The fuzzy comfortability of a wind-sensitive super-high tower crane is critical to guarantee occupant health and improve construction efficiency.Therefore,the wind-resistant fuzzy comfortability of a super-high tower ...The fuzzy comfortability of a wind-sensitive super-high tower crane is critical to guarantee occupant health and improve construction efficiency.Therefore,the wind-resistant fuzzy comfortability of a super-high tower crane in the Ma’anshan Yangtze River(MYR)Bridge site is analyzed in this paper.First,the membership function model that represents fuzzy comfortability is introduced in the probability density evolution method(PDEM).Second,based on Fechner’s law,the membership function curves are constructed according to three acceleration thresholds in ISO 2631.Then,the fuzzy comfortability for the super-high tower crane under stochastic wind loads is assessed on the basis of different cut-set levelsλ.Results show that the comfortability is over 0.9 under the required maximum operating wind velocity.The low sensitivity toλcan be observed in the reliability curves of ISOⅡandⅢmembership functions.The reliability of the ISOⅠmembership function is not sensitive toλwhenλ<0.7,whereas it becomes sensitive toλwhenλ>0.7.展开更多
Air conditioning(AC)is essential for maintaining indoor comfort during Taiwan region’s hot and humid summers but significantly contributes to increased energy consumption.This study evaluates the effects of AC dutycy...Air conditioning(AC)is essential for maintaining indoor comfort during Taiwan region’s hot and humid summers but significantly contributes to increased energy consumption.This study evaluates the effects of AC dutycycling strategies on energy performance,thermal comfort,and operational costs in office environments.Duty-cycling was implemented using a building energy management system(BEMS),which remotely controlled the ON/OFF cycles of AC units.Five duty-cycling modes were tested,with some modes incorporating air circulation during OFF periods.Field measurements of energy consumption,temperature,humidity,and air velocity were conducted and integrated with thermal comfort analysis tools to calculate predictedmean vote(PMV)and percentage of dissatisfied(PPD)values.The objective was to achieve energy savings while maintaining acceptable thermal comfort levels.Results show that Mode A achieved the highest energy savings,reducing monthly consumption by 40.79%;however,it slightly exceeded the PMV threshold(+0.5)and recorded a PPD greater than 10%,indicating reduced occupant comfort.In contrast,Mode C provided a better balance,achieving a 27.61%reduction in energy consumption while maintaining a PMV of+0.28 and a PPD of 7.49%,both within acceptable comfort limits.Despite the energy-saving benefits,not all dutycycling modes ensured satisfactory thermal comfort.Additionally,the cost analysis revealed thatMode A achieved the lowest monthly electricity cost(NTD 8476.18/USD 263.38),whileMode C incurred a higher cost(NTD 10,363.00/USD 322.01),highlighting the trade-off between energy savings,comfort,and economic impact.展开更多
BACKGROUND Surgery is the gold standard for gallstone treatment.Nevertheless,the complications associated with the surgical procedure can exert diverse and adverse impacts on patients’health and quality of life to va...BACKGROUND Surgery is the gold standard for gallstone treatment.Nevertheless,the complications associated with the surgical procedure can exert diverse and adverse impacts on patients’health and quality of life to varying extents.Hence,it is essential to offer perioperative care to patients undergoing gallstone surgery.AIM To examine the impact of perioperative comprehensive nursing on pain intensity,complication rates,and patient comfort in individuals undergoing gallstone surgery.METHODS From February 2022 to February 2024,195 patients who underwent gallstone surgery at Sanmen People’s Hospital were selected and divided into two groups:A control group receiving routine nursing care(95 patients)and a research group receiving perioperative comprehensive nursing(100 patients).Key postoperative recovery indicators,including time to first postoperative anal exhaust,oral food intake,and ambulation,were observed,along with pain intensity(measured by the numeric rating scale),complication rate(bleeding,incision infection,recurrence),patient comfort(assessed using the visual analogue scale),and quality of life(measured by the World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF).RESULTS The research group showed significantly shorter times to first postoperative anal exhaust,oral intake,and ambulation.Moreover,numeric rating scale pain scores in the research group were markedly lower post-nursing,and the total complication rate was significantly reduced compared to the control group.Furthermore,comfort levels improved considerably in the research group,and World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF scores across the physical,psychological,social,and environmental domains were significantly higher compared to the control group following nursing care.CONCLUSION Perioperative comprehensive nursing effectively enhances postoperative recovery in patients undergoing gallstone surgery,reducing pain,lowering complications,and improving patient comfort and quality of life,which deserves clinical application.展开更多
Traditionally,passenger comfort in vehicles is perceived as being most influenced by acceleration and jerk.Consequently,the current research primarily focuses on developing control algorithms to limit the maximum acce...Traditionally,passenger comfort in vehicles is perceived as being most influenced by acceleration and jerk.Consequently,the current research primarily focuses on developing control algorithms to limit the maximum acceleration and jerk of the vehicle in order to improve passenger comfort.However,naturalistic driving studies demonstrate that such simple characteristics are insufficient for accurately evaluating passenger comfort.This study identifies motion complexity as a key factor of passenger comfort.A series of naturalistic driving studies are conducted,during which passenger comfort is assessed using a 5-point Likert scale.Moreover,a real-time passenger comfort measurement based on electromyography(EMG)and stepwise regression is proposed to facilitate seamless data collection.Time-series features representing motion complexity are then introduced to better describe passenger comfort.Hierarchical regression confirms that simple characteristics of motion are insufficient to explain passenger comfort,and shows that the proposed motion complexity features have a substantial effect on passenger comfort.Finally,a machine learning-based real-time passenger comfort estimation method is developed according to the foregoing findings.Experimental results show that the proposed method can accurately estimate passenger comfort in real-time using only vehicle motion information.The findings of this study suggest that vehicle motion complexity should be considered in future passenger comfort studies.展开更多
Based on the data of the national station in Wengyuan County from 1975 to 2024,the tourism climate comfort of Wengyuan County was analyzed and evaluated by using temperature-humidity index,wind chill index,holiday cli...Based on the data of the national station in Wengyuan County from 1975 to 2024,the tourism climate comfort of Wengyuan County was analyzed and evaluated by using temperature-humidity index,wind chill index,holiday climate index,and linear trend analysis.The results show that in Wengyuan County,people felt most comfortable in April,May,October,and November,and the holiday climate index in each month was over 63,reaching or exceeding the"suitable"level,and there were no"acceptable"or lower levels.Spring and autumn were the best time for people to visit Wengyuan.The temperature-humidity index in Wengyuan County rose significantly at a tendency rate of 0.19/10 a,while wind chill index dropped significantly at a tendency rate of 2.9/10 a.The annual average number of comfortable days in Wengyuan was up to 164 d,accounting for over 44.9%of the total number in the whole year.It tended to decline at a tendency rate of-3.9/10 a.The annual average number of uncomfortable cold days and uncomfortable hot days showed an upward trend at a tendency rate of 1.5/10 a and 1.7/10 a,respectively.HCL and the number of days with unfavorable climate tended to decline slowly at a tendency rate of-0.236/10 a and-0.248/10 a,respectively.The number of days with suitable climate showed an upward trend at a tendency rate of 1.2/10 a,while the number of days with general and acceptable climate showed a slow downward trend at a tendency rate of-1.96/10 a.展开更多
The Double Take column looks at a single topic from an African and Chinese perspective.This month,we delve into the dilemma of choosing between telling the harsh truth and offering a wellintentioned lie.
