Annual Temperature Difference Research Articles

Validation of ERA5-Land-based reconstructed air temperature and near-surface ground temperature on James Ross Island

ABSTRACT This study evaluates the accuracy of ERA5-Land reanalysis products by comparing them with continuous data from James Ross Island, Antarctic Peninsula. ERA5-Land shows lower variability in air and ground temperatures than measurements from three automatic weather stations (AWSs) on James Ross Island: Johann Gregor Mendel (AWS-JGM), Abernethy Flats (AWS-AF), and Johnson Mesa (AWS-JM). Differences in mean annual air temperature (MAAT) and mean annual ground temperature at 5 cm depth (MAGT5) are noted between ERA5-Land and AWSs for the periods 2007/08-2020/21 and 2011/12-2020/21. Strong correlations (0.88–0.92) exist between ERA5-Land and AWSs, with the highest coefficients and lowest RMSE values for AWS-JM (2.7 °C for AT and 4.9 °C for GT5). Validation statistics reveal seasonal variations in ERA5-Land temperature bias with larger discrepancies in summer and low differences in winter. ERA5-Land’s snow depth estimation indicates unrealistic permanent snow cover between 3–24 meters, affecting ground temperature bias and underestimation. Despite its benefits, ERA5-Land’s inaccuracies in ground temperature data limit its direct use for permafrost research. Corrections were applied to enhance the use of ERA5-Land data for detailed permafrost studies in the JRI area.

Energy-Efficient Architectural Design of a Banquet Hall with Integrated Tunnel Ventilation: Monitoring Performance During the Transitional Season in China

The construction industry, a significant contributor to global energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, is under considerable pressure to adopt transformative approaches. Public buildings, which account for a substantial portion of total energy usage, must balance high standards of thermal comfort with ventilation efficiency. In China, many public buildings are part of urban landscapes, where façade designs often limit natural ventilation. Consequently, technologies like earth-to-air heat exchangers and wind towers are increasingly essential for enhancing natural ventilation. However, research on the efficacy of these systems remains sparse. This study examines the transitional seasonal environment by evaluating the thermal-humidity index of a banquet hall equipped with an earth-to-air heat exchanger system. Using DeST software [DeST 2.0], the study simulates indoor natural ventilation, calculates ventilation rates, and assesses residual heat removal efficiency. The system’s performance is also modeled under various thermal design zones. Results demonstrate that under natural ventilation, the system can achieve a residual heat removal efficiency of up to 490%. Simulations across different climate zones indicate that the system performs best in regions with extreme temperature fluctuations, particularly those with hot summers and warm winters. In these areas, the system reduces the annual temperature difference by up to 56.7%, significantly improving thermal comfort and reducing dependency on air conditioning. In contrast, performance in milder regions like Kunming achieves only a 37.5% reduction in temperature difference. Overall, this study provides valuable insights into energy-efficient design strategies and thermal optimization for banquet halls, with significant potential for energy savings and enhanced occupant comfort.

Traces of Local Adaptive Acclimatization Response in the Tracheid Anatomical Traits between Dry and Wet Mesic Norway Spruce (Picea abies) Forests in Moravia, Czech Republic?

Norway spruce (Picea abies) forests in temperate zones are already reacting to short-term extreme summer heatwaves, threatening the vitality of trees and forest productivity, and can even lead to local and regional dieback events. Examining quantitative wood anatomy can provide helpful information in terms of understanding the physiology mechanisms and related responses of conifer trees to local environmental interactions in relation to tracheid adaptive capacity. This study analysed the tracheid functional anatomical traits (FATs) plasticity of six young Norway spruce trees growing in two mesic research plots with high annual precipitation (~43%) and air temperature differences during 2010–2017. The research plots are located in the sub-mountainous (Rájec Němčice) and mountainous (Bílý Kříž) belts of the Moravia region, Czech Republic. Vapour pressure deficit and cell wall reinforcement index (CWRI) were shown to be the most representative environmental parameters as proxies of dry conditions. Tracheid FATs indicated latewood phenological plasticity sensitivity, with more pronounced variability in the warmer and drier plots. Latewood tracheids of Norway spruce trees grown in the RAJ formed significantly thicker cell walls than BK during the studied period. The observed differences between the two research plots indicate additional support for tracheid cells’ hydraulic safety against cavitation and potential traces of adaptive acclimatization response.

