Search Results (56)

Technological advancements around the world have generated important discussions about their impact on income distribution, the type of economic growth, and social welfare. These improvements are critical for both economic development and social inequality in developing countries such as Türkiye. The paper examines the long-run impact of technological innovation on income inequality (IEQ) in Türkiye by testing the Technological Kuznets Curve (TKC) hypothesis. The model uses data from 1990 to 2021 and represents IEQ by the Gini coefficient, technological innovation by patent applications, along with public expenditures used as control variables. The findings of the Fourier ADL cointegration test support the validity of the TKC hypothesis for Türkiye. This suggests that technological innovation increases inequality until the critical turning point in 2008, when the threshold number of 2015 patent applications was exceeded. Using Fourier FMOLS, DOLS, and CCR methods for robustness checks, the main results show public expenditures as a significant factor stabilizing long-term income dynamics. These results imply that growth strategies in the area of technology development should not merely favor innovation but also include measures to increase social welfare in Türkiye. This requires not just the stabilizing role of public spending, but technological growth supported by investment in education, skills, and social welfare. Full article

This study investigates the critical role of indoor environmental quality (IEQ) adaptations in influencing human physiological responses within commercial building settings. By integrating environmental engineering and human physiology, this research offers empirical insights into the relationship between IEQ modifications and occupant well-being, particularly in the context of energy performance and efficiency. This study examines correlations between human physiological responses and key IEQ components, including indoor air quality (IAQ), thermal comfort, lighting, and acoustics, using data collected from two office areas with 14 participants. Sensors tracked environmental parameters, while wearable devices monitored physiological responses. Cross-correlation analysis revealed significant relationships between physiological indicators and environmental factors, with indoor temperature, PM_2.5, and relative humidity showing the strongest impacts on electrodermal activity, skin temperature, and stress levels, respectively (p < 0.05). Furthermore, supervised machine learning techniques were employed to develop predictive models that evaluate IAQ and thermal comfort at both personal and general levels. Individual models achieved 84.76% accuracy for IAQ evaluation and 70.5% for thermal comfort prediction, outperforming the general model (69.7% and 64.3%, respectively). Males showed greater overall sensitivity to IEQ indicators, while females demonstrated higher sensitivity specifically to air quality and thermal comfort conditions. The findings underscore the potential of physiological signals to predict environmental satisfaction, providing a foundation for designing energy-efficient buildings that prioritize occupant health and comfort. This research bridges a critical gap in the literature by offering data-driven approaches to align sustainable building practices with human-centric needs. Future studies should expand participant diversity and explore broader demographics to enhance the robustness and applicability of predictive models. Full article

The indoor environmental quality (IEQ) in buildings is vital for health, work efficiency, productivity, and the overall sustainability of buildings. IEQ is governed by four parameters: indoor air quality and thermal, acoustic, and visual comfort. The recent pandemic has compelled people to think beyond energy efficiency and refocus on the health, well-being, and productivity of building occupants. Despite numerous IEQ guidelines and standards, there remains a paucity of systematic research that critically examines the relationship between IEQ and building energy efficiency. This systematic review explores the existing equilibrium and identifies gaps between IEQ standards and building energy codes. Firstly, this review examined the status of the IEQ standards and identified that most of the North American IEQ guidelines cannot achieve energy efficiency targets. Secondly, existing building energy codes were reviewed to determine how well these codes fare with IEQ requirements. It was revealed that the expensive energy certification documents are more focused on IEQ than traditional energy codes. The identified factors indicate that most building energy codes can meet only indoor air quality thresholds (a subset of IEQ), while other parameters are inadequately addressed. This review revealed 19 relationships between IEQs and energy efficiency. Building energy code/IEQ guidelines developers could consider the identified 19 relationships to develop a combined set of guidelines/standards for future building stock. An integration model between IEQ and energy efficiency is proposed as a future research direction to contribute to the better design and construction of modern buildings. The findings will facilitate the construction of healthy and sustainable buildings, and they aim to generate new residential communities that achieve an optimal health–energy–carbon nexus. Full article

This study evaluates indoor environmental quality (IEQ) in childcare facilities, focusing on air quality and lighting—key factors affecting children’s health and development. The analysis examines a nursery in Seville, Spain, where continuous monitoring revealed challenges in maintaining suitable indoor conditions. Carbon dioxide (CO₂) levels often surpassed Spanish standards (770 ppm) and stricter thresholds (550 ppm) for sensitive groups, peaking at nearly 1900 ppm. These concentrations are linked to possible cognitive impairments and increased airborne pathogen risks, with Attack Rates (ARs) exceeding 70%. Passive ventilation strategies, such as window openings, proved insufficient, emphasizing the need for Controlled Mechanical Ventilation (CMV) systems to ensure consistent air renewal while maintaining thermal comfort. Lighting assessments identified insufficient circadian stimulus during key periods. Excessive lighting during nap times disrupted rest, while morning daylight levels failed to provide adequate circadian stimulation. These findings stress the importance of integrating solar protection and dynamic daylight and electric lighting systems to align with children’s biological rhythms. This research highlights the urgent need for comprehensive IEQ strategies in childcare settings, combining advanced ventilation, hygrothermal management, and circadian-friendly lighting to create safer and healthier environments for young children. Full article