This study compares two end-cooling systems,convective-radiant combined cooling(FR+FC)and fan coil convection(FC),through continuous experimental investigations,focusing on the impact of window-to-wall ratio(WWR)on in...This study compares two end-cooling systems,convective-radiant combined cooling(FR+FC)and fan coil convection(FC),through continuous experimental investigations,focusing on the impact of window-to-wall ratio(WWR)on indoor thermal comfort,temperature distribution,humidity,and energy consumption.Results show that increasing WWR amplifies indoor temperature fluctuations.While the overall predicted mean vote(PMV)remains within the Level-II comfort range(−1.0 to+1.0),the FC system exhibits pronounced local PMV gradients near west-facing windows,especially at 80%WWR,where transient PMV reaches 1.26 close to the window,0.89 higher than at the room center.In contrast,the FR+FC system significantly reduces spatial PMV variations,maintaining local PMV within acceptable limits for most of the day.Energy analysis reveals that FC energy consumption rises with WWR,increasing by 7.11%from 40%to 80%WWR,whereas FR+FC energy use decreases by 29.26%over the same range,demonstrating its superior handling of radiant loads.Furthermore,the convective-radiant system exhibits a high average hourly cooling performance coefficient.These findings indicate that FR+FC systems provide better thermal comfort and energy efficiency in high-WWR spaces,making them particularly suitable for summer operation in window-intensive buildings.展开更多
Dear Editor,Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation(TMS)has emerged as a promising therapeutic tool for various neurological and psychiatric conditions[1-3].However,despite its potential benefits,TMS is not without its disc...Dear Editor,Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation(TMS)has emerged as a promising therapeutic tool for various neurological and psychiatric conditions[1-3].However,despite its potential benefits,TMS is not without its discomfort issues[4,5],which are mainly related to target location,stimulus intensity,and treatment duration.The discomfort associated with TMS arises from several factors,including the physical sensations experienced during the procedure and potential adverse effects on the scalp and surrounding tissues.展开更多
Heating,Ventilation,andAir Conditioning(HVAC)systems are critical formaintaining thermal comfort in office environments which also crucial for occupant well-being and productivity.This study investigates the impact of...Heating,Ventilation,andAir Conditioning(HVAC)systems are critical formaintaining thermal comfort in office environments which also crucial for occupant well-being and productivity.This study investigates the impact of integrating ceiling fans with higher air conditioning setpoints on thermal comfort and energy efficiency in office environments.Field measurements and questionnaire surveys were conducted to evaluate thermal comfort and energysaving potential under varying conditions.Results show that increasing the AC setpoint from 25○C to 27○C,combined with ceiling fan operation,reduced power consumption by 10%,achieving significant energy savings.Survey data confirmed that 85%of participants reported consistent thermal sensations across all conditions,with ceiling fans effectively compensating for higher setpoints through enhanced air circulation.CFDsimulations revealed that mediumspeed ceiling fan operation produced the most uniformairflowdistribution,with an average air velocity of 0.45 m/s,and minimized temperature variations,ensuring balanced thermal conditions.Temperature analysis showed a reduction in hotspots and cold zones,maintaining an average temperature deviation of less than±0.5○C.Predicted Mean Vote(PMV)evaluations at a 27○C setpoint indicated improved thermal comfort,with average PMV values around−0.3,corresponding to a“neutral”thermal sensation.These findings demonstrate the effectiveness of integrating ceiling fans with HVAC systems in achieving energy efficiency and occupant comfort,offering a sustainable approach to reducing AC energy consumption in office environments.展开更多
The recent development in Lucknow shows that the amount of built mass may increase significantly soon,which may affect outdoor thermal comfort.This study aims to achieve a better alternative to the geometrical configu...The recent development in Lucknow shows that the amount of built mass may increase significantly soon,which may affect outdoor thermal comfort.This study aims to achieve a better alternative to the geometrical configuration of vertical surfaces that helps improve the outdoor thermal comfort level.The study primarily deals with the exploration of built forms by altering the planar forms,heights,and orientations to arrive at a better composition of vertical surfaces.144 typologies were finally generated,which were then simulated in ENVI-met.The results show that,with the I-shaped typology it is difficult to reduce solar access,whereas in terms of ventilation,the typology performed better than L-shaped and C-shaped typologies.For this reason,the hours of solar access,as well as wind speed,should be seen together while developing the built-form typology.Urban neighborhoods can be designed with streets and open spaces oriented primarily to northeast-southwest and northwest-southeast directions which allow the open spaces to be thermally more comfortable than the rest of the orientation.This research highlights the importance of varying building heights to enhance thermal comfort.The findings provide valuable insights for composite climate cities like lucknow and can serve as a framework for future design strategies aimed at mitigating outdoor thermal discomfort.It is therefore important for planners,urban designers,and architects to design considering the minimal impact of the upcoming development on the thermal comfort level.展开更多
Objective:To evaluate the clinical effect of comfort nursing intervention in preventing incontinent-associated dermatitis(IAD)and related complications in critically ill patients.Methods:This study enrolled critically...Objective:To evaluate the clinical effect of comfort nursing intervention in preventing incontinent-associated dermatitis(IAD)and related complications in critically ill patients.Methods:This study enrolled critically ill patients from the Intensive Care Unit at Ningxiang People’s Hospital between June 2020 and June 2024.Patients were randomly assigned to a comfort nursing group(n=51)and a routine nursing group(n=53).The comfort nursing group received comprehensive comfort nursing,while the routine nursing group received standard care.The incidence,classification and area of IAD as well as the incidence of complications and patient/family satisfaction with nursing care,were assessed.Results:The incidence of IAD was significantly lower in the comfort nursing group(8 patients)compared to the routine nursing group(21 patients)(P<0.05).Additionally,the incidences of wound infection and muscle soreness were notably lower in the comfort nursing group(both P<0.05).Patient and family satisfaction in the comfort nursing group was significantly higher than in the routine nursing group(both P<0.05).Conclusion:Comfort nursing intervention is effective in preventing IAD and reducing associated complications in critically ill patients,thereby improving patient and family satisfaction with treatment.展开更多