Experimental and simulation study on the thermoelectric performance of semi-transparent crystalline silicon photovoltaic curtain walls

This study aims to evaluate and optimize the thermoelectric performance of semi-transparent crystalline silicon photovoltaic (PV) curtain walls. An integrated thermoelectric performance coupling calculation model was developed, combining heat transfer and electricity generation calculations as a novel approach. Simulations and experiments were conducted to compare the performance of PV curtain walls with conventional curtain walls under various weather conditions, and were validated by experimental data. The results demonstrate that PV curtain walls enhance the thermal environment inside buildings and promote efficient power generation, with the arrangement of PV cells notably affecting performance. Under sunny conditions, the temperatures of the PV cell backplate and glass part backsheet in semi-transparent PV curtain walls exceeded those in ordinary glass curtain walls, yet the indoor air temperature was lower. Furthermore, when the working temperature of PV cells reaches to a certain level, it slightly deviates the electricity generation trend from the real-time solar radiation trend. Under cloudy conditions, the backsheet temperatures of semi-transparent PV curtain walls and standard glass curtain walls align with outdoor temperatures. Different PV module forms demonstrated that striped and square PV module forms offer better lighting effects than whole forms. The working temperatures among the three were close, with an annual average temperature difference of less than 1 °C and a peak temperature difference of approximately 3 °C, impacting the monthly total power generation by less than 1 %. This study presents a more precise and thorough approach for evaluating semi-transparent PV curtain walls' performance, providing insights for future sustainable architectural design.

Acceptance model of new energy vehicles based on PLS-SEM model

The current energy crisis is worsening worldwide, and in China, urban expansion and per capita vehicle ownership have created a growing energy imbalance and increased pressure to reduce carbon emissions.The popularization of new energy vehicles (NEVs) can provide a step forward to solving energy shortage problems, environmental pollution, and global warming. In 2022, the average penetration rate, which is ratio of new energy vehicle sales to vehicle sales, is just 19.1 %. This paper analysed the reasons for the differences in the penetration rates of new energy vehicles in China's 269 prefecture-level cities, using a Geo Detector approach, and the results showed that the level of economic development, the average annual temperature difference, the density of charging piles, the charging price and the number of population all had significant effects(q＞0.12) on the penetration rate. Based on the above studies, a questionnaire was used to investigate the public's acceptance of new energy vehicles in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, and a PLS-SEM regression analysis was conducted. The results showed that men, young people and people with a certain level of basic education were 5 % more likely to accept new energy vehicles.Unlike previous studies, perceived cost had no significant correlation with the acceptance of new energy vehicles. Perceived risk had a significant negative correlation with the acceptance of new energy vehicles,the path coefficient is −0.1.The acceptance of new energy vehicles was significantly and positively correlated with vehicle quality and service, the public's understanding of new energy vehicles, and subjective norms, their average path coefficients are above 0.1. We argues that the government should maintain a certain level of promotion of new energy vehicles and accelerate the construction of charging piles, based on the aforementioned results.

Comparison of RegCM4.7.1 Simulation with the Station Observation Data of Georgia, 1985–2008

The global climate change, driven by natural processes and increasing human activities, is especially significant for Georgia. The region is experiencing increases in temperature, desertification, redistribution of precipitation, and a rise in the frequency and severity of extreme weather events. Georgia’s complex topography and its proximity to the Black and Caspian seas make it essential to employ high-resolution regional climate models to evaluate future climate change risks. In this study, we examine the results of a high-resolution simulation of mean and extreme precipitation and temperature using the Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics Regional Climate Model version 4.7.1 for the period 1985–2008, providing an initial evaluation of the model’s performance for the territory of Georgia. The model domain (1524 km; 2388 km) encompasses the entirety of Georgia’s territory and surrounding regions. The simulation, conducted at a 12 km horizontal grid spacing using ERA5 data as boundary conditions, indicates that the least discrepancy between observed and modeled average annual temperatures and precipitation, falling within a −1 to 1 °C and −200 to 200 mm range, respectively, was observed at most stations of eastern Georgia. The largest disparities between the model and observed average annual precipitation totals were noted along the Black Sea coast, in the Kolkheti Lowland, and in some high mountain stations in western Georgia. The most significant differences in average annual temperatures between the model and observations were observed in Ambrolauri, Mt. Sabueti, and Dedoplistskaro. For Georgia territory, such a long run with such a high resolution using ERA5 as boundary conditions was conducted for the first time. Overall, the modeling results are quite satisfactory, providing a solid basis for the successful utilization of the regional climate model RegCM4.7.1 with the selected parameterization for modeling monthly mean and extreme temperatures and precipitation in Georgia.

