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The allergic airway disease, such as allergic rhinitis, chronic rhinosinusitis, asthma, is a general term of a range of inflammatory disorders affecting the upper and lower airways and lung parenchyma. This study aimed to investigate the short-term effects of air pollutants and meteorological factors on AAD-related daily outpatient visits. An ecological study. Data on outpatient visits due to AAD (n = 4,554,404) were collected from the platform of the Ningbo Health Information from January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2021. A Quasi-Poisson generalized additive regression model was established to analyze the lag effects of air pollution on daily outpatient visits for AAD. Restricted cubic spline functions were used to explore the potential non-linear relationships between air pollutants and meteorological and daily outpatient visits for AAD. PM 2.5 , PM 10 , SO 2 , NO 2 , or CO were associated with daily outpatient visits for AAD, and there was a significant increasing trend in the cumulative lag effects. SO 2 had the largest effect at Lag07, with a 25.3% (95% CI: 21.6%–29.0%) increase in AAD for every 10 μg/m3 increase in exposure concentration. Subgroup analysis showed that the 0–18 years old age group had the strongest effects, especially for AR, and all effects were stronger in the cold season. Given that patients aged 0–18 are more susceptible to environmental changes, protective measures specifically for children should be taken during dry and cold weather conditions with poor air quality. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Smart sensor technologies to monitor temperature and moisture conditions in building components can be used to give automatic warnings for abnormal high levels of moisture. Flat compact roofs are of particular interest in this context, especially due to their vulnerability to rain leakages through the roofing membrane. Installing moisture sensors in such roofs measuring relative humidity (RH) and free water may give an early warning of rain leakages or condensation owing to air leakages from indoors before damage occurs. One challenge is, however, that normal moisture redistribution in the insulation layer over the season or a day may give very high levels of RH in the top or bottom part of the insulation. A sensor system must be able to distinguish between these normal RH levels and leakage events. Together with a sensor technology and control system producer, a semi-quantitative system that defines typical or normal RH levels in the insulation layer of the roof during the year has been developed. To investigate the applicability of such a system, measurements from the compact roofs of two pilot buildings located in Norway have been analysed. The objective has been to identify connections between measured data, occurring climate conditions and seasonal variations. Results may be used to further develop and improve the algorithms of the leakage warning system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated how different relative humidity (RH) would impact behavior and physiology of laying hens. One hundred-eighty laying hens (Hy-Line Brown), aged 68-week-old (1,908 ± 78 g), were exposed to daily ambient temperatures of 30 °C with RH set at 25% (RH25), 50% (RH50), or 75% (RH75) for 12 h a day (9:00 am to 9:00 pm) from 70 to 74 weeks of age. All hens had been raised at 24 °C and 50% RH during 2-week adaptation period. Each RH treatment consisted of 10 replicates with 6 hens each in a completely randomized design. Results indicated that rectal temperature, respiratory rate, and heart rate were increased (P ≤ 0.05) in the RH75 group compared with the RH25 and RH50 groups. Plasma malondialdehyde concentrations were elevated in the RH75 group compared RH50 at 3, 7, and 21 days (P ≤ 0.05) following the RH exposure. Plasma glutathione peroxidase activity was lowered (P ≤ 0.05) in the RH75 group compared with the RH25 and RH50 groups at 21 days. Increasing RH led to decreased feeding behavior but showed a tendency to increase drinking behavior. Wings elevated and panting behaviors were higher in the RH75 group compared with the RH25 and RH50 groups (P ≤ 0.05). In conclusion, these findings suggest that elevated RH at constant ambient temperature could negatively influence the behavior and physiology of laying hens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study introduces a new main cable protection system designed to mitigate the issue of cable corrosion by circulating dry air from within the main cable. The proposed protection system effectively addresses the limitations of traditional anticorrosion techniques. In this study, the primary focus was on the initial design of the key structure for the new main cable protection system. Moreover, a comprehensive dehumidification test was conducted on a full-scale model of the main cable to validate the radial strength of a new ventilation pipe and assess the impact of the proposed corrosion protection system. The dehumidification efficiency of the new main cable protection system was verified in comparison to the traditional main cable protection system. The results indicate that the newly designed ventilation pipe exhibited minimal radial deformation when subjected to cable clamp pressure. Therefore, the ventilation pipe meets the strength criteria for the internal utilization of the main cable. The ventilation pipe's opening hole scheme was configured at 6 × Ø4 to guarantee that the entire main cable is enveloped by the dry air supplied into it. Relative humidity at each measurement point along the main cable was observed to decrease to below 60%. Consequently, the proposed main cable dry air protection system can attain the anticipated anticorrosion outcome. Under the test conditions, the dry air utilization rate of the proposed system exceeded that of the traditional main cable anticorrosion system by approximately 15.4%. This suggests that the new system exhibits a higher dry air utilization rate and dehumidification efficiency than the traditional system. The study results validate the dehumidification effect of the new system and endorse its utilization in primary cable anticorrosion projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT The inherent model uncertainty in precipitation projections is found to be more dominant over tropical regions thereby reducing the reliability of using them in climate change impact assessment studies. To address such issues, a subset of well performing global climate models (GCMs) can provide narrow range of possible future outcomes, which can be helpful in formulating mitigation and adaptation strategies that are more targeted and efficient. In this study, climate models are selected based on their performance in simulating relative humidity and vertical velocity since these variables play an important role in precipitation simulation and significantly contribute toward the intermodel spread. The models are evaluated by using various statistical performance measures and ranked using multi‐criteria decision‐making approaches. Finally, based on Jenks natural breaks optimization algorithm, subset of GCMs consisting of ACCESS1.0, ACCESS1.3 and INM‐CM4 models, are considered as the best possible subset for precipitation simulation over tropical land regions. Two observational precipitation datasets are further considered to investigate the effectiveness of the proposed framework. The proposed methodology is validated to be effective in identifying the best climate models since the resulting subset is capable of both capturing observed precipitation and minimizing the uncertainty in future projections. Hence, this methodology can be utilized further for performance evaluation of GCMs focusing different geography and climatic drivers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although some studies have explored the role of meteorological factors in the development of tuberculosis (TB), the majority have been confined to single regions, leading to inconsistent findings. Consequently, we conducted a multi-city study not only to determine whether meteorological factors significantly influence the risk of developing TB but also to assess the magnitude of these effects and explore potential modifying factors. Data on daily reported TB cases and meteorological factors were collected from January 1, 2013, to December 31, 2022, across 11 cities in Zhejiang Province. A distributed lag non-linear model using a quasi-Poisson distribution was employed. Multivariate meta-regression was used to obtain overall pooled estimates and assess heterogeneity. From 2013 to 2022, 267,932 TB cases were reported in Zhejiang Province. Notably, a nonlinear relationship was observed between temperature and TB, with the relative risk (RR) peaking at 1.0 °C (RR = 1.882, 95% CI 1.173–3.020). The effect of low temperature was immediate and significant for a 13-day lag period, with the maximum effect at lag0 (RR = 1.014, 95% CI 1.008–1.021). The exposure-response curve between relative humidity (RH) and TB exhibited an M-shape, with the RR peaking at 47.7% (RR = 1.642, 95% CI 1.044–2.582). The lag effect of low RH was significant at lag 25–59, with the highest RR observed at lag 32 (RR = 1.011, 95% CI 1.001–1.022). Gross domestic product (GDP) per person, population density, and latitude demonstrated significant modification effects. Our study showed that low temperature and RH were associated with an increased risk of TB. Additionally, GDP per person, population density, and latitude may play important roles in explaining the association between RH and TB. These findings provide scientific evidence for the development of geographically specific public health policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

