Search Results (7,944)

Knowledge on indoor air pollution exposure is limited. Collecting high-quality measurements in home environments is challenging, owing to the complexity of sampling options, the cost and limiting disturbance to occupants. The protocol developed for the INdoor Home Air Level Exploration (INHALE) study is designed to balance these factors by sampling indoor pollution as comprehensively as possible for a single week in the living room using non-obtrusive low-moderate cost sampling devices that are issued with easy-to-follow instructions, minimising the need for researcher visits. Indoor air pollutants included in the INHALE study were selected owing to their potential impacts on human health; these include volatile organic compounds, fungal spores, fine particulate matter, nitrogen oxides and ozone. Relevant indoor factors will also be monitored, such as temperature, relative humidity and carbon dioxide, as a proxy for ventilation, while questionnaires collect relevant information on local environment, building characteristics and participant activities, culture and social and economic status. The protocol for the INHALE study is suitable for exposure, epidemiology and intervention studies. It contributes to the development of standardised indoor sampling protocols that can be used at scale. Full article

Fruit tree image segmentation is an essential problem in automating a variety of agricultural tasks such as phenotyping, harvesting, spraying, and pruning. Many research papers have proposed a diverse spectrum of solutions suitable for specific tasks and environments. The review scope of this paper is confined to the front views of fruit trees, and 207 relevant papers proposing tree image segmentation in an orchard environment are collected using a newly designed crawling review method. These papers are systematically reviewed based on a four-tier taxonomy that sequentially considers the method, image, task, and fruit. This taxonomy will assist readers to intuitively grasp the big picture of these research activities. Our review reveals that the most noticeable deficiency of the previous studies was the lack of a versatile dataset and segmentation model that could be applied to a variety of tasks and environments. Six important future research topics, such as building large-scale datasets and constructing foundation models, are suggested, with the expectation that these will pave the way to building a versatile tree segmentation module. Full article

This study presents a comprehensive characterization of a commercial water-based epoxy primer applied to galvanized steel sheets, which are commonly used in building and construction applications. The investigation focused on evaluating the primer’s adhesion, mechanical strength, chemical resistance, and corrosion protection under various environmental and thermal conditions. Particular attention was given to the effect of substrate sanding prior to application, which was found to influence the coating thickness and surface adaptation. The results demonstrated that the primer provides effective barrier properties and good adhesion to the metal surface, with average pull-off strengths remaining consistent across aged and unaged samples. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) confirmed high polarization resistance values, indicating strong corrosion protection, while SEM-EDS analysis revealed the presence of zinc phosphate and titanium dioxide fillers contributing to both passive and active inhibition mechanisms. However, the primer exhibited sensitivity to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, as evidenced by FT-IR spectra showing increased absorbance in the hydroxyl and carbonyl regions after prolonged exposure. A preliminary estimation of the photodegradation rate, based on FT-IR data at the carbonyl peak (1739 cm⁻¹), yielded a value of approximately 2 × 10⁻⁶ absorbance units per hour between 3000 h and 5000 h of UV exposure. This value suggests a gradual degradation process, although further quantitative validation is required. Additional limitations were observed, including variability in coating thickness due to manual application and localized blistering at cut edges under salt spray conditions. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the primer’s behavior and suggest improvements for its practical use, such as the application of a protective topcoat and optimization of the coating process. Full article

Relatively uniform consumption of a large amount of electrical energy intended for the current operation of the equipment of multi-story student dormitories indicates several actions aimed at renovation of these dormitories using photovoltaic installations producing electricity to replace the energy supplied from external networks. The research allowed for parameterization of input and output data, defining several innovative parametric and discrete models used in modernization processes and constituting the basis for optimizing energy renovations in terms of the substitutability of grid energy, payback periods, and investment costs. A new method developed to renovate dormitories was supported by an application elaborated in the visual parametric Rhino/Grasshopper design environment. This application enables automatic uploading of various meteorological data files and programming the loads, properties, and operation of the designed photovoltaic installation. This method results in a single optimal solution concerning a building renovation process, which allows for fully automated execution of the above activities. The developed models were configured based on a real renovated multi-story residence student hall located on the Central European Plain, for which a 34.3% balance of the replaced grid energy was carried out. The optimizing processes concerning the geometric properties and orientation of photovoltaic panels resulted in −30° of azimuth, 210 m² of total surface area, and 14° of tilt of photovoltaic panels distributed on the south façade, with 193 m² of surface area, 42° of tilt of panels arranged on the east façade, and an optimal payback period of 99 months. The invented algorithm, parametric models, computer programs, simulations, and optimizing calculations fill the gap in variant-optimized modelling and simplify the design processes of renovations of multi-story residence halls. These objects provide a basis for expanding the method to include other types of dormitory modernizations. Full article

