bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Complex migration history is revealed by genetic diversity of tomato samples collected in Italy during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries
Authors: Ercolano M. R. , Di Donato A. , Sanseverino W. , Barbella M. , De Natale A. , Frusciante L.
Published: June 2020

Native to South America, the tomato is now grown almost worldwide. During its domestication and improvement, important selection signatures were fixed in certain agronomic and adaption traits. Such traits include fruit morphology, which became a major target for selection over the centuries. However, little is known about precisely when some mutations arose and how they spread through the germplasm. For instance, elongated fruit variants, originating both via mutations in SUN and OVATE genes, may have arisen prior to domestication or during tomato cultivation in Europe. To gain insights into the tomato admixture and selection pattern, the genome of two tomato herbarium specimens conserved in the Herbarium Porticense (PORUN) was sequenced. Comparison of the DNA of herbarium samples collected in Italy between 1750 and 1890 with that of living tomato accessions yielded insights into the history of tomato loci selection. Interestingly, the genotype of the more recent sample (LEO90), classified in 1890 as the oblungum variety, shows several private variants in loci implicated in fruit shape determination, also present also in wild tomato samples. In addition, LEO90, sampled in the nineteenth century, is genetically more distant from cultivated varieties than the SET17 genotype, collected in the eighteenth century, suggesting that elongated tomato varieties may originate from a cross between a landrace and a wild ancestor. Findings from our study have major implications for the understanding of tomato migration patterns and for the conservation of allelic diversity and loci recovery.
Whole-genome, transcriptome, and methylome analyses provide insights into the evolution of platycoside biosynthesis in Platycodon grandiflorus, a medicinal plant
Authors: Kim Jungeun , Kang Sang-Ho , Park Sin-Gi , Yang Tae-Jin , Lee Yi , Kim Ok Tae , Chung Oksung , Lee Jungho , Choi Jae-Pil , Kwon Soo-Jin , Lee Keunpyo , Ahn Byoung-Ohg , Lee Dong Jin , Yoo Seung-il , Shin In-Gang , Um Yurry , Lee Dae Young , Kim Geum-Soog , Hong Chang Pyo , Bhak Jong , Kim Chang-Kug
Published: June 2020

Triterpenoid saponins (TSs) are common plant defense phytochemicals with potential pharmaceutical properties.Platycodon grandiflorus(Campanulaceae) has been traditionally used to treat bronchitis and asthma in East Asia. The oleanane-type TSs, platycosides, are a major component of theP. grandiflorusroot extract. Recent studies show that platycosides exhibit anti-inflammatory, antiobesity, anticancer, antiviral, and antiallergy properties. However, the evolutionary history of platycoside biosynthesis genes remains unknown. In this study, we sequenced the genome ofP. grandiflorusand investigated the genes involved in platycoside biosynthesis. The draft genome ofP. grandiflorusis 680.1 Mb long and contains 40,017 protein-coding genes. Genomic analysis revealed that theCYP716family genes play a major role in platycoside oxidation. TheCYP716gene family ofP. grandifloruswas much larger than that of other Asterid species. Orthologous gene annotation also revealed the expansion ofβ-amyrin synthases(bASs) inP. grandiflorus, which was confirmed by tissue-specific gene expression. In these expanded gene families, we identified key genes showing preferential expression in roots and association with platycoside biosynthesis. In addition, whole-genome bisulfite sequencing showed thatCYP716andbASgenes are hypomethylated inP. grandiflorus, suggesting that epigenetic modification of these two gene families affects platycoside biosynthesis. Thus whole-genome, transcriptome, and methylome data ofP. grandiflorusprovide novel insights into the regulation of platycoside biosynthesis byCYP716andbASgene families.
Quantitative kinetics of intracellular singlet oxygen generation using a fluorescence probe
Authors: Murotomi Kazutoshi , Umeno Aya , Sugino Sakiko , Yoshida Yasukazu
Published: June 2020

Singlet oxygen (1O2) is a type of reactive oxygen species involved in numerous physiological activities. We previously reported that 1O2-specific oxidation products are increased in patients with prediabetes, suggesting that measurement of 1O2 may be an important indicator of physiological and pathological conditions. The turnover in the generation and quenching of 1O2 is extremely rapid during biological activities owing to it high reactivity and short lifetime in solution. However, the dynamic changes in 1O2 generation in living cells have not been fully explored. In this study, we investigated whether the kinetics of 1O2 generation can be quantified using a far-red fluorescent probe for mitochondrial 1O2, Si-DMA, following addition of the 1O2 generator, endoperoxide, to mammalian cells. The kinetics of Si-DMA fluorescence intensity dose-dependently increased following treatment of mammalian living cells with endoperoxide. Alternatively, treatment with 1O2 quenchers decreased the fluorescence intensities following endoperoxide treatment. Our results indicate that the kinetics of intracellular 1O2 can be readily obtained using Si-DMA and time-lapse imaging, which provides new insights into the mechanism of 1O2 generation in mammalian cells and the exploration of 1O2 generators and quenchers.
Direct ceramic coating of calcium phosphate doped with strontium via reactive growing integration layer method on α-Ti alloy
Authors: Huang Chi Huang , Yoshimura Masahiro
Published: June 2020