DC link capacitors (DCLCs) are key devices in converters. The relative humidity affects the performance of the elements of a DCLC. Currently, there are relatively few studies on the effect of relative humidity on the electrical characteristics of the elements of DCLCs during the production process. This study describes the effects and the control of the relative humidity in the production process. For this purpose, a DCLC component withstand voltage test platform and a DCLC component aging test platform were established. The voltage withstand tests were conducted during different processes and at different relative humidities, and life aging tests were conducted at different relative humidities and different storage times. The results show that after the winding and metal-spraying processes, the voltage withstand levels of the components stored at 30% RH, 60% RH, and 80% RH were very close to that of the components at 3000 VDC; after the heat-setting process, the voltage withstand levels of the components stored at 30% RH, 60% RH, and 80% RH showed a decreasing tendency compared with the level of the components at 3000 VDC. Regarding the samples, after the heat-setting process, stored at 30% RH and 60% RH for 24 h, 96 h, 168 h, 240 h, and 336 h and 2000 h of the aging tests, the capacitance decreases monotonically as the storage time is increased but never exceeds 3%, and the capacitance change decreases as the relative humidity increases. This study can provide important guidance for the humidity control of various processes in the production of DCLCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Food & Fermentation Industries is the property of Food & Fermentation Industries and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This study aimed to investigate the behavior of smart bilayer films under various temperature and relative humidity (RH). Smart bilayer films were fabricated using sodium alginate with incorporated butterfly pea anthocyanin and agar containing catechin–lysozyme. Cellulose nanospheres were added at concentrations of 0% and 10% w/w of the film and subjected to test at 4 °C and 25 °C, considering different RHs (0%, 50%, and 80%). The results showed that RH had a greater impact on the mechanical properties than temperature, leading to a decrease in tensile strength and an increase in elongation at break with higher RH. The films displayed increased strength but reduced flexibility at low temperatures. Oxygen permeability was negatively affected by increasing RH, while water vapor barrier properties were better at 25 °C than at 4 °C. In terms of color stability, the temperature played a more important role, with both types of smart bilayer films retaining their color stability throughout 14-day storage at 4 °C, even maintaining their ability to change color with pH. However, the films stored at 25 °C exhibited lower color stability and showed potential for color change with varying pH levels, but with lower intensity. The findings of this study demonstrate the significant impact of temperature and RH on the functional properties of smart bilayer films, with and without the addition of cellulose nanospheres. Such smart bilayer films have great potential for various applications, particularly in food packaging, where maintaining color, mechanical, and barrier properties under varying environmental conditions is crucial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Haze refers to an atmospheric phenomenon with extremely low visibility, which has significant impacts on human health and safety. Water vapor alters the scattering properties of atmospheric particulate matter, thus affecting visibility. A comprehensive analysis of the role of water vapor in haze formation is of great scientific significance for forecasting severe pollution weather events. This study investigates the distribution characteristics and variations of water vapor during haze weather in Changchun City (44°N, 125.5°E) in autumn and winter seasons, aiming to reveal the relationship between haze and atmospheric water vapor content. Analysis of observational results for a period of two months (October to November 2023) from a three-wavelength Raman lidar deployed at the site reveals that atmospheric water vapor content is mainly concentrated below 5 km, accounting for 64% to 99% of the total water vapor below 10 km. Furthermore, water vapor content in air pollution exhibits distinct stratification characteristics with altitude, especially within the height range of 1–3 km, where significant water vapor variation layers exist, showing spatial consistency with inversion layers. Statistical analysis of haze events at the site indicates a high correlation between the concentration variations of PM2.5 and PM10 and the variations in average water vapor mixing ratio (WVMR). During haze episodes, the average WVMR within 3 km altitude is 3–4 times higher than that during clear weather. Analysis of spatiotemporal height maps of aerosols and water vapor during a typical haze event suggests that the relative stability of the atmospheric boundary layer may hinder the vertical transport and diffusion of aerosols. This, in turn, could lead to a sharp increase in aerosol extinction coefficients through hygroscopic growth, thereby possibly exacerbating haze processes. These observational findings indicate that water vapor might play a significant role in haze formation, emphasizing the potential importance of observing the vertical distribution of water vapor for better simulation and prediction of haze events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acceleration sensors for structural health monitoring of engineering structures under the influence of environmental factors at low frequencies Structural health monitoring (SHM) is increasingly used to continuously assess the condition of engineering structures. Important assessment parameters are global system properties, such as eigenfrequency, which are measured by accelerometers. micro‐electro‐mechanical systems (MEMS) sensors are often used, but have a high noise level. Alternatively, low‐noise IEPE (integrated electronics piezo electric) sensors can be used, which reliably detect vibrations even with the slightest structural excitation. Another problem is that changes in eigenfrequency due to structural damage are difficult to distinguish from changes in eigenfrequency due to environmental effects. The latter change the properties of both the structure and the measurement system. In order to investigate environmental effects on the measurement system in the field of civil engineering, IEPE accelerometers have been analyzed for their transmission behavior in the low‐frequency acceleration range. It was found that the behavior is not only frequency dependent, but also temperature dependent, while humidity has no influence. These nonstructural effects must be compensated for to ensure robust condition monitoring. IEPE sensors are recommended for civil engineering applications because of their high signal‐to‐noise ratio and ability to reliably detect low‐frequency structural vibrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Archachatina marginata is an African pulmonate gastropod widely reared for food. There is a lack of information on the influence of seasonal changes on the reproductive physiology of these snails, hindering optimum reproduction throughout the year. Thus, the aim of this study was to measure seasonal variation in the albumen gland of A. marginata snails in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria. A total of 252 snails was purchased from the Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management of Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria. The snails were acclimatised for three weeks in rearing cages. Twenty-one snails were dissected each month for twelve months and the albumen gland separated. Samples collected were analysed in the laboratory using standard chemical methods. Data collected were analysed using one-way analysis of variance and t-test. Glucose (P < 0.05) and protein (non-significant) were found to be higher in the dry season than in the rainy season, while cholesterol (P < 0.05) and triacylglycerol (non-significant) were higher in the rainy season than in the dry. In conclusion, this study showed that the biochemical composition of the albumen gland of A. marginata snails was influenced by seasonal variation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pulses are a major source of dietary protein. They are a significant source of vitamins and minerals such as iron, zinc, and magnesium. Consuming half a cup of beans or peas per day can enhance the quality of diet by increasing the intake of these nutrients. Pulses are high in fiber and have a low glycemic index. Postharvest loss is the main concern during storage. The storage quality of seeds in pulses is notably inferior to that of cereals, primarily because of the biochemical composition of seeds. The higher protein content of pulses drives pest and pathogen infestations during storage, resulting in significant losses. Biotic and abiotic factors play major roles in this context, with particular emphasis on temperature, relative humidity, seed moisture content, and choice of packaging materials. This study focused on factors influencing longer storage and different practices of pre-storage seed treatment, packaging materials such as PICS bags or super grain bags instead of cloth and gunny bags, and optimum storage conditions. Storing seeds in an environment with room temperature below 15°C and a relative humidity of approximately 60% for prolonged periods further minimizes reductions in seed vigor and viability for longer storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of China Pulp & Paper is the property of China Pulp & Paper Magazines Publisher and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: The fleshfly Sarcophaga dux (Diptera;Sarcophagidae) is found in Indian Sub continent is of limited forensic significance as its poorly known larval development relationship with temperature and relative humidity. Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the effect of the temperature and relative humidity in the larval development of this fly in two seasons, Summer and Rain, so that the results of this study may enabling the forensic use of this fly in the estimation of Post Mortem Interval(PMI). Material and Method: The present study was carried out in the outer premises of the Regional Forensic Science Laboratory Building, Jagdalpur, Bastardist,Chhattishgarh, India. The fresh meat of male goat was used for rearing of larvae. The effect of temperature and relative humidity on the larval developmental time of this fly in two seasons, Rainy and Summer were studied in normal condition. Statistical analysis of variance was performed and standard significance level of P<0.05 was taken as standard. Results: The results of this study shown that in Rainy season it was completed in 264 h (11 days) when the average temperature ranged from 21.8°C to 24.5°C and the average humidity ranged from 79.5% to 95.5% where as in Summer it was completed in 528 hrs (22 days), when the temperature ranged from 26.5°C to 35.1°C and the humidity ranged from 34% to 67.5%. The P value was found to be P<<.05 in Temperature variation; andP<<0.05 in Humidity variation in different stages(1st instar larvae, 2nd instar larvae, 3rd instar larvae, Prepupae, Pupae and Adult). Conclusion: In the present study we have found that fluctuating temperature and relative humidity of outer condition in two seasons, Rainy and Summer effect the life cycle duration of the fly from the larvi position up to adult eclosion and statistical analysis has proved it to significant rejecting null hypothesis. This data can be further used in the estimation of Post Mortem Interval (PMI) in Homicide and Suspicious cases of both human and wild life poaching death cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metal halide perovskites offer a promising opportunity for transforming solar energy into chemical energy, thereby addressing pressing environmental challenges. While their excellent optoelectronic properties have been successfully applied in photovoltaics, their potential in photocatalysis remains relatively unexplored. Herein, we report a novel humidity‐driven approach for the in situ synthesis of MAPbI3 nanocrystals (NCs) within a nickel acetate matrix, forming a nanocomposite thin film that enhances the system's stability and enables its use in photochemical reactions. UV‐Vis spectroscopy and X‐ray diffraction confirm the rapid and effective synthesis of NCs within the matrix after 1 min at 80% relative humidity (RH). Optimal photoconversion conditions are attained after 60 min of exposure at 80% RH, due to the increased porosity and nanocrystal size over time as revealed by electron microscopy. The MAPbI3‐Ni(AcO)2 nanocomposite exhibits superior photocatalytic activity compared to standard polycrystalline MAPbI3 films for the decomposition of Sudan III under simulated sunlight. Furthermore, the nanocomposite demonstrates good recyclability over multiple cycles. Overall, this work highlights the potential of MHP‐based nanocomposites for solar‐driven catalytic systems in pollution mitigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change poses a significant threat to the durability of reinforced concrete (RC) bridges, which are particularly vulnerable to chloride-induced corrosion of steel reinforcements. The main problem for the current research is the increase in the projected maximum temperature values, especially for the high emission scenario in the future because of climate change, applied to the upper part of the RC bridge deck made of geopolymer concrete (GPC) composed of 50% fly ash and 50% slag. This will reduce the corrosion initiation time and the safety and durability of the RC bridge deck structure. Despite extensive research on chloride-induced corrosion, there is a scientific gap in understanding how future climate variations will influence the rate of corrosion in RC bridges. Specifically, comprehensive studies assessing the effect of maximum temperature on the probability of the corrosion initiation process in RC bridge decks made of GPC exposed to chloride environments are lacking. This study used the Monte Carlo simulation method to assess the probability of corrosion initiation (PCI) under various future climate scenarios for Toronto City, Canada. This research examines the impact of the maximum temperature and relative humidity on the diffusion coefficient of chloride ions in concrete. It assesses the PCI for different concrete cover thicknesses in RC decks made of geopolymer concrete composed of 50% fly ash and 50% slag over specified periods, dealing with the sensitivity analysis for this parameter among different parameters defined in the performance function. The results indicate a substantial increase in the PCI for a 40 mm concrete cover compared with a 50 mm cover in various years. Furthermore, maximum temperatures ranging from 40 °C to 45 °C significantly increase the PCI compared with temperatures between 25 °C and 35 °C for a 50 mm concrete cover. Finally, polynomial functions have been deduced to investigate the reliability index and PCI as a function of various coefficients of variations for mean concrete covers made of GPC at various maximum temperature values in different years. These findings provide important information for the design and maintenance of RC structures, ensuring their longevity in the face of climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The commercialization of space travel will soon lead to many more people living and working in unique built environments similar to the International Space Station, which is a specialized closed environment that contains its own indoor microbiome. Unintended microbial growth can occur in these environments as in buildings on Earth from elevated moisture, such as from a temporary ventilation system failure. This growth can drive negative health outcomes and degrade building materials. We need a predictive approach for modeling microbial growth in these critical indoor spaces. Results: Here, we demonstrate that even short exposures to varying elevated relative humidity can facilitate rapid microbial growth and microbial community composition changes in dust from spacecraft. We modeled fungal growth in dust from the International Space Station using the time-of-wetness framework with activation and deactivation limited growth occurring at 85% and 100% relative humidity, respectively. Fungal concentrations ranged from an average of 4.4 × 106 spore equivalents per milligram of dust in original dust with no exposure to relative humidity to up to 2.1 × 1010 when exposed to 100% relative humidity for 2 weeks. As relative humidity and time-elevated increased, fungal diversity was significantly reduced for both alpha (Q < 0.05) and beta (R2 = 0.307, P = 0.001) diversity metrics. Bacteria were unable to be modeled using the time-of-wetness framework. However, bacterial communities did change based on constant relative humidity incubations for both beta (R2 = 0.22, P = 0.001) and alpha diversity decreasing with increasing moisture starting at 85% relative humidity (Q < 0.05). Conclusion: Our results demonstrate that moisture conditions can be used to develop and predict changes in fungal growth and composition onboard human-occupied spacecraft. This predictive model can be expanded upon to include other spacecraft environmental factors such as microgravity, elevated carbon dioxide conditions, and radiation exposure. Understanding microbial growth in spacecraft can help better protect astronaut health, fortify spacecraft integrity, and promote planetary protection as human activity increases in low-Earth orbit, the moon, Mars, and beyond. 5L5VMn4841emXVRzhjbC6H Video Abstract [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is challenging to estimate how the climate of a region will change under global warming in the future. Among the essential climate variables, temperature, relative humidity and wind speed are very important, and their changes in relation to each other can have many consequences, such as increasing heat stress and evapotranspiration. In this research, we investigated future temperature, wind speed, and relative humidity in Iran. Five models, namely GFDL-ESM4, IPSL-CM6A-LR, MPI-ESM1-2-HR, MRI-ESM2-0, and UKESM1-0- LL from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6) have been evaluated versus observations for 1990-2014. A multi-model ensemble was generated with the Integrated Weighted Mean (IWM) method from selected CMIP6 models, and the performances of individual CMIP6 and CMIP6-MME models in estimating temperature, wind speed, and relative humidity were investigated. The results showed that all five selected models are capable to reproduce the variables; however, the CMIP6-MME significantly improved the results. The CMIP6-MME showed good agreement with observational data both in terms of climatology and spatial distribution of each variable, and its performance is higher compared to individual models. We have used two Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs), namely SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5, and three-time periods, namely near-term (2026-2050), midterm (2051-2075), and long-term (2076-2100) relative to the historical period (1990-2014). The results of this study showed that Iran will undergo changes in temperature, wind speed, and relative humidity spatial distribution in the future. The decrease in relative humidity and dryness of the air in the future can have important consequences for agriculture, food security, and water resources management. The findings of this study, in agreement with previous studies, emphasize the significant increase in temperature throughout Iran. Under the SSP2-4.5 (SSP5-8.5) scenario, the average annual temperature of the country increases by 1.40 (1.83), 2.34 (3.58), and 2.99 (5.58) degrees Celsius in the near (2026-2050), middle (2051-2075), and far (2076-2100) future, respectively. Along with the increasing trend of temperature in Iran, wind speed will decrease in most regions of the country in the middle and end of the 21st century under two SSP scenarios. This decreasing trend can be a result of decreasing atmospheric instability and increasing potential temperature. The northwest of Iran has shown the maximum increasing temperature and the maximum decreasing wind speed. The decrease in relative humidity in Iran has been evident since the 1990s, and the projection results indicate that it will decrease in large parts of Iran in the future. However, the relative humidity in the southeast of Iran shows an increasing rate in the future. Results of this study show that the heat stress will be significantly higher through SSP5-8.5 than SSP2-4.5 in the 21st century due to the decrease in wind speed and increase in temperature throughout Iran. Therefore, Iran should quickly move on to formulate and implement long-term adaptation plans for resilience against climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the aim to systematically analyze the ambient relative humidity on the shrinkage strain of Engineered Geopolymer Composites (EGCs), this paper studied four variables (fly ash to ground granulated blast furnace slag mass ratio, alkali content, water–binder ratio, and fiber volume content) though orthogonal experimental design and three different relative humidity values (30%, 60%, and 100% RH). The results indicated that, for EGC specimens under 30% RH and 60% RH, the decrease in slag content and increase in alkali content both resulted in greater drying shrinkage. The addition of fibers effectively reduced the shrinkage strain, while a minor impact on shrinkage was presented by the W/B ratio. The first and second key factors affecting the drying shrinkage strain were the FA/GGBS ratio and the alkali content. The optimal ratio of FA/GGBS, alkali content, and fiber volume fraction were 0/100, 4%, and 1.5%, respectively. Dring shrinkage strain was decreased with the increase in ambient relative humidity. Compared with the shrinkage strain under 30% RH, the reduction in shrinkage strain under 60% RH and 100%RH was up to 46.1% and 107.5%, respectively. At last, a relationship between shrinkage strain and curing age under 30% and 60% RH was established with a fitting degree from 0.9492 to 0.9987, while no clear relationship was presented under 100% RH. The results in this paper provide a practical method for solving the shrinkage problem of EGCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Relevant atmospheric corrosion laboratory testing environments were developed to explore the influence of inert dust and seawater on the corrosion susceptibility of stainless steel in spent nuclear fuel dry storage conditions. Measurements from dust collected on in-service dry storage canisters were applied to develop exposure conditions. Three atmospheric exposure conditions, two static and one cyclic, were examined with three different surface coverages: co-deposited large dust and seawater, co-deposited small dust and seawater, and solely seawater. Stainless steel coupons representative of spent nuclear fuel dry storage canister material were subjected to the various corrosion environments, with the results from exposures up to 1 year presented here. Post exposure, corrosion damage was analyzed using optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Initial observations are presented herein, and potential implications with respect to the influence of inert dust particles on corrosion susceptibility are summarized. In general, the co-deposition of dust and salt resulted in larger pits and exhibited mixed modes of corrosion that were not observed in the no-dust conditions (i.e., crevicing, filiform, and pits within pits). The presence of the inert dust may influence brine spreading and/or act as crevice formers, leading to enhanced corrosion. This study highlights the significance of incorporating dust particulate(s) beyond the deliquescent chemistries to fully evaluate atmospheric corrosion severity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Concerns about climate change are driving the development of novel technologies for mitigation and adaptation. Some of them include electricity generating and water harvesting based on atmospheric humidity. The latter is already commercial and can generate 50 L of drinking water per day per capita for dozens of people; however, besides energy, operation requires sufficient levels and durations of humidity and temperature. Our study focuses on the 33 megacities of the world, characterising the humidity and heat stress regimes during the last decade, using data from meteorological stations in their vicinity, and ranking them by their exposure and vulnerability to intense heat stress and their suitability to use these moisture‐reliant technologies. Our findings indicate the dominance of severe heat stress conditions in megacities located in developing countries. Ranking the megacities according to the intensity and duration of the heat stress shows the annual, monthly and hourly courses. The five most affected are the cities of Chennai, Bangkok, Kolkata, Karachi and New Delhi. Seven megacities suffer continuous, at least 12 h, of intense heat stress during 1–4 months. The ranking also considered the level of income of the countries, hence their vulnerability. On an annual basis, approximately half of the megacities are highly suited for moisture‐reliant technologies, among them megacities ranked as the top three in exposure to intense heat stress conditions—Chennai, Bangkok and Kolkata. When focusing on the humid season, 27 out of 33 megacities (82%) obtain suitable conditions for the new technologies and thus can benefit from them, at least part of the year. The implementation of humidity technologies for green energy and clean water could be of great help as our world gets more populated, warmer with higher water demand, especially for populations with insufficient infrastructure and resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The impact of relative humidity on the formation of low-frictional interface in hydrogenated carbon nitride (CNx:H) coatings sliding against Si3N4 balls and the formation continuity was elucidated through friction tests conducted in both air and nitrogen atmospheres with controlled relative humidity levels. In air atmosphere, a carbonaceous tribolayer with a transformed structure from the initial CNx:H was formed on Si3N4 at less than the critical humidity that existed in 1.0–3.0% RH, resulting in low friction (μ < 0.05) and a low specific wear rate of the balls (< 2 × 10–9 mm3/N·m). In contrast, this tribolayer failed to form above 3.0% RH. In nitrogen atmosphere, within the 0.25–1.0% RH range, the tribolayer continued to form concurrently with wear progression, maintaining low friction for over 50,000 cycles. However, in less than this humidity range, the lifetime of low friction was limited owing to the tribolayer’s structural alteration. Thus, relative humidity influences not only the formation of the low-frictional interface but also the formation continuity. On the CNx:H friction surface, hydrogen, hydroxyl, and oxygen groups from environmental water and oxygen molecules continued to chemisorb owing to tribochemical reactions on the uppermost few nanometers during continuous low friction in a nitrogen atmosphere, while hydrogen content of CNx:H desorbed. This study experimentally confirmed the critical role of controlling relative humidity in tribological systems using CNx:H coatings to achieve low friction and improve its durability of low friction through the continuous formation of the low-frictional interface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Energy efficiency is a global need to decrease net emissions and optimise the use of renewable energy sources. Ongoing research focuses on optimizing the use of renewable energy resources to maximize their consumption. Fuel cells, which utilise water to generate electricity, are among these renewable energy resources. Nevertheless, as previously said, there is ongoing research focused on optimising the synthesis of hydrogen and the extraction of voltage and current. In this study, we present the utilisation of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) in the extraction of hydrogen and silica nanoparticles for the enhancement of power values. The experiment clearly demonstrates that using a 50% NaOH solution resulted in the production of about 5.602 litres of hydrogen gas. Furthermore, the molar percentage of hydrogen in the final product was determined to be 85.74%. The gas chromatography analysis findings indicate that the product contains 81.58% hydrogen, 11.62% nitrogen, and 0.04% carbon dioxide. The electrical efficiency achieved is 86% with a heat loss of 13.96%. In addition, the research included the introduction of silica nanoparticles into the water. It was noted that this led to an increase in power density when the relative humidity was about 70%. The study also revealed that these nanoparticles had the potential to boost fuel cell performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An analysis is performed to examine trends in temperature, relative humidity, and wind-speed over the Indian landmass and in the isles of Lakshadweep (Arabian Sea side) and Andaman and Nicobar (Bay of Bengal side) over the last four decades (from 1981 to 2021). MERRA data deployed for revealing the large-scale fluctuations and linear trends in these parameters covering 36 locations. Surface temperature (2 m above ground) data showed a linear rise, which is more prominent after 2000, both in the Arabian side and the Bay of Bengal. Over this period, temperature increased ~ 0.7–0.8 °C on both sides of Indian landmass. About two third locations (24 locations) in the study showed increase in temperature. However, relative humidity data on all island locations exhibited a decrease (prominent during 2000–2021). Quasi-periodic fluctuations in temperature (which is linearly rising) closely relates with the ENSO parameter (correlation coefficient 'r' in Arabian Sea and Andaman and Nicobar ranged from ~ 0.20 to 0.34; which is statistically significant and relatively larger towards Andaman Islands). 'r' increased considerably (> 0.5) during 2000–2021. Wind-speed, in general, showed larger magnitude over Andaman and Nicobar Islands (~ 5.0 m/s yearly averaged) in comparison to Arabian Sea (~ 4.0 m/s) and landmass (~ 2.2 m/s). On the other hand, solar cycle (sun spot numbers) and wind-speed reflects a weak positive correlation coefficient (< ~ 0.40) but statistically significant while no consequential correlation found between solar cycle and relative humidity. Detailed analysis suggests that relative humidity decreased both over landmass and islands during 2000–2021. Interestingly, surface temperature increased more rapidly between latitudes 7.03°N and 12.91°N after 2000. Rise in temperature and long period fluctuations (> 2–3 years) in the lower latitudes (< 15°N) showed a strong association with ENSO signal suggesting invigorated atmosphere ocean interaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Copyright of Journal of Agricultural Economics & Social Sciences is the property of Egyptian National Agricultural Library (ENAL) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Abstract Background The study focuses on the effect of temperature and relative humidity on hospitalization for acute lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI) in children, respectively. Methods In this study, the Distributed Lag Nonlinear Model (DLNM) based on quasi-Poisson distribution was used to investigate the effect of temperature and relative humidity on LRTI hospitalization in children, and subgroup analyses were conducted to identify sensitive populations by gender and age. Results A total of 43,951 children were hospitalized for LRTI from 1 January 2014 to 31 December 2019 in Lanzhou. The mean temperature during the study period was 11.34 °C and the mean relative humidity was 51.03%. With reference to the median temperature of 12.7 °C during the study period, both low (-4.1 °C) and high (25.43 °C) temperature had a detrimental effect on LRTI hospitalization, and the maximum effect was reached at lag0-10 and lag0-9, respectively, with RR values of 1.645 (95%CI: 1.533, 1.764) and 1.098 (95%CI: 1.018, 1.184). With a reference to the median relative humidity of 51.17% during the study period, both low relative humidity (26.71%) and high relative humidity (76.70%, P95) had a detrimental effect on LRTI hospitalization, and the maximum effect was reached at lag0-21 and lag21, respectively, with RR values of 1.235 (95% CI: 1.163, 1.311) and 1.044 (95% CI: 1.036, 1.051). The results of subgroup analyses showed that changes in meteorological factors had a stronger effect on Female and children aged 5–14 years. Conclusions The meteorological factors all have different degrees of influence on LRTI hospitalization in children. Girls and the children aged 5–14 years are more sensitive. Attention to these meteorological risks can inform targeted interventions.

