Items are now housed in a temperature and humidity-controlled strong-room protected by an inert gas fire protection system, which would douse the room in gas to kill flames instead of using water.

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Those who can handle abrupt temperature changes can try the four room Nun Path, a variation of hot to cold with variations of humidity, a revival of a Roman regeneration treatment. (although only the most stalwart should attempt the Frigidarium.) And treatments span the globe, from hammam rituals to Thai and Ayurvedic.

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The guest rooms and suites also feature an intelligent-thermostat system, though when I visited, it wasn't hitting on all cylinders: My room was perpetually chilly, and my clothes and sheets slightly damp--humidity being a major annoyance in this seaside megacity.

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The archivists will keep the room at a temperature between 16C and 19C, and aim for a certain level of humidity, figures which meet a British regulation established by archivists, for archivists.

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The 14-room stucco cottage, built in an Early Gothic Revival architectural style, was preferred over the often stifling heat and humidity of the White House.

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Unlike large glass mirrors which are subject to the vagaries of humidity, thermal dynamics and constant deformation from gravity itself, liquid mercury which remains molten at room temperature can reflect as much as 75 percent of incoming starlight with little of the fuss associated with large conventional mirrors.

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