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We address the question of deviations from \\[3 3\\] unitarity of the leptonic mixing matrix showing that, in the framework of type I seesaw mechanism, one may have significant deviations from unitarity that can be detected at the next round of experiments while some of the heavy neutrino masses are sufficiently low to become within experimental reach. For that purpose we introduce a specially useful parametrisation that enables to control all deviations of unitarity through a single \\[3 3\\] matrix, which we denote by X and which connects the mixing of the light and heavy neutrinos in the context of type I seesaw. We show that there is no need for the Yukawa couplings to be extremely suppressed. We present specific examples where deviations from \\[3 3\\] unitarity are sufficiently small to conform to all the present stringent experimental bounds.

Energy performance-based contracts (EPCs) offer a promising solution for enhancing the energy performance of buildings, which is an overarching step towards achieving Net Zero Carbon Buildings, addressing climate change and improving occupants’ comfort. Despite their potential, their execution is constrained by difficulties that hinder their diffusion in the architecture, engineering, construction, and operation industry. Notably, the Measurement and Verification process is considered a significant impediment due to data sharing, storage, and security challenges. Nevertheless, there have been minimal efforts to analyze research conducted in this field systematically. A systematic analysis of 113 identified journal articles was conducted to fill this gap. A paucity of research tackling the utilization of digital technologies to enhance the implementation of EPCs was found. Consequently, this article proposes a framework integrating Digital Twin and Blockchain technologies to provide an enhanced EPC execution environment. Digital Twin technology leverages the system by monitoring and evaluating energy performance in real-time, predicting future performance, and facilitating informed decisions. Blockchain technology ensures the integrity, transparency, and accountability of information. Moreover, a private Blockchain infrastructure was originally introduced in the framework to eliminate high transaction costs related to on-chain storage and potential concerns regarding the confidentiality of information in open distributed ledgers.

Digital twins (DTs) are one of the latest technology trends in all industries. However, DT development in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry is still in its infancy. Digital twins have been proposed as tools that can be applied to several challenges in various areas of the built environment. However, their widespread use is hampered due to the slow pace of digitization of the AEC industry, in addition to the absence of a formalized standard for digital twins’ implementation. We began this study by systematically reviewing publications related to DT applications in the AEC industry in four databases, resulting in 229 publications after applying the proposed criteria. The systematic review highlighted the lack of standardization for DTs in the AEC industry. Additionally, this study assessed the current status of DTs and analyzed the evolution of the concept of DTs in the AEC industry. We also proposed a conceptual framework for DT development for construction assets, using the existing BIM information management standards (i.e., ISO 19650) to promote a better interoperable digitalized built environment.

A bstract We point out that hints of deviations from unitarity in the first row of the CKM matrix may be explained by the presence of a single vector-like top. We study how the stringent experimental constraints arising from CP Violation in the kaon sector and from meson mixing such as D 0 ‐ D ¯ 0 , K 0 ‐ K ¯ 0 and B d , s 0 ‐ B ¯ d , s 0 can be satisfied in the proposed framework. In order for the deviations from unitarity to be of the required size while keeping the theory perturbative, the new top quark should have a mass m T ≲ 7 TeV which could be probed in upcoming experiments at the energy frontier.

The widespread application of innovative thermal enhanced façade solutions requires an adequate durability evaluation. The present work intends to assess the durability of a new aerogel cement-based rendering system through the adaptation of different accelerated aging cycles, such as heating–freezing, freeze–thawing, and heat–cold. Several mechanical properties and also capillary and liquid water absorptions were tested for uncoated and coated specimens. A decrease in the mechanical strength, especially after freeze–thaw cycles, was observed. However, the water action promoted the late hydration of the cement paste contributing to the densification of the matrix and, consequently, the increase of the adhesive strength. Additionally, a decrease in the dynamic modulus of elasticity and an increase in the Poisson’s ratio were observed after aging, which indicates a higher capacity of the render to adapt to substrate movements, contributing to a reduction of cracking.

A bstract We consider seesaw type-I models including at least one (mostly-)sterile neutrino with mass at the eV scale. Three distinct situations are found, where the presence of light extra neutrinos is naturally justified by an approximately conserved lepton number symmetry. To analyse these scenarios consistently, it is crucial to employ an exact parametrisation of the full mixing matrix. We provide additional exact results, including generalised versions of the seesaw relation and of the Casas-Ibarra parametrisation, valid for every scale of seesaw. We find that the existence of a light sterile neutrino imposes an upper bound on the lightest neutrino mass. We further assess the impact of light sterile states on short- and long-baseline neutrino oscillation experiments, emphasise future detection prospects, and address CP Violation in this framework via the analysis of CP asymmetries and construction of weak basis invariants. The proposed models can accommodate enough active-sterile mixing to play a role in the explanation of short-baseline anomalies.

