Temperature Levels Research Articles

Optimized scheduling study of integrated energy system considering user response characteristics

ABSTRACT Integrated Energy Systems (IES) can effectively promote the utilization of renewable energy. Reducing the impact of uncertainties and achieving energy supply-demand balance has always been a key issue in energy scheduling. However, existing research often focuses only on energy prices when designing demand response strategies, neglecting user response characteristics, particularly the influence of environmental temperature and user consumption levels. Therefore, this paper proposes an IES optimization scheduling model that considers user load response characteristics, analyzing changes in user response loads under different environmental and consumption levels. Additionally, consumption levels and environmental parameters are introduced to build an interactive response model. Different incentive measures are designed based on load types to guide users in adjusting their electricity usage behavior, optimizing the supply-demand curve. Furthermore, to address source-load uncertainties, a two-stage robust optimization model is constructed and solved iteratively using the column-and-constraint generation (C&CG) algorithm. The results indicate that considering user response characteristics reduces the peak-to-valley differences in electrical, thermal, and cooling loads by 18.6%, 7.0%, and 13.3% respectively, and reduces total costs by 8.9%. This model can ensure reliable operation while improving the economic efficiency of the system.

Effect of Temperature and Strain on Bonding of Similar AA3105 Aluminum Alloys by the Roll Bonding Process

Accumulative roll bonding (ARB) is a severe plastic deformation process that enables the production of materials with ultrafine microstructures and enhances the characteristics of the base material, particularly in metal matrix composites. The primary objective of this study is to experimentally investigate the bonding strength in AA3105 strips that underwent the roll bonding process, with a specific focus on examining the influence of temperature and reduction rate on bonding. Three temperature levels (200 °C, 300 °C, and 400 °C) and three thickness reduction levels (35%, 50%, and 65%) were considered. The T-peel test was carried out to assess the bonding quality. It was employed to determine the peak force required to separate the two bonded strips. Additionally, ANOVA analysis was performed to develop a regression equation for analyzing peak force. Optical microscopy was used to evaluate the interface bonding quality in the longitudinal section. The results indicate that the bonding strength increases with both temperature and percentage reduction.

A Method for Predicting High-Resolution 3D Variations in Temperature and Salinity Fields Using Multi-Source Ocean Data

High-resolution three-dimensional (3D) variations in ocean temperature and salinity fields are of great significance for ocean environment monitoring. Currently, AI-based 3D temperature and salinity field predictions rely on expensive 3D data, and as the prediction period increases, the stacking of high-resolution 3D data greatly increases the difficulty of model training. This paper transforms the prediction of 3D temperature and salinity into the prediction of sea surface elements and the inversion of subsurface temperature and salinity using sea surface elements, by leveraging the relationship between sea surface factors and subsurface temperature and salinity. This method comprehensively utilizes multi-source ocean data to avoid the issue of data volume caused by stacking high-resolution historical data. Specifically, the model first utilizes 1/4° low-resolution satellite remote sensing data to construct prediction models for sea surface temperature (SST) and sea level anomaly (SLA), and then uses 1/12° high-resolution temperature and salinity data as labels to build an inversion model of subsurface temperature and salinity based on SST and SLA. The prediction model and inversion model are integrated to obtain the final high-resolution 3D temperature and salinity prediction model. Experimental results show that the 20-day prediction results in the two sea areas of the coastal waters of China and the Northwest Pacific show good performance, accurately predicting ocean temperature and salinity in the vast majority of layers, and demonstrate higher resource utilization efficiency.