Abstract Although some studies have explored the role of meteorological factors in the development of tuberculosis (TB), the majority have been confined to single regions, leading to inconsistent findings. Consequently, we conducted a multi-city study not only to determine whether meteorological factors significantly influence the risk of developing TB but also to assess the magnitude of these effects and explore potential modifying factors. Data on daily reported TB cases and meteorological factors were collected from January 1, 2013, to December 31, 2022, across 11 cities in Zhejiang Province. A distributed lag non-linear model using a quasi-Poisson distribution was employed. Multivariate meta-regression was used to obtain overall pooled estimates and assess heterogeneity. From 2013 to 2022, 267,932 TB cases were reported in Zhejiang Province. Notably, a nonlinear relationship was observed between temperature and TB, with the relative risk (RR) peaking at 1.0 °C (RR = 1.882, 95% CI 1.173–3.020). The effect of low temperature was immediate and significant for a 13-day lag period, with the maximum effect at lag0 (RR = 1.014, 95% CI 1.008–1.021). The exposure-response curve between relative humidity (RH) and TB exhibited an M-shape, with the RR peaking at 47.7% (RR = 1.642, 95% CI 1.044–2.582). The lag effect of low RH was significant at lag 25–59, with the highest RR observed at lag 32 (RR = 1.011, 95% CI 1.001–1.022). Gross domestic product (GDP) per person, population density, and latitude demonstrated significant modification effects. Our study showed that low temperature and RH were associated with an increased risk of TB. Additionally, GDP per person, population density, and latitude may play important roles in explaining the association between RH and TB. These findings provide scientific evidence for the development of geographically specific public health policies.

