporadic breast cancer. It is thus of importance to develop new strategies to impair the development, growth and metastasis of MMTV-associated cancers. The signal peptide of the envelope precursor protein of this virus: MMTV-p14 (p14) is an excellent target for such strategies, due to unique characteristics distinct from its regular endoplasmic reticulum targeting function. These include cell surface expression in: Murine cancer cells that harbor the virus, human breast cancer (MCF-7) cells that ectopically express p14, as well as cultured human cells derived from an invasive ductal breast carcinoma positive for MMTV sequences. These findings support its use in signal peptide-based immune targeting. Indeed, priming and boosting mice with p14 elicits a specific anti-signal peptide immune response sufficient for protective vaccination against MMTV-associated tumors. Furthermore, passive immunization using a combination of anti-p14 monoclonal antibodies or the transfer of T-cells from immunized mice (Adoptive Cell Transfer) is also therapeutically effective. With reports demonstrating involvement of MMTV in human breast cancer, we propose the immune-mediated targeting of p14 as a strategy for prevention, treatment and diagnosis of MMTV-associated cancers

Investigating molecular alterations to profile short- and long-term recurrence-free survival in patients with primary glioblastoma

Glioblastoma (GB) is the most aggressive type of primary brain tumor. Despite the progress in recent years regarding the diagnosis and treatment of GB, the recurrence rate remains high, due to the infiltrative and dispersive nature of the tumor, which typically results in poor patient prognosis. In the present study, 19 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded GB samples were selected from patients with GB tumors. The samples were classified into a short or long recurrence-free survival (RFS) group, based on the time of first recurrence of the disease in the patients. The 19 samples were molecularly characterized for mutations in the isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1) gene, amplification of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene, presence of the EGFR variant III, and methylation of the promoter region of the O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) gene. Then, the expression of 84 genes involved in cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions, and that of 84 microRNAs (miRNAs) associated with brain cancer, was profiled. In addition, a copy number variation analysis of 23 genes reported to undergo frequent genomic alterations in human glioma was also performed. Differences in the expression levels of a number of genes were detected across the short and long RFS groups. Among these genes, 5 in particular were selected, and a 5-genes combination approach was developed, which was able to differentiate between patients with short and long RFS outcome. The high levels of sensitivity and precision displayed by this 5-genes combination approach, which were confirmed with a cross-validation method, provide a strong foundation for further validation of the involvement of the aforementioned genes in GB in a larger patient population. In conclusion, the present study has demonstrated how the expression pattern of miRNAs and mRNAs in patients with GB defines a particular molecular hallmark that may increase or reduce the aggressive behavior of GB tumors, thus influencing the survival rates of patients with GB, their response to therapy and their tendency to suffer a relapse

Cancer astrocytes have a more conserved molecular status in long recurrence free survival (RFS) IDH1 wild-type glioblastoma patients: New emerging cancer players

Glioblastoma is a devastating disease that despite all the information gathered so far, its optimal management remains elusive due to the absence of validated targets from clinical studies. A better clarification of the molecular mechanisms is needed. In this study, having access to IDH1 wild-type glioblastoma of patients with exceptionally long recurrence free survival (RFS), we decided to compare their mutational and gene expression profile to groups of IDH1 wild-type glioblastoma of patients with shorter RFS, by using NGS technology. The exome analysis revealed that Long-RFS tumors have a lower mutational rate compared to the other groups. A total of 158 genes were found differentially expressed among the groups, 112 of which distinguished the two RFS extreme groups. Overall, the exome data suggests that shorter RFS tumors could be, chronologically, in a more advanced state in the muli-step tumor process of sequential accumulation of mutations. New players in this kind of cancer emerge from the analysis, confirmed at the RNA/DNA level, identifying, therefore, possible oncodrivers or tumor suppressor genes

In-vitro NET-osis induced by COVID-19 sera is associated to severe clinical course in not vaccinated patients and immune-dysregulation in breakthrough infection

