Search Results (1,298)

In the context of climate change and increased frequency of droughts, summer supplementation of grazing cattle may improve productivity and resilience of pastoral systems. However, the provision of supplements may increase the risk of heat stress in cattle. This study aimed to evaluate the productive and physiological response of grazing steers supplemented during summer. Three independent studies were conducted over three summers (2020–2023). In each experiment, steers grazing native grasslands with access to shade were allotted to one of two treatments: control (CONT) and supplementation (SUPPL), in a completely randomized block design. SUPPL steers were group-fed in the morning three days per week with an energy–protein ration at a level of 1.98% body weight (BW) on days of feeding. Pasture attributes, animal performance, respiration rate (RR), and body temperature (BT) were analyzed using a mixed model. According to the temperature–humidity index, cattle were exposed to heat stress 32% of the time. Summer supplementation increased average daily gain and final body weight of steers. Although supplementation temporarily increased BT (morning) and RR (afternoon), daily average RR and BT were similar for both treatments. These findings show that summer supplementation improves animal performance of grazing steers without increased risk of severe heat stress. These results are aligned with the concept of sustainable livestock intensification, which aims to enhance animal source foods to feed a growing population without causing collateral animal welfare issues. Full article

The growing deployment of photovoltaic (PV) systems worldwide has amplified the need for efficient, non-invasive diagnostic techniques to monitor their performance and ensure long-term reliability. Infrared (IR) thermography has emerged as a powerful tool for detecting thermal anomalies such as hotspots, cell mismatches, shading effects, and degradation in PV modules under real operating conditions. This review presents a comprehensive overview of recent advancements in thermographic analysis applied to PV diagnostics. It discusses the principles of thermal imaging, imaging protocols, and data interpretation techniques, alongside common thermal defects encountered in field and laboratory settings. Furthermore, the integration of irradiance mapping, drone-assisted surveys, and AI-based image analysis is examined for enhancing detection accuracy and scalability. The review also highlights standardization challenges, environmental influences, and emerging trends in automation and predictive maintenance. By consolidating current research, this study underscores the critical role of thermography in optimizing PV performance, reducing maintenance costs, and supporting the transition to smarter, more resilient solar energy infrastructures. Full article

Adaptive façade systems are increasingly used to mitigate glare in daylit spaces and improve visual comfort while supporting sustainable daylight utilisation and reduced reliance on electric lighting in buildings. However, their performance is often evaluated using illuminance-based metrics or uncalibrated simulations, limiting the reliability of glare assessment. This study proposes a calibrated experimental–simulation framework for evaluating glare reduction achieved by a kinetic horizontal shading system (KSS) under real daylight conditions. The approach integrates reduced-scale physical measurements with Radiance-based simulations using a digitally reconstructed twin of the experimental setup. Two geometrically identical test chambers positioned side-by-side—a static reference chamber and a kinetic chamber equipped with six adaptive fins (0.63 m real-scale depth)—were investigated using a 1:20 scale mock-up. Internal illuminance measurements were normalised between chambers, and a sky-scaling procedure was applied to calibrate simulated sky luminance distributions against measured data on an hourly basis, enabling photometrically validated HDR renderings for glare evaluation. Glare performance was analysed for three representative clear-sky days during periods of maximum solar exposure (11:00–17:00) under late-summer conditions at approximately 51° N latitude in Wrocław, Poland. Visual comfort was assessed using Daylight Glare Probability (DGP), Daylight Glare Index (DGI), and veiling luminance (L_veil). The kinetic shading system reduced mean DGP from 0.57 to 0.35 (−38%) and peak glare values by nearly half compared with the static configuration, while veiling luminance decreased by 73%, indicating substantial improvement in physiological visual comfort. These results demonstrate that adaptive fin movement effectively suppresses both perceptual and physiological glare during critical daylight hours. The proposed calibrated experimental–simulation workflow provides a robust and transferable methodology for evaluating the glare performance of adaptive façade systems and supports sustainable daylight management by enabling high daylight availability while maintaining acceptable glare levels in buildings. Full article