Abstract This study aimed to investigate the behavior of smart bilayer films under various temperature and relative humidity (RH). Smart bilayer films were fabricated using sodium alginate with incorporated butterfly pea anthocyanin and agar containing catechin–lysozyme. Cellulose nanospheres were added at concentrations of 0% and 10% w/w of the film and subjected to test at 4 °C and 25 °C, considering different RHs (0%, 50%, and 80%). The results showed that RH had a greater impact on the mechanical properties than temperature, leading to a decrease in tensile strength and an increase in elongation at break with higher RH. The films displayed increased strength but reduced flexibility at low temperatures. Oxygen permeability was negatively affected by increasing RH, while water vapor barrier properties were better at 25 °C than at 4 °C. In terms of color stability, the temperature played a more important role, with both types of smart bilayer films retaining their color stability throughout 14-day storage at 4 °C, even maintaining their ability to change color with pH. However, the films stored at 25 °C exhibited lower color stability and showed potential for color change with varying pH levels, but with lower intensity. The findings of this study demonstrate the significant impact of temperature and RH on the functional properties of smart bilayer films, with and without the addition of cellulose nanospheres. Such smart bilayer films have great potential for various applications, particularly in food packaging, where maintaining color, mechanical, and barrier properties under varying environmental conditions is crucial.