With the continuous development of cities, the network connections between Chinese cities have rapidly strengthened, and cities are gradually transforming from traditional production bases into economic platforms within dynamic spaces. In this process, urban building carbon emissions are not only determined by the city’s own resource and industrial advantages but are increasingly influenced by its position within the urban economic space network. This study constructs an urban economic spatial network using the gravity model, and based on dynamic data of building carbon emissions in Chinese cities from 2008 to 2020, develops a new analytical framework from the perspective of dynamic network evolution to examine the impact mechanisms of urban network position and residential activity intensity on building carbon emissions. The findings indicate that both residents’ activity intensity and city’s network position have a significant positive impact on per capita building carbon emissions, The impact coefficient between residential activity intensity and per capita building carbon emissions is 0.278 (p < 0.01). This conclusion remains valid after robustness and endogeneity tests. The city’s network position can mitigate the detrimental impact that residents’ activity intensity has on per capita building carbon emissions, particularly in the dynamic decision-making process, where cities can adjust their strategies based on their network position. The influence of city’s network position on per capita building carbon emissions exhibits multidimensional heterogeneity, with its effect being more significant in megalopolis and metropolis compared to large city and medium & small city. Specifically, in megalopolis, the network position impact coefficient is 0.22, significantly higher than 0.039 in medium & small city. These findings provide new perspectives for reducing building carbon emissions at the urban-level in the context of dynamic spatial mobility. Full article

Climate change has intensified issues that undermine children’s health, compromise their well-being, and hinder their ability to develop disaster resilience. Disaster education is essential for building disaster resilience among children. As a disaster-prone country, Japan has been developing new approaches to improve disaster education programs, including those in early childhood education, to equip children with the knowledge and skills needed to mitigate risks and respond effectively to disasters. Basic disaster concepts are introduced through hands-on learning, helping children understand key ideas. This paper examines innovations in disaster education, particularly at the kindergarten level, using Bousai Terakoya as a case study. The study reveals that Bousai Terakoya fosters collaboration among schools, communities, and industries to educate kindergarten students about disasters. It emphasizes that protecting oneself and one’s family is a focus of the program, which aims to strengthen future disaster education efforts. This research adds to the discussion on disaster education for children. Active involvement from schools, communities, and industries can help develop strategies to improve the retention of essential disaster concepts in children’s memories. Full article

This study investigates the effect of γ-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (KH550)-functionalized nano-active Al₂O₃ (KH-Al) on the properties of gypsum-based self-leveling mortar (GSL) prepared from industrial by-product gypsum. First, the effects of incorporating KH-Al at dosages of 0.05%, 0.1%, 0.25%, 0.5%, and 1% on the fluidity, setting time, and mechanical properties of GSL were analyzed. Subsequently, using X-ray diffraction (XRD), hydration heat analysis, thermogravimetric analysis (TG), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), the influences of the nanomaterial on the mortar’s morphology, hydration characteristics, and crystal forms of hydration products were thoroughly examined. Finally, by comparing the modified GSL with ordinary GSL, the mechanism of KH-Al’s action on GSL was elucidated. The results demonstrate that nano-active Al₂O₃ modified with KH550 exhibits excellent dispersibility in the GSL paste. As the dosage of KH-Al increases, both the fluidity and setting time of GSL decrease. Upon incorporating KH-Al, the mechanical properties of GSL initially improve and then decline, with optimal mechanical performance observed at a 0.5% KH-Al addition. However, when the KH-Al dosage exceeds 0.5%, excess nano-active Al₂O₃ causes nanoparticle agglomeration, which impedes the hydration process. The nucleation effect of KH-Al promotes the formation of CŜH₂ and AFt, refines the crystals of hydration products, and enhances the phase transformation efficiency of the mortar. These findings indicate that KH-Al has significant potential to improve the mechanical strength and hydration kinetics of gypsum mortar and provide theoretical support for the application of nanomaterials in gypsum building materials. Full article

