A simulation-based multi-objective genetic optimization framework for efficient building design in early stages: application for Vietnam's hot and humid climates

PurposeIn many countries, innovation in building design for improving energy performance, reducing CO2 emissions and minimizing life cycle cost has received much attention for sustainable development. This paper investigates the importance of optimization tools for enhancing the design performance in the early stages of Vietnam's cooling-dominated buildings in hot and humid climates using an integrated building design approach.Design/methodology/approachThe methodology of this study exploits the non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm (NSGA-II) optimization algorithm coupled with building simulation to research a trade-off between the optimization of investment cost and energy consumption. Our approach focuses on the whole optimization problem of thermal envelope, glazing and energy systems from preliminary design phases. The methodology is then tested for a case study of a non-residential building located in Hanoi.FindingsThe results show a considerable improvement in design performance by our method compared to current building design. The optimal solutions present the trade-off between energy consumption and capital cost in the form of a Pareto front. This helps architects, engineers and investors make important decisions in the early design stages with a large view of impacts of all factors on energy performance and cost.Originality/valueThis is one of the original research to study integrated building design applying the simulation-based genetic optimization algorithm for cooling-dominated buildings in Vietnam. The case study in this article is for a non-residential building in the north of Vietnam but the methodology can also be applied to residential buildings and other regions.

Mass Timber Envelopes in Passivhaus Buildings: Designing for Moisture Safety in Hot and Humid Australian Climates

The uptake of buildings employing cross-laminated timber (CLT) assemblies and designed to Passivhaus standard has accelerated internationally over the past two decades due to several factors including responses to the climate crisis by decarbonising the building stock. Structural CLT technology and the Passivhaus certification both show measurable benefits in reducing energy consumption, while contributing to durability and indoor comfort. However, there is a general lack of evidence to support a fast uptake of these technologies in Australia. This paper responds to the compelling need of providing quantitative data and adoption strategies; it explores their combined application as a potential pathway for climate-appropriate design of energy-efficient and durable mass timber envelope solutions for subtropical and tropical Australian climates. Hygrothermal risk assessments of interstitial condensation and mould growth of CLT wall assemblies inform best-practice design of mass timber buildings in hot and humid climates. This research found that the durability of mass timber buildings located in hot and humid climates may benefit from implementing the Passivhaus standard to manage interior conditions. The findings also suggested that climate-specific design of the wall assembly is critical for mass timber buildings, in conjunction with excellent stormwater management practices during construction and corrosion protection for metallic fasteners.

Identification of Malassezia Species Isolated from Pityriasis Versicolor by CHROMagar-Medium

Background Pityriasis versicolor is a chronic superficial fungal infection seen worldwide, with high prevalence observed in hot and humid climates. Objectives The aim of this work was to isolate and identify Malassezia species from pityriasis versicolor using specific fast gtowth media; Chrom agar to obtain a better understanding of the role of each species in the etiology of disease. Patients and Methods This study was conducted on 70 patients with clinical diagnosis of pityriasis versicolor with positive KOH test. All of the participants were subjected to a well informed consents, full history taking including age, sex, site of the lesions and any previous treatment, full general and dermatological examination to determine site, color of the lesions and Wood's light examination. Results Our results reported 94.3% of studied patients yielded growth on culture while 5.7% did not show any growth. The predominant age group was ≥ 25 years old. Furthermore it was found that PV affected male subjects (62.90%) more than the females (37.1%). Conclusion Malassezia yeasts, although are considered a part of normal skin microbiome, is a known cause of pityriasis versicolor. PV was more common in males in the age group ≥ 25yrs. The most affected body site was the chest, the most common variant is hyperpigmented type, and the commonest isolate was M.furfur.

Mass Timber Envelopes in Passivhaus Buildings: Designing for Moisture Safety in Hot and Humid Australian Climates

The uptake of buildings employing cross-laminated timber (CLT) assemblies and designed to Passivhaus standard has accelerated internationally over the past two decades due to several factors including design responses to the climate crisis by decarbonising the building stock. Structural CLT technology and the voluntary Passivhaus certification both show measurable benefits in reducing energy consumption, while contributing to durability and indoor comfort. However, there is a general lack of evidence to support a fast uptake of these technologies in Australia. This paper responds to the compelling need of providing quantitative data and adoption strategies, it explores their combined application as a potential pathway for climate-appropriate design of energy-efficient and durable mass timber envelope solutions for subtropical and tropical Australian climates. Hygrothermal risk assessments of interstitial condensation and mould growth of CLT wall assemblies inform best-practice design of mass timber buildings in hot and humid climates. This research found that the durability of mass timber buildings located in hot and humid climates may benefit from implementing the Passivhaus standard to manage interior conditions. The findings also suggested that climate-specific design of the wall assembly is critical for mass timber buildings, in conjunction with excellent stormwater management practices during construction and corrosion protection for metallic fasteners.