Asphalt pavement heat insulation bonding layer materials: Composition optimization and engineering application

To alleviate the influence of extreme temperature on the service quality and life of asphalt pavement, the heat insulation effect of the pavement bonding layer was endowed, and the composition of the heat insulation bonding layer materials were optimized. The microstructure of heat insulation bonding layer material was revealed, and its optimal spraying amounts was determined. On this basis, the engineering application and service performance monitoring of heat insulation bonding layer materials were carried out. The results show that the curing rate of the heat insulation bonding layer is significantly higher than that of the ordinary emulsified asphalt (OEA) bonding layer. Hollow glass bead (HGB), floating bead (FB), and expanded perlite (EP) bonding layer materials exhibit excellent mechanical strength, and the interlayer bonding strength can reach 0.41 MPa, 0.49 MPa, and 0.49 MPa, respectively. The recommended dosage of HGB, FB, and EP is 15%, 20%, and 20%, respectively, and the spraying amounts of heat insulation bonding layer material is 1.2 kg/m2. The maximum temperature of the test section in July can be reduced by 2.2 °C–3.6 °C, the maximum annual and daily temperature differences can be reduced by 6.2 °C and 2.3°C–4.9 °C, and the rate of temperature changes can be reduced by 37.5%–63.64%.

Ecological indicator values of understorey plants perform poorly to infer forest microclimate temperature

AbstractQuestionEcological indicator values (EIVs) reflect species‘ optimal conditions on an environmental gradient, such as temperature. Averaged over a community, they are used to quantify thermophilization stemming from climate change, i.e. the reshuffling of communities toward more warm‐adapted species. In forests, understorey plant communities do not keep up with global warming and accumulate a climatic debt. Although the causes are still debated, this thermal lag may be partly explained by forest microclimate buffering. For the first time, we test whether community means of EIVs are able to capture microclimate (here, under forest canopies) temperature across, or also within forests.Location157 forest plots across three French deciduous forests covering a large macroclimatic gradient.MethodsTo assess whether EIVs can be used to infer the mean and range of microclimate temperature in forests, we measured understorey air temperature for ca. 1 year (10 months) with sensors located 1 m above the ground. We surveyed bryophytes and vascular plants within 400‐m2 plots, and computed floristic temperature from ordinal‐scale EIVs (Ellenberg, Julve) and degree‐scale EIVs (ClimPlant, Bryophytes of Europe Traits) for both temperature and continentality, i.e. temperature annual range. Finally, we fitted linear models to assess whether EIVs could explain the mean and range of microclimate temperature in forests.ResultsVascular plant and bryophyte communities successfully reflected differences in mean annual temperatures across forests but largely failed to do so for microclimate variation within forests. Bryophytes did not perform better than vascular plants to infer microclimate conditions. The annual range of microclimate temperatures was poorly associated with ordinal‐scale EIVs for continentality but was positively correlated with degree‐scale EIVs for annual range within lowland forests, especially for vascular plant communities.ConclusionOverall, the capabilities of EIVs to infer microclimate was inconsistent. Refined EIVs for temperature are needed to capture forest microclimates experienced by understorey species.