The microwave radiometer can detect and retrieve temperature and humidity profiles with high spatial and temporal resolution throughout the day. However, microwave radiometers have few detection frequencies in the middle and upper layers, making them easily affected by clouds. After integrating cloud information into brightness temperature data, the improvement in detection accuracy in the middle and upper layers still remains insufficient, failing to meet accuracy standards required for relative humidity. With the construction of a national ground-based remote sensing vertical profile system, the continuous observation of cloud radar and microwave radiometer at the same site has been achieved, enhancing the spatial and temporal resolution. Combined with the relationship between humidity and cloud formation, a comprehensive quality control method is proposed for relative humidity using cloud radar and microwave radiometer. It plays a crucial role in enhancing the accuracy of humidity profile of microwave radiometer under cloudy conditions.By analyzing the characteristic relationship between the cloud radar reflectivity factor and the radiosonde relative humidity, a piecewise correction method for the microwave radiometer relative humidity of the combined cloud radar is proposed. Error correction results are analyzed using the radiosonde and ERA5 data. It shows that there is a positive linear correlation between the relative humidity and the reflectivity factor, the relative humidity in the middle of the cloud region is approximately saturated, and the relative humidity variation trend with the height of the cloud exit region and the cloud entry region is approximately symmetric about a certain height. Under the condition of stratiform clouds, the root mean square error of relative humidity by microwave radiometer decreases by 7.99% and 8.91% when comparing with radiosonde and ERA5, and the absolute value of median deviation decreases by 12.62% and 13.05%, respectively. The absolute median deviation also decreases. Further investigation indicates the method is also effective under the condition of convection cloud, but the relative humidity in the cloud region after correction is larger than that of sounding and ERA5, and the median deviation changes from negative deviation to positive deviation. Therefore, the relative humidity segment correction method of combing cloud radar can realize the continuous real-time correction of the relative humidity profile of microwave radiometer, which partly improves the observation quality of microwave radiometer under cloud conditions.