Coastal Forum: The latest sea level rise projections of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is a multi-country organization of the United Nations formed in 1988 to assess science related to climate change (IPCC 2024). In March 2023, the IPCC published its Sixth Assessment Report (AR6), its sixth assessment of climate change since its first in 1990 (IPCC 2023). IPCC (2023) and its supporting reports total almost 8,000 pages (Boehm and Schumer 2023). Hundreds of scientists from around the world worked to develop the IPCC reports, and thousands of scientists peer-reviewed the reports(Boehm and Schumer 2023; Houston 2022).A chapter of AR6 deals with the physical basis for climate change and includes sea level rise projections (Fox-Kemper et al. 2021). These projections were supported by updated projections of the contributions to sea level rise from Antarctica (Oppenheimer 2019) and Greenland (The IMBIE Team 2020). IPCC (2023) presents the final projections. Updated IPCC projections are not expected until its seventh assessment in 2029-2030. I will report on the sea level projections in AR6, and on an online tool that provides sea level rise projections for the world as a whole and at individual tide gauge locations around the world. The IPCC bases its projections on climate response to five scenarios that cover the range of possible future anthropogenic drivers of climate change. “These scenarios combine socio-economic assumptions, levels of climate mitigation, land use, and air pollution controls for aerosols” (Climate Neutral Group 2021). IPCC then determines levels of greenhouse gases(largely carbon dioxide) and temperatures to 2050 and 2100 using complex calculations that depend on how quickly humans curb greenhouse gas emissions. It estimates sea level rise using projected temperatures. Scenarios based on IPCC (2023) are summarized below.

A Retrospective Observational Study of Continuous Wireless Vital Sign Monitoring via a Medical Grade Wearable Device on Hospitalized Floor Patients.

Background: Continuous vital sign monitoring via wearable technology, combined with algorithm-based notifications, has been utilized for early detection of patient deterioration. In this retrospective observational study, we summarize a large-scale implementation of a continuous monitoring system in medical-surgical units of two hospitals over the course of fifteen (15) months. Methods: An FDA-cleared wireless monitoring device (BioButton®, BioIntelliSense Inc., Golden, CO, USA), was placed on each patient upon admission. The wearable device measures heart rate and respiratory rate at rest, skin temperature, and patient activity levels. High-frequency data (up to 1440 measurements per day) are transmitted to display in exception management software (BioDashboard™, version 2.9, BioIntelliSense Inc.). Algorithmic and rules-based notifications are triggered based on clinical and statistical trending criteria. We present (i) agreement of device readings with bedside charted measurements, (ii) the frequency of notifications, (iii) the occurrence of notifications prior to clinical deterioration events, and (iv) impact on clinical management, including early data on length of stay (LOS). Results: In total, 11,977 patient encounters were monitored at two sites. Bias ±95% limits of agreement were 1.8 ± 12.5 for HR and 0.4 ± 8.0 for RR. The rates of notifications were 0.97 and 0.65 per patient-day at Sites 1 and 2, respectively. Among clinical deteriorations, 73% (66%) had at least one notification within 24 h prior at Site 1 (Site 2). At Site 1, there were 114 cases for which a notification led to a new or changed physician's order. LOS in the first unit monitored by the system exhibited a decreasing trend from 3.07 days to 2.75 days over 12 months. Conclusions: Wearable continuous vital sign monitoring with the BioIntelliSense BioButton® system enables early detection of clinical deterioration.

Substrate Moisture and Temperature Effects on Limestone Reaction Rate in a Peat-Based Substrate