Seamlessly combined historical and projected daily meteorological datasets for impact studies in Central Europe: The FORESEE v4.0 and the FORESEE-HUN v1.0

The FORESEE is an open access, climatological database for Central Europe containing observed and projected meteorological data for the 1951–2100 period. As a climate service, FORESEE disseminates basic meteorological variables at a daily time step with a 0.1° × 0.1° spatial resolution including maximum/minimum temperature, precipitation, incoming shortwave solar radiation and daylight vapour pressure deficit. The future climate in FORESEE v4.0 and FORESEE-HUN v1.0 is projected by 14 regional climate models from the EURO-CORDEX database using the Representative Concentration Pathways (RCP) 4.5 and 8.5 scenarios. Based on RCP4.5 the country-specific results indicate similar projected mean changes in annual mean temperature (1.5–1.7 °C) but considerable differences in precipitation (from −1.6 to 6.9%) in the region for 2071–2100 relative to 1991–2020. We present two case studies to demonstrate the applicability of FORESEE in climate change impact studies using the ensemble approach. Climate change induced negative weather effect (15.4% and 28.9% mean loss for 2071–2100 according to RCP4.5 and RCP8.5, respectively) might dominate the future winter wheat yields in Hungary that is superimposed to the overall trend determined by other factors. The projections provide consistent results about the mean advance in the start of the growing season for forests in Hungary up to 2100 with ensemble mean of 9.1 days (RCP4.5) and 19.8 days (RCP8.5). We also demonstrate that the representative model selection method might lead to misleading results in impact studies that should be considered. The updated FORESEE is a way forward in the dissemination of policy-relevant essential climate data in Central Europe.

Cost‐optimal Strategy for Energy Conservation Design Code of Building Envelop in Taiwan

<p>本文透過EPBD2010的建築能效成本最佳化原則以及建築外殼的熱流解析，來檢討台灣現有建築外殼節能法規的節能效益與成本效益。本文首先強調起源於寒帶氣候「高隔熱、高氣密」節能技術的德國「被動式建築認證」，並不符合溫熱氣候國家之建築節能成本最佳化策略，接著再分析2008年以來一系列論文，曾經揭露建築外殼保溫層設計或雙層外殼設計，在亞熱帶氣候會導致高空調耗能上升之「隔熱反效果現象」，因此呼籲亞熱帶與熱帶氣候國家切忌引入寒帶氣候流行的「高隔熱、高氣密」節能手法，以防止節能反效果效應。透過在亞洲地區303城市一個透天住宅與一間辦公建築空間的全年空調負荷分布分析，發現其中住宅的「隔熱反效果現象」是越往熱帶的南台灣越顯著，而辦公、商業類建築的「隔熱反效果現象」是越往涼爽的北台灣越顯著，但台灣無庸置疑是處於亞熱帶與熱帶的最顯著「隔熱反效果現象」區域，因此台灣現有建築節能法規應避免強化建築外殼的隔熱與氣密規範以避免節能反效果。本文同時採用由寒帶到熱帶12個城市的全年室內外溫差與當地建築節能法規對住宅外殼的熱傳透率U值規範，來分析住宅建築外殼隔熱規範的嚴格程度，由此發現台灣現行建築外殼隔熱法規在12個城市中已接近一個非常合理的嚴格程度、可說已接近成本最佳化水準。本文最後以近零碳建築定義之節能50%基準，來分析包括外殼、空調、照明的整體節能潛力，發現空調、照明的節能設計比建築外殼節能設計有高出4.7~7.1倍的節能潛力。因此在「隔熱反效果現象」與成本最佳化原則雙重考量之下，台灣的淨零建築已不必要求強化建築外殼節能法規，相反地應針對更高CP值、更有節能動力的空調、照明設備系統的能效設計，積極推動強制性法制化工作。</p> <p> </p><p>This paper used the cost‐optimal principle of EPBD2010 and building envelop thermal analysis to investigate the energy conservation effect and cost efficiency of existing energy conservation design code of building envelop in Taiwan. This paper firstly pointed out the Germany’s passive house certification system which emphasizing the energy conservation technology of high insulation and high airtight design which origin in cold climatic is not march the cost‐optimal strategy of building energy conservation in hot or warm climates, then analyzed a series of papers from 2008 which have revealed that more building envelop insulation or double skin design in subtropical climates might lead the increasing phenomenon of AC energy consumption, so called anti-insulation effect, so as to appeal the tropical and subtropical countries should not to introduce the cold climate’s building energy conservation technologies of high insulation and high airtight design of building envelop to prevent the opposite effect of energy conservation. Through analyzing the air conditioning thermal load distributions in 303 Asian countries for a house and an office building space, this paper found that the anti-insulation effect of residential building appeals to more significant in southerner tropical Taiwan and the anti-insulation effect of office or commercial building appeals to more significant in northerner subtropical Taiwan, it is no doubt that Taiwan is located among tropical and subtropical climates which are the most significant areas of anti-insulation effect, so that the existing Taiwan’s building energy design regulation should to be avoided to strengthen the insulation and airtight code of building envelop to avoid the anti-effect of energy conservation. As the same time, this paper analyzed the strict level of envelop insulation code of residential building in 12 cities from cold to tropical climates by comparing the annual indoor-outdoor temperature difference and the thermal transmission rate U value of the local building regulations and found Taiwan’s existing building envelop insulation code is close to a very appropriate strict standard and could be considered as a cost‐optimal level among the 12 cities. Finally, this paper analyzed the total energy conservation potential of building envelop, air conditioning and lighting by the criteria of 50% energy saving rate in nearly zero carbon building definition and found that the energy conservation potential in air conditioning and lighting design is about to 4.7~7.1 times comparing to building envelop design. So that, to consider both the anti-insulation effect and cost‐optimal strategy, Taiwan’s net zero building policy is not necessary to strengthen the existing building envelop regulation and need more aggressive to promote the mandatory legalization in the energy efficiency design of air conditioning and lighting design which is higher CP value and more energy saving power.</p> <p> </p>