A strontium (Sr)-doped hydroxyapatite-like coating was deposited on α-Ti alloy via the growing integration layer (GIL) method at various applied voltages. We added 0.03 M strontium hydroxide (Sr(OH)2·8H2O) to a solution containing calcium acetate and sodium dihydrogen phosphate to produce Sr-doped hydroxyapatite (Sr-HA) coatings. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) images of these coatings showed that all various features, such as average pore size, coating thickness, micro-hardness, and roughness, were similar to those of HA. As the voltage increased from 250 to 300 V, the amount of micro cracks decreased, and there were eliminated at 350 V. The SEM images also showed that the Sr-HA coatings were closely integrated with the alloy: without any gaps between the oxide layers and the alloy. In addition, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy verified the Sr integration from the bottom up. X-ray diffraction patterns confirmed Sr-HA formation instead of calcium phosphate, even at the lowest voltage of 250 V. The value of Ecorr increased by 6.6% after raising the voltage from 250 to 350 V. The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy analysis confirmed that the adequate corrosion resistance of Sr-HA coatings, especially at the highest voltage of 350 V. In addition, the GIL treatment increased the layer resistance measured by Rp/Rc. Optimally, the GIL method used the highest voltage of 350 V to produce higher quality of Sr-HA-rich coatings.
Changes in cross-frequency coupling following closed-loop auditory stimulation in non-rapid eye movement sleep
Authors: Krugliakova Elena , Volk Carina , Jaramillo Valeria , Sousouri Georgia , Huber Reto
Published: June 2020

Regional changes of non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep delta and sigma activity, and their temporal coupling have been related to experience-dependent plastic changes during previous wakefulness. These sleep-specific rhythms seem to be important for brain recovery and memory consolidation. Recently, it was demonstrated that by targeting slow waves in a particular region at a specific phase with closed-loop auditory stimulation, it is possible to locally manipulate slow-wave activity and interact with training-induced neuroplastic changes. In our study, we tested whether closed-loop auditory stimulation targeting the up-phase of slow waves might not only interact with the main sleep rhythms but also with their coupling within the circumscribed region. We demonstrate that while closed-loop auditory stimulation globally enhances delta, theta and sigma power, changes in cross-frequency coupling of these oscillations were more spatially restricted. Importantly, a significant increase in delta-sigma coupling was observed over the right parietal area, located directly posterior to the target electrode. These findings suggest that closed-loop auditory stimulation locally modulates coupling between delta phase and sigma power in a targeted region, which could be used to manipulate sleep-dependent neuroplasticity within the brain network of interest.
Diagnostic performances and unnecessary US-FNA rates of various TIRADS after application of equal size thresholds
Authors: Huh Sun , Lee Hye Sun , Yoon Jiyoung , Kim Eun-Kyung , Moon Hee Jung , Yoon Jung Hyun , Park Vivian Youngjean , Kwak Jin Young
Published: June 2020

We compared the diagnostic performances and unnecessary FNA rates of several guidelines and modified versions using the size threshold of the ACR TIRADS. Our Institutional Review Board approved this retrospective study and waived the requirement for informed consent and all methods were performed in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki. A total of 1,384 thyroid nodules in 1,301 patients with definitive cytopathologic findings were included. US categories were assigned according to each guideline. We applied the size threshold suggested by the ACR TIRADS for FNA to the Kwak, ATA and EU guidelines and defined these modified guidelines as the modified Kwak (mKwak), modified ATA (mATA) and modified EU (mEU) guidelines. Diagnostic performances and unnecessary FNA rates of all guidelines were evaluated. Of 1,384 thyroid nodules, 291 (21%) were malignant. Among the original guidelines, the ACR TIRADS had the highest specificity, accuracy, LR and AUC (62.2%, 66%, 2.128 and 0.713). The mKwak, mATA and mEU guidelines had higher specificity, accuracy, LR and AUC (P < 0.001 for all), and fewer unnecessary FNAs, compared with their original guidelines. Among all original and modified guidelines, the mKwak guideline had the highest specificity, accuracy, LR and AUC (64%, 68.6%, 2.389 and 0.75). The unnecessary FNA rate was the lowest with the mKwak guideline (61.1%). The highest sensitivity was observed with the ATA guideline (98.6%). After incorporating the size threshold of the ACR TIRADS to other TIRADS, all guidelines showed higher diagnostic accuracy and lower unnecessary FNA rates than their original versions. The mKwak guideline showed the best diagnostic performances.
Ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase L1 (UCHL1) regulates post-myocardial infarction cardiac fibrosis through glucose-regulated protein of 78 kDa (GRP78)
Authors: Lei Qian , Yi Tao , Li Hang , Yan Zhijie , Lv Zhan , Li Gerui , Wang Yanggan
Published: June 2020