: Since neutrophil extracellular traps formation (NET-osis) can be assessed indirectly by treating healthy neutrophils with blood-derived fluids from patients and then measuring the NETs response, we designed a pilot study to convey high-dimensional cytometry of peripheral blood immune cells and cytokines, combined with clinical features, to understand if NET-osis assessment could be included in the immune risk profiling to early prediction of clinical patterns, disease severity, and viral clearance at 28 days in COVID-19 patients. Immune cells composition of peripheral blood, cytokines concentration and in-vitro NETosis were detected in peripheral blood of 41 consecutive COVID-19 inpatients, including 21 mild breakthrough infections compared to 20 healthy donors, matched for sex and age. Major immune dysregulation in peripheral blood in not-vaccinated COVID-19 patients compared to healthy subjects included: a significant reduction of percentage of unswitched memory B-cells and transitional B-cells; loss of naïve CD3+CD4+CD45RA+ and CD3+CD8+CD45RA+ cells, increase of IL-1β, IL-17A and IFN-γ. Myeloid compartment was affected as well, due to the increase of classical (CD14++CD16-) and intermediate (CD14++CD16+) monocytes, overexpressing the activation marker CD64, negatively associated to the absolute counts of CD8+ CD45R0+ cells, IFN-γ and IL-6, and expansion of monocytic-like myeloid derived suppressor cells. In not-vaccinated patients who achieved viral clearance by 28 days we found at hospital admission lower absolute counts of effector cells, namely CD8+T cells, CD4+ T-cells and CD4+CD45RO+ T cells. Percentage of in-vitro NET-osis induced by patients' sera and NET-osis density were progressively higher in moderate and severe COVID-19 patients than in mild disease and controls. The percentage of in-vitro induced NET-osis was positively associated to circulating cytokines IL-1β, IFN-γ and IL-6. In breakthrough COVID-19 infections, characterized by mild clinical course, we observed increased percentage of in-vitro NET-osis, higher CD4+ CD45RO+ and CD8+ CD45RO+ T cells healthy or mild-COVID-19 not-vaccinated patients, reduced by 24 h of treatment with ACE inhibitor ramipril. Taken together our data highlight the role of NETs in orchestrating the complex immune response to SARS-COV-2, that should be considered in a multi-target approach for COVID-19 treatment

Comportamiento térmico del vidrio radiante en la envolvente acristalada : caracterización y simulación experimental

Actualmente la mayoría de los edificios de uso terciario cuentan con fachadas con una elevada proporción de superficie acristalada. Desde los primeros años del s. XX este tipo de fachada se ha convertido en un signo de identidad y expresión de modernidad arquitectónica. En los últimos años su desarrollo técnico se ha centrado en nuevas generaciones de fachadas activas y adaptativas, definidas por sistemas multifuncionales donde diferentes parámetros actúan modificando sus características y propiedades físicas según las necesidades de los usuarios y del entorno. Las fachadas totalmente acristaladas tienen un impacto significativo en el confort térmico de los ocupantes. Diferentes estudios han investigado las condiciones del ambiente térmico interno, analizando las ganancias y la asimetría térmica entre la envolvente y los ocupantes en diferentes condiciones. Por otra parte, los edificios con uso principalmente administrativo (oficinas), tienen espacios con altas cargas internas y cuando están ubicados en la zona climática mediterránea continental no tienen una alta demanda de calefacción durante la mayor parte de la estación fría. Teniendo en cuenta todo esto, se plantea que la incomodidad causada por la asimetría térmica podría ser abordada por un sistema de muro cortina de tipo tradicional equipado con tecnología de vidrio radiante eléctrico (VR), que actúa como un sistema de calefacción radiante totalmente integrado en la fachada y que adapta su comportamiento térmico a las condiciones climáticas del entorno y a los requisitos de los ocupantes. En esta tesis se ha investigado el comportamiento de la fachada equipada con tecnología de VR en condiciones reales de funcionamiento. La metodología utilizada ha comprendido la definición de un modelo teórico basado en los conceptos básicos de la transferencia del calor en fachadas acristaladas y el diseño de un protocolo de simulación. Asimismo, se ha definido un modelo experimental y se ha llevado a cabo una campaña de experimentación con dos módulos idénticos, durante un largo período de monitorización y en las mismas condiciones de entorno, proveyendo las dos fachadas, una con acristalamiento estándar de doble vidrio (como módulo de referencia) y dispositivo de calefacción independiente, y la otra con acristalamiento de vidrio radiante (como módulo prototipo de ensayo), utilizándose además como sistema de calefacción integrado. Se han estudiado los resultados obtenidos en la experimentación evaluando el comportamiento térmico de las dos fachadas y las condiciones del bienestar térmico en los dos módulos. Este análisis se ha desarrollado utilizando una metodología comparativa que estudia el comportamiento termodinámico de los vidrios y de toda la envolvente, la temperatura operativa y del aire, la asimetría térmica y radiante, los índices empíricos y los niveles de bienestar térmico, evaluando la distribución local de estos valores en todo el perímetro de los módulos. También se ha validado el modelo teórico y las simulaciones realizadas, por los resultados obtenidos en la experimentación. Esta metodología ha permitido verificar que la tecnología de VR puede utilizarse como sistema de calefacción totalmente integrado en la fachada, modificando su comportamiento térmico de manera independiente a las condiciones climáticas de entorno. Igualmente se ha demostrado que permite mantener los valores de temperatura radiante media exigidos por las normativas y que garantiza su distribución uniforme a lo largo de todo el perímetro de la fachada, independiente de las temperaturas externas. Se ha demostrado que la utilización del VR baja la asimetría de los planos radiantes y que mantiene una distribución local uniforme de los índices empíricos del confort en todo el perímetro interior, así como que permite disminuir la temperatura operativa sin reducir los niveles de bienestar térmico exigidos por la normativa. Finalmente, se han evaluado las posibilidades futuras del VR aplicado a la envolvente tecnológica para abordar en nuevas líneas de investigación sus potencialidades en el uso combinado con otras tecnologías que podrían permitir, por ejemplo, la utilización de fuentes de energía renovable a la luz de las nuevas exigencias de autoconsumo y de consumo nulo. En este contexto se han evidenciado también los límites y las mejoras potenciales ligadas a su consumo energético para satisfacer la mejora energética que requieren los edificios de consumo nulo. ----------ABSTRACT---------- Nowadays, most commercial buildings have full glazed facade. Since the early 20th century, this type of facade has become a sign of identity and expression of architectural modernity. In recent years, technical development has focused on a new generation of active and adaptive facades, defined by multifunctional systems where different parameters control and modify their performance and physical behaviour according to users’ requirements and environmental conditions. Full glazed facades have a significant impact on the thermal comfort of the occupants. Several studies have investigated indoor environmental conditions, analysing thermal loads and long-wave radiant asymmetry between the envelope and the occupants, under different conditions. On the other hand, buildings for administrative use (offices) have spaces with high internal loads. When they are located in the Continental Mediterranean climate zone they do not have a high demand for heating during most of the cold season. Taking all this into account, this thesis proposes that discomfort caused by this thermal asymmetry could be addressed with a commercial glazed curtain wall equipped with electric radiant glass (VR) technology, which acts as a radiant heating system integrated into the façade and that adapts its thermal behaviour to the outdoor climatic conditions and to occupants’ requirements. In this thesis, the performance of a glazed facade equipped with VR technology in real operating conditions has been investigated. The methodology used has included the definition of a theoretical model focused on the basic concepts of heat transfer in glass facades and the design of a simulation protocol. Furthermore, an experimental model has been defined and an experimentation campaign has been carried out with two identical cells during a long period of monitoring and under the same environmental conditions. One of the cells is equipped with a standard double glazing unit (as reference) and an independent HVAC system, and the other one with VR (as prototype), also working as integrated heating system. The experimental results have been investigated by evaluating the thermal performance of the two facades and the indoor thermal comfort conditions in the cells. This analysis has been developed using a comparative methodology that studies the thermodynamic behaviour of the glass and the entire envelope, the operative and air temperature, the thermal and radiant asymmetry, the indices of indoor thermal comfort levels, assessing the local distribution of these values even along the perimeter zone of the cells. Also the theoretical model and the simulations carried out have been validated by the results obtained in the experimentations. This methodology has allowed verifying that VR technology can be used as a fully integrated heating system in the facade, modifying its thermal performance independently to outdoor climatic conditions. The study has also demonstrated that the VR maintain the required levels of mean radiant temperature and guarantee its uniform distribution along the perimeter zone in higher-glazed facades independently to outdoor climatic conditions. The thesis demonstrates that the use of VR reduces the radiant plane asymmetry and that it maintains a uniform local distribution of indoor thermal comfort index levels along the perimeter zone and it has also been verified that ambient and operative temperatures can be lowered while maintaining the required thermal comfort levels according to the local and international standards. Finally, the forthcoming potentiality of VR integrated into the technological envelope has been evaluated to address in future research works its possibilities in combined use with other technologies that could allow, for example, the use of renewable energy sources in the light of the new demands for energy self-consumption and nearly zero-energy buildings. In this context, the limits and potential improvements related to its energy consumption have also been evidenced in order to meet the energy improvements required by buildings with nearly zero-energy consumption