The importance of Model Predictive Control (MPC) has significant applications in the agricultural industry, more specifically for greenhouse’s control tasks. However, the complexity of the greenhouse and its limited prior knowledge prevent an exact mathematical description of the system. Subspace methods provide a promising solution to this issue through their capacity to identify the system’s comportment using the fit between model output and observed data. In this paper, we introduce an application of Constrained Model Predictive Control (CMPC) for a greenhouse temperature and relative humidity. For this purpose, two Multi Input Single Output (MISO) systems, using Numerical Subspace State Space System Identification (N4SID) algorithm, are firstly suggested to identify the temperature and the relative humidity comportment to heating and ventilation actions. In this sense, linear state space models were adopted in order to evaluate the robustness of the control strategy. Once the system is identified, the MPC technique is applied for the temperature and the humidity regulation. Simulation results show that the regulation of the temperature and the relative humidity under constraints was guaranteed, both parameters respect the ranges 15 °C ≤ Tint ≤ 30 °C and 50 % ≤ Hint ≤ 70 % respectively. On the other hand, the control signals uf and uh applied to the fan and the heater, respect the hard constraints notion, the control signals for the fan and the heater did not exceed 0 ≤ uf ≤ 4.3 Volts and 0 ≤ uh ≤ 5 Volts, respectively, which proves the effectiveness of the MPC and the tracking tasks. Moreover, we show that with the proposed technique, using a new optimization toolbox, the computational complexity has been significantly reduced. The greenhouse in question is devoted to Schefflera Arboricola cultivation.

Abstract Background The commercialization of space travel will soon lead to many more people living and working in unique built environments similar to the International Space Station, which is a specialized closed environment that contains its own indoor microbiome. Unintended microbial growth can occur in these environments as in buildings on Earth from elevated moisture, such as from a temporary ventilation system failure. This growth can drive negative health outcomes and degrade building materials. We need a predictive approach for modeling microbial growth in these critical indoor spaces. Results Here, we demonstrate that even short exposures to varying elevated relative humidity can facilitate rapid microbial growth and microbial community composition changes in dust from spacecraft. We modeled fungal growth in dust from the International Space Station using the time-of-wetness framework with activation and deactivation limited growth occurring at 85% and 100% relative humidity, respectively. Fungal concentrations ranged from an average of 4.4 × 106 spore equivalents per milligram of dust in original dust with no exposure to relative humidity to up to 2.1 × 1010 when exposed to 100% relative humidity for 2 weeks. As relative humidity and time-elevated increased, fungal diversity was significantly reduced for both alpha (Q

Energy efficiency is a global need to decrease net emissions and optimise the use of renewable energy sources. Ongoing research focuses on optimizing the use of renewable energy resources to maximize their consumption. Fuel cells, which utilise water to generate electricity, are among these renewable energy resources. Nevertheless, as previously said, there is ongoing research focused on optimising the synthesis of hydrogen and the extraction of voltage and current. In this study, we present the utilisation of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) in the extraction of hydrogen and silica nanoparticles for the enhancement of power values. The experiment clearly demonstrates that using a 50% NaOH solution resulted in the production of about 5.602 litres of hydrogen gas. Furthermore, the molar percentage of hydrogen in the final product was determined to be 85.74%. The gas chromatography analysis findings indicate that the product contains 81.58% hydrogen, 11.62% nitrogen, and 0.04% carbon dioxide. The electrical efficiency achieved is 86% with a heat loss of 13.96%. In addition, the research included the introduction of silica nanoparticles into the water. It was noted that this led to an increase in power density when the relative humidity was about 70%. The study also revealed that these nanoparticles had the potential to boost fuel cell performance.

Moisture-related shrinkage is regarded as one of the phenomena that has the largest impacts on the performance of jointed plainconcrete pavements. Still, most mechanistic-empirical design methods oversimplify or ignore predictions of moisture-relatedshrinkage and its effects on concrete pavements. This study evaluates how moisture-related shrinkage accumulates in concretepavements and the structural response of the concrete pavement slabs to the shrinkage action. The experimental data comefrom six thin concrete overlay of asphalt pavements that were instrumented with sensors to measure the structural andhygrothermal response of the slabs due to temperature and moisture-related actions. After an analysis of the predictions madeby current shrinkage models, a new shrinkage model was developed. This new model, which is based on the incremental-recursive application of the B4 shrinkage model, provided an excellent prediction of the moisture-related shrinkage measured inthe field. In addition, the structural response of the concrete pavement slabs under the moisture-related shrinkage action wasanalyzed using the finite element method (FEM). The FEM analysis based on the standard practice for concrete pavementmechanistic-empirical modeling resulted in unrealistically high tensile stresses. However, much smaller stress values were foundwhen the time-dependent (viscoelastic) behavior of concrete and asphalt was considered.