Background/Objectives: As population aging garners attention worldwide, there is great significance in communicating information on such measures to countries outside of Japan, which is considered unique in its position as a “super-aging society.” This study objectives to investigate public health measures linked to daily life by clarifying how the role transitions of local residents in their 60s, such as seeking re-employment, looking after grandchildren, and caring for family, affect their health status. Methods: We conducted focus group interviews with 26 residents and analyzed them qualitatively and inductively. Result: The findings suggested that, in predicted role transitions voluntarily chosen by participants, they tended to experience positive changes in health through the transition, although temporary feelings of fatigue were also described in relation to re-employment and grandchild care. Even in anticipated role changes, some participants expressed reluctance to engage in health-promoting activities within the local community. In cases of unavoidable role transition to family caregiving, participants described difficulties in maintaining self-care and feelings of caregiving fatigue that were challenging to manage through personal effort alone. These findings suggest that health support during role transitions in one’s 60s may benefit from including information about community activities and opportunities to build connections with local residents. In addition, support for those transitioning into caregiving roles could focus on facilitating access to social resources and tailoring assistance to individual needs. Conclusions: This study confirmed to specifically target health support for people in their 60s based on the results of this study, the focus on the transition needs to include not only role transition to re-employment but also unavoidable transition to caregiving. Full article

As chemical pollution and food safety risks in agriculture have increased due to global population growth and a food demand surge, the development of new environmentally friendly pesticide carriers is urgently needed to build a sustainable agricultural system. Owing to the excellent biocompatibility and controlled degradation of biomass materials and their specific interactions with active ingredients, biomass-based composites have unique advantages in the field of pesticide delivery. By regulating the carrier structure, the targeted controlled release of the pesticides can be achieved, leading to improvements in the chemical stability of the active substance and target absorption efficiency, and a significant reduction in environmental impact. This paper summarizes the innovative applications of biomass-based composites in agricultural scenarios, focusing on the breakthroughs in the three core areas of intelligent protection of seed coating, soil microcosm regulation, and foliar environment-responsive delivery. Through an in-depth analysis of the efficiency mechanism of composites on insecticides, antimicrobials, and herbicides, this review elucidates the scientific pathway of pesticide delivery through interfacial modification, slow-release kinetic modulation, and multilevel structural design, which will provide theoretical support and a practical paradigm for the development green agricultural technology. Full article

Against the backdrop of inclusive development and modernization of employment governance, the limitations of traditional approaches to promoting employment for persons with disabilities—such as information asymmetries and inefficient resource allocation—have become increasingly salient. Building a systematic promotion framework for disability employment has therefore emerged as a critical agenda for advancing modern social governance. Drawing on bounded rationality and information asymmetry theories, this study develops a tripartite evolutionary game model encompassing government, employers, and persons with disabilities. By incorporating key elements such as initial intentions, skill matching, and policy signal transmission, the model analyzes the strategic choices and dynamic interactions among stakeholders. We conduct numerical simulations using delay differential equations (DDEs), perform stability and sensitivity analyses in MATLAB R2024b, and triangulate findings with a practice-based case from Shanghai. The results indicate that persons with disabilities exhibit the highest policy responsiveness within the employment ecosystem and act as the core driver of convergence toward desirable equilibria through four mechanisms: skill-matching effects, policy signal diffusion, perceived institutional fairness, and system-level synergy gains. Although employer subsidies and penalties directly target firms, they exert the strongest psychological incentive effects on persons with disabilities, revealing a “misaligned incentives” feature in policy signaling. Systemic synergy gains activate market network effects, facilitating a pivotal shift from “policy transfusion” to “market self-sustenance.” Based on these findings, we propose a diversified policy toolkit, enhanced policy signaling mechanisms, and innovations in concentrated employment models to support the modernization of disability employment governance. Full article

In the context of China’s rural revitalization strategy, improving the livability and sustainability of traditional dwellings in border regions has become a critical priority. This study examines Chinese–Korean houses in border villages, where field investigations and quantitative analysis reveal persistent challenges: poor indoor thermal comfort and high energy consumption due to outdated building envelopes and inefficient heating systems. To address these issues, we propose an integrated retrofitting solution that combines building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) and ground-source heat pump (GSHP) technologies. Unlike previous studies focusing on isolated applications, our approach emphasizes the synergistic integration of active energy generation and high-efficiency thermal regulation, while preserving the architectural and cultural identity of traditional dwellings. Pilot results demonstrate significant improvements in PMV (Predicted Mean Vote) and economic viability, and achieve a high level of esthetic and cultural compatibility. Modular BIPV integration provides on-site renewable electricity without altering roof forms, while GSHP ensures stable, efficient heating and cooling year-round. This solution offers a replicable, regionally adaptive model for low-carbon rural housing transformation. By aligning technological innovation with cultural preservation and socioeconomic feasibility, the study contributes to a new paradigm of rural development, supporting ecological sustainability, ethnic unity, and border stability. Full article

