Assessment of Passive Retrofitting Scenarios in Heritage Residential Buildings in Hot, Dry Climates

peer reviewedRetrofitting heritage buildings for energy efficiency is not always easy where cultural values are highly concerned, which requires an integrated approach. This paper aims to assess the potential of applying passive retrofitting scenarios to enhance indoor thermal comfort of heritage buildings in North Africa, as a hot climate, a little attention has been paid to retrofit built heritage in that climate. A mixed-mode ventilation residential building in Cairo, Egypt, was selected as a case study. The study combines field measurements and observations with energy simulations. A simulation model was created and calibrated on the basis of monitored data in the reference building, and the thermal comfort range was evaluated. Sets of passive retrofitting scenarios were proposed. The results (based on the ASHRAE-55-2020 adaptive comfort model at 90% acceptability limits) showed that the annual thermal comfort in the reference building is very low, i.e., 31.4%. The application of hybrid passive retrofitting scenarios significantly impacts indoor thermal comfort in the reference building, where annual comfort hours of up to 66% can be achieved. The originality of this work lies in identifying the most effective energy measures to improve indoor thermal comfort that are optimal from a conservation point of view. The findings contribute to set a comprehensive retrofitting tool that avoids potential risks for the conservation of residential heritage buildings in hot climates

Surgical Outcome of Three-Dimensional Correction of Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis

Background: Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis is an abnormal curvature of the spine that appears in late childhood or adolescence. Instead of growing straight, the spine develops a side-to-side curvature, usually in an elongated "S" or "C" shape; the bones of the spine are also slightly twisted or rotated. To prevent further curve progression and obtain a balanced spine, surgery remains the mainstay of treatment for idiopathic scoliosis (IS). Objective: This study aimed to discuss three dimensional surgical techniques used for correction of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, evaluating their feasibility, efficacy and safety. Patients and methods: This study was conducted in Mansoura University Hospital and Alexandria University Hospitals between September 2018 and April 2021. 3D surgical correction was performed for 91 patients complaining of idiopathic scoliosis, and not responding to conservative measures and not associated with neurological affection. Results: According to Lenke classification, there were 56 patients (61.5%) with type 1 curve type , 9 patients (9.9%) with type 2, 7 patients (7.7%) with type 3, 7 patients (7.7%) with type 5 and 12 patients (13.2%) with type 6. Mean preoperative height was 1.60 m while mean postoperative height was 1.66 m. with significant increase in height postoperatively (p < 0.001). Mean percentage height gain was 3.91%. Conclusion: We do believe that the posterior only approach 3D correction is an effective method in management of AIS concerning correction of Cobb angle, shoulder balance and spinopelvic parameters and recommend it as the best way nowadays to treat this disease

Surgical Outcome of Three-Dimensional Correction of Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis

Background: Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis is an abnormal curvature of the spine that appears in late childhood or adolescence. Instead of growing straight, the spine develops a side-to-side curvature, usually in an elongated "S" or "C" shape; the bones of the spine are also slightly twisted or rotated. To prevent further curve progression and obtain a balanced spine, surgery remains the mainstay of treatment for idiopathic scoliosis (IS). Objective: This study aimed to discuss three dimensional surgical techniques used for correction of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, evaluating their feasibility, efficacy and safety. Patients and methods: This study was conducted in Mansoura University Hospital and Alexandria University Hospitals between September 2018 and April 2021. 3D surgical correction was performed for 91 patients complaining of idiopathic scoliosis, and not responding to conservative measures and not associated with neurological affection. Results: According to Lenke classification, there were 56 patients (61.5%) with type 1 curve type , 9 patients (9.9%) with type 2, 7 patients (7.7%) with type 3, 7 patients (7.7%) with type 5 and 12 patients (13.2%) with type 6. Mean preoperative height was 1.60 m while mean postoperative height was 1.66 m. with significant increase in height postoperatively (p < 0.001). Mean percentage height gain was 3.91%. Conclusion: We do believe that the posterior only approach 3D correction is an effective method in management of AIS concerning correction of Cobb angle, shoulder balance and spinopelvic parameters and recommend it as the best way nowadays to treat this disease

Using artificial intelligence to improve body iron quantification: A scoping review

This scoping review explores the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in enhancing the screening, diagnosis, and monitoring of disorders related to body iron levels. A systematic search was performed to identify studies that utilize machine learning in iron-related disorders. The search revealed a wide range of machine learning algorithms used by different studies. Notably, most studies used a single data type. The studies varied in terms of sample sizes, participant ages, and geographical locations. AI's role in quantifying iron concentration is still in its early stages, yet its potential is significant. The question is whether AI-based diagnostic biomarkers can offer innovative approaches for screening, diagnosing, and monitoring of iron overload and anemia.Open Access funding provided by the Qatar National Library.Scopu

Management of hepatitis C virus genotype 4: recommendations of an international expert panel.