Urban underutilized spaces,often the secondary by-products of large infrastructure projects,are often overlooked,despite their potential to enhance city life.With meaningful design interventions,these neglected areas ...Urban underutilized spaces,often the secondary by-products of large infrastructure projects,are often overlooked,despite their potential to enhance city life.With meaningful design interventions,these neglected areas can be transformed into inclusive public environments that offer social,environmental,and cultural value.This research investigates how modular,temporary installations beneath Toronto’s Gardiner Expressway,in Canada,can enhance thermal comfort and foster community engagement during the shoulder seasons.Using a multi-step methodology,including literature review,thermal comfort guidelines,site-specific climate analysis,and precedent studies,the research identifies key design strategies tailored to the unique microclimatic and social conditions of under-bridge spaces.The study culminates in the proposal of a flexible system of movable panels that provide wind protection,solar control,and opportunities for gathering,interaction,and rest.By reimagining these unnoticed infrastructure zones as adaptable,climate-responsive public spaces,this research contributes to sustainable urban design and highlights the importance of design strategies that address the challenges of a warming and increasingly variable climate.展开更多
During the past few decades,we have witnessed the phenomenon of constant warming occurring everywhere on the globe.Cities have suffered from urban warming to a greater extent than any other part of the world,and Kolka...During the past few decades,we have witnessed the phenomenon of constant warming occurring everywhere on the globe.Cities have suffered from urban warming to a greater extent than any other part of the world,and Kolkata has one of the highest levels of urban warming of any city around the world.In Kolkata,73%of the buildings are residential,and it is this type of building that contributes to a significant amount of this warming.With the city of Kolkata as the case study,this paper aims at understanding the multiple domains of urban heat islands and thermal comfort within the context of the city,from a macro perspective of an urban heat island down to a micro perspective of a building level,with the ultimate aim of mitigating global warming through this study.Various research works have been undertaken in India and abroad to understand the individual as well as composite effect of various building components on the indoor thermal comfort.Researches have also been undertaken to compare and comprehend the differential thermal comfort of old indigenous residences with that of the new residential buildings.Hence,this paper discusses methods that have been applied in past works to evaluate the thermal comfort of old and new residential buildings in a non-subjective manner,without having recourse to user feedback,in the final segment that views the process of learning from comparing old and new residential buildings.展开更多
The cooperative control of ride comfort and handling stability in automobile suspension systems presents a significant challenge in intelligent chassis system design.This complexity arises from the high degrees of fre...The cooperative control of ride comfort and handling stability in automobile suspension systems presents a significant challenge in intelligent chassis system design.This complexity arises from the high degrees of freedom,diverse operating conditions,and inherent trade-offs between performance metrics in full-car suspension systems.In this paper,a novel switching control strategy is proposed to better balance ride comfort and handling stability for a full-car suspension system.The system integrates a ride comfort controller and an anti-rollover controller,guided by a new rollover risk assessment indicator that requires fewer state variables.First,a vehicle suspension simplification model approach is introduced,reducing the fourteen-degree-of-freedom full-car suspension model to three two-degree-of-freedom models:vertical,pitch and roll.Based on these simplified models,vertical,roll,and pitch controllers are designed,simplifying the controller design process for full-car suspension systems.The ride comfort controller is constructed using the modal energy method in conjunction with the simplified model controllers,while the roll controller functions as the anti-rollover controller.The proposed rollover risk assessment indicator serves as the switching criterion between handling stability and ride comfort control.Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed switching control strategy effectively adapts to various road conditions,enabling the semi-active variable damping suspension system to perform multi-modal switching.Compared to a well-tuned passive suspension,vertical,roll,and pitch accelerations are reduced by 14.13%,13.02%and 13.08%,respectively,significantly improving ride comfort.Additionally,the system effectively mitigates rollover risk,achieving reductions in roll angle,roll speed,and roll acceleration by 19.69%,16.40%,and 29.96%,respectively,thereby greatly enhancing vehicle safety.Overall,the proposed switching control strategy achieves a successful balance between ride comfort and handling stability,enhancing overall driving performance.展开更多
The present study aims to analyzse alternative passive design solutions for enhancing building energy and hygrothermal efficiency in the Sahelian zone.To achieve this,a model representing a standard single-storey ceme...The present study aims to analyzse alternative passive design solutions for enhancing building energy and hygrothermal efficiency in the Sahelian zone.To achieve this,a model representing a standard single-storey cementhollow block dwelling building and its relevant parameters was input into EnergyPlus,combined with OpenStudio or SketchUp.Scenarios were then analyzed to evaluate the effects of roof solar reflectivity,wall external insulation,natural ventilation,and their combined options.First,the base case,serving as a reference model,was validated using measured and simulated temperatures by calculating the scientific criteria,such as the NBME and CVRMSE coefficients recommended by the ASHRAE and IPVM standards.Additionally,the numerical simulation was used to compare interior temperatures,discomfort hours,thermal parameters,and the hygrothermal index(IHT)across seven cases studied.The reference model simulation indicated that cement-based hollow blocks are less effective for building envelopes in the Sahelian climate,with 51.48%discomfort hours and an IHT of 1.6,as shown in the Givoni diagram.The results revealed that the wall external insulation was the most effective passive solution,with 56%of comfort hours and an IHT of 0.7,which indicates the expected position of the model within the hygrothermal comfort zone of the Sahelian climate.Combining passive strategies yields the best scenario,resulting in a 28.25%reduction in annual total discomfort hours compared to the base case.These simulations demonstrated the effectiveness of accessible passive design solutions applicable in dwelling construction for the sustainable development of countries in the Sahelian climate.展开更多