Abnormal cardiac fibrosis indicates cardiac dysfunction and poor prognosis in myocardial infarction (MI) patients. Many studies have demonstrated that the ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS) plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of fibrosis. Ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase L1 (UCHL1), a member of the UPS, is related to fibrosis in several heart diseases. However, whether UCHL1 regulates cardiac fibrosis following MI has yet to be determined. In the present study, we found that UCHL1 was dramatically increased in infarct hearts and TGF-β1-stimulated cardiac fibroblasts (CFs). Inhibition of UCHL1 with LDN57444 (LDN) reversed the myocardial fibrosis in post-MI heart and improved cardiac function. Treatment of LDN or UCHL1 siRNA abolished the TGF-β1-induced fibrotic response of CFs. We further identified GRP78 as an interactor of UCHL1 through screening using immunoprecipitation-mass spectrometer. We determined that UCHL1 interacted with glucose-regulated protein of 78 kDa (GRP78) and prompted GRP78 degradation via ubiquitination. Furthermore, we found that GRP78 was upregulated after UCHL1 knockdown and that the GRP78 inhibitor HA15 diminished the antifibrotic function exerted by UCHL1 knockdown in CFs stimulated with TGF-β1. This suggests that UCHL1 regulates cardiac fibrosis post MI through interactions with GRP78. This work identifies that the UCHL1-GRP78 axis is involved in cardiac fibrosis after MI.
Author Correction: Evaporation coefficient and condensation coefficient of vapor under high gas pressure conditions
Authors: Ohashi Kotaro , Kobayashi Kazumichi , Fujii Hiroyuki , Watanabe Masao
Published: June 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
A capillary-based fluorimetric platform for the evaluation of glucose in blood using gold nanoclusters and glucose oxidase in the ZIF-8 matrix
Authors: Feng Luping , Yang Jiani , Zhang Sheng , Zhang Lixiang , Chen Xi , Li Pan , Gao Yuan , Xie Shujing , Zhang Yun , Wang Hua
Published: June 2020

A capillary-based fluorimetric detection method was developed by the synergetic combination of catalysis-specific recognition and fluorescence signaling for probing glucose through the self-driven sampling of capillarity.
The electronic structure, surface properties, and in situ N2O decomposition of mechanochemically synthesised LaMnO3
Authors: Blackmore Rachel H. , Rivas Maria Elena , Tierney George F. , Mohammed Khaled M. H. , Decarolis Donato , Hayama Shusaku , Venturini Federica , Held Georg , Arrigo Rosa , Amboage Monica , Hellier Pip , Lynch Evan , Amri Mahrez , Casavola Marianna , Eralp Erden Tugce , Collier Paul , Wells Peter P.
Published: June 2020

This study reports the importance of advanced synchrotron techniques for understanding the effect of milling atmosphere, either air or argon, on mechanochemically prepared LaMnO3 and the catalytic performance towards N2O decomposition (deN2O).
Insights into the photoprotection mechanism of the UV filter homosalate
Authors: Holt Emily L. , Krokidi Konstantina M. , Turner Matthew A. P. , Mishra Piyush , Zwier Timothy S. , Rodrigues Natércia d. N. , Stavros Vasilios G.
Published: June 2020

Homosalate has been found to exhibit favourable photophysics for inclusion in sunscreens, using a combination of spectroscopic and computational approaches.
Gastrointestinal digestion of dietary advanced glycation endproducts using anin vitromodel of the gastrointestinal tract (TIM-1)
Authors: van der Lugt Timme , Venema Koen , van Leeuwen Stefan , Vrolijk Misha F. , Opperhuizen Antoon , Bast Aalt
Published: June 2020

In a sophisticated gastrointestinal model, dietary advanced glycation endproducts (dAGEs) in food products remain bound to proteins after digestion and concentrations increase.
Synthesis and characterization of a new energetic metal–organic framework for use in potential propellant compositions
Authors: Wu Shuo , Li Min , Yang Zhengyi , Xia Zhengqiang , Liu Bin , Yang Qi , Wei Qing , Xie Gang , Chen Sanping , Gao Shengli , Lu Jack Y.
Published: June 2020

A new green energetic metal–organic framework has potential application prospects in the fields of greener propellants and multi-dimensional magnetic materials.
Current state of the art in rapid diagnostics for antimicrobial resistance
Authors: Shanmugakani Rathina Kumar , Srinivasan Balaji , Glesby Marshall J. , Westblade Lars F. , Cárdenas Washington B. , Raj Tony , Erickson David , Mehta Saurabh
Published: June 2020

This review provides an insight into current rapid diagnostics for antimicrobial resistance, their technical aspects and benefits/limitations on their application.
Surface structure engineering for a bionic fiber-based sensor toward linear, tunable, and multifunctional sensing
Authors: Jia Jin , Pu Jun-Hong , Liu Jun-Hong , Zhao Xing , Ke Kai , Bao Rui-Ying , Liu Zheng-Ying , Yang Ming-Bo , Yang Wei
Published: June 2020