ABSTRACT Lime reaction rate in a container substrate is influenced by temperature and moisture, which are factors that vary between batches of substrate during manufacturing, storage, and crop production. The effects of temperature and moisture on the duration required to achieve a stable substrate-pH are useful information for substrate companies and growers, as well as a key component when modeling lime reaction over time. The pH of a 70 peat : 30 perlite (by volume) substrate was quantified over time under a range of different storage temperature (1.9 to 33.3°C) and substrate volumetric water content (VWC, 0.168 to 0.568 L of H2O/L of substrate). The lime source was a horticultural dolomitic carbonate limestone screened to the fraction that passed through a 100 US mesh but was retained on a 200 US mesh (0.075–0.15 mm) incorporated at 2.67 g·L−1 of substrate. Experiments provided two data sets for calibration and validation. Lime reaction rate increased with increasing substrate temperature and substrate moisture level. The duration required to reach a target substrate-pH value of 6.0 was used to indicate 90% of maximum pH effect from lime. Duration varied from 4 days with the combined high temperature (20.6 and 33.3 °C) and high VWC (0.468 and 0.568 L H2O/L of substrate) to 53 days with low temperature (1.9 °C) and low VWC (0.168 L H2O/L of substrate) for the calibration data set. At an example low VWC of 0.168 L of H2O/L of substrate, the duration required to reach substrate-pH 6.0 at 1.9, 7.8, 10, 20.6, and 33.3°C was 53, 38, 34, 23, and 17 days, respectively. Similarly, if the temperature was held constant at 33.3°C, reducing VWC from 0.568 L H2O/L to 0.128 L H2O/L would decrease lime reaction rate from 100% to 21%, requiring five times the duration to reach an equilibrium pH. Results can be used to compare the relative effects of moisture and temperature on lime reaction rate for substrate manufacturers and growers.

Large nitrogen cycle perturbations during the Early Triassic hyperthermal

Ocean temperature, redox state, circulation, and nutrient levels regulate the marine nitrogen (N) cycle, yet their specific impacts during greenhouse intervals remain poorly understood. Here, we examined the Smithian–Spathian hyperthermal event (∼250.5 Ma) during the Early Triassic greenhouse using stable N isotopes (δ15N) from sedimentary records in the Nanpanjiang Basin and Northern Yangtze Basin of South China. The δ15N profiles in both basins reveal consistent trends that correspond to fluctuations in temperature across the Smithian–Spathian transition. The Smithian hyperthermal interval exhibited low δ15N values (mostly <+2‰), indicating N deficiency and enhanced biological N2 fixation. Bacterial blooms and the release of the potent greenhouse gas N2O, enhanced by high temperatures, may have triggered positive feedback mechanisms that sustained the warming and contributed to the late Smithian extinction. During subsequent cooling across the Smithian–Spathian transition, δ15N increased to a range of +3‰ to +7‰, likely reflecting signals of partial denitrification based on reconstruction of the NO3− inventory associated with oceanic cooling and oxygenation. The prevailing increases in sedimentary TOC/TN ratios signify heightened deamination (removal of amino groups) and N recycling across the Smithian–Spathian boundary. This transition is likely attributed to cooling-driven amelioration of seawater stratification and anoxia from the Smithian to the Spathian, which resulted in increased nitrate availability in the photic zone. Eukaryotic algae thrived while prokaryotes declined during the Spathian, evidenced by elevated δ15N and Δ13Ccarb-org (the difference between carbonate and organic carbon isotopes). The proliferation of eukaryotic algae had a positive impact on environmental conditions and facilitated biotic recovery due to more efficient burial of organic particles. A notable latitudinal gradient in the N cycle response was observed, with low-latitude regions showing a more pronounced response to cooling compared to mid-latitude areas. This significant gradient may suggest that the rapid recovery of nutrient cycles, despite relatively small decline in high temperature, was a key factor in the amelioration of climate and recovery of life in low latitudes. These findings highlight that the marine N cycle is highly sensitive to temperature changes, particularly in low-latitude regions, and that changes in N cycle under high-temperature conditions may be a critical life-limiting factor.

Web application of an integrated simulation for aquatic environment assessment in coastal and estuarine areas

This paper introduces the web application-type Graphical User Interface that has been developed and also presents an application example. The introduced simulator conducts hydrodynamics and ecosystems in coastal and estuarine areas. It consists of (1) a hydrodynamic model that can simulate the current velocity, water temperature, salinity, and water level; (2) an ecosystem model that can simulate dissolved oxygen, phytoplankton, zooplankton, nutrients, fish, and bivalves; and (3) a benthic ecosystem model that can simulate elution. Web GUI is the first web system of aquatic environment simulation system that can both prepare calculation conditions and visualize them. Another significant feature is that it requires no installation and can be easily used by anyone to perform calculations. Thus, the proposed system helps fill the expertise gap experienced by potential users of the model. The use of standard systems, such as those discussed in this study, will facilitate evidence-based policymaking (EBPM).