Objective: To examine the daily life care, spiritual comfort, and fall safety care needs of the elderly in urban and rural areas of Tangshan, along with their influencing factors. Methods: From August 2022 to April 20...Objective: To examine the daily life care, spiritual comfort, and fall safety care needs of the elderly in urban and rural areas of Tangshan, along with their influencing factors. Methods: From August 2022 to April 2023, an investigation was conducted among urban and rural elderly individuals aged over 75 years in Tangshan City using the Activities of Daily Living Scale, the Revised Community Elderly Fall Risk Assessment Tool, and the Loneliness Scale. Results: The study included 750 urban and 740 rural elderly individuals aged over 75 years. Matrix analysis revealed a significant proportion of fall safety care needs across various daily life and spiritual care requirements. Multiple factor analysis indicated that advanced age, lower education levels, a greater number of chronic diseases, and lower levels of family and social support were associated with higher care demands among the elderly in both urban and rural areas. These differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The elderly in urban and rural areas demonstrate a high demand for fall safety care. Particular attention should be given to individuals with lower education levels, those who are widowed, those with multiple chronic diseases, and those with low levels of family and social support to better meet the diverse care needs of this population.展开更多
This study innovatively employs functional near-infrared spectroscopy(fNIRS)technology to investigate passengers’brain responses to various external stimuli during high-speed train operations,assessing their impact o...This study innovatively employs functional near-infrared spectroscopy(fNIRS)technology to investigate passengers’brain responses to various external stimuli during high-speed train operations,assessing their impact on passenger comfort.Three stimuli are examined:passing through tunnels,sonic booms at tunnel exits,and two trains meeting within the tunnel.The analysis of environmental variables,including cabin noise,cabin-to-external pressure,and cabin-to-body acceleration,reveals that changes in auditory and pressure levels during the tunnel experience led to an 87%increase in oxygenated hemoglobin(HbO)levels in the temporal lobe(TL).This reflects a brief discomfort that subsides as passengers adapt,with HbO levels nearly returning to pre-tunnel levels upon exit.Among the stimuli,the sonic boom triggered the most significant neural response,with HbO fluctuations increased by 175%.In contrast,the impact of train meetings was minor,yielding an average HbO increase of only 14.21%.Connectivity analysis further shows significant enhancements in brain functional connectivity during tunnel entrance and sonic boom scenarios,with increases of 52%and 80%,respectively.Our findings contribute to passenger comfort assessment by establishing objective neurophysiological measures that quantify previously subjective experiences.The application of fNIRS in this dynamic environment creates new possibilities for evidence-based comfort optimization in railway design.展开更多
Typically,seat or floor acceleration is used to evaluate the ride comfort of a high-speed train.However,the dynamic performance of the human body significantly differs from that of the floor.Therefore,using the car bo...Typically,seat or floor acceleration is used to evaluate the ride comfort of a high-speed train.However,the dynamic performance of the human body significantly differs from that of the floor.Therefore,using the car body floor and seat accelerations to calculate the ride comfort index of a high-speed train may not reflect the true feelings of passengers.In this study,a 3D human-seat-vehicle-track coupling model was established to investigate the ride comfort of highspeed train passengers.The seated human model,which considers the longitudinal,lateral,vertical,pitching,yawing,and rolling motions,comprises the head,upper torso,lower torso,pelvis,thighs,and shanks.The model parameters were determined using multi-axis excitation measurement data based on a genetic algorithm.Subsequently,the applicability of the small-angle assumption and natural modes of the human model is analyzed.Using the coupling system model,the vibration characteristics of the human-seat interaction surface were analyzed.The ride comfort of the high-speed train and human body dynamic performance were analyzed under normal conditions,track geometric irregularities and train meeting conditions.The results showed that the passenger seats in the front and rear rows adjacent to the window had a higher acceleration value than the others.The human backrest and seat pad connection points have higher vibration amplitudes than the car body floor in the human-sensitive frequency range,indicating that using the acceleration values on the floor may underestimate the discomfort of passengers.The ride comfort of high-speed trains diminishes in the presence of track geometric irregularities and when trains pass each other.When the excitation frequency of track geometry irregularities approached the natural frequency of the human-seat-vehicle system,ride comfort in high-speed trains decreased significantly.Moreover,using seat acceleration to evaluate passenger ride comfort overlooks the vibration characteristics of the human body.The transient aerodynamic force generated when the train meets can cause a larger car body roll and lateral motion at 2 Hz,which,in turn,decreases the passenger ride comfort.This study presents a detailed human-seat-vehicle-track coupling system that can reflect a passenger’s dynamic performance under complex operating conditions.展开更多
The local skin temperatures of 22 subjects at air temperatures of 21,24,26,29 ℃ are measured,and the mean skin temperatures are calculated by ten skin temperature measuring points.The thermal comfort levels and the t...The local skin temperatures of 22 subjects at air temperatures of 21,24,26,29 ℃ are measured,and the mean skin temperatures are calculated by ten skin temperature measuring points.The thermal comfort levels and the thermal sensations of these subjects are also investigated by a questionnaire.The Mahalanobis distance discrimination method is applied to establish the evaluation model for the thermal comfort based on the mean skin temperature.The experimental results indicate that the difference of the mean skin temperatures between the comfort level and the discomfort level is significant.Using the evaluation model,the mean skin temperature at the thermal comfort level is 32.6 to 33.7 ℃,and the thermal comfort levels of 72% of the subjects are correctly evaluated.The accuracy of the evaluation model can be improved when the effects of sex of the subject on the mean skin temperature and the thermal comfort are considered.It can be concluded that the mean skin temperature can be used as an effective physiological indicator to evaluate human thermal comfort in a steady thermal environment.展开更多
基金The National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.52108274,52208481,52338011)State Scholarship Fund of China Scholarship Council(No.202306090285).