The rapid increase in global human activities and urban surface modifications has exacerbated the urban heat island effect, prompting growing scholarly efforts to adopt various measures for mitigating heat islands worldwide. This paper reviews existing literature on rooftop mitigation of UHI, summarizes specific existing rooftop mitigation measures, and examines the comparative effectiveness of various rooftop mitigation strategies in reducing urban heat islands. Findings indicate that cool roofs are the most effective rooftop measure for mitigating UHI, followed by green roofs and photovoltaic roofs. Simultaneously, the cooling effectiveness of rooftop mitigation strategies is influenced by their inherent characteristics (reflectivity, coverage, orientation, etc.), geographical and climatic features (latitude, humidity levels, temperature extremes, diurnal temperature variation, etc.), and urban morphology (building density, height, shape index, etc.). The research status summarized herein provides valuable insights for policy formulation and guides future studies, thereby promoting more innovative designs for sustainable urban roofs to mitigate UHI. Full article

This study assessed the impact of 39 active and passive energy efficiency measures on the energy demand of a prototype dwelling, modeled through parametric simulations in DesignBuilder across nine climatic zones in Chile, classified according to the Köppen system. Each measure was evaluated individually (single-measure scenarios); three variation levels were evaluated to quantify their relative influence on energy demand. Results indicate that passive strategies are more effective in cold and humid climates, where increasing wall insulation thickness reduced energy demand by up to 45%, and improving airtightness achieved a 43% reduction. In contrast, in tundra climates or areas with high thermal variability, some measures, such as green façades or overhangs, increased energy demand by up to 49% due to the loss of useful solar gains. In desert climates, characterized by high diurnal temperature variation, thermal mass played a more significant role: high-inertia walls without additional insulation outperformed lightweight EPS-based solutions. The findings suggest that measure selection must be climate-adapted, prioritizing high-impact passive strategies and avoiding one-size-fits-all solutions. This work provides quantitative evidence to inform residential thermal design and support climate-sensitive energy efficiency policies. This study delivers a single-measure comparative atlas; future research should integrate multi-measure optimization together with comfort/cost metrics. Full article

Within the framework of the Healthy China strategy, daylighting in primary and secondary schools is crucial for students’ health and learning efficiency. Most schools in China still face insufficient and uneven daylighting, along with limited outdoor solar exposure, underscoring the need for systematic optimization. Guided by the “Daylighting School” concept, this study proposes a campus design model that integrates indoor daylighting with outdoor activity opportunities and explores a generative optimization approach. The research reviews daylighting and thermal performance metrics, summarizes European and American “Daylighting School” experiences, and develops three classroom prototypes—Standard Side-Lit, High Side-Lit, and Skylight-Lit—together with corresponding campus layout models. A two-stage optimization experiment was conducted on a high school site in Guangzhou. Stage 1 optimized block location and functional layout using solar radiation illuminance and activity accessibility distance. Stage 2 refined classroom configurations based on four key performance indicators: sDA, sGA, UOD, and APMV-mean. Results show that optimized layouts improved activity path efficiency and daylight availability. High Side-Lit and Skylight-Lit classrooms outperformed traditional Side-Lit in illuminance, uniformity, and glare control. To improve efficiency, an ANN-based prediction model was introduced to replace conventional simulation engines, enabling rapid large-scale assessment of complex classroom clusters and providing architects with real-time decision support for daylight-oriented educational building design. Full article

In Latin America, high seismic activity drives countries to develop disaster risk reduction policies based on seismic risk studies. This work demonstrates the feasibility of creating a seismic exposure and vulnerability database using remotely sensed data. In Nejapa, El Salvador, a drone flight and 360° photo capture were conducted to generate a 3D model of the city. Buildings were identified, characterised, and assigned a vulnerability model. This database was used to estimate seismic risk for a simulated Mw 6.7 earthquake on the Guaycume fault near the city. Results show that 71% of buildings would suffer complete damage and 68% of the population would be homeless, with losses exceeding USD 15 million. Findings were shared with relevant institutions in El Salvador through a dashboard. The country is currently collecting the same type of data used in the present study to update its cadastre and census. This is an opportunity to replicate this pilot experience in many other cities across the country and to provide open data access, positioning El Salvador at the forefront of civil protection in the Latin American region. Full article