A bio-segmental structured fiber-based sensor with tailorable strain concentration effect enables tunable sensing properties for multifunctional monitoring applications.
Synthesis, photophysical and electropolymerization properties of thiophene-substituted 2,3-diphenylbuta-1,3-dienes
Authors: Roger Maxime , Amro Kassem , Rault-Berthelot Joëlle , Quiot Mathias , Van der Lee Arie , Poriel Cyril , Richeter Sébastien , Clément Sébastien , Gerbier Philippe
Published: June 2020

Electropolymerizable diphenylbuta-1,3-diene derivatives with AIE or AEE properties were synthesized allowing low bandgap polymers to be obtained through electropolymerization processes.
Halloysite nanotubes based heterogeneous solid acid catalysts
Authors: Mahajan Aman , Gupta Princy
Published: June 2020

Taking into account the excellent catalytic performance of halloysite nanotubes, the main focus of this review article is to unveil the research on halloysite nanotubes for the preparation of solid acids and their applications in acid catalysis.
Meroterpenoid natural products fromStreptomycesbacteria – the evolution of chemoenzymatic syntheses
Authors: Murray Lauren A. M. , McKinnie Shaun M. K. , Moore Bradley S. , George Jonathan H.
Published: June 2020

A review of the chemical diversity, biosynthesis, synthesis and biocatalysis of naphthoquinone-based meroterpenoids is presented.
Chitosan derived nitrogen-doped carbon dots suppress osteoclastic osteolysisviadownregulating ROS
Authors: Chen Runfeng , Liu Guanxiong , Sun Xiaochen , Cao Xiankun , He Wenxin , Lin Xixi , Liu Qian , Zhao Jinmin , Pang Yichuan , Li Baoqiang , Qin An
Published: June 2020

N-CDs inhibited osteoclast formation and overactivationviadownregulating ROS.
Chemical vapor transport growth of bulk black phosphorus single crystals
Authors: Khurram Muhammad , Sun Zhaojian , Zhang Ziming , Yan Qingfeng
Published: June 2020

Recent progress in growth of bulk black phosphorus single crystal by CVT method has been briefly reviewed with the emphasis on reaction system, nucleation and growth mechanism as well as advancement in growth of doped BP bulk single crystal.
Nucleophile-assisted cyclization of β-propargylamino acrylic compounds catalyzed by gold(i): a rapid construction of multisubstituted tetrahydropyridines and their fused derivatives
Authors: Matouš Petr , Kadaník Michal , Timoracký Marek , Kuneš Jiří , Maříková Jana , Růžička Aleš , Kočovský Pavel , Pour Milan
Published: June 2020

A variety of medicinally important multisubstituted tetrahydropyridines, 4-aryl piperidines, isoquinolines and fused pyridines were prepared in 1–3 step sequences via nucleophile-assisted Au(i)-catalyzed cyclizations of easily available azaenynes.
Analysis of a reverse hybrid hysteresis motor using hyperbolic modelling of hysteresis loop
Authors: Nasiri Ali Akbar , Mirsalim Mojtaba
Published: June 2020

The performance analysis of a hybrid hysteresis motor using an analytical model is presented in this study. The proposed hybrid motor benefits fromthe advantages of both the conventional axial and radial flux hysteresis motors with a unique stator. For the design of the proposed machine, a pre‐studied hybrid hysteresis motor is investigated. To modify the field equations, the hyperbolic approximation of the hysteresis loop is implemented to investigate the effects of the minor loops described by the harmonic components of the field. Next, the impact of the harmonics of the magnetomotive force on machine performance is estimated by an iterative approach. Then, the closed‐form expressions for the developed torque are obtained in both planes and the results are stacked‐up linearly by considering the basics of the superposition theorem. To evaluate the performance of the proposed machine and also the accuracy of the analysis approach, a laboratory prototype has been built. The test results validate the acceptable performance of the proposed hysteresis motor.
Chromospheric activity of nearby Sun-like stars
Authors: Gondoin P.
Published: June 2020

Context.The chromospheric emission in the cores of the Ca IIH & K lines of late-type dwarfs is a well known indicator of magnetic activity that decreases with increasing stellar age.

Aims.I use this indicator to investigate the formation history of nearby G- and early K-type stars with origins at galactocentric distances similar to that of the region where the Sun was born.

Methods.A parent sample of single main-sequence stars with near-solar metallicity and known magnetic activity levels is built from catalogues of stellar atmospheric parameters and chromospheric activity indices. A kinematical approach usesGaiaastrometric data to differentiate thin disc stars from thick disc stars. Measured distributions ofR′HKchromospheric activity indices are compared with Monte Carlo simulations based on an empirical model of chromospheric activity evolution.

Results.The thin disc includes a significant fraction of Sun-like stars with intermediate activity levels (2 × 10−5≤R′HK≤ 6 × 10−5), while most early K- and G-type stars from the thick disc are inactive (R′HK< 2 × 10−5). The chromospheric activity distribution among nearby Sun-like dwarfs from the thin disc can be explained by a combination of an old (>6–7 Gyr) star formation event (or events) and a more recent (<3 Gyr) burst of star formation. Such an event is not required to account for theR′HKindex distributions of nearby thick disc stars.