文摘The fuzzy comfortability of a wind-sensitive super-high tower crane is critical to guarantee occupant health and improve construction efficiency.Therefore,the wind-resistant fuzzy comfortability of a super-high tower crane in the Ma’anshan Yangtze River(MYR)Bridge site is analyzed in this paper.First,the membership function model that represents fuzzy comfortability is introduced in the probability density evolution method(PDEM).Second,based on Fechner’s law,the membership function curves are constructed according to three acceleration thresholds in ISO 2631.Then,the fuzzy comfortability for the super-high tower crane under stochastic wind loads is assessed on the basis of different cut-set levelsλ.Results show that the comfortability is over 0.9 under the required maximum operating wind velocity.The low sensitivity toλcan be observed in the reliability curves of ISOⅡandⅢmembership functions.The reliability of the ISOⅠmembership function is not sensitive toλwhenλ<0.7,whereas it becomes sensitive toλwhenλ>0.7.
基金financial support by the National Science and Technology Council under grant no.NSTC 112-2221-E-167-017-MY3.
文摘Air conditioning(AC)is essential for maintaining indoor comfort during Taiwan region’s hot and humid summers but significantly contributes to increased energy consumption.This study evaluates the effects of AC dutycycling strategies on energy performance,thermal comfort,and operational costs in office environments.Duty-cycling was implemented using a building energy management system(BEMS),which remotely controlled the ON/OFF cycles of AC units.Five duty-cycling modes were tested,with some modes incorporating air circulation during OFF periods.Field measurements of energy consumption,temperature,humidity,and air velocity were conducted and integrated with thermal comfort analysis tools to calculate predictedmean vote(PMV)and percentage of dissatisfied(PPD)values.The objective was to achieve energy savings while maintaining acceptable thermal comfort levels.Results show that Mode A achieved the highest energy savings,reducing monthly consumption by 40.79%;however,it slightly exceeded the PMV threshold(+0.5)and recorded a PPD greater than 10%,indicating reduced occupant comfort.In contrast,Mode C provided a better balance,achieving a 27.61%reduction in energy consumption while maintaining a PMV of+0.28 and a PPD of 7.49%,both within acceptable comfort limits.Despite the energy-saving benefits,not all dutycycling modes ensured satisfactory thermal comfort.Additionally,the cost analysis revealed thatMode A achieved the lowest monthly electricity cost(NTD 8476.18/USD 263.38),whileMode C incurred a higher cost(NTD 10,363.00/USD 322.01),highlighting the trade-off between energy savings,comfort,and economic impact.
基金Supported by Science and Technology Program of Sanmen County Public Technology Social Development Project,No.24227.
文摘BACKGROUND Surgery is the gold standard for gallstone treatment.Nevertheless,the complications associated with the surgical procedure can exert diverse and adverse impacts on patients’health and quality of life to varying extents.Hence,it is essential to offer perioperative care to patients undergoing gallstone surgery.AIM To examine the impact of perioperative comprehensive nursing on pain intensity,complication rates,and patient comfort in individuals undergoing gallstone surgery.METHODS From February 2022 to February 2024,195 patients who underwent gallstone surgery at Sanmen People’s Hospital were selected and divided into two groups:A control group receiving routine nursing care(95 patients)and a research group receiving perioperative comprehensive nursing(100 patients).Key postoperative recovery indicators,including time to first postoperative anal exhaust,oral food intake,and ambulation,were observed,along with pain intensity(measured by the numeric rating scale),complication rate(bleeding,incision infection,recurrence),patient comfort(assessed using the visual analogue scale),and quality of life(measured by the World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF).RESULTS The research group showed significantly shorter times to first postoperative anal exhaust,oral intake,and ambulation.Moreover,numeric rating scale pain scores in the research group were markedly lower post-nursing,and the total complication rate was significantly reduced compared to the control group.Furthermore,comfort levels improved considerably in the research group,and World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF scores across the physical,psychological,social,and environmental domains were significantly higher compared to the control group following nursing care.CONCLUSION Perioperative comprehensive nursing effectively enhances postoperative recovery in patients undergoing gallstone surgery,reducing pain,lowering complications,and improving patient comfort and quality of life,which deserves clinical application.
基金Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.52221005)Tsinghua-Toyota Joint Research Fund.
文摘Traditionally,passenger comfort in vehicles is perceived as being most influenced by acceleration and jerk.Consequently,the current research primarily focuses on developing control algorithms to limit the maximum acceleration and jerk of the vehicle in order to improve passenger comfort.However,naturalistic driving studies demonstrate that such simple characteristics are insufficient for accurately evaluating passenger comfort.This study identifies motion complexity as a key factor of passenger comfort.A series of naturalistic driving studies are conducted,during which passenger comfort is assessed using a 5-point Likert scale.Moreover,a real-time passenger comfort measurement based on electromyography(EMG)and stepwise regression is proposed to facilitate seamless data collection.Time-series features representing motion complexity are then introduced to better describe passenger comfort.Hierarchical regression confirms that simple characteristics of motion are insufficient to explain passenger comfort,and shows that the proposed motion complexity features have a substantial effect on passenger comfort.Finally,a machine learning-based real-time passenger comfort estimation method is developed according to the foregoing findings.Experimental results show that the proposed method can accurately estimate passenger comfort in real-time using only vehicle motion information.The findings of this study suggest that vehicle motion complexity should be considered in future passenger comfort studies.