Traditional mechanized chestnut harvesting is too costly for small producers, non-selective, and prone to damaging nuts. Accurate, reliable detection of chestnuts on the orchard floor is crucial for developing low-cost, vision-guided automated harvesting technology. However, developing a reliable chestnut detection system faces challenges in complex environments with shading, varying natural light conditions, and interference from weeds, fallen leaves, stones, and other foreign on-ground objects, which have remained unaddressed. This study collected 319 images of chestnuts on the orchard floor, containing 6524 annotated chestnuts. A comprehensive set of 29 state-of-the-art real-time object detectors, including 14 in the YOLO (v11–v13) and 15 in the RT-DETR (v1–v4) families at various model scales, was systematically evaluated through replicated modeling experiments for chestnut detection. Experimental results show that the YOLOv12m model achieved the best mAP@0.5 of 95.1% among all the evaluated models, while RT-DETRv2-R101 was the most accurate variant among the RT-DETR models, with mAP@0.5 of 91.1%. In terms of mAP@[0.5:0.95], the YOLOv11x model achieved the best accuracy of 80.1%. All models demonstrated significant potential for real-time chestnut detection, and YOLO models outperformed RT-DETR models in terms of both detection accuracy and inference, making them better suited for on-board deployment. This work lays a foundation for developing AI-based, vision-guided intelligent chestnut harvest systems. Full article

Photovoltaic shading devices (PVSDs) are elements integrated into building facades, offering the potential to reduce building energy demand while regulating indoor daylight. However, current research remains fragmented, which makes it difficult to identify a consistent design strategy and compare outcomes across studies. Therefore, this paper aims to (1) identify the environmental objectives and metrics used to evaluate PVSDs, (2) synthesize the design approaches for fixed and movable PVSDs, and (3) highlight key limitations and research gaps that constrain current practice. The results show a strong emphasis on energy performance analysis, while daylight assessment is less applied, and discomfort glare is rarely quantified. Additionally, comparative evidence indicates that movable PVSDs do not inherently outperform fixed systems. Performance gains primarily depend on geometric configuration, operational strategy, and climate context. Moreover, in the literature, geometric optimization and operational control are frequently investigated separately, limiting the ability to manage trade-offs between energy, daylight, and glare. The review concludes that future studies should adopt more holistic methodologies that couple geometry with operational strategies, incorporate occupant-centric comfort assessment, and enable more consistent cross-study benchmarking. Full article

Achieving natural esthetics has become essential for successful dental restorations and supports the use of modern non-metal materials. However, complexity in esthetic features of natural teeth, determined by both inherent color factors and hierarchical and gradient microstructures, makes recording, determination, and reproduction difficult. This often leads to misunderstanding during manufacturing and dissatisfaction with the final outcome, even when using advanced digital tools. The aim of this study was to investigate a new, easy-to-handle digital tool for determining the color of restorative materials. An industrial-level handheld color identifier, the NCS Colourpin SE, together with the corresponding NCS color system, was tested on three materials: dental resin nanocomposite, self-glazed zirconia (SGZ), and Decore zirconia pellets. The repeatability and impacts of geometrical contributions such as surface roughness and thickness on different colors were measured. The Colourpin SE offered promising repeatability. Decore zirconia showed more than 90% repeatability for most of the colors, independent of thickness. The NCS scanner showed slightly better repeatability than earlier in clinical trials with an intraoral scanner. The shades A3.5 and A3 had lower repeatability, varying from 50 to 90%. It identified effects of material thickness and surface roughness, where the thicker samples were identified with higher blackness levels, and surface roughness seemed to be coupled with a lower blackness level in color identification codes. Small but consistent differences between materials were detected, suggesting that material and manufacturing methods affect the final shade. The NCS Colourpin SE shows potential to be developed into an affordable and easy-to-handle scanner for the identification of a patient’s tooth color, enabling synchronization with digital workflows and improving the match between restoration and the patient’s natural teeth. Nevertheless, further research and development in customized applications for color identification in esthetic dentistry is still required through multidisciplinary collaboration. Full article