Conclusions.The distribution of magnetic activity among local G- and early K-type stars with a near-solar metallicity bears the imprint of an important star formation event that occurred ~1.9–2.6 Gyr ago in the thin disc of the Milky Way.
Guidelines for internal Insulation of historic Buildings
Authors: de Place Hansen Ernst Jan , Møller Eva B. , Ørsager Morten
Published: June 2020

Internal insulation is often the only possible solution when improving the thermal performance of solid walls of historic buildings, as many of these have architectural or cultural values. However, as internal insulation is regarded risky from a moisture perspective, guidelines are needed. The paper presents a new set of guidelines that combine written guidelines, a web-based preliminary assessment tool and a website that can be used independently of each other. The website provides simple ways of assessing the building to determine whether internal insulation is feasible in the specific case and what needs to be done before it can be applied. It also describes different failure mechanisms. The website includes links to information (written guidelines), described for different types of users, depending on their level of expertise. The web tool is based on an extensive number of simulations of hygrothermal conditions within a solid wall depending on location, orientation, wall type and thickness, and insulation type and thickness. The web tool determines the risk for mould and algae growth in a probabilistic way and determines heat loss and CO2 emission before and after renovation through 1 m² of the wall. The guidelines, the website and the web tool are developed in RIBuild, a research project funded by the European Commission, running from 2015 to 2020.
Overheating risk of a single-family detached house built at different ages under current and future climate in Canada
Authors: Baba Fuad Mutasim , Ge Hua
Published: June 2020

With the anticipated increase in temperature and solar radiation and frequency of extreme weather conditions due to climate change, buildings typically designed/built in Canadian cold climates would experience increased risks of summer overheating. This paper focuses on how these existing buildings perform under a current extreme year and projected future climates. Results show that the thermal conditions of a single-family detached house built in 1964 and 1990 are more comfortable than the house built to meet the current National Energy Code of Canada for Buildings (NECB) and high energy-efficient building (HEEB) without including natural ventilation by up to 50%. On the other hand, when natural ventilation is included, the house built to NECB and HEED are more comfortable. Sensitivity analysis is carried out to evaluate the influence of five design parameters, i.e. wall and roof insulation, airtightness, U-value and SHGC of windows. Sensitivity analysis shows that wall insulation, airtightness, and windows U-value are the three most significant parameters influencing the overheating risk without natural ventilation. With natural ventilation, the SHGC of windows is the most influencing parameter in reducing overheating risk. This paper confirms that the Canadian buildings have the overheating risk over the hot summer experienced over the past a few years and the risk will be increased in the future. Natural ventilation as a mitigation measure, which has been relied on by building designers in Canada will not be sufficient to remove excess heat or provide thermal comfort to residents. Other mitigation strategies such as shading to reduce the heat gain during the summer, are needed.
Managing climate-change-induced overheating in non-residential buildings
Authors: Badura André , Mueller Birgit , Martinac Ivo
Published: June 2020

Large and rapid climatic changes can be uncomfortable and sometimes hazardous to humans. Buildings protect people from external climatic conditions, and also mitigate the impacts of external climate extremes through their design and construction, as well as with the help of dedicated building service and other technical systems. Active space conditioning accounts for more than 30 per cent of the overall final energy use in Germany. In the life cycle of a building, the construction phase (planning and construction) is the phase with the shortest duration. However, the quality applied during this phase has a significant impact on the resources required, as well as the overall building performance during the much longer operational phase. Once built, buildings are often unable to adapt to boundary conditions that were not considered in the original building design. Consequently, changing outdoor climate conditions can result in an uncomfortable indoor climate over the lifetime of a building. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of flexible solutions for reducing winter heating loads and to reducing/avoiding summer cooling loads in nonresidential buildings in Germany. Various external shading scenarios for non-residential buildings were analysed using the IDA ICE indoor climate and energy simulation tool. Key simulation parameters included the orientation and location of the building, as well as the envelope structure. We investigated the impacts of solar shading on heat storage in the building mass and indoor climate and how different types of envelopes affect overall energy use. The result shows that the use of an adaptive building envelope allows a higher reduction of the total energy demand by 7 % to 15 % compared to an increase in insulation thickness only.
Design of smart wetting of building materials as evaporative cooling measure for improving the urban climate during heat waves
Authors: Ferrari Andrea , Kubilay Aytac , Derome Dominique , Carmeliet Jan
Published: June 2020

An urban microclimate model is used to design a smart wetting protocol for multilayer street pavements in order to maximize the evaporative cooling effect as a mitigation measure for thermal discomfort during heat waves. The microclimate model covers a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model for solving the turbulent air, heat and moisture flow in the air domain of a street canyon. The CFD model is coupled to a model for heat and moisture transport in porous urban materials, to a radiative exchange model, determining the net solar and longwave radiation on each urban surface and to a wind driven rain model able to determine the wetting flux on each surface during a rain event. We first evaluate the evaporative cooling potential for different pavement systems during normal summer conditions after a long rain event during night in order to select an optimal pavement system. Then, we design a smart wetting protocol answering the questions ‘when’, ‘how much’ and ‘how long’ a pavement should be artificially wetted for having a maximum cooling effect. We found that a daily amount of 5mm wetting over 10 minutes in the morning, preferentially between 8:00 and 10:00 am, guarantees a maximal evaporative cooling for one day and night during a heat wave.
Possibilities of combining radiant wall cooling with ejector cooling cycle powered by Fresnel solar collectors
Authors: Krajčík Michal , Masaryk Michal , Šimko Martin , Mlynár Peter
Published: June 2020

