382 research outputs found
A Methodology for daylight optimisation of high-rise buildings in the dense urban district using overhang length and glazing type variables with surrogate modelling
Urbanization and population growth lead to the construction of higher buildings in the 21st century. This causes an increment on energy consumption as the amount of constructed floor areas is rising steadily. Integrating daylight performance in building design supports reducing the energy consumption and satisfying occupants' comfort. This study presents a methodology to optimise the daylight performance of a high-rise building located in a dense urban district. The purpose is to deal with optimisation problems by dividing the high-rise building into five zones from the ground level to the sky level, to achieve better daylight performance. Therefore, the study covers five optimization problems. Overhang length and glazing type are considered to optimise spatial Daylight Autonomy (sDA) and Annual Sunlight Exposure (ASE). A total of 500 samples in each zone are collected to develop surrogate models. A self-adaptive differential evolution algorithm is used to obtain near-optimal results for each zone. The developed surrogate models can estimate the metrics with minimum 98.25% R2 which is calculated from neural network prediction and Diva simulations. In the case study, the proposed methodology improves daylight performance of the high-rise building, decreasing ASE by approx. 27.6% and increasing the sDA values by around 88.2% in the dense urban district. - Published under licence by IOP Publishing Ltd.We would like to thank Cemre Cubukcuoglu for the collaborative work while implementing the optimisation algorithm. M. Fatih Tasgetiren, who is partially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 51435009), acknowledges the HUST project in Wuhan.Scopu
The growth and erosion of cinder cones in Guatemala and El Salvador: Models and statistics
Morphologic data for 147 cinder cones in southern Guatemala andwestern El Salvador are comparedwith data from
the San Francisco volcanic field, Arizona (USA), Cima volcanic field, California (USA), Michoácan–Guanajuato
volcanic field, Mexico, and the Lamongan volcanic field, East Java. The Guatemala cones have an average height of
110+/-50 m, an average basal diameter of 660+/-230 m and an average top diameter of 180+/-150 m. The
generalmorphology of these cones can be described by their average cone angle of slope (24+/-7), average heightto-
radius ratio (0.33+/-0.09) and their flatness (0.24+/-0.18). Although the mean values for the Guatemalan
cones are similar to those for other volcanic fields (e.g., San Francisco volcanic field, Arizona; Cima volcanic field,
California; Michoácan–Guanajuato volcanic field, Mexico; and Lamongan volcanic field, East Java), the range of
morphologies encompasses almost all of those observed worldwide for cinder cones.
Three new 40Ar/39Ar age dates are combined with 19 previously published dates for cones in Guatemala and El
Salvador. There is no indication that the morphologies of these cones have changed over the last 500–1000 ka.
Furthermore, a re-analysis of published data for other volcanic fields suggests that only in the Cima volcanic field (of
those studied) is there clear evidence of degradation with age.
Preliminary results of a numerical model of cinder cone growth are used to show that the range of morphologies
observed in the Guatemalan cinder cones could all be primary, that is, due to processes occurring at the time of
eruption
The growth and erosion of cinder cones in Guatemala and El Salvador: Models and statistics
Morphologic data for 147 cinder cones in southern Guatemala andwestern El Salvador are comparedwith data from
the San Francisco volcanic field, Arizona (USA), Cima volcanic field, California (USA), Michoácan–Guanajuato
volcanic field, Mexico, and the Lamongan volcanic field, East Java. The Guatemala cones have an average height of
110+/-50 m, an average basal diameter of 660+/-230 m and an average top diameter of 180+/-150 m. The
generalmorphology of these cones can be described by their average cone angle of slope (24+/-7), average heightto-
radius ratio (0.33+/-0.09) and their flatness (0.24+/-0.18). Although the mean values for the Guatemalan
cones are similar to those for other volcanic fields (e.g., San Francisco volcanic field, Arizona; Cima volcanic field,
California; Michoácan–Guanajuato volcanic field, Mexico; and Lamongan volcanic field, East Java), the range of
morphologies encompasses almost all of those observed worldwide for cinder cones.
Three new 40Ar/39Ar age dates are combined with 19 previously published dates for cones in Guatemala and El
Salvador. There is no indication that the morphologies of these cones have changed over the last 500–1000 ka.
Furthermore, a re-analysis of published data for other volcanic fields suggests that only in the Cima volcanic field (of
those studied) is there clear evidence of degradation with age.