文摘Based on the data of the national station in Wengyuan County from 1975 to 2024,the tourism climate comfort of Wengyuan County was analyzed and evaluated by using temperature-humidity index,wind chill index,holiday climate index,and linear trend analysis.The results show that in Wengyuan County,people felt most comfortable in April,May,October,and November,and the holiday climate index in each month was over 63,reaching or exceeding the"suitable"level,and there were no"acceptable"or lower levels.Spring and autumn were the best time for people to visit Wengyuan.The temperature-humidity index in Wengyuan County rose significantly at a tendency rate of 0.19/10 a,while wind chill index dropped significantly at a tendency rate of 2.9/10 a.The annual average number of comfortable days in Wengyuan was up to 164 d,accounting for over 44.9%of the total number in the whole year.It tended to decline at a tendency rate of-3.9/10 a.The annual average number of uncomfortable cold days and uncomfortable hot days showed an upward trend at a tendency rate of 1.5/10 a and 1.7/10 a,respectively.HCL and the number of days with unfavorable climate tended to decline slowly at a tendency rate of-0.236/10 a and-0.248/10 a,respectively.The number of days with suitable climate showed an upward trend at a tendency rate of 1.2/10 a,while the number of days with general and acceptable climate showed a slow downward trend at a tendency rate of-1.96/10 a.
文摘The Double Take column looks at a single topic from an African and Chinese perspective.This month,we delve into the dilemma of choosing between telling the harsh truth and offering a wellintentioned lie.
基金supported by the Open Fund(Nos.202303 and 202304)of the Sichuan Province Engineering Technology Research Center of Healthy Human SettlementKey Research and Development Program of Sichuan Province(2022YFG0138)supported by Postgraduate Innovation Fund Project by Southwest University of Science and Technology(25ycx1084).
文摘This study compares two end-cooling systems,convective-radiant combined cooling(FR+FC)and fan coil convection(FC),through continuous experimental investigations,focusing on the impact of window-to-wall ratio(WWR)on indoor thermal comfort,temperature distribution,humidity,and energy consumption.Results show that increasing WWR amplifies indoor temperature fluctuations.While the overall predicted mean vote(PMV)remains within the Level-II comfort range(−1.0 to+1.0),the FC system exhibits pronounced local PMV gradients near west-facing windows,especially at 80%WWR,where transient PMV reaches 1.26 close to the window,0.89 higher than at the room center.In contrast,the FR+FC system significantly reduces spatial PMV variations,maintaining local PMV within acceptable limits for most of the day.Energy analysis reveals that FC energy consumption rises with WWR,increasing by 7.11%from 40%to 80%WWR,whereas FR+FC energy use decreases by 29.26%over the same range,demonstrating its superior handling of radiant loads.Furthermore,the convective-radiant system exhibits a high average hourly cooling performance coefficient.These findings indicate that FR+FC systems provide better thermal comfort and energy efficiency in high-WWR spaces,making them particularly suitable for summer operation in window-intensive buildings.
基金supported by STI2030-Major Projects(2021ZD0200200)the Key Collaborative Research Program of the Alliance of International Science Organizations(ANSO-CR-KP-2022-10)+1 种基金the Natural Science Foundation of China(82151307,82202253,and 31620103905)the Science Frontier Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences(QYZDJ-SSW-SMC019).
文摘Dear Editor,Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation(TMS)has emerged as a promising therapeutic tool for various neurological and psychiatric conditions[1-3].However,despite its potential benefits,TMS is not without its discomfort issues[4,5],which are mainly related to target location,stimulus intensity,and treatment duration.The discomfort associated with TMS arises from several factors,including the physical sensations experienced during the procedure and potential adverse effects on the scalp and surrounding tissues.
基金support by the National Science and Technology Council under Grant No.NSTC 112-2221-E-167-017-MY3.
文摘Heating,Ventilation,andAir Conditioning(HVAC)systems are critical formaintaining thermal comfort in office environments which also crucial for occupant well-being and productivity.This study investigates the impact of integrating ceiling fans with higher air conditioning setpoints on thermal comfort and energy efficiency in office environments.Field measurements and questionnaire surveys were conducted to evaluate thermal comfort and energysaving potential under varying conditions.Results show that increasing the AC setpoint from 25○C to 27○C,combined with ceiling fan operation,reduced power consumption by 10%,achieving significant energy savings.Survey data confirmed that 85%of participants reported consistent thermal sensations across all conditions,with ceiling fans effectively compensating for higher setpoints through enhanced air circulation.CFDsimulations revealed that mediumspeed ceiling fan operation produced the most uniformairflowdistribution,with an average air velocity of 0.45 m/s,and minimized temperature variations,ensuring balanced thermal conditions.Temperature analysis showed a reduction in hotspots and cold zones,maintaining an average temperature deviation of less than±0.5○C.Predicted Mean Vote(PMV)evaluations at a 27○C setpoint indicated improved thermal comfort,with average PMV values around−0.3,corresponding to a“neutral”thermal sensation.These findings demonstrate the effectiveness of integrating ceiling fans with HVAC systems in achieving energy efficiency and occupant comfort,offering a sustainable approach to reducing AC energy consumption in office environments.
文摘The recent development in Lucknow shows that the amount of built mass may increase significantly soon,which may affect outdoor thermal comfort.This study aims to achieve a better alternative to the geometrical configuration of vertical surfaces that helps improve the outdoor thermal comfort level.The study primarily deals with the exploration of built forms by altering the planar forms,heights,and orientations to arrive at a better composition of vertical surfaces.144 typologies were finally generated,which were then simulated in ENVI-met.The results show that,with the I-shaped typology it is difficult to reduce solar access,whereas in terms of ventilation,the typology performed better than L-shaped and C-shaped typologies.For this reason,the hours of solar access,as well as wind speed,should be seen together while developing the built-form typology.Urban neighborhoods can be designed with streets and open spaces oriented primarily to northeast-southwest and northwest-southeast directions which allow the open spaces to be thermally more comfortable than the rest of the orientation.This research highlights the importance of varying building heights to enhance thermal comfort.The findings provide valuable insights for composite climate cities like lucknow and can serve as a framework for future design strategies aimed at mitigating outdoor thermal discomfort.It is therefore important for planners,urban designers,and architects to design considering the minimal impact of the upcoming development on the thermal comfort level.