Shade stress is a crucial constraint on asparagus growth in intercropping and dense-planting systems. However, the physiological and molecular mechanisms linking shading intensity to sugar metabolism remain insufficiently understood. Herein, integrating newly generated physiological data with a targeted re-analysis of previously published omics datasets, we elucidated sugar metabolism responses in asparagus stems under different shading intensities (0%, 35%, 55%, and 75%). Moderate shading (55%) was associated with higher sucrose and fructose contents, together with increased activities of key sucrose metabolism enzymes, including sucrose synthase (SUS), soluble acid invertase (S-AI), and sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS), accompanied by differential changes in antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD, CAT and POD). Metabolomic analysis revealed a shift in carbon allocation under 55% shading, characterized by the accumulation of nucleotide sugars such as UDP-galactose and GDP-L-fucose. Transcriptomic analysis further indicated the enrichment of glycolysis/gluconeogenesis pathways under this shading condition, along with the upregulation of pyruvate decarboxylase (PDC) and alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) genes. Collectively, rather than merely confirming known shading responses, these findings provide new empirical evidence that asparagus stems actively reprogram their energy homeostasis and invoke alternative carbon partitioning pathways specifically at a 55% shading threshold. Full article

The adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) is a promising strategy for reducing emissions and promoting sustainable mobility. The increasing adoption of EVs has created a demand for efficient and sustainable charging infrastructure. The integration of rooftop solar-powered EV charging stations into distribution networks is a promising solution for reducing carbon emissions and improving grid efficiency. This integration also introduces challenges, such as power quality issues, grid instability, and the impact of environmental factors on solar generation. This study proposes a novel system that integrates a smart control algorithm for a central battery management system (CBMS) with advanced bidirectional DC-DC converters for optimised power distribution. Unlike existing systems that focus on individual components, this study combines real-time environmental monitoring with adaptive power management algorithms to handle variations in generation owing to solar irradiance, temperature, and shading, and ensure maximum power harvesting. This study also presents the role of the DC-to-DC converter integrated with a smart charging control and CBMS in smart grid-enabled EV charging station. The proposed system was validated using MATLAB 2025b Simulink simulations. This study demonstrates an improvement in overall grid stability and highlights the potential of DC-DC converter technologies for smart grid applications and decarbonisation efforts. Full article

The tilt angle of photovoltaic (PV) modules strongly influences long-term energy yield, land-use efficiency, and the resulting cost of power generation, particularly under diverse climatic conditions. This study presents a systematic framework for optimizing the monthly tilt angle of PV modules with the objective of minimizing power cost while maintaining high energy output. The proposed methodology integrates solar geometry, monthly global and diffuse irradiance data, shading-constrained array layout, land-use modeling, and economic evaluation to determine location-specific optimal tilt configurations. Unlike conventional fixed-tilt or energy-only optimization approaches, the proposed framework explicitly incorporates inter-row shading constraints and land-use efficiency into power-cost-based tilt optimization. The framework was applied to multiple geographically distinct locations across Pakistan, representing different climatic regions. The results show that power cost is highly sensitive to tilt angle and exhibits a clear minimum at moderate inclinations. For Lahore and Islamabad, the average annual power cost at a 0° tilt angle was 4.3475 $/kW and 4.4128 $/kW, respectively, decreasing to 3.3596 $/kW and 3.266 $/kW at a 40° tilt angle, before increasing to 7.6390 $/kW and 6.5197 $/kW at 90°. For RYK and Karachi, the cost declined from 3.309 $/kW and 2.8189 $/kW at 0° to 2.7138 $/kW and 2.4707 $/kW at a 30° tilt angle, before rising sharply at steeper inclinations. Overall, the study confirms that monthly or seasonally adjusted tilt angles provide a superior balance between energy generation and power cost compared with fixed-tilt systems, enabling location-specific and cost-effective PV system design for large-scale deployment in Pakistan. Full article