Anti-helminthic Activity of Consolida orientalis (Gay) Schröd. on Caenorhabditis elegans Nematodes and Determination of Possible Active Ingredients

Helminthiasis is an important parasitic disease, many of which are zoonotic, particularly common in developing countries and, in countries with hot and humid climates. Intestinal parasites can cause significant manifestations at all levels of the gastrointestinal tract, as well as anemia and growth retardation. This study aims to demonstrate the anti-helminthic effect of Consolida orientalis on Caenorhabditis elegans, which is a helminth model, and introduce new chemotherapeutic candidate substances with anti-helminthic effect to the literature by identifying possible active ingredients with GC-MS analysis. In our study, flower, leaf, stem and aerial part plant extracts of Consolida orientalis were used at 40 mg/mL, 20 mg/mL, 10 mg/mL, 5 mg/mL, 2.5 mg/mL, 1.25 mg/mL concentrations. In addition, possible active ingredients found in plant extracts were determined by GC-MS analysis. As a result of the study, it was determined that the aerial part, leaf and stem extract of the first four concentrates (40 mg/mL, 20 mg/mL, 10 mg/mL, 5 mg/mL) of Consolida orientalis were more effective than pyrantel pamoate at a concentration of 5 mg/mL. According to our study findings, chemotherapeutics such as Dihidrocarvone and 2(3H)-Benzoxazolone with new antihelmintic-antiparasitic activity are thought to contribute to further research.

Numerical analysis of cooling potential and indoor thermal comfort with a novel hybrid radiant cooling system in hot and humid climates

The study investigates a hybrid radiant cooling system's potential to achieve thermal comfort. The hybrid radiant cooling (HRC) system combines the best features of a typical all-air and conventional chilled radiant cooling system. An HRC system presents the advantages to (a) reduce vapour condensation and to (b) adjust the cooling output by using an Airbox convector. The three systems perceive thermal comfort in the predicted mean vote (PMV) between –0.5 and +0.5 at 25 and 27°C. In the room condition at 31°C, the all-air system has a lower thermal comfort level because the elevated airspeed is less effective when the mean radiant temperature (MRT) is low. This study suggests a cooling strategy to maximize the thermal comfort level by effectively utilizing the HRC in extreme conditions without extra cooling sources. When the designed set point indoor temperature is 25°C, the Airbox convector of the HRC fan can be off. However, if the indoor air temperature increases above 25°C, an occupant can activate the Airbox convector; the actual thermal output of HRC is increased, and the elevated airspeed can reduce the predicted percentage dissatisfied (PPD) level. Even in an extreme indoor thermal condition at 31°C, the HRC minimizes the PPD level.

Jute Responses and Tolerance to Abiotic Stress: Mechanisms and Approaches

Jute (Corchorus spp.) belongs to the Malvaceae family, and there are two species of jute, C. capsularis and C. olitorious. It is the second-largest natural bast fiber in the world according to production, which has diverse uses not only as a fiber but also as multiple industrial materials. Because of climate change, plants experience various stressors such as salt, drought, heat, cold, metal/metalloid toxicity, and flooding. Although jute is particularly adapted to grow in hot and humid climates, it is grown under a wide variety of climatic conditions and is relatively tolerant to some environmental adversities. However, abiotic stress often restricts its growth, yield, and quality significantly. Abiotic stress negatively affects the metabolic activities, growth, physiology, and fiber yield of jute. One of the major consequences of abiotic stress on the jute plant is the generation of reactive oxygen species, which lead to oxidative stress that damages its cellular organelles and biomolecules. However, jute’s responses to abiotic stress mainly depend on the plant’s age and type and duration of stress. Therefore, understanding the abiotic stress responses and the tolerance mechanism would help plant biologists and agronomists in developing climate-smart jute varieties and suitable cultivation packages for adverse environmental conditions. In this review, we summarized the best possible recent literature on the plant abiotic stress factors and their influence on jute plants. We described the possible approaches for stress tolerance mechanisms based on the available literature.

Structural and Thermal Performance Assessment of Shipping Container as Post-Disaster Housing in Tropical Climates

Shipping Containers (SC) are a viable option as temporary or permanent housing for disaster victims due to their modularity, strength, and availability in large quantities around the world. While SCs as alternative housing has been extensively explored, few studies have focused on the structural and thermal performance of SCs in a tropical monsoon climate. This paper aims to contribute to a better knowledge of SC building construction by (1) investigating the SCs structural performance when subjected to a variety of loads, including gravity, earthquake, and very strong typhoon, and (2) assessing the thermal performance in a hot and humid climate. The case of Leyte, Philippines, a hot, humid, and typhoon-frequented region, is considered in this study. To meet the objectives, two SCs were combined to build a single-family house. First, the structural strength of the SCs, including the effect of cuts and openings, were investigated using finite element analysis. Second, the thermal condition of the SC was compared using four models with different insulation materials: no insulation, PE foam insulation (R-12), slightly higher insulation (R-13 fiberglass batt), and very high insulation (R-49 fiberglass batt) through building energy simulation. The paper concludes that SCs have inherently high strength and can withstand strong wind and earthquake. Stresses due to cuts and openings were minimized when the cuts/openings were placed far from the corner posts. On the other hand, increasing insulation R-value did not improve the indoor thermal condition of the SCs. More work needs to be done on making SCs thermally comfortable in hot and humid climates. Doi: 10.28991/cej-2021-03091735 Full Text: PDF