文摘Objective:To evaluate the clinical effect of comfort nursing intervention in preventing incontinent-associated dermatitis(IAD)and related complications in critically ill patients.Methods:This study enrolled critically ill patients from the Intensive Care Unit at Ningxiang People’s Hospital between June 2020 and June 2024.Patients were randomly assigned to a comfort nursing group(n=51)and a routine nursing group(n=53).The comfort nursing group received comprehensive comfort nursing,while the routine nursing group received standard care.The incidence,classification and area of IAD as well as the incidence of complications and patient/family satisfaction with nursing care,were assessed.Results:The incidence of IAD was significantly lower in the comfort nursing group(8 patients)compared to the routine nursing group(21 patients)(P<0.05).Additionally,the incidences of wound infection and muscle soreness were notably lower in the comfort nursing group(both P<0.05).Patient and family satisfaction in the comfort nursing group was significantly higher than in the routine nursing group(both P<0.05).Conclusion:Comfort nursing intervention is effective in preventing IAD and reducing associated complications in critically ill patients,thereby improving patient and family satisfaction with treatment.
文摘Urban underutilized spaces,often the secondary by-products of large infrastructure projects,are often overlooked,despite their potential to enhance city life.With meaningful design interventions,these neglected areas can be transformed into inclusive public environments that offer social,environmental,and cultural value.This research investigates how modular,temporary installations beneath Toronto’s Gardiner Expressway,in Canada,can enhance thermal comfort and foster community engagement during the shoulder seasons.Using a multi-step methodology,including literature review,thermal comfort guidelines,site-specific climate analysis,and precedent studies,the research identifies key design strategies tailored to the unique microclimatic and social conditions of under-bridge spaces.The study culminates in the proposal of a flexible system of movable panels that provide wind protection,solar control,and opportunities for gathering,interaction,and rest.By reimagining these unnoticed infrastructure zones as adaptable,climate-responsive public spaces,this research contributes to sustainable urban design and highlights the importance of design strategies that address the challenges of a warming and increasingly variable climate.
文摘During the past few decades,we have witnessed the phenomenon of constant warming occurring everywhere on the globe.Cities have suffered from urban warming to a greater extent than any other part of the world,and Kolkata has one of the highest levels of urban warming of any city around the world.In Kolkata,73%of the buildings are residential,and it is this type of building that contributes to a significant amount of this warming.With the city of Kolkata as the case study,this paper aims at understanding the multiple domains of urban heat islands and thermal comfort within the context of the city,from a macro perspective of an urban heat island down to a micro perspective of a building level,with the ultimate aim of mitigating global warming through this study.Various research works have been undertaken in India and abroad to understand the individual as well as composite effect of various building components on the indoor thermal comfort.Researches have also been undertaken to compare and comprehend the differential thermal comfort of old indigenous residences with that of the new residential buildings.Hence,this paper discusses methods that have been applied in past works to evaluate the thermal comfort of old and new residential buildings in a non-subjective manner,without having recourse to user feedback,in the final segment that views the process of learning from comparing old and new residential buildings.
基金Supported by the Australian Research Council’s Discovery Project(Grant No.DP200100149)Taishan Scholars Program of Shandong Province(Grant No.tsqn202211062)Chinses Scholarship Council(Grant No.202006690005).
文摘The cooperative control of ride comfort and handling stability in automobile suspension systems presents a significant challenge in intelligent chassis system design.This complexity arises from the high degrees of freedom,diverse operating conditions,and inherent trade-offs between performance metrics in full-car suspension systems.In this paper,a novel switching control strategy is proposed to better balance ride comfort and handling stability for a full-car suspension system.The system integrates a ride comfort controller and an anti-rollover controller,guided by a new rollover risk assessment indicator that requires fewer state variables.First,a vehicle suspension simplification model approach is introduced,reducing the fourteen-degree-of-freedom full-car suspension model to three two-degree-of-freedom models:vertical,pitch and roll.Based on these simplified models,vertical,roll,and pitch controllers are designed,simplifying the controller design process for full-car suspension systems.The ride comfort controller is constructed using the modal energy method in conjunction with the simplified model controllers,while the roll controller functions as the anti-rollover controller.The proposed rollover risk assessment indicator serves as the switching criterion between handling stability and ride comfort control.Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed switching control strategy effectively adapts to various road conditions,enabling the semi-active variable damping suspension system to perform multi-modal switching.Compared to a well-tuned passive suspension,vertical,roll,and pitch accelerations are reduced by 14.13%,13.02%and 13.08%,respectively,significantly improving ride comfort.Additionally,the system effectively mitigates rollover risk,achieving reductions in roll angle,roll speed,and roll acceleration by 19.69%,16.40%,and 29.96%,respectively,thereby greatly enhancing vehicle safety.Overall,the proposed switching control strategy achieves a successful balance between ride comfort and handling stability,enhancing overall driving performance.
文摘The present study aims to analyzse alternative passive design solutions for enhancing building energy and hygrothermal efficiency in the Sahelian zone.To achieve this,a model representing a standard single-storey cementhollow block dwelling building and its relevant parameters was input into EnergyPlus,combined with OpenStudio or SketchUp.Scenarios were then analyzed to evaluate the effects of roof solar reflectivity,wall external insulation,natural ventilation,and their combined options.First,the base case,serving as a reference model,was validated using measured and simulated temperatures by calculating the scientific criteria,such as the NBME and CVRMSE coefficients recommended by the ASHRAE and IPVM standards.Additionally,the numerical simulation was used to compare interior temperatures,discomfort hours,thermal parameters,and the hygrothermal index(IHT)across seven cases studied.The reference model simulation indicated that cement-based hollow blocks are less effective for building envelopes in the Sahelian climate,with 51.48%discomfort hours and an IHT of 1.6,as shown in the Givoni diagram.The results revealed that the wall external insulation was the most effective passive solution,with 56%of comfort hours and an IHT of 0.7,which indicates the expected position of the model within the hygrothermal comfort zone of the Sahelian climate.Combining passive strategies yields the best scenario,resulting in a 28.25%reduction in annual total discomfort hours compared to the base case.These simulations demonstrated the effectiveness of accessible passive design solutions applicable in dwelling construction for the sustainable development of countries in the Sahelian climate.