This study explored a range of cooling interventions suitable for city laneways where space for greening opportunities is constrained. Five individual cooling interventions namely, PVC shading, cool pavement, small canopy trees, green wall and water mist, as well as multiple combinations of these individual cooling interventions were tested in a narrow laneway in the temperate setting of Melbourne, Australia. The impact of various cooling interventions was assessed by evaluating microclimatic parameters—air temperature (T_a), relative humidity (RH), mean radiant temperature (T_MRT)—alongside two thermal comfort indices, Physiological Equivalent Temperature (PET) and Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI). When each intervention was analysed individually, water mist was the best performing with T_a, PET and UTCI reduction. This was followed by PVC shading, small canopy trees and green walls. Cool pavement had the lowest T_a reduction and minimal thermal comfort impact. While green provided marginal reductions in thermal comfort indices, the effects were insufficient for standalone cooling. They were most effective when integrated with other cooling interventions. For example, when green walls were combined with water mist, a T_a reduction of 1.49 K and a T_MRT reduction 2.57 K were obtained. The water mist system as an individual cooling intervention or as part of a combined intervention had an impact on T_a with a reduction of maximum 1.3 K and 1.76 K, respectively. The water mist had a UTCI reduction of 1.25 K, and the water mist combined with green wall had a PET reduction of 1.84 K. The novel contribution of this study to climate-sensitive urban design is the suite of practical, site-specific interventions for extreme summer conditions. These findings provide a framework for planners and designers to evaluate and implement optimal cooling strategies tailored to the unique microclimate demands of narrow urban laneways. Full article

In half-bridge converter series microgrid (HBCS-MG) systems, output fluctuations caused by varying wind speeds and solar shading induce active power imbalances among generation modules (GMs). This imbalance increases susceptibility to overmodulation distortion and restricts the active power regulation range. To address these challenges, this paper proposes a variable carrier level phase disposition SPWM (VCLPD-SPWM) strategy to enhance the active power regulation depth of GMs at the modulation level. Assuming a stable DC-link voltage for the half-bridge converters (HCs), the power distribution characteristics and switching durations of GMs under PD-SPWM are analytically examined. Subsequently, the carrier level transition points and periods for the maximum regulation range under VCLPD-SPWM are derived, alongside the corresponding power increments and negative power characteristics of each GM. Finally, theoretical calculations, simulations, and experimental results validate the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed strategy, demonstrating its superiority over carrier phase-shifted modulation strategies. Full article

Tropical daylight provision is inherently coupled with intensive solar heat gains, particularly in south-facing rooms that experience pronounced seasonal variations in solar altitude and exposure across different times of the year. When appropriately designed, external shading devices can mitigate solar heat gains while maintaining adequate indoor daylight availability. This study investigates the daylighting and thermal performance of a representative south-facing apartment room equipped with combined horizontal and vertical slat-based shading devices using a controlled, comparative simulation framework under tropical climate conditions. Parametric simulations were conducted using IES-VE to evaluate multiple shading configurations with varying slat positions, depths, and combinations under representative sky conditions and seasonal design days. The results demonstrate that mid-height horizontal slat configurations reduced front-zone Estimated Indoor Illuminance (EII) by up to 54.9%, while enhancing daylight penetration into deeper areas under direct sunlight conditions. Bottom horizontal slats further improved daylight distribution by reflecting sunlight into deeper zones, producing peak increases in EII of up to 26.8% in the middle zone and 19.7% in the rear zone under direct solar conditions. The addition of vertical slats further improved thermal performance by limiting lateral solar exposure without significantly diminishing the daylight-redirecting effects of horizontal elements. Selected integrated shading configurations achieved maximum reductions in operative temperature of up to 2.5 °C during peak afternoon periods compared with the base case within the adopted evaluation framework. However, under intermediate sky conditions without direct solar contribution, the daylighting and thermal benefits of slat-based shading were substantially reduced. Based on these findings, the study proposes a movable external shading system with adjustable horizontal and vertical slats for south-facing apartment rooms, intended to respond to changing solar conditions across the evaluated design days. Overall, this study provides mechanism-oriented insights to support the development of climate-responsive façade strategies for tropical high-rise residential buildings, with the aim of improving daylight distribution and reducing cooling demand. Full article