• Microplastics (MPs) in air mass from marine transport in the coastal city cannot be neglected. • Rubber and phenol-formaldehyde resin particles are the most common microplastic (MP) types in the coastal city. • MP particles are concentrated in the small particle size segment (20–50 µm). • The number concentration of MPs in the atmosphere is higher during the day than at night. Airborne microplastics (MPs) are important pollutants that have been present in the environment for many years and are characterized by their universality, persistence, and potential toxicity. This study investigated the effects of terrestrial and marine transport of MPs in the atmosphere of a coastal city and compared the difference between daytime and nighttime. Laser direct infrared imaging (LDIR) and polarized light microscopy were used to characterize the physical and chemical properties of MPs, including number concentration, chemical types, shape, and size. Backward trajectories were used to distinguish the air masses from marine and terrestrial transport. Twenty chemical types were detected by LDIR, with rubber (16.7%) and phenol-formaldehyde resin (PFR; 14.8%) being major components. Three main morphological types of MPs were identified, and fragments (78.1%) are the dominant type. MPs in the atmosphere were concentrated in the small particle size segment (20–50 µm). The concentration of MPs in the air mass from marine transport was 14.7 items/m3 – lower than that from terrestrial transport (32.0 items/m3). The number concentration of airborne MPs was negatively correlated with relative humidity. MPs from terrestrial transport were mainly rubber (20.2%), while those from marine transport were mainly PFR (18%). MPs in the marine transport air mass were more aged and had a lower number concentration than those in the terrestrial transport air mass. The number concentration of airborne MPs is higher during the day than at night. These findings could contribute to the development of targeted control measures and methods to reduce MP pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Relative humidity is considered to be one of the most important climatic parameters and atmospheric phenomena. The purpose of the present study is to evaluate the regional algorithms for estimating relative humidity using remote sensing data in Hormozgan province. To this end, MOD05 and MOD07 products were employed to estimate total perceptible water, air temperature, and sea -level pressure Additionally, MOD35 was used for cloud verification,, resulting in the identification of 2190 cloudless images with 95% confidence level for analysis. radiosound data of Bandar Abbas ststion and synoptic stations Covering entire Hormozgan Province. were used to evaluate the results. The findings demonstrated high accuracy of the algorithms and experimental model, with acceptable R² and RMSE values between Modis product and ground data. These results align well with ground station measurements. The province's climate was determined to be semi -desert with a long warm season and a short cool period. Further analysis revealed a strong correlation between sea -level pressure and total perceptible water (TPW) with the region's topography. Maximum TPW and sea -level pressure values were recorded in coastal lowlands, while minimum values occurred in the highlands. Based on zoning maps, Hormozgan province can be divided into four regions based on relative humidity: from very dry conditions with less than 20% relative humidity in the highlands to humid areas with over 65% relative humidity along the coast. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Soil moisture shapes ecological patterns and processes, but it is difficult to continuously measure soil moisture variability across the landscape. To overcome these limitations, soil moisture is often bioindicated using community‐weighted means of the Ellenberg indicator values of vascular plant species. However, the ecology and distribution of plant species reflect soil water supply as well as atmospheric water demand. Therefore, we hypothesized that Ellenberg moisture values can also reflect atmospheric water demand expressed as a vapour pressure deficit (VPD).To test this hypothesis, we disentangled the relationships among soil water content, atmospheric vapour pressure deficit, and Ellenberg moisture values in the understory plant communities of temperate broadleaved forests in central Europe.Ellenberg moisture values reflected atmospheric VPD rather than soil water content consistently across local, landscape, and regional spatial scales, regardless of vegetation plot size, depth as well as method of soil moisture measurement.Using in situ microclimate measurements, we discovered that forest plant indicator values for moisture reflect an atmospheric VPD rather than soil water content. Many ecological patterns and processes correlated with Ellenberg moisture values and previously attributed to soil water supply are thus more likely driven by atmospheric water demand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adhesion forces on various surfaces with different hydrophilicity were measured by atomic force microscopy in the force-volume mode and at a location to study the relative humidity (RH) dependence. With an increasing-stable-decreasing trend in RH, the force in the force-volume mode usually exhibits a constant-increase-constant-decrease-constant variation. Surfaces with partial or complete hydrophobicity exhibited a much larger increase compared to a hydrophilic one. However, the behavior on some surfaces was distorted due to a decrease at high stable RHs. Contrastively, the behavior at a location could also display the same behavior. Both gradual and sudden changes were observed at a single location as RH changed. At high stable RHs, the force displayed complex behaviors, indicating unique characteristics at each location. Therefore, the measurement at a location is not suitable to study the RH dependence. Specially, the force measured on silica in the force-volume mode has the mentioned behavior. However, the force at a location can remain stable, gradually/sharply increase or decrease, and suddenly jump or drop with RH. These observations are attributed to the evolution of a water bridge, which is largely influenced by thin-film flow. The findings provide deeper insights into adhesion mechanisms at different RHs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Orange peel, a physiological disorder, has been reported in Chilean sweet cherries (Prunus avium (L.) L.) after 35-45 d under modified atmosphere packaging (MAP). The ontogeny of the disorder is unknown, and preharvest factors have not been thoroughly investigated. This study involved two experiments to elucidate the association between environmental factors and the incidence of the orange peel disorder. In the first experiment, plant water potential, fruit position on the tree, relative humidity (RH), and radiation of sweet cherry trees were studied in 'Regina', 'Kordia', and 'Lapins'. The second experiment focused on the interaction effect of heat during fruit development and the RH during storage in 'Lapins'. The first experiment showed no clear response of orange peel incidence to natural variations in air temperature, vapor pressure deficit, and transmitted solar radiation (PPFD) within trees. However, significant differences in the incidence, severity, and timing of the disorder detection were observed among cultivars. In 'Lapins', orange peel disorder began before harvest in the green stage, 33.7 %, while 'Regina' and 'Kordia' showed negligible incidences of 1.25% and 0%, respectively. At postharvest, no differences were found among tree sections, either in incidence or severity of the disorder. For the second experiment, no differences in incidence were found in heated fruit during preharvest or postharvest RH treatments. However, it was observed that the higher the RH (100%), the lower the severity index (3.6) was for the orange peel disorder. The high incidence of the disorder during postharvest under natural or induced environmental conditions in the three cultivars evaluated demonstrates that RH mainly affects the orange peel disorder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

DNI assessment is essential for developing any CSP projects. In this manuscript, an approach is made for the analysis and estimation of DNI by developing the empirical models for India. The historical data of around 15 years (1986-2000) of DNI and cloud cover (CC) from six representative locations of major climatic zones namely Bhopal, Jaipur, Srinagar, Patna, New Delhi & Thiruvanantpuram have been employed. From these locations, first four have been used to develop the models correlating DNI and cloud cover; however, rest two were used to evaluate their validity. The standard statistical predictor's viz. CoD, MPE, MBE, RMSE, skewness, kurtosis & chi-square were applied to evaluate these empirical models. The CoD was observed greater than 0.8 while performance criteria have low and acceptable values (MPE-11.4% to -13.77%; MBE 0.49 to 0.96; RMSE 1.22 to 1.44; Skewness 0.90 to -0.15; Kurtosis 0.90 to -1.36 and Chi-square 6.87 to 8.50). The adequecy of empirical models was evaluated through comparing estimated and measured DNI for New Delhi and Thiruvanantpuram which coincides very closely. The study established an approach to estimate DNI using cloud cover data which may facilities CSP projects developers for site selection and decision making in the absence of ground data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The internal water content of the proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) stack significantly affects its performance and duration. To achieve optimal humidity level, real-time monitoring of the humidity of the cathode and the anode is crucial for the PEMFC. As far as we know, the relative humidity of the PEMFC can be estimated via an observer based on the measurable output voltage. However, the rapid changes in vehicle operating conditions pose a challenge to the estimation accuracy. Different from the existing sliding mode observers (SMOs), this study pays more attention to the testing noise of voltage measuring sensor. To reduce the noise influence and improve the estimation accuracy, a new sliding mode observer (NSMO) combined with an online Kalman filter is presented based on the dimensionless model of the PEMFC in this study. The applicability of the proposed NSMO in estimating the cathode relative humidity and the anode relative humidity is illustrated by the simulation results. At the same time, comparisons between the NSMO and the online Kalman filter are provided which show a substantially higher estimation accuracy and lower cost for the NSMO. Furthermore, the final results indicate the mean absolute deviations of the cathode and the anode relative humidity for the NSMO are, respectively, reduced to 0.39% and 0.28%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The Dadiwan F901 site, boasting a history of over 5000 years, stands as the largest and most intricately crafted large-scale housing structure from China’s prehistoric era. The early renovation efforts, incorporating a sealed glass curtain wall, led to a continuous rise in relative humidity within the site, triggering outbreaks of microbial diseases. Subsequent measures successfully restored stability to the thermal and humid environment. This paper employs on-site real-time environmental monitoring and numerical simulation methods to assess the ventilation effectiveness and relative humidity changes before and after multiple interior modifications of the Dadiwan F901 site museum. The results indicate that the fully enclosed glass curtain wall can suppress the dependence of indoor humidity fluctuations on external weather fluctuations but has generated unintended consequences, leading to increased air relative humidity and even reaching saturation in the museum space. The strategic deployment of louvered windows and duct fans proved effective in enhancing internal airflow dynamics and overall air exchange capacity. It was possible to ensure that the relative humidity inside the site remained at approximately 70%, meeting the essential requirements for the preservation of cultural relics. This study is of great significance for alleviating the deterioration problem of enclosed exhibition halls of earthen relics. Graphical Abstract

Abstract The microstructure of concrete can be affected by many factors, from non-destructive environmental factors through to destructive damage induced by transient stresses. Coda wave interferometry is a technique that is sensitive enough to detect weak changes within concrete by evaluating the ultrasonic signal perturbation compared to a reference state. As concrete microstructure is sensitive to many factors, it is important to separate their contributions to the observables. In this study, we characterize the relationships between the concrete elastic and inelastic properties, and temperature and relative humidity. We confirm previous theoretical studies that found a linear relationship between temperature changes and velocity variation of the ultrasonic waves for a given concrete mix, and provide scaling factors per Kelvin for multiple settings. We also confirm an anti-correlation with relative humidity using long-term conditioning. Furthermore, we explore beyond the existing studies to establish the relationship linking humidity and temperature changes to ultrasonic wave attenuation.