Photoacoustic Spectroscopy of Titanium Dioxide, Niobium Pentoxide, Titanium:Niobium, and Ruthenium-Modified Oxides Synthesized Using Sol-Gel Methodology.

The aim of this work was the development and morphological/chemical, spectroscopic, and structural characterization of titanium dioxide, niobium pentoxide, and titanium:niobium (Ti:Nb) oxides, as well as materials modified with ruthenium (Ru) with the purpose of providing improvement in photoactivation capacity with visible sunlight radiation. The new materials synthesized using the sol-gel methodology were characterized using the following techniques: scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), photoacoustic spectroscopy (PAS), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The SEM-EDS analyses showed the high purity of the bases, and the modified samples showed the adsorption of ruthenium on the surface with the crystals' formation and visible agglomerates for higher calcination temperature. The nondestructive characterization of PAS in the ultraviolet visible region suggested that increasing calcination temperature promoted changes in chemical structures and an apparent decrease in gap energy. The separation of superimposed absorption bands referring to charge transfers from the ligand to the metal and the nanodomains of the transition metals suggested the possible absorption centers present at the absorption threshold of the analyzed oxides. Through the XRD analysis, the formation of stable phases such as T-Nb16.8O42, o-Nb12O29, and rutile was observed at a lower temperature level, suggesting pore induction and an increase in surface area for the oxides studied, at a calcination temperature below that expected by the related literature. In addition, the synthesis with a higher temperature level altered the previously existing morphologies of the Ti:Nb, base and modified with Ru, forming the new mixed crystallographic phases Ti2Nb10O29 and TiNb2O7, respectively. As several semiconductor oxide applications aim to reduce costs with photoexcitation under visible light, the modified Ti:Ru oxide calcined at a temperature of 800 °C and synthesized according to the sol-gel methodology used in this work is suggested as the optimum preparation point. This study presented the formation of a stable crystallographic phase (rutile), a significant decrease in gap energy (2.01 eV), and a visible absorption threshold (620 nm).

Influence of multi-factor interactions on particle growth during top-spray fluidized bed agglomeration

Considering the strong dependence of agglomerate characteristics on various operating parameters, this study employs the control variable methodology (CVM) and response surface methodology (RSM) to investigate the influence of multi-factor interactions on particle growth during top-spray fluidized bed agglomeration. First, CVM is conducted to assess the effects of individual operating parameters on the agglomerate properties, such as mean particle size, relative width, and sphericity. Then, the interactive relationship between these input variables and the quality attributes of the process is investigated using RSM. The results show that the mean particle size increases with the increase of binder viscosity and spray rate, while it decreases with the increase of fluidization gas velocity and inlet gas temperature. The relative width of the particle size distribution increases with the spray rate, binder viscosity, and fluidization gas velocity, and hardly changes with the inlet gas temperature. The mean particle size is more sensitive to the binder spray rate at a lower level of fluidization gas velocity or a higher level of inlet gas temperature. The fluidization gas velocity corresponding to the maximum D50 changes when the binder viscosity and binder spray rate are at different levels.

Transcriptome analysis of the common moss Bryum pseudotriquetrum grown under Antarctic field condition.