Solar energy plays a fundamental role in achieving decarbonization in the construction sector, and therefore, a detailed assessment of solar potential at the urban scale is a key tool in supporting this process. Within this framework, the present study focuses on the high-resolution evaluation of photovoltaic (PV) potential in urban environments, specifically targeting the city of Milan, Italy, where two representative study areas are selected. In detail, 3D city models are developed using Rhino3D 7 software, and a solar radiation analysis was performed using Ladybug components. The solar radiation received by the surfaces that comprise the roofs and facades of buildings is estimated for each floor and orientation, taking into account local climate conditions and shadows cast by surrounding buildings. To define the economic viability of PV system deployment, two threshold criteria were introduced: one concerning the size (area) of the PV system and the other the minimum annual solar radiation level that each surface receives. Based on the obtained data, it is found that approximately 28% of roof surfaces and 5% of facades meet these cost-effective thresholds for PV integration. Further analysis indicates that the balcony self-shading can be considered negligible in the high-density urban context analyzed. The results are beneficial for urban energy management, considering energy savings and investment approaches, and the possibility to transform existing buildings into zero-carbon buildings powered by renewables. Full article

Epimedium pubescens, a shade-tolerant medicinal plant, currently faces supply shortages. To investigate the regulatory mechanisms of shading intensity on its growth and quality, this study established four treatments under a Phoebe zhennan plantation: inter-row artificial shading (0% shading, S-0; 50% shading, S-50; 75% shading, S-75) and natural canopy shading (S-93). When monitoring environmental factors, photosynthetic parameters, biomass, and total flavonol glycoside content, significant differences among treatments were only observed regarding solar radiation. Compared with inter-row treatments, S-93 reduced the maximum net photosynthetic rate and per-plant biomass by 33%–86% and 35%–71%, respectively. Structural equation modeling revealed that understory radiation indirectly influenced yield by regulating the vapor pressure deficit and net photosynthetic rate (R² = 0.95). Economic assessments, based on hectare-scaled yield (converted from plot units) and input costs (seedlings, land rental, labor), indicated that the 75% inter-row shading treatment applied from July to October (S-75) was optimal, generating a net annual income of 56,924.5 USD·ha⁻¹. This study provides a theoretical basis for the understory cultivation of E. pubescens. Full article

This study examines balconies in contemporary Parisian housing (2007–2020) as façade-threshold systems that shape architectural expression and offer qualitative environmental mediation potentials and socio-spatial capacities. The research combines (i) a selective bibliographic synthesis used to construct the analytical domains and criteria, (ii) field observation and photographic documentation, and (iii) graphical–morphological analysis of 33 housing projects. The corpus is organised into three balcony systems (individual, continuous/filant, and combined), and seven recurrent subtypes (symmetrical, asymmetrical, box-shaped, double-height, uniform continuous, variable continuous, and hybrid). Results show how variations in projection, depth, enclosure, and façade integration structure façade rhythm and threshold conditions, and suggest differentiated shading, exposure, and ventilation opportunities consistent with established passive-design principles. Environmental statements are therefore presented as inferential interpretations grounded in observable morphology, not as measured performance outcomes; no thermal simulations or post-occupancy measurements are undertaken. The contribution is a reproducible typological classification and comparative evaluation matrix that can guide future quantitative verification and support climate-responsive housing design under dense regulatory contexts. Full article