The change of temperature, humidity and moisture content (MC) will lead to the change of mechanical properties of molded fiber products (MFP). However, it is difficult to decouple the effects of temperature, humidity and MC on the mechanical properties of MFP, and predict the mechanical properties of MFP during the use. In this study, the laws and mechanism of mechanical properties of MFP with ambient temperature, humidity and MC were studied. The results showed that the direct effect of temperature (20−70 °C) on mechanical properties of MFP was insignificant, and the mechanical properties of MFP were mainly changed by MC. The MC was related to ambient temperature and humidity, and the relationship between the three could be described by the modified Guggenheim-Anderson-de Boer (GAB) model (20−70 °C and 30 %–90 % relative humidity). With the increase of MC, the elastic modulus and fracture strain was increased and decreased linearly, the yield strength and failure strength were presented GaussAmp laws, and the failure strain was presented asymptotic regressed distribution law. Two fracture modes of MFP, brittle fracture and ductile fracture, were revealed by the scanning electron microscopy of the mesoscopic fiber structure of sugarcane bagasse molded fiber products. The mathematical models and the changes of fiber structure were verified by wheat straw molded fiber products and waste paper molded fiber products. This study was contributed to understand the effects and mechanism of the change of temperature, humidity and MC on the mechanical properties of MFP.

It is widely known that the impact of atmospheric humidity on tribological phenomena is significant, particularly in the context of dry sliding. Previous reviews have comprehensively addressed various cases within this domain and this article aims to complement these reviews with recent findings. The review covers a wide spectrum of humidity levels, ranging from trace amounts of water in the order of a few vol ppb to the relative humidity levels experienced in daily life. It delineates the forms of adsorbed water on solid surfaces within each humidity range and explores the potential physical lubrication mechanism of the adsorbed water and its effects on tribological phenomena. In the past, explanations for this influence have tended to be qualitative, primarily viewed from the perspective of chemical reactions. This discussion seeks to broaden the understanding by considering the influences from a physical lubrication perspective. Concluding the review, recent research findings are presented, shedding light on instances where trace amounts of water present in gases such as hydrogen exert an influence on tribological phenomena.

Abstract Background The effects of temperature and relative humidity on different types of children’s allergic diseases have not been comprehensively evaluated so far. This study aims to assess the impact of temperature and relative humidity variability on children’s allergic diseases and to identify the critical time window. Methods We collected outpatient data on allergen testing in children between July 2020 and January 2022 from the Affiliated Children’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University. We defined the 1st, 10th, 90th, and 99th percentiles as extreme cold, moderate cold, moderate hot, and extreme hot for temperature, and as low, moderate high, and extreme high for relative humidity, respectively. A distributed lag nonlinear model (DLNM) combined with a binomial regression model was used to assess the possible nonlinear relationship at different periods. Subgroup analysis by gender and age was conducted. Results We found that extreme and moderate cold temperatures were positively associated with skin allergies and total allergies (28 days: OR = 4.69, 95% CI: 2.88, 7.63; OR = 3.36, 95% CI: 2.39, 4.73) and (28 days: OR = 3.76, CI: 2.43, 5.81; OR = 2.71, 95% CI: 2.00, 3.68), respectively. Moderate and extreme hot temperatures were negatively associated with food allergies (28 days: OR = 0.13, 95% CI: 0.04, 0.41 and OR = 0.04; 95% CI: 0.01, 0.27). Low relative humidity was negatively associated with respiratory allergies, skin allergies, and total allergic diseases (28 days: OR = 0.26, 95% CI: 0.10, 0.71; OR = 0.29, 95% CI: 0.15, 0.55; and OR = 0.42, 95% CI: 0.26, 0.68). Meanwhile, extreme high relative humidity was negatively associated with respiratory allergies, and positively associated with skin allergies, food allergies, and total allergies (28 days: OR = 0.16, 95%CI: 0.07, 0.37; OR = 3.60, 95% CI: 2.52, 5.14; OR = 15.61, 95% CI: 3.23, 75.56; and OR = 2.33, 95% CI: 1.73, 3.15). A stronger relationship between temperature, relative humidity, and allergic diseases was observed in children under 5 years, specifically girls. Conclusions Our study provides evidence that temperature and relative humidity variability may be associated with allergic diseases, however, the directionality of the relationship differs by allergic type.

Abstract Micro lime, hydrated lime (Ca (OH)2) with particle sizes of 1-3μ dispersed in isopropanol, can be used to reinforce deteriorated earthen structures. The consolidation effect depends on the amount of moisture present in the structure or in the ambient air. This study investigates the influence of different levels of relative humidity (RH) on the consolidation effect of micro lime on earthen structures, the chemical processes responsible for the consolidation and the physical changes to the structure. The aim is to gain a deeper understanding of the underlying chemical reactions and to identify a potential limit to the applicability of this consolidation method in low RH environments. The fact that many of these sites are located in arid climates greatly influences the practical application of micro lime in the conservation of historical earthen structures. To characterize the consolidation effect of micro lime, unconfined compressive strength and exposure to wet and dry cycles were used. The properties of the reaction products and the bonding between soil particles and micro lime were investigated using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). At RH levels of 25%, 45%, 65% and 90%, the unconfined compressive strength (UCS) and the modulus of deformation at 50% strength (E50) of the micro lime-reinforced specimens demonstrated an increase with humidity. This led to a significant improvement in their ability to resist the effects of dry–wet cycles. Results from thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) indicate that micro lime interacts with the soil matrix via carbonation, with the reaction rate increasing with humidity. At 25% RH, vaterite was produced and residual free lime was observed, whereas at humidity levels of 45% and above, the reaction yielded vaterite and aragonite. The lime treatment did not significantly alter the pore structure of the soil specimens. The total porosity of the specimens was only slightly reduced, with the main effect of the lime treatment being a reduction in the number of large pores.

The desulphurisation-gypsum-filling-wall (DSG-FW) formed by pouring into plasterboard partitions with desulphurisation gypsum slurry can utilise low-quality desulphurisation gypsum and also improve the acoustic insulation issues arising from the use of hollow partitions. The construction schedule of this wall is unable to be controlled because the moisture transfer characteristics in DSG-FW are unclear. Therefore, it is important to determine the drying time and the moisture-transfer behaviour during the construction process. By using different thicknesses of gypsum samples, adding different amounts of perlite and adjusting the relative humidity, whether the gypsum board is covered, the drying and evaporating process of gypsum was compared and analysed. The evaporative characteristics of the desulphurisation gypsum core wall at different relative humidities were determined through experiments. In addition, an evaporation model was introduced for simplification and verification. The experimental results show that the drying of gypsum is correlated with relative humidity and gypsum thickness: the higher the relative humidity, the lower the evaporation rate; the thicker the gypsum, the longer the drying time; perlite and gypsum board have no effect on gypsum drying. The rate of evaporation of DSG-FW increases non-linearly with the decrease in relative humidity under which the DSG-FW is conditioned; the simplified Hertz-Knudsen-Langmuir (HKL-S) model can only be used to predict the evaporation behaviour within the higher relative humidity range (more than 55% RH), while the simplified statistical rate theory (SRT-S) model was verified as being able to predict the rate of evaporation across almost the whole relative humidity range. The SRT-S model can be used to predict and control the construction of DSG-FW in actual engineering work.