Integration of Sentinel–1 and Landsat–8 data for identifying deformation risk of hydraulic engineering in seasonally frozen salinization regions

Hydraulic engineering has positive effects on agricultural production and soil desalination. However, freeze–thaw cycles can cause instability in canal slopes, emphasizing the need for effective deformation monitoring. Using Sentinel-1B data acquired from November 2017 to August 2019 and applying the small baseline subset (SBAS) InSAR method, two unstable canal segments with vertical deformation rates exceeding –40 mm/year were identified in Songyuan, Northeast China. The canal slopes uplifted in winter and experienced accelerated subsidence in spring, with the shady slope experiencing a deformation rate approximately 10 mm/year faster than the sunny slope. Further investigation, integrating Landsat–8 data collected from November 2017 to August 2019, revealed that the shady slope received less thermal radiation than the sunny slope, with an average annual temperature difference on the land surface of approximately 1 ℃. In winter, the saline–alkali soil particles formed a thick unfrozen water film, which, driven by temperature and soil–water gradients, migrated towards the freezing front, froze, and caused soil frost heave. The shady slope experienced longer freezing periods and deeper frozen depths, up to 240 cm, causing more unfrozen water migration and greater uplift deformation than the sunny slope. In spring, as temperature rose, the soil thawed from the surface downward. Notably, the shady slope thawed at a slower rate than the sunny slope, forming a frozen lens near a depth of 100 cm. Frozen lens acted as a barrier for meltwater infiltration, impeding the dissipation of pore water pressure, making the shady slope prone to surface landslides. The integration of multiple data sources is beneficial for identifying deformation risk in hydraulic engineering.

A New Method for Separating Temperature Effect of Bridge Strain Monitoring

Temperature has a significant influence on bridge strain monitoring data. To improve the accuracy of temperature effect separation in strain monitoring data, this paper proposes a temperature effect separation method comprising variational nonlinear chirp mode decomposition (VNCMD), principal component analysis (PCA) and blind source separation. Firstly, VNCMD was used to decompose the monitoring data of strain and temperature, and the intrinsic mode functions (IMF) of strain and temperature signals were obtained. Secondly, PCA was used to reduce the dimension of IMF, and the false components were eliminated to select the optimal components. After reducing the dimension, the components were used as the input of fast independent component analysis model for blind source separation. Finally, the feasibility and accuracy of the method was verified via the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) in the simulated signal, and the separation results were evaluated using the Pearson correlation coefficient between the strain component and the corresponding temperature component in real bridge monitoring data. The proposed method performed better than the empirical mode decomposition (EMD) method. The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of VNCMD improved 51.80% for daily temperature difference effect and 32.41% for annual temperature difference effect in the numerical study, respectively; the correlation coefficients of VNCMD improved 52.90% for daily temperature difference effect and 4.26% for annual temperature difference effect in practical verification, respectively.

Taxonomic and functional biogeographies of soil bacterial communities across the Tibet plateau are better explained by abiotic conditions than distance and plant community composition.