Solar ejector cooling presents an alternative to the commonly used compressor vapour machines. It is a potentially feasible technology for space cooling providing that the temperature of the cooling water is high enough to assure reasonable efficiency of the chiller. This could be achieved by increasing the evaporation temperature of the cooling cycle through its combination with a high-temperature radiant cooling system. We explore the possibilities and benefits of combining a high-temperature radiant wall system with a solar ejector cycle for space cooling of buildings. The lowest water temperature in the wall to prevent condensation was 18°C for the wall with pipes underneath the surface whereas it was 14°C for the wall with pipes embedded in the thermal core. Thus, the evaporation temperature was substantially higher for the radiant systems than for fancoils. For the conventional vapour compressor cooling, this increased the system efficiency (COP) by 30 to 50%. The COP of the ejector cooling cycle was about half of that for the compressor vapour cycle when R1234ze was used as the refrigerant, however, the primary energy was lower for ejector cooling. Using thermally active building systems (TABS) provided a reasonable cool storage capacity for as much as five hours which allows turning the cooling machines off for several hours during peaks in energy demand.
Validation of Models for the Calculation of Sun Positions and mapped Radiation on inclined Surfaces
Authors: Hirth Stephan , Weiß Dirk , Nicolai Andreas , Grunewald John
Published: June 2020

In order to validate building simulation programs and to identify sources of errors in implemented models, it is necessary to evaluate individual physical effects step by step. For building simulations, the radiation load that hits buildings is a significant boundary condition. In order to reproduce these loads as accurately as possible, sun position models and weather data adapted to them are necessary. With the help of sun position models, the radiation data (usually available in horizontal or normal radiation) are mapped onto inclined and oriented surfaces. This paper examines a possible validation. For the analysis, different building simulation tools (NANDRAD, Radiance, IDA ICE, Modelica, TRNSYS, ETU Simulation) are compared with different time steps for specific dates using the result data azimuth and altitude. The locations are distributed over the northern and southern hemispheres, inside and outside the tropics and polar circles, and with large deviations from the standard meridian, thus allowing errors to be found in the implemented sun position models. In the following step, these building simulation platforms are compared with regard to their minutely radiation loads on building façades. Errors in the radiation mapping on inclined surfaces are hereby determined.
Testing of a new non-equilibrium heat and moisture transfer model in porous building materials
Authors: Łapka Piotr , Wasik Michał , Cieślikiewicz Łukasz , Furmański Piotr
Published: June 2020

In this paper the new non-equilibrium model of heat and moisture transfer in heterogenous building materials is presented and tested. The new hygro-thermal model differs from the other approaches which are based on the classical assumption of instantaneous local mechanical, thermal and hygric equilibrium between vapour and water in the pores in building materials. Instead of this assumption the model uses the finite rate of transition of moisture from the liquid to the vapour state and vice versa while still keeping mechanical and thermal equilibrium between components of the medium. The linear kinetics of this transition is applied. The assessment of the model correctness is also performed in the paper. In the first step of the testing the model predictions were successfully verified with the reference data obtained numerically. Then the model was validated using reference data obtained experimentally. Finally, the influence of volumetric mass transfer coefficient between vapour and water as well as water and vapour in pores is investigated, i.e., kinetics of the vapour-water/water-vapour transition is analysed. During the model testing traditional building material were considered (i.e., ceramic brick). However, the model may be used for investigation of hygro-thermal behaviour of bio-based materials.
Efficient hygrothermal wall transport models inside simulations of conditioned buildings
Authors: Paepcke Anne , Nicolai Andreas
Published: June 2020

With regard to room comfort and potential moisture damage hygrothermal conditions inside a building are of high interest, especially in highly humid or dry climatic regions. In order to achieve satisfying climatic conditions not only thermal storage, but also moisture storage of walls needs to be taken into consideration. Dynamic effects of walls and the impact on thermal room climate require a detailed thermal wall simulation. In the simulation program NANDRAD a Finite Volume approach is used to discretized each building construction. The balance equation system is now extended with coupled moisture mass balance, both for zone air volumes and all construction elements. This leads to a duplication of system unknowns with highly nonlinear interactions between solution variables, resulting in strong increase of simulation time. In order to improve performance for larger simulation models, a mixed grid approach is evaluated. Hereby, a detailed grid is used for energy balances and coarser grid for moisture balances. In the article we discuss the procedure, evaluate the impact on accuracy of solution results, and discuss numerical problems. We show that the procedure indeed helps reducing the overall number of unknowns, which, however, appears to pay off only for large building models.
Assessment of wind impact on building air leakage measurements using a model scale experiment
Authors: Mélois Adeline Bailly , Tran Anh Dung , El Mankibi Mohamed , Carrié François Rémi , Moujalled Bassam , Guyot Gaëlle
Published: June 2020