HCV has been classified into no fewer than six major genotypes and a series of subtypes. Each HCV genotype is unique with respect to its nucleotide sequence, geographic distribution, and response to therapy. Genotypes 1, 2, and 3 are common throughout North America and Europe. HCV genotype 4 (HCV-4) is common in the Middle East and in Africa, where it is responsible for more than 80% of HCV infections. It has recently spread to several European countries. HCV-4 is considered a major cause of chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, and liver transplantation in these regions. Although HCV-4 is the cause of approximately 20% of the 170 million cases of chronic hepatitis C in the world, it has not been the subject of widespread research. Therefore, this document, drafted by a panel of international experts, aimed to review current knowledge on the epidemiology, natural history, clinical, histological features, and treatment of HCV-4 infections

The IDENTIFY study: the investigation and detection of urological neoplasia in patients referred with suspected urinary tract cancer - a multicentre observational study

Objective To evaluate the contemporary prevalence of urinary tract cancer (bladder cancer, upper tract urothelial cancer [UTUC] and renal cancer) in patients referred to secondary care with haematuria, adjusted for established patient risk markers and geographical variation. Patients and Methods This was an international multicentre prospective observational study. We included patients aged ≥16 years, referred to secondary care with suspected urinary tract cancer. Patients with a known or previous urological malignancy were excluded. We estimated the prevalence of bladder cancer, UTUC, renal cancer and prostate cancer; stratified by age, type of haematuria, sex, and smoking. We used a multivariable mixed-effects logistic regression to adjust cancer prevalence for age, type of haematuria, sex, smoking, hospitals, and countries. Results Of the 11 059 patients assessed for eligibility, 10 896 were included from 110 hospitals across 26 countries. The overall adjusted cancer prevalence (n = 2257) was 28.2% (95% confidence interval [CI] 22.3–34.1), bladder cancer (n = 1951) 24.7% (95% CI 19.1–30.2), UTUC (n = 128) 1.14% (95% CI 0.77–1.52), renal cancer (n = 107) 1.05% (95% CI 0.80–1.29), and prostate cancer (n = 124) 1.75% (95% CI 1.32–2.18). The odds ratios for patient risk markers in the model for all cancers were: age 1.04 (95% CI 1.03–1.05; P < 0.001), visible haematuria 3.47 (95% CI 2.90–4.15; P < 0.001), male sex 1.30 (95% CI 1.14–1.50; P < 0.001), and smoking 2.70 (95% CI 2.30–3.18; P < 0.001). Conclusions A better understanding of cancer prevalence across an international population is required to inform clinical guidelines. We are the first to report urinary tract cancer prevalence across an international population in patients referred to secondary care, adjusted for patient risk markers and geographical variation. Bladder cancer was the most prevalent disease. Visible haematuria was the strongest predictor for urinary tract cancer

Cairo Built Heritage Towards Sustainable Retrofitting

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Investigation of Thermal Comfort in Heritage Residential Buildings of Khedivial Cairo in Hot Dry Climate: A Case Study

This paper investigates indoor thermal comfort in heritage residential buildings of Khedivial Cairo (a “buffer zone” for the UNESCO Heritage Site of ‘Historic Cairo’) and seeks to validate simulated indoor air temperature predictions in the software program “Designbuilder” (powered by EnergyPlus) version 6.1. through combining field measurements and observations with energy simulations. The studied area is exposed to adaptive reuse strategies for conservation purposes. However, there are limited attempts to improve energy consumption during said reuse projects, especially with the change of climate conditions in Cairo for the last 30 years that lead to depending mainly on electricity as a source of ventilation and cooling systems.The study carried out field measurements of indoor air temperature inside a reference building (one of six reference heritage building typologies in the study area) in summer of 2019 for three weeks. A field survey (observation and questionnaire) was conducted to analyse construction materials, façade features, internal heat gain, and occupancy profiles. A monitoring-based simulation model was created and calibrated with the reference building and the thermal comfort range was evaluated. The results (based on the ASHRAE-55 adaptive comfort model at 90% acceptability limit) show two different scenarios. The first includes only the base case, showing a large thermal discomfort with an annual indoor discomfort percentage of 68.49% from the total hours, and comfort 31.51 %. The second includes the based adaptive behavioural survey scenarios that were deduced from questionnaire analysis in the summer season, with an annual indoor discomfort percentage of 66.85% from the total hours, and comfort 33.15%. A comparison of both scenarios shows only a slight impact on thermal comfort during summer season for the reference case, and no significant impact in winter.info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublishe

Developing an Integrated Methodology for Energy Efficient Retrofitting of Built Heritage in Hot Dry Climate

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Heritage Buildings and Energy Retrofitting in Cairo

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