Mosses are distributed all over the world including Antarctica. Although Antarctic mosses show active growth in a short summer season under harsh environments such as low temperature, drought and high levels of UV radiation, survival mechanisms for such multiple environmental stresses of Antarctic mosses have not yet been clarified. In the present study, transcriptome analyses were performed using one of the common mosses Bryum pseudotriquetrum grown under an Antarctic field and artificial cultivation conditions. Totally 88205 contigs were generated by de novo assembly, among which 1377 and 435 genes were significantly up and downregulated, respectively, under Antarctic field conditions compared with artificial cultivation conditions at 15°C. Among the upregulated genes, a number of lipid metabolism-related and oil body formation-related genes were identified. Expression levels of these genes were increased by artificial environmental stress treatments such as low temperature, salt and osmic stress treatments. Consistent with these results, B. pseudotriquetrum grown under Antarctic field conditions contained large amounts of fatty acids, especially α-linolenic acid, linolenic acid and arachidonic acid. In addition, proportion of unsaturated fatty acids, which enhance membrane fluidity, to the total fatty acids was also higher in B. pseudotriquetrum grown under Antarctic field conditions. Since lipid accumulation and unsaturation of fatty acids are generally important factors for the acquisition of various environmental stress tolerance in plants, these intracellular physiological and metabolic changes may be responsible for the survival of B. pseudotriquetrum under Antarctic harsh environments.

Optimizing green infrastructure strategies for microclimate regulation and air quality improvement in urban environments: A case study

With an increasing global urban population andassociated health concerns, understanding the effects of urban microclimate and air quality is crucial. This study aims to assess the influence of different types and locations of greenery, along with building heights and wind orientation, on urban canyon microclimate and air quality. Focusing on PM10, PM2.5, and NOx concentrations in a hot-arid district, the research employs simulation-based analysis. Results indicate that stepped buildings with green walls exhibit the highest temperature (18.02°C), while scenarios featuring two rows of deciduous trees showcase the lowest temperature (17.56°C) but higher pollution levels. Notably, scenarios lacking trees exhibit elevated temperatures. The study introduces a novel ventilation design pattern for effective air pollutant removal and proposes a scenario with extensive green coverage on streets, walls, and rooftops, incorporating appropriate planting techniques and plant selection. The findings offer valuable insights for urban designers and architects seeking to create more sustainable and environmentally friendly cities.

Comparative characterization of heat transfer and entropy generation of micropolar‐Jeffrey, micropolar‐Oldroyd‐B, and micropolar‐Second grade binary nanofluids in PTSCs settings

AbstractIn this paper, we delve into the behavior of binary micropolar nanofluids, specifically micropolar‐Jeffrey, micropolar‐Oldroyd‐B, and micropolar‐Second grade, within the parabolic trough solar collector (PTSC) configurations. The primary objective is to enhance the collective efficiency of this device by means of a comprehensive comparison amongst the three aforementioned nanofluids. The governing equations, including continuity, linear momentum, angular momentum, and energy equations, were systematically formulated. Subsequently, the introduction of suitable similarity variables facilitated the transformation of the intricate partial differential equations into manageable ordinary differential equations. These resultant equations were then tackled utilizing the shooting method via the bvp4c numerical package in MATLAB. The study critically examines the influence of diverse parameters that dictate the flow dynamics of the nanofluids. This encompasses nanofluid velocity, angular velocity, temperature distribution, entropy generation, skin friction coefficient, and local Nusselt number. Remarkably, the research uncovers that the maximum temperature levels experienced enhancements of 12.1134%, 12.0616%, and 11.0645% for the micropolar‐Jeffrey, micropolar‐Oldroyd‐B, and micropolar‐Second grade nanofluids, respectively. These results imply that the introduction of these binary micropolar nanofluids leads to notable thermal enhancements in the PTSCs settings.

An Experimental Investigation on the Effects of Temperature and Confining Pressure on the Static and Dynamic Behaviors of Shale Rocks