Nowadays, many countries include requirements for building airtightness in their current national regulations or energy-efficiency programs, mainly for concern about reducing building energy consumption due to air leakage. Moreover, more and more countries impose a mandatory justification with an air leakage measurement at building commissioning. Therefore, the uncertainty of the measurements results has become a key concern in several countries over the past year. More specifically, the influence of wind speed has been identified as one of the major sources of error on the measurement result. The goal of this paper is to present the experimental facility we design and built to improve the uncertainty estimates and the measurement protocol based on model scale experiments in controlled laboratory conditions. We first present the similarity criteria we identified for our model scale experiment. Secondly, we present the experimental design. Finally, we characterize the wind speed inside the wind tunnel and we present the preliminary results regarding the reproduction of fan pressurization tests on the model for different leakage distributions.
Clothing behaviour in Belgian homes
Authors: Verbruggen Silke , De Ceuster Els , Delghust Marc , Laverge Jelle
Published: June 2020

Clothing has a direct influence on the thermal comfort of an occupant and so, indirectly on the energy use of a building. Literary sources point out a lack of data about clothing behaviour in residential buildings. In order to assess the clothing behaviour two kinds of surveys are created: logbook surveys and online questionnaires. Both surveys are executed between March 11 and April 5, 2019. The mean clothing insulation worn during the investigation period is 0.58 clo. This clo-value differs from the clothing insulation values provided by Fanger, which are 1.0 clo for winter months and 0.5 clo for summer months. The influence of the indoor temperature, outdoor temperature, weather history memory, gender and age on the clothing behaviour is analysed. All variables have a small significant influence on the clo-value. It was found that occupants tend to wear the same clothes when they are at home. So, each participant clothes him/herself to be comfortable in their clothes and in the temperature of their own room. People who are used to live in lower indoor temperatures will, and are used to, wear more clothing insulation to be thermally comfortable than people living in warmer indoor temperatures. An adjustment in clothing behaviour can make a big impact on the energy use of residential buildings. A decrease in indoor temperature of 1°C can lead to heating energy savings of 10%. To remain thermally comfortable, the occupant must only wear an extra insulation value of 0.17 clo, which corresponds with a shirt. The question remains if occupants will effectively use the opportunity of changing clothes to lower their energy use.
The ambivalence of personal control over indoor climate – how much personal control is adequate?
Authors: Hellwig Runa T. , Schweiker Marcel , Boerstra Atze
Published: June 2020

Literature sets personal control over indoor environmental conditions in relation to the gap between predicted and actual energy use, the gap between predicted and observed user satisfaction, and health aspects. A focus on building energy performance often leads to the proposal of more automated and less occupant control of the indoor environment. However, a high degree of personal control is desirable because research shows that a low degree (or no) personal control highly correlates with indoor environmental dissatisfaction and sick building syndrome symptoms. These two tendencies seem contradictory and optimisation almost impossible. Based on current efficiency classes describing the effect of room automation systems on building energy use during operation, fundamental thoughts related to thermophysiology and control, recent laboratory experiments, important lessons learnt from post-occupancy studies, and documented conceptual frameworks on the level of control perceived, we discuss the ambivalence of personal control and how much personal control is adequate. Often-proposed solutions ranging from fully automated controls, over manual controls to dummy controls are discussed according to their effect on a) building energy use during operation and b) occupants perceived control. The discussion points to the importance of adequate personal control. In order to meet the goals for nearly zero energy buildings and for a human-centric design, there is the need to establish design procedures for adequate personal control as part of the design process.
The development of EMPD model for identifying and predicting the materials' moisture performances
Authors: Cui Yumeng , Zhang Yufeng , Zhao Huihui , Lin Xue
Published: June 2020

Moisture excess or lack in buildings has many adverse effects on human health, structural durability and building energy consumption, and moisture design for building materials is an important and efficient measurement for creating a stable indoor climate. However, the current quick test method (e.g., moisture buffer value test) can only evaluate the materials' moisture buffering abilities roughly, and the advanced numerical prediction method (e.g., using HAM models) is hardly applicable in practices due to insufficient materials’ hygrothermal properties and its long computing time. EMPD model can calculate with less input parameters and short time without sacrificing accuracy. While this paper found existing EMPD has limited application conditions, and further proposed modified multilayer EMPD model. A new approach can be applied to identify and predict the moisture performances of building materials. In this paper, two typical building materials with diverse hygric properties were simulated. Their key parameters of the modified model was easily inversed by a 24h standard box test instead of several months of material hygrothermal properties tests, based on which, the materials' actual performances under various conditions can be predicted. The presented approach was validated by comparing the numerical predictions with HAM results in the corresponding conditions. This study provides an easy and fast way to test and predict the moisture performances of building materials and indoor moisture in practices.
Energy saving potential with smart thermostats in low-energy homes in cold climate
Authors: Kull Tuule Mall , Penu Karl-Rihard , Thalfeldt Martin , Kurnitski Jarek
Published: June 2020