The development of nearly zero energy buildings (nZEB) is a goal being set for many countries for the next years. In order to achieve that goal, on-site energy generation is needed, and the use of photovoltaic and storage systems is a possible strategy. Hence, the objective of this work is to evaluate the impact that occupant behaviour has on the batteries energy storage systems (BESS) of an nZEB. This study considers as a case study an nZEB with lightweight construction, located in the university campus, and used by different occupants. The case study has 12 PVs located on the root and a second-life BESS from an electrical vehicle (EV). The monitoring system consists of interior T, RH, CO 2 and energy sensors and an exterior on-site meteorological station. The research started with a state of the art review of the support policies for the on-site photovoltaic generation and energy storage. Different storage charge profiles were obtained as different occupant behaviours were applied to the test building. In total, it were considered three occupant profiles and a base scenario was the unoccupied. The occupant behaviour showed to be determinant in the state of charge of the BESS independently from the impacts in the indoor temperature. The need to know the profile of the occupants before the design of the buildings was enhanced.

Urban ecosystems are suitable for the introduction and spread of alien bird species, and early detection of their establishment and expansion is crucial to reduce potential negative impacts. In this context, the use of opportunistic citizen science data can have considerable advantages in relation to conventional scientific approaches. We gathered records of parakeets and parrots (Psittaciformes) and mynas and starlings (Sturnidae) for the urban area of Lisbon (Portugal) from the eBird database. We used this opportunistic citizen science data to document the establishment and expansion and to estimate distribution trends of alien bird species in urban ecosystems. In the last decade there has been a considerable increase in the amount of opportunistic citizen science data available in eBird for our study area. The probability of presence of the Senegal parrot, rose-ringed parakeet, blue-crowned parakeet, and crested myna was positively influenced by the number of lists. For the rose-ringed parakeet, blue-crowned parakeet, and crested myna, the year positively influenced the probability of presence, suggesting an increase in distribution range. We observed that spatio-temporal variations in effort associated to opportunistic citizen science data sources may generate bias in trend estimates, and therefore we recommend the effort should always be accounted for. Our approach agreed with the documented expansion of alien bird species in the study area, supporting the potential usefulness of opportunistic citizen science in providing early detection on biological invasions in urban ecosystems, particularly where this is the best or the only source of information available.

In 2019, the largest oil spill ever recorded in tropical oceans in terms of extent occurred in Brazil. The oil from the spill was collected directly from the environment and used in an exposure experiment with the endangered reef-building coral Mussismilia harttii. The treatments of the experiment were control (without oil), 1% oil, 2.5% oil, and direct contact of coral with oil. The most abundant hydrocarbon in the seawater of the experiment was phenatrene, which is toxic to corals. However, overall, the concentration of PAHs was not very high. The analysis of the maximum photosynthetic capacity of Symbiodiniaceae dinoflagellates showed a small impact of oil on corals, mainly on the contact treatment. However, coral microbiomes were affected in all oil treatments, with the contact treatment showing the most pronounced impact. A greater number and abundance of stress-indicating and potentially pathogenic bacteria were found in all oil treatments. Finally, this highly weathered oil that had lain in the ocean for a long time was carrying potentially coral-pathogenic bacteria within the Vibrionaceae family and was able to transmit some of these bacteria to corals. Bacteria within Vibrionaceae are the main causes of disease in different species of corals and other marine organisms.

Southern European countries have milder climatic conditions that differ from their colder northern counterparts, which greatly influence indoor ventilation strategies. The relation between a building’s airtightness and the air change rates remains a topic to be fully tackled in these countries, since natural ventilation is very frequent. In this work, the ventilation and airtightness of a case study were analyzed in-depth to support a discussion on this topic. CO2 concentration decay and blower-door measurements were used to characterize the infiltration and ventilation conditions of the case study. The case study represents a common Portuguese situation, with highly permeable envelopes, combined with highly variable air change rates. Transient simulations were carried out for the comparison of scenarios where different configurations of possible air paths were analyzed. The simulations included both natural and mechanical ventilation scenarios. An air sweeping effect from bedroom to bathroom only occurred when the mechanical extraction ventilation (MEV) was on. Different air leakage path configurations resulted in substantial offsets, up to 63%, of the air change rate (ACH) due to natural occurring forces. The results confirmed that the relation between airtightness and air change rates should be carefully analyzed in southern European countries, as indoor air quality, comfort of occupants, and energy efficiency are highly influenced by the considered variables.