Preliminary results of a numerical model of cinder cone growth are used to show that the range of morphologies
observed in the Guatemalan cinder cones could all be primary, that is, due to processes occurring at the time of
eruption
HelixComplex snail mucus as a potential technology against O3 induced skin damage
Mucus form H. aspersa muller has been reported to have several therapeutic proprieties, such as antimicrobial activity, skin protection and wound repair. In this study, we have analyzed H. aspersa mucus (Helixcomplex) bio-adhesive efficacy and its defensive properties against the ozone (O3) (0.5 ppm for 2 hours) exposure in human keratinocytes and reconstructed human epidermis models. Cytotoxicity, tissue morphology and cytokine levels were determined. We confirmed HelixComplex regenerative and bio-adhesive properties, the latter possibly via the characteristic mucopolysaccharide composition. In addition, HelixComplex was able to protect from O3 exposure by preventing oxidative damage and the consequent pro-inflammatory response in both 2D and 3D models. Based on this study, it is possible to suggest HelixComplex as a potentially new protective technology against pollution induced skin damage
40Ar/39Ar Ages of Carbonaceous Xenoliths in 2 HED Meteorites
The generally young K/Ar and 40Ar/39Ar ages of CM chondrites made us wonder whether carbonaceous xenoliths (CMX) entombed in HowarditeEucriteDiogenite (HED) meteorites might retain more radiogenic 40Ar than do free-range CM-chondrites. To find out, we selected two HED breccias with carbonaceous inclusions in order to compare the 40Ar/39Ar release patterns and ages of the inclusions with those of nearby HED material. Carbonaceous inclusions (CMXs) in two HED meteorites lost a greater fraction of radiogenic 40Ar than did surrounding host material, but a smaller fraction of it than did free-range CM-chondrites such as Murchison or more heavily altered ones. Importantly, however, the siting of the CMXs in HED matrix did not prevent the 40Ar loss of about 40 percent of the radiogenic 40Ar, even from phases that degas at high laboratory temperatures. We infer that carbonaceous asteroids with perihelia of 1 astronomical unit probably experience losses of at least this size. The usefulness of 40Ar/39Ar dating for samples returned from C-type asteroids may hinge, therefore, on identifying and analyzing separately small quantities of the most retentive phases of carbonaceous chondrites
Late Bombardment of the Lunar Highlands Recorded in MIL 090034, MIL 090036 and MIL 090070 Lunar Meteorites
The Kaguya mission detected small but widespread outcrops of nearly pure ferroan anorthosite in and around large impact basins on the Moon. Along with certain lunar rocks, highly feldspathic lunar meteorites such as MIL 090034 (M34), 090036 (M36), and 090070 (M70) may provide samples of this material. We have measured the Ar-40/Ar-39 release patterns and cosmogenic Ar-38 concentrations of several small (<200 microg) samples separated from M34,36, and 70. From petrographic observations concluded that "some of the clasts and grains experienced generations of modifications," a conclusion that we examine in light of our data
Strategies to build a positive and inclusive Antarctic field work environment
Support from National Science Foundation (NSF: Grants 1738913, 1738896, 1738942, 1738992, 1738896, 1738934) and Natural Environment Research Council (NERC: Grants NE/S006788/1, NE/S006605/1, NE/S00677X/1). This research was supported in part by the NOAA cooperative agreement NA17OAR4320101. Logistics provided by NSF-U.S. Antarctic Program and NERC-British Antarctic Survey. ITGC Contribution No. ITGC-084.To increase inclusivity, diversity, equity and accessibility in Antarctic science, we must build more positive and inclusive Antarctic field work environments. The International Thwaites Glacier Collaboration (ITGC) has engaged in efforts to contribute to that goal through a variety of activities since 2018, including creating an open-access 'Field and Ship Best Practices' guide, engaging in pre-field season team dynamics meetings, and surveying post-field season reflections and experiences. We report specific actions taken by ITGC and their outcomes. We found that strong and supported early career researchers brought new and important perspectives regarding strategies for transforming culture. We discovered that engaged and involved senior leadership was also critical for expanding participation and securing funding to support efforts. Pre-field discussions involving all field team members were particularly helpful for setting expectations, improving sense of belonging, describing field work best practices, and co-creating a positive work culture.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe
Spong3d: 3D printed facade system enabling movable fluid heat storage
Spong3D is an adaptive 3D printed facade system that integrates multiple functions to optimize thermal performances according to the different environmental conditions throughout the year. The proposed system incorporates air cavities to provide thermal insulation and a movable liquid (water plus additives) to provide heat storage where and whenever needed. The air cavities have various dimensions and are located in the inner part of the system. The movable liquid provides heat storage as it flows through channels located along the outer surfaces of the system (on the indoor and outdoor faces of the façade). Together, the composition of the channels and the cavities form a complex structure, integrating multiple functions into a singular component, which can only be produced by using an Additive Manufacturing (AM; like 3D printing) technology
Spong3d: 3D printed facade system enabling movable fluid heat storage
Spong3D is an adaptive 3D printed facade system that integrates multiple functions to optimize thermal performances according to the different environmental conditions throughout the year. The proposed system incorporates air cavities to provide thermal insulation and a movable liquid (water plus additives) to provide heat storage where and whenever needed. The air cavities have various dimensions and are located in the inner part of the system. The movable liquid provides heat storage as it flows through channels located along the outer surfaces of the system (on the indoor and outdoor faces of the façade). Together, the composition of the channels and the cavities form a complex structure, integrating multiple functions into a singular component, which can only be produced by using an Additive Manufacturing (AM; like 3D printing) technology
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