Smart home systems with smart thermostats have been used for years. Although initially mostly installed for improving comfort, their energy saving potential has become a renowned topic. The main potential lies in temperature reduction during the times people are not home, which can be detected by positioning their phones. Even if the locating is precise, the maximum time people are away from home is short in comparison to the buildings’ time constants. The gaps are shortened by the smart thermostats, which start to heat up hours before occupancy to ensure comfort temperatures at arrival, and low losses through high insulation and heat-recovery ventilation in new buildings, which slow down the cool-down process additional to the thermal mass. Therefore, it is not clear how high the actual savings can be for smart thermostats in new buildings. In this work, a smart radiator valve was installed for a radiator in a test building. Temperature setback measurements were used to calibrate a simulation model in IDA ICE. A simulation analysis was carried out for estimating the energy saving potential in a cold climate for different usage profiles.
Experiences with CLT Construction in Norway
Authors: Wahlstrøm Simen , Gullbrekken Lars , Elvebakk Kristin , Kvande Tore
Published: June 2020

The use of cross-laminated timber (CLT) elements in buildings is an innovative and upcoming construction method. In Norway, due to its eco-friendly potential, more widespread use of the method is expected despite limited experience to date. The lack of a domestic guiding literature related to issues such as moisture behaviour is creating uncertainties in achieving sustainable buildings and, taken together, such issues are creating a demand for more information about CLT construction in Norway. Qualitative in-depth interviews were used to obtain views based on the hands-on experience of skilled actors in the Norwegian construction industry. The informants (owner-builders, consultants, contractors and CLT suppliers) revealed different outlooks to the CLT construction process. In general, these actors experienced no more challenges with CLT construction than they did with other construction systems. In Norway, the major barrier to the more widespread use of CLT is compliance with fire safety and acoustics regulations. Differences in focus between the industry and Norwegian literature regarding moisture safety is clear. There is a lack of consistent guiding literature. Closer collaboration between industry and the research community is recommended in order to develop workable solutions. It is important to clarify the risks linked to built-in moisture and its impact on buildings. Research institutions should also focus their research on fire safety and acoustics.
Mapping of Domestic Hot Water Circulation Losses in Buildings – Preliminary Results from 134 Measurements
Authors: Burke Stephen , von Seth Jonatan , Ekström Tomas , Maljanovski Christoffer , Wiktorsson Magnus
Published: June 2020

The hot water circulation system in a building is a system which helps prevent Legionella problems whilst ensuring that tenants have access to hot water quickly. Poorly designed or implemented systems not only increase the risk to people’s health and thermal comfort, but even result in an increase in the energy needed for this system to function properly. Results from previous studies showed that the total hot water circulation system loss can be as high as 25 kWh/m2 heated floor area per year. The purpose of this project is to measure the total energy use per year of the hot water circulation system in about 200 multifamily dwellings of different ages to verify that a system loss of 4 kWh/m2, year is a realistic assumption for both newer and older/retrofitted buildings. The preliminary results from the first 134 measurements showed that the assumption of 4 kWh/m2, year is rarely fulfilled. An average energy use of more than three times this is more common, even in newer buildings. Whilst some of the total energy lost is used to heat the buildings, it is not desirable because it is an uncontrolled energy flow.
Internal hydrophobization of cementitious materials by using of organosilicon compounds
Authors: Grabowska Kalina Barbara , Koniorczyk Marcin
Published: June 2020

The low resistance to harmful acting of water confined in porous, cement-based materials is a negative feature. As the consequence of porous structure these materials have not sufficient resistance as some physical and chemical detrimental factors. The objective of this paper was to evaluate the impact of organosilicon admixture based on silane and siloxane on physical properties of cement mortar. Internal hydrophobization can significantly improve the durability of a cement materials. At this paper the results of mechanical strength, absorbability and capillary water absorption of internally hydrophobized cement mortar are presented. In addition, a contact angle test was used to assess the changes in wetting angle of cement paste.
Water migration in wood during imbibition assessed by X-ray imaging
Authors: Martin Benoît , Colin Julien , Lu Pin , Mounkaila Mahamadou , Casalinho Joel , Perré Patrick , Rémond Romain
Published: June 2020

In the wooden construction, structural elements are particularly exposed to external climatic conditions during the construction phase. To ensure their durability over their expected lifespan, the required drying time have to be known after a rain shower and before closing the timber structures. This question, involving coupled heat and mass transfer, can be investigated through numerical tools. The aim of this work is to provide experimental data through X-ray imaging to validate the prediction potential of computational models simulating transfer in porous media. Two complementary methods were developed to access the water migration in Norway spruce. The first one allowed to quantitatively measure spatial distribution of moisture content over time. It is based on a rigorous treatment of the X-ray beam attenuation. The second method, using a high-resolution 3D reconstruction, highlighted the role of wood rays on liquid migration within the porous network.