Abstract To better understand the associated thermal and mechanical effects on the elastic behaviors of shale rocks, we examine the shale rocks at reservoir stress (static) and elastic conditions (dynamic) at varying temperature (25–110°C) and pressure (5–55 MPa) conditions through coupling dynamic–static experimental measurements. The results illustrate that the shale’s P- and S-wave velocities increase with the increasing confining pressure but decrease with the elevated temperature. For the pressure history, ultrasonic P-wave velocities upon hydrostatic unloading are slightly larger than the loading ones, whereas S-wave velocities are almost overlapping together. Meanwhile, the temperature elevation causes much less velocity reduction at a higher confining pressure than lower confining pressure. The measured data demonstrate that the static bulk modulus is more sensitive to the confining pressure than the dynamic bulk modulus. Moreover, with the elevated temperature, the dynamic bulk moduli separate by showing a decreasing trend in either hydrostatic loading or unloading. The loading–unloading cycle shows that the static bulk moduli present values approaching the dynamic ones at all temperature levels when the confining pressure is initially unloaded from the maximum pressure. Both static and dynamic bulk moduli decrease with the continued unloading, with more decrement for the static bulk modulus. The coupling effects of the pressure and temperature on the static and elastic properties of shale samples imply that, in the practical shale reservoir characterization process, temperature and pressure influences should be considered to characterize the relation of dynamic and static properties of shale rocks. The laboratory investigations on shales imply that the relation of dynamic and static properties is pressure dependent mainly due to the intrinsic behavior of fracture, soft pore, and microstructure in the rock frame.

Thermal–Acoustic Interaction Effects on Physiological and Psychological Measures in Urban Forests: A Laboratory Study

The environment in which people live is a complex system influenced by multiple factors interacting with each other, and therefore, it is crucial to deeply explore the influences of various factors on environmental perception. Among the numerous factors affecting the experience of urban forests visits, the thermal–acoustic environment stands out prominently. This study focuses on urban forests located in subtropical regions, with specific research conducted in the Xihu Park in Fuzhou, China. The study explores the thermal–acoustic interaction in urban forest environments. A total of 150 participants evaluated the perception of sound, thermal sensation, and overall perception through laboratory experiments, with 36 of them having their objective physiological indicators monitored. Different levels of sound and temperature were selected for the experiments, with three levels for each type of sound. Our results show that increasing temperature enhanced the perceived loudness of sound, especially when the environment was quiet. Sound type and loudness had a significant impact on thermal sensation, but no interaction was observed with temperature. Moreover, we found that certain sounds could improve overall comfort, and the effect was most evident at moderate loudness. Temperature had a significant influence on both comfort and annoyance, with increasing temperature leading to higher annoyance. These findings provide important insights into how the interplay between sound and heat affects human perception and emotional state, providing scientific guidance for the design of more human-centered environments.

Ice Sheet‐Albedo Feedback Estimated From Most Recent Deglaciation

AbstractIce sheet feedbacks are underrepresented in model assessments of climate sensitivity and their magnitudes are still poorly constrained. We combine a recently published record of Earth's Energy Imbalance (EEI) with existing reconstructions of temperature, atmospheric composition, and sea level to estimate both the magnitude and timescale of the ice sheet‐albedo feedback since the Last Glacial Maximum. This facilitates the first opportunity to quantify this feedback over the most recent deglaciation using a proxy data‐driven approach. We find the ice sheet‐albedo feedback to be amplifying, increasing the total climate feedback parameter by 42% and reaching an equilibrium magnitude of 0.55 Wm−2K−1, with a 66% confidence interval of 0.45–0.63 Wm−2K−1. The timescale to equilibrium is estimated as 3.6 ka (66% confidence: 1.9–5.5 ka). These results provide new evidence for the timescale and magnitude of the amplifying ice sheet‐albedo feedback that will drive anthropogenic warming for millennia to come.

Sugarcane Cultivation Amidst Climate Change Challenges: An in-depth Review of Mitigation Strategies and Environmental Resilience

The sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) holds global significance for sugar and bioenergy production, contributing to the gross domestic product of Pakistan and generating employment. However, environmental degradation resulting from global warming, climate change, and high greenhouse gas emissions pose a critical threat to the sugarcane as well as the sugarcane industry worldwide. Developing countries, like Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh are likely to be more affected because of poor adaptability and forecasting systems, high vulnerability to disasters/extreme events, and insufficient mitigation strategies. Sugarcane production is affected by shifts in climatic conditions, such as temperature, rainfall, and CO2 level, and will continue to be affected by the onset of such events, which are directly linked to geographical areas and the capacity to adapt to such changes. This paper gives a brief description of the challenges and behavior of sugarcane crops to climate change, and the future trend of climate change with respect to sugarcane production to better quantify, comprehend, and counteract the potential negative impact by enhancing the sugarcane production on a sustainable and economically viable basis.