The processes governing soil bacteria biogeography are still not fully understood. It remains unknown how the importance of environmental filtering and dispersal differs between bacterial taxonomic and functional biogeography, and whether their importance is scale-dependent. We sampled soils across the Tibet plateau, with distances among plots ranging from 20 m to 1550 km. Taxonomic composition of bacterial community was characterized by 16S amplicon sequencing and functional community composition by qPCR targeting 9 functional groups involved in N dynamics. Factors representing climate, soil and plant community were measured to assess different facets of environmental dissimilarity. Both bacterial taxonomic and functional dissimilarities were more related to abiotic dissimilarity than biotic (vegetation) dissimilarity or distance. Taxonomic dissimilarity was mostly explained by differences in soil pH and mean annual temperature (MAT), while functional dissimilarity was linked to differences in soil N and P availabilities and N:P ratio. Soil pH and MAT remained the main determinants of taxonomic dissimilarity across spatial scales. In contrast, the explanatory variables of N-related functional dissimilarity varied across the scales, with soil moisture and organic matter having the highest role across short distances (<~330 km), and available P, N:P ratio and distance being important over long distances (>~660 km). Our results demonstrate how biodiversity dimension (taxonomic versus functional aspects) and spatial scale influence the factors driving soil bacterial biogeography.

Decline of young-of-year walleye (Sander vitreus) growth due to Bythotrephes impacts predicted from bioenergetic principles

Invasive species are a major threat to ecosystem structure and function. For example, Bythotrephes cederströmii (Bythotrephes hereafter) invasions have significantly reduced native zooplankton density and biomass, resulting in competitive interactions with zooplanktivorous fishes. Young of year (YOY) walleye (Sander vitreus) are initially zooplanktivorous and have recently been shown to display reduced growth in Bythotrephes-invaded lakes. Here, we combined a bioenergetics model for larval walleye with changes in the zooplankton community following Bythotrephes invasion and predicted reduced larval walleye growth in the presence of Bythotrephes, supporting field observations. The model predicted greater negative impacts on larval walleye growth in oligotrophic compared with mesotrophic lakes, though reduced growth was only significant under oligotrophic conditions. Under Bythotrephes invasion, net energy available to growth over the simulated period was often observed to be negative (indicating mass loss). These combined results from the model suggest that Bythotrephes invasion could potentially lead to walleye recruitment failure, especially in low nutrient environments. This result was insensitive to differences in annual mean water temperatures ranging from 18.5 to 23.5 °C. As YOY growth, survival, and recruitment are ultimately linked to adult abundance and sustainability of managed stocks, our results highlight the potential impacts of Bythotrephes on the sustainability of walleye populations in boreal lakes.

No Evidence of an Elevation Effect Caused by Temperature Differences on Soil Microbial Properties in a Walnut Fruit Forest in Kyrgyzstan

This study is to investigate the effect of differences in annual average temperature on soil microbial communities as caused by elevation in walnut-fruit forests in Kyrgyzstan with similar vegetation. Soil samples (n = 10 per site) were collected from top- and subsoil at three elevation levels (1000, 1300 and 1600 m above sea level) with an average temperature difference of 1.3 °C between sites and analysed for soil chemical and biological properties. All soil properties showed high variability within, but most revealed no differences between elevation levels. Microbial biomass, activity and community composition were largely similar at all sites with slightly higher fungal contribution based on internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequence counts at high elevation, which, however was not reflected by ergosterol. Total soil organic carbon and nitrogen levels did not show elevation effects either. Mehlich-extractable elements revealed positive relationship with soil microbial properties, which was in particular pronounced for copper, manganese and zinc, highlighting the relevance of trace elements for soil microorganisms. The subsoil showed lower levels for all microbial properties even though they were on a comparably high level; it contained smaller sized bacteria and fungi, as revealed by MBC/dsDNA ratios, and fungal ITS counts/ergosterol ratios illustrating growth limitations for microorganisms in subsoils. Elevation with long-term average temperature differences did not yield pronounced differences in soil microbial properties, which were more potentially stronger affected by similar C input quantity and substrate quality from the similar vegetation. Consequently, climate change effects will more likely affect microbial properties indirectly via changes in vegetation.

Effect of thermal fatigue on mechanical properties and microstructure of concrete in constant ambient humidity

The daily and annual temperature differences in mid and high latitudes areas vary greatly, which leads to thermal fatigue deterioration of concrete. The deterioration of concrete properties can also be generated by the cyclic change of humidity in concrete. In the experiment, the thermal fatigue tests of concrete with two strength grades were carried out at the temperature difference of 20 °C, 30 °C, and 40 °C (the initial temperature is 20 °C) under the condition of constant ambient humidity. The macroscopic properties change of concrete such as compressive strength and splitting tensile strength were measured. The microstructure changes of concrete were determined by ultrasonic nondestructive testing technique and mercury intrusion test. The results indicated that thermal fatigue has obvious deterioration effect on concrete. With the increase of temperature difference and cycle number, the strength of concrete decreased dramatically and the decrease of C40 concrete was greater than that of C25 concrete. The splitting tensile strength was more sensitive to thermal fatigue than compressive strength. The ultrasonic wave velocity gradually decreased and the damage factor increased, indicating the internal crack defects of concrete increased. At the same temperature difference, the porosity, total pore volume, average pore diameter, medium pore diameter, and the most probable pore diameter of concrete increased gradually with the increase of the cycle number, while the total pore surface area decreased. The pore structure showed the characteristics of coarsening and the trend of deterioration. The porosity of C40 concrete was less than that of C25 concrete, but the relative change value of porosity was larger, which reveals the internal reason for the strength damage of concrete under thermal fatigue at the microscopic level.

Life cycle assessment of the inclusion of phase change materials in lightweight buildings

This research evaluates environmental impact of including phase change materials in the envelope of lightweight buildings constructed off-site with dimensions 2.5 × 2.5 × 2.43 m3, located in the cities of Antofagasta and Calama, both in Chile. These cities are located in a cold desert climate zone, corresponding to a Köppen Climate Classification subtype “BWk”, with an average annual temperature difference of 4.8 °C.To evaluate the environmental impact quantitatively from “cradle to grave” life cycle assessment was used, it is a methodology based on International Organization for Standardization 14,040 and 14,044 standards. With this methodology, the manufacturing and operational phases and environmental payback period were evaluated.Results show that phase change materials addition in walls and roof of a building decreases electric energy (52.8 % in Antofagasta and 36.3 % in Calama) consumption and environmental impact while in operation, corresponding to 51.4 % and 84.4 % in the cities of Antofagasta and Calama, respectively.In addition, cubicles with phase change materials exhibit an environmental payback period below 15 %. Therefore, a decision of using phase change materials for lightweight buildings could be made in any subtype “BWk” area of Köppen climate classification.

Understanding the drivers of β-diversity improves conservation prioritization for Central European dung beetles

The conversion and degradation of natural habitats has caused global declines in terrestrial insect diversity. Conserving insect diversity has therefore gained increasing attention in international conservation agendas. Dung beetles (Geotrupidae, Scarabaeidae) are diverse and abundant coprophagous insects who remove dung and enhance nutrient cycling. Today, half of Central European dung beetle species are threatened. While past research has concentrated on local (α-diversity) of dung beetles, the compositional differences between sites (β-diversity) have been largely neglected. However, maximizing the overall outcome of conservation measures requires a detailed understanding of the factors determining compositional differences between sites. We separated β-diversity of dung beetle communities, sampled across the Czech Republic, into independent components of spatial turnover and nestedness. We tested the relative importance of space, temperature, precipitation, elevation, season, grazing herbivore and antiparasitic treatment via multiple regressions for distance matrices to reveal which factors drive the β-diversity of dung beetle communities. Our results show that β-diversity of dung beetle communities is mostly driven by spatial distance, followed by similarly strong effects of season and mean temperature. Herbivore type and antiparasitic treatment had lesser influence than environment but can be influenced by conservation management. Nevertheless, antiparasitic treatment increased nestedness and resulted in an overall lower γ-diversity. Based on the principle of complementarity, we recommend – in order of decreasing importance – giving (1) conservation priority to the most distant sites, under (2) the largest differences in mean annual temperature, ensure (3) year-round grazing by (4) multiple herbivore species, and (5) avoid using antiparasitics.

Comparison of demographic features and laboratory parameters between COVID-19 deceased patients and surviving severe and critically ill cases

BACKGROUNDCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been far more devastating than expected, showing no signs of slowing down at present. Heilongjiang Province is the most northeastern province of China, and has cold weather for nearly half a year and an annual temperature difference of more than 60ºC, which increases the underlying morbidity associated with pulmonary diseases, and thus leads to lung dysfunction. The demographic features and laboratory parameters of COVID-19 deceased patients in Heilongjiang Province, China with such climatic characteristics are still not clearly illustrated.AIMTo illustrate the demographic features and laboratory parameters of COVID-19 deceased patients in Heilongjiang Province by comparing with those of surviving severe and critically ill cases. METHODSCOVID-19 deceased patients from different hospitals in Heilongjiang Province were included in this retrospective study and compared their characteristics with those of surviving severe and critically ill cases in the COVID-19 treatment center of the First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University. The surviving patients were divided into severe group and critically ill group according to the Diagnosis and Treatment of New Coronavirus Pneumonia (the seventh edition). Demographic data were collected and recorded upon admission. Laboratory parameters were obtained from the medical records, and then compared among the groups.RESULTSTwelve COVID-19 deceased patients, 27 severe cases and 26 critically ill cases were enrolled in this retrospective study. No differences in age, gender, and number of comorbidities between groups were found. Neutrophil percentage (NEUT%), platelet (PLT), C-reactive protein (CRP), creatine kinase isoenzyme (CK-MB), serum troponin I (TNI) and brain natriuretic peptides (BNP) showed significant differences among the groups (P = 0.020, P = 0.001, P < 0.001, P = 0.001, P < 0.001, P < 0.001, respectively). The increase of CRP, D-dimer and NEUT% levels, as well as the decrease of lymphocyte count (LYMPH) and PLT counts, showed significant correlation with death of COVID-19 patients (P = 0.023, P = 0.008, P = 0.045, P = 0.020, P = 0.015, respectively). CONCLUSIONCompared with surviving severe and critically ill cases, no special demographic features of COVID-19 deceased patients were observed, while some laboratory parameters including NEUT%, PLT, CRP, CK-MB, TNI and BNP showed significant differences. COVID-19 deceased patients had higher CRP, D-dimer and NEUT% levels and lower LYMPH and PLT counts.

Dominated Taxonomic and Phylogenetic Turnover but Functional Nestedness of Wetland Bird Beta Diversity in North China

The decomposition of taxonomic, phylogenetic, and functional beta diversity into their turnover and nestedness components could provide novel insights into biodiversity conservation, e.g., provide implications for the Single Large Or Several Small reserves debate (SLOSS debate). Due to dramatic climate change and massive anthropogenic activities in recent decades in North China, the wetlands and the associated biodiversity in this region have declined significantly. This study applied the taxonomic, phylogenetic, and functional beta diversity decomposition for the first time in wetland bird communities in North China, aiming to propose scientific and comprehensive suggestions for bird diversity conservation in this region. A paired t-test was used to compare the differences between taxonomic, phylogenetic, and functional turnover, and their nestedness components. In addition, a spearman correlation analysis was used to assess the associations between each explanatory variable (differences in mean annual temperature and mean annual precipitation, as well as spatial distances) and each beta diversity index. A total of 546 bird species were found in 38 wetlands in North China, with three critically endangered species, 19 endangered species, 22 vulnerable species, and 61 near threatened species. The number of threatened species (critically endangered, endangered, and vulnerable) found in these lakes was about 30% of all threatened species in China. The results showed that taxonomic and phylogenetic beta diversity among wetland bird communities in North China was mainly dominated by turnover, while functional beta diversity was mainly dominated by nestedness. Importantly, the phylogenetic and functional results showed similar patterns even after controlling for the effects of taxonomic beta diversity. In addition, the taxonomic and phylogenetic turnover was more associated with both climate variables and spatial distances than other components. The contrasting patterns among the taxonomic, phylogenetic, and functional decompositions of wetland bird communities in North China indicate that distinctive conservation strategies should be considered for different biodiversity dimensions. Specifically, the conservation of taxonomic and phylogenetic bird diversity in this region should focus on multiple wetlands, while the conservation of bird functional diversity should focus on a single wetland with high functional diversity.