基金Model Study on the Care Effectiveness of Intergenerational Care for Disabled Elderly in Rural Areas under the Background of Silver Age(School level Project Y24-08)。
文摘Objective: To examine the daily life care, spiritual comfort, and fall safety care needs of the elderly in urban and rural areas of Tangshan, along with their influencing factors. Methods: From August 2022 to April 2023, an investigation was conducted among urban and rural elderly individuals aged over 75 years in Tangshan City using the Activities of Daily Living Scale, the Revised Community Elderly Fall Risk Assessment Tool, and the Loneliness Scale. Results: The study included 750 urban and 740 rural elderly individuals aged over 75 years. Matrix analysis revealed a significant proportion of fall safety care needs across various daily life and spiritual care requirements. Multiple factor analysis indicated that advanced age, lower education levels, a greater number of chronic diseases, and lower levels of family and social support were associated with higher care demands among the elderly in both urban and rural areas. These differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The elderly in urban and rural areas demonstrate a high demand for fall safety care. Particular attention should be given to individuals with lower education levels, those who are widowed, those with multiple chronic diseases, and those with low levels of family and social support to better meet the diverse care needs of this population.
基金Project(52202426)supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of ChinaProjects(15205723,15226424)supported by the Research Grants Council(RGC)of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region,ChinaProject(KBBY1)supported by the Innovation and Technology Commission of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region。
文摘This study innovatively employs functional near-infrared spectroscopy(fNIRS)technology to investigate passengers’brain responses to various external stimuli during high-speed train operations,assessing their impact on passenger comfort.Three stimuli are examined:passing through tunnels,sonic booms at tunnel exits,and two trains meeting within the tunnel.The analysis of environmental variables,including cabin noise,cabin-to-external pressure,and cabin-to-body acceleration,reveals that changes in auditory and pressure levels during the tunnel experience led to an 87%increase in oxygenated hemoglobin(HbO)levels in the temporal lobe(TL).This reflects a brief discomfort that subsides as passengers adapt,with HbO levels nearly returning to pre-tunnel levels upon exit.Among the stimuli,the sonic boom triggered the most significant neural response,with HbO fluctuations increased by 175%.In contrast,the impact of train meetings was minor,yielding an average HbO increase of only 14.21%.Connectivity analysis further shows significant enhancements in brain functional connectivity during tunnel entrance and sonic boom scenarios,with increases of 52%and 80%,respectively.Our findings contribute to passenger comfort assessment by establishing objective neurophysiological measures that quantify previously subjective experiences.The application of fNIRS in this dynamic environment creates new possibilities for evidence-based comfort optimization in railway design.
基金Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.U1934203)Research and Development Project of Science and Technology of China Railway Corporation(Grant No.P2023T002)。
文摘Typically,seat or floor acceleration is used to evaluate the ride comfort of a high-speed train.However,the dynamic performance of the human body significantly differs from that of the floor.Therefore,using the car body floor and seat accelerations to calculate the ride comfort index of a high-speed train may not reflect the true feelings of passengers.In this study,a 3D human-seat-vehicle-track coupling model was established to investigate the ride comfort of highspeed train passengers.The seated human model,which considers the longitudinal,lateral,vertical,pitching,yawing,and rolling motions,comprises the head,upper torso,lower torso,pelvis,thighs,and shanks.The model parameters were determined using multi-axis excitation measurement data based on a genetic algorithm.Subsequently,the applicability of the small-angle assumption and natural modes of the human model is analyzed.Using the coupling system model,the vibration characteristics of the human-seat interaction surface were analyzed.The ride comfort of the high-speed train and human body dynamic performance were analyzed under normal conditions,track geometric irregularities and train meeting conditions.The results showed that the passenger seats in the front and rear rows adjacent to the window had a higher acceleration value than the others.The human backrest and seat pad connection points have higher vibration amplitudes than the car body floor in the human-sensitive frequency range,indicating that using the acceleration values on the floor may underestimate the discomfort of passengers.The ride comfort of high-speed trains diminishes in the presence of track geometric irregularities and when trains pass each other.When the excitation frequency of track geometry irregularities approached the natural frequency of the human-seat-vehicle system,ride comfort in high-speed trains decreased significantly.Moreover,using seat acceleration to evaluate passenger ride comfort overlooks the vibration characteristics of the human body.The transient aerodynamic force generated when the train meets can cause a larger car body roll and lateral motion at 2 Hz,which,in turn,decreases the passenger ride comfort.This study presents a detailed human-seat-vehicle-track coupling system that can reflect a passenger’s dynamic performance under complex operating conditions.
基金The National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.5087125)
文摘The local skin temperatures of 22 subjects at air temperatures of 21,24,26,29 ℃ are measured,and the mean skin temperatures are calculated by ten skin temperature measuring points.The thermal comfort levels and the thermal sensations of these subjects are also investigated by a questionnaire.The Mahalanobis distance discrimination method is applied to establish the evaluation model for the thermal comfort based on the mean skin temperature.The experimental results indicate that the difference of the mean skin temperatures between the comfort level and the discomfort level is significant.Using the evaluation model,the mean skin temperature at the thermal comfort level is 32.6 to 33.7 ℃,and the thermal comfort levels of 72% of the subjects are correctly evaluated.The accuracy of the evaluation model can be improved when the effects of sex of the subject on the mean skin temperature and the thermal comfort are considered.It can be concluded that the mean skin temperature can be used as an effective physiological indicator to evaluate human thermal comfort in a steady thermal environment.
