A new approach to performance-based building design exploration using linear inverse modeling

Despite the development of a large number of building performance simulation tools, designers still need a systematic framework appropriate for energy-oriented decision-making in the early stages of design. While the current workflow follows a “forward” modelling procedure in which simulation tools predict the performance of a design, this study proposes an “inverse” procedure that entails a performance objective that estimates design parameters. Using linear inverse modelling, this approach generates plausible ranges for design parameters given a preferred thermal performance. The paper begins by demonstrating that thermal demand in a particular building operation-and-climate condition can be expressed as a linear regression model and then, in two case-studies, uses the regression model to develop an inverse algorithm. After defining energy performance targets as input, users obtain a probabilistic estimate of design parameters as output that represents a large “menu” of feasible design solutions, provides confidence, and embodies the iterative nature of design.     

Effect of Microfluidization Condition on Physicochemical Properties and Inhibitory Activity of Nanoemulsion Loaded with Natural Antibacterial Mixture

The main objective of this study was to investigate the effects of the microfluidic pressure (600–1200 bar) and cycles (2–4) on the inhibitory activity and physicochemical properties of the nanoemulsion loaded with a natural antibacterial mixture (i.e., citral, trans-2-hexen-1-ol, and linalool, 1:1:1 w/w). The current study showed that the microfluidization at 1000 bar for 4 cycles resulted in the most stable antibacterial nanoemulsion with the smallest droplets. In most cases, the cycle had the more significant effect than the pressure on the physicochemical properties of the antibacterial nanoemulsion. The minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) for Salmonella Typhi, Escherichia coli O157:H7, Staphylococcus aureus, and Listeria monocytogenes were 2500, 5000, 1250, and 5000 μg/ml, respectively. In general, the microfluidization condition did not significantly affect the ξ-potential and inhibitory activity of the antibacterial nanoemulsion. The microfluidization at 1350 bar and 3 cycles was the overall optimum preparation condition. There was an insignificant (p?>?0.05) difference between the experimental and predicted optimum point. This verified the adequacy of the response surface models fitted for explaining the properties of antibacterial nanoemulsion as a function of microfluidization condition.     

A facile method to grow V-doped TiO2 hydrophilic layers with nano-sheet morphology

V-doped titania layers with a novel morphology and a rough surface were grown the via micro arc oxidation process in the electrolytes consisting of sodium vanadate under various voltages. Morphological investigations, performed by SEM, revealed that the layers had a sheet-like structure whose average thickness was less than 100 nm depending on the applied voltage. Our XRD and XPS results showed that the layers consisted of anatase, rutile, and vanadia phases with a varying fraction depending on the voltage. Hydrophilicity of the layers was also studied by measuring the water contact angle on their surfaces under ultraviolet and visible illuminations. The layer synthesized under the voltage of 450 V exhibited the highest hydrophilicity.     

Formability Prediction of Two-Layer Sheets Based on Ductile Fracture Criteria

Two-layer sheets which consist of dissimilar metallic components are widely used in various industries. In this paper, formability of Al3105–St14 two-layer sheet is evaluated numerically and experimentally. Freudenthal, Cockroft & Latham, Oh and Brozzo ductile fracture criteria are implemented to predict forming limits in the numerical approach. Numerical FLDs and FLSDs are compared with experimental observations for Al3105–St14 two-layer sheet, and a good agreement is seen. The results show that the prediction of forming limits based on Oh and Brozzo ductile fracture criteria are more accurate than the predictions based on Freudenthal and Cockroft criteria.     

Load balancing in cloud computing environment using the Grey wolf optimization algorithm based on the reliability: performance evaluation

The Journal of Supercomputing - The introduction of cloud computing has brought about significant developments in information technology. Users can benefit from the multitude of cloud technology...     

Melamine–formaldehyde curing acceleration by TiO2-based silver-white pigments catalysis

European Journal of Wood and Wood Products - The preparation of melamine–formaldehyde (MF) resins for paper impregnation for wood panels laminating was found to be catalyzed by TiO2-mica...     

The influence of size and healing content on the performance of extrinsic self-healing coatings

Among the several approaches for the protection of metallic structures from corrosion, covering with a polymeric coating has attracted more attention due to their convenient application, cost-effective price, and the relatively benign environmental impact. However, the polymeric coatings are sensitive to mechanical/thermal shocks and aggressive environments, leading to damages in the coatings that affect their barrier performance. Self-healing polymeric coatings have introduced remarkable development by extending the service life and reducing maintenance costs, leading to a significant boost in the reliability and durability of the conventional polymeric coatings. Among the different strategies to develop self-polymeric coatings, encapsulating healing agent within micro/nanocapsules, micro/nanofibers, and microvascular systems and incorporating them within the conventional coatings have been widely acknowledged as the most applicable approach. However, several factors, such as the effect of the healing system's size and content, have a significant influence on healing performance. Therefore, this review aims to reveal the effects of healing system size and healing content on the self-healing performance in polymeric coatings through the analysis of recently published articles.     

Enhanced thermal stability by introducing TiN diffusion barrier layer between W and SiC

The combination of W and SiC has many applications such as a hot cell of a thermionic energy converter, nuclear material, and high temperature microelectronics. In this study, a 2 µm thick TiN film is introduced as a diffusion barrier between SiC and W to avoid the inter-diffusion reaction at high temperature. The effect of annealing temperature on the surface morphology and microstructure of the TiN film is studied to explore its high temperature stability. Then 500 nm W film is sputtered on the TiN film to characterize the inter-diffusion and stability of the W/TiN/SiC multilayer at 1100°C by XRD, Raman spectroscopy and cross-sectional EDS mapping techniques. The results indicate that the W/TiN/SiC multilayer is very stable even when heated at 1100°C for 25 hours.     

Casting Nanoporous Platinum in Metal–Organic Frameworks

Nanocasting based on porous templates is a powerful strategy in accessing materials and structures that are difficult to form by bottom‐up syntheses in a controlled fashion. A facile synthetic strategy for casting ordered, nanoporous platinum (NP‐Pt) networks with a high degree of control by using metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) as templates is reported here. The Pt precursor is first infiltrated into zirconium‐based MOFs and subsequently transformed to 3D metallic networks via a chemical reduction process. It is demonstrated that the dimensions and topologies of the cast NP‐Pt networks can be accurately controlled by using different MOFs as templates. The Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface areas of the NP‐Pt networks are estimated to be >100 m² g^?1 and they exhibit excellent catalytic activities in the methanol electrooxidation reaction (MEOR). This new methodology presents an attractive route to prepare well‐defined nanoporous materials for diverse applications ranging from energy to sensing and biotechnology.     

Sodium status and the metabolic syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies

The prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) has been greatly increased, worldwide. In recent years, investigators have proposed that sodium might contribute to the development of metabolic syndrome; however, the published data were conflicting. The present systematic review aimed to summarize the evidence from observational studies in this regard. We conducted a systematic search for relevant observational studies investigating the association between sodium status and MetS, published until June 2017 in electronic databases including PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus and Google Scholar. Summary effects were derived using random effects model. After screening the records, seventeen publications with 66,274 participants were eligible to be included in the systematic review and meta-analysis. The analysis revealed that subjects with MetS have significantly higher levels of sodium compared to healthy controls (Hedges' g = 0.21, 95% CI: 0.12, 0.29, I² = 68.6). Subgroup analyses revealed that the difference was significant when the sodium status was assessed using urinary sodium levels. The random effects meta-regression analysis also revealed that body sodium level increases with the number of MetS components. Furthermore, participants with highest dietary/urinary or serum sodium levels had 37% higher chance of developing MetS when compared with participants with the lowest sodium levels (OR = 1.37 95%CI: 1.31, 1.42, I² = 86.9). The current meta-analysis revealed that higher sodium input into the body is directly associated with the likelihood of MetS. Prospective cohort studies and well-designed randomized clinical trials considering the effect of sodium restricted diets on the risk of MetS as an outcome are necessary to represent the causal association.