Comparative study on the compressive performance of NSC and HSC with preload under 24-hour high temperatures

This study explores the compressive performance of normal strength concrete (NSC) and high strength concrete (HSC) with preload under 24-hours sustained high temperature (SHT). A unique test setup was designed to accomplish the compressive tests of concrete under high temperatures. The effects of temperature, concrete strength and preloading are given attention. Besides, microscopic tests were carried out to reveal the variation mechanism of concrete performance. The results show that the degradation of the compressive strength of concrete under SHT is significantly more severe than under short-term high temperatures. At the same temperature and initial load level, HSC shows greater strength degradation than NSC. Pre-loaded concrete generates considerable creep under SHT, and its effect on the peak strain of concrete cannot be ignored. The peak strain of NSC and HSC is most significantly affected by the initial load level and temperature, respectively. At temperatures not higher than 350 °C, the deterioration of the compressive performance of concrete is mainly attributed to the dehydration decomposition of calcium silicate hydrate and the cracking of interface transition zone. Preloading can inhibit these reactions and improve the compressive performance of concrete under SHT. Further, a general model for the compressive stress-strain relationship of concrete under SHT considering concrete strength and preloading was developed, which can be used for the design and analysis of concrete structures serving at high-temperature environments.

Investigation the behavior of LWAC encased steel columns after exposure to elevated temperature

AbstractThis paper presents experimental and numerical investigations on the behavior of eccentrically loaded lightweight aggregate concrete encased steel (LWACES) columns after exposing to elevated temperatures. Sixteen concrete encased steel (CES) columns were considered in the study, 12 of which were exposed to elevated temperature then eccentrically loaded up to failure at different eccentricity ratios. The effect of temperature on the load–displacement relationships, failure load, and failure modes of the concrete encased steel (CES) columns was monitored and evaluated. Experimental results have shown that as the temperature increases, the load bearing capacity of the CES columns decreased. It has also been showed that, at high temperature, the normal‐weight concrete encased steel (NWCES) columns experienced larger degradation of the load bearing capacity compared to that of LWACES columns. Also, this study presents a numerical simulation of the behavior of LWACES columns at elevated temperatures with eccentric compressive load. The numerical model was implemented in conducting parametric study to understand the effect of temperature distribution, concrete cover, eccentricity ratio, and high temperature levels on the behavior of the thermally exposed (CES) columns. Numerical results have revealed that, at temperature value of 500°C, the ultimate capacity of LWACES with eccentricity ratios of 0.75, and 1 has decreased by 17%, and 23%, respectively, compared to that of the column with eccentricity ratio of 0.5.

Hyperthermia and radiotherapy: physiological basis for a synergistic effect.

In cancer treatment, mild hyperthermia (HT) represents an old, but recently revived opportunity to increase the efficacy of radiotherapy (RT) without increasing side effects, thereby widening the therapeutic window. HT disrupts cellular homeostasis by acting on multiple targets, and its combination with RT produces synergistic antitumoral effects on specific pathophysiological mechanisms, associated to DNA damage and repair, hypoxia, stemness and immunostimulation. HT is furthermore associated to direct tumor cell kill, particularly in higher temperature levels. A phenomenon of temporary resistance to heat, known as thermotolerance, follows each HT session. Cancer treatment requires innovative concepts and combinations to be tested but, for a meaningful development of clinical trials, the understanding of the underlying mechanisms of the tested modalities is essential. In this mini-review, we aimed to describe the synergistic effects of the combination of HT with RT as well as the phenomena of thermal shock and thermotolerance, in order to stimulate clinicians in new, clinically relevant concepts and combinations, which become particularly relevant in the era of technological advents in both modalities but also cancer immunotherapy.