Methodology of building condition surveys

SIGLEAvailable from British Library Document Supply Centre-DSC:99/31336 / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreGBUnited Kingdo

Radiant glass façade technology: thermal and comfort performance based on experimental monitoring of outdoor test cells

Fully glazed façades on commercial buildings have a significant impact on the thermal comfort of the occupants. Discomfort caused by thermal asymmetry can be addressed with a commercial glass curtain wall equipped with radiant glass (RG) technology. Such a wall acts as a heating system that uses radiant long-wave heat, and is fully integrated into the façade; the thermal performance of a glass curtain wall can be adapted according to occupant requirements.This study presents the results of an experimental campaign of tests conducted in outdoor test cells equipped with RG to assess the thermal and comfort performance of the façade. The study compares two identical cells in the same boundary under winter climate conditions: one (as reference) with a commercial low-e double glass façade and an HVAC heating system, and the other (as prototype) equipped with RG technology working entirely as the heating system. Comparisons between data gathered from outdoor cells were performed to investigate the thermodynamic performance, radiant and thermal asymmetry, operative and air temperatures, standards, and local indoor thermal comfort levels of both façades.This study demonstrated that using RG as a heating device can improve the level of thermal comfort by avoiding radiant asymmetry through a uniform distribution of radiant temperature, even along the perimeter zone in higher-glazed façades not subjected to external climatic conditions. The results suggests that operative and ambient temperatures can be lowered while maintaining thermal comfort.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft