Search

We present unprecedented datasets of current and future projected weather files for building simulations in 15 major cities distributed across 10 climate zones worldwide. The datasets include ambient air temperature, relative humidity, atmospheric pressure, direct and diffuse solar irradiance, and wind speed at hourly resolution, which are essential climate elements needed to undertake building simulations. The datasets contain typical and extreme weather years in the EnergyPlus weather file (EPW) format and multiyear projections in comma-separated value (CSV) format for three periods: historical (2001-2020), future mid-term (2041-2060), and future long-term (2081-2100). The datasets were generated from projections of one regional climate model, which were bias-corrected using multiyear observational data for each city. The methodology used makes the datasets among the first to incorporate complex changes in the future climate for the frequency, duration, and magnitude of extreme temperatures. These datasets, created within the IEA EBC Annex 80 "Resilient Cooling for Buildings", are ready to be used for different types of building adaptation and resilience studies to climate change and heatwaves.

Abstract Degenerative musculoskeletal diseases are structural and functional failures of the musculoskeletal system, including osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD), and sarcopenia. As the global population ages, degenerative musculoskeletal diseases are becoming more prevalent. However, the pathogenesis of degenerative musculoskeletal diseases is not fully understood. Previous studies have revealed that endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is a stress response that occurs when impairment of the protein folding capacity of the ER leads to the accumulation of misfolded or unfolded proteins in the ER, contributing to degenerative musculoskeletal diseases. By affecting cartilage degeneration, synovitis, meniscal lesion, subchondral bone remodeling of osteoarthritis, bone remodeling and angiogenesis of osteoporosis, nucleus pulposus degeneration, annulus fibrosus rupture, cartilaginous endplate degeneration of IVDD, and sarcopenia, ER stress is involved in the pathogenesis of degenerative musculoskeletal diseases. Preclinical studies have found that regulation of ER stress can delay the progression of multiple degenerative musculoskeletal diseases. These pilot studies provide foundations for further evaluation of the feasibility, efficacy, and safety of ER stress modulators in the treatment of musculoskeletal degenerative diseases in clinical trials. In this review, we have integrated up-to-date research findings of ER stress into the pathogenesis of degenerative musculoskeletal diseases. In a future perspective, we have also discussed possible directions of ER stress in the investigation of degenerative musculoskeletal disease, potential therapeutic strategies for degenerative musculoskeletal diseases using ER stress modulators, as well as underlying challenges and obstacles in bench-to-beside research.

Monoisopropanolamine carbonate is a green, safe, and environmentally friendly non-chlorofluorinated polyurethane chemical foaming agent (CFA-1) that can react directly and rapidly with isocyanate to release carbon dioxide for foaming purposes. In this study, we investigated a mixed system of CFA-1, 1,1,1,3,3-pentafluoropropane (HFC-245fa), and cyclopentane (CP) to evaluate its foaming flow performance in refrigerator insulation material applications. We also examined various performance indicators of the resulting foam materials, such as compressive strength, closed cell ratio, and thermal conductivity. The experimental results demonstrated that by adding CFA-1 as a foaming agent, the density and dimensional stability of the foam were comparable to those achieved with the CP + water or CP + HFC-245fa system. In addition, there was a slight improvement in the closed cell ratio and compressive strength, which led to a reduction in the cell diameter within the CP + CFA-1 foaming system compared with those in both CP + water (28.79% decrease) and CP + HFC-245fa (26.11% decrease) systems. This optimized foam material exhibited an enhanced thermal insulation performance, with a 4.20% lower thermal conductivity compared to the CP + water system and 1.88% compared to the CP + HFC-245fa system. Replacing the HFC-245fa physical blowing agent with CFA-1 to prepare low-energy refrigerator insulation materials using rigid polyurethane foam technology offers significant benefits, including eliminating chlorofluorocarbon usage while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

The southwest mountainous region in China is the worst-hit area due to the most developed geohazard chains. In order to better understand the pattern of the geohazard chains in this region, we analyzed the main control factors and characteristics of the geohazard chains based on 19 typical geohazard events in history. Three classification patterns, namely landslide-type, collapse-type, debris flow-type, and five typical hazard-inducing processes, were summarized. A typical hazard-inducing chain process in each model was selected for analysis. On this basis, we discussed the mechanism of the geohazard chain, the construction of a database and technical standard system, and the measures for preventing and controlling transboundary basin chain-type geohazards, aiming to provide a reference for the regional geohazard prevention and mitigation plan, and the major engineering projects' construction and people's safety in town.

The study on drying rate of pipeline with dry air is the basis for establishing and solving the drying and purging model, as well as determining the optimal indexes of air drying. The existing drying rate model does not meet the actual working conditions. Herein, the drying rate by dry air under different dew point, flow rate and pressure was measured with the drying rate experimental device, and on this basis, the drying rate calculation model was established through theoretical deduction. Besides, the model was applied to the calculation model of continuous purging and drying with dry air under the condition of uniform water film in horizontal pipeline, so that the optimal dry air technical indexes were solved and determined. According to the results, the drying rate increases with the decrease of dry air dew point and tends to be stable after -50 ℃, and it increases with the increasing flow rate of dry air but decreases with the increasing pressure of dry air. The calculation model of drying rate fits well with the experimental results. In case of small pressure drop along the pipeline, the pipeline is dried from front to back in turn, for which the best dew point is -40 ℃, and the best flow rate for purging is 6 m/s. However, if the pressure along the pipeline is dropped obviously, the pipeline is dried from both ends to the middle, and the increase of flow rate will inevitably lead to the increasing pressure drop. In this case, the optimal indexes are related to the drying operation mode and drying time. Generally, the drying time of the pipeline can be predicted according to the results obtained, and the dry air indexes can be adjusted according to the working capacity of the dryer and compressor on site, thus guiding the drying construction of the new natural gas pipeline.