Over the past decade, there has been a growing recognition of the importance of indoor environmental quality (IEQ) in influencing occupant productivity. Researchers have studied various buildings, including offices, schools, hospitals, and residential settings, to understand the relationship between IEQ and productivity outcomes. Studies have taken a multifactorial approach, considering multiple aspects of IEQ. Evidence from the literature review suggests that the quality of the indoor environment is an essential factor that affects the productivity of building occupants, and it is one of the fundamental issues in the development of societies. This area of research requires the responsible participation of researchers at all levels, as there is significant scope to contribute to knowledge. Therefore, this study aims to conduct a bibliometric analysis of the published literature on indoor environmental quality and its impact on building occupant productivity through the scientific literature available from one of the largest and most famous academic databases, Scopus; the study was determined in 2011 to 2023. The search used differential thresholds for IEQ keywords affecting building occupant productivity. Three discrete queries were performed, resulting in approximately 3861 publications. These were filtered by reducing false positives and excluding publications irrelevant to the research topic. The final results were 72 publications. This study also used Excel and VOS viewer to analyse and create graphs and network visualisation maps to show the growth of publications and their types, active countries and institutions for recovered publications, international collaboration, author keywords, active journals, and citation analysis. This study can significantly advance our understanding of building occupant productivity and enhance quality of life and work. Evaluating the research outputs is essential for highlighting contributions to knowledge and global collaboration in this research area. The potential impact of this study is not just theoretical. It can shape the future of our built environments and the lives of those occupying them. Full article

In the post-pandemic context, data-driven design interventions that can endow architectural spaces with mixed-use and open characteristics that are adaptable and environmentally resilient are increasingly important. Ubiquitous semi-public architecture, such as hotel buildings, plays a crucial role in public health emergencies. Many hotels adopt mixed-use and open room spatial layouts, integrating diverse daily functions into a single tiny space, fostering flexible utilization and micro-scale space sharing; however, these also introduce potential health risks. This study offers a comprehensive evaluation of the indoor environmental quality (IEQ) of a hotel room space and discusses feasible intervention strategies for healthier renovation and rehabilitation. Taking a hotel in Shenzhen as a case, a multi-domain environmental assessment was conducted during the COVID-19 quarantine period in the summer of 2022. The study examines the health risks inherent in the hotel’s guest room and the varying patterns of IEQ factors across the hotel’s domains, including volatile organic compound concentrations, physical environmental parameters, and heat stress indices. The results illustrate diverse change trends in the chemical, physical, and heat stress factors present in the tested quarantined hotel room space throughout a typical summer day. Although most of the examined environmental factors meet local and global standards, some problems draw attention. In particular, the PM2.5 concentration was generally observed to be above the World Health Organization (WHO) air quality guideline (AQG) standards, and the interior lighting did not meet required standards most of the time. Moreover, correlation and multiple regression analyses uncover significant influence by physical environmental conditions on the concentrations of chemical pollutants in the hotel room. The study preliminarily identifies that higher relative humidity could lead to a lower concentration of CO₂ while a higher PM2.5 concentration. Wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) was observed to positively affect CO₂ concentration. Further, the results suggest that even with relatively rigorous initial adjustment and re-renovation, multi-domain environmental quality in air-conditioned quarantine hotel rooms should be monitored and ameliorated from time to time. Overall, this study offers a scientific foundation for healthier upgrades of existing hotel buildings as well as provides insights into achieving environmental resilience in newly constructed hotel buildings for the post-pandemic era. Full article

Office workers spend a considerable part of their day at the workplace, making it vital to ensure proper indoor environmental quality (IEQ) conditions in office buildings. This work aimed to identify significant factors influencing IEQ and assess the effectiveness of an environmental intervention program, which included the introduction of indoor plants, carbon dioxide (CO₂) sensors, ventilation, and printer relocation (source control), in six modern office buildings in improving IEQ. Thirty office spaces in Porto, Portugal, were randomly divided into intervention and control groups. Indoor air quality, thermal comfort, illuminance, and noise were monitored before and after a 14-day intervention implementation. Occupancy, natural ventilation, floor type, and cleaning time significantly influenced IEQ levels. Biophilic interventions appeared to decrease volatile organic compound concentrations by 30%. Installing CO₂ sensors and optimizing ventilation strategies in an office that mainly relies on natural ventilation effectively improved air renewal and resulted in a 28% decrease in CO₂ levels. The implementation of a source control intervention led to a decrease in ultrafine particle and ozone concentrations by 14% and 85%, respectively. However, an unexpected increase in airborne particle levels was detected. Overall, for a sample of offices that presented acceptable IEQ levels, the intervention program had only minor or inconsistent impacts. Offices with declared IEQ problems are prime candidates for further research to fully understand the potential of environmental interventions. Full article

Biophilic design has gained prominence in architecture as a strategy to integrate natural elements into built environments, aiming to improve human comfort, well-being, and environmental sustainability. This paper critically reviews existing biophilic design frameworks, identifying gaps in their integration of health outcomes and the relationship between indoor and outdoor environments, with a primary focus on indoor environmental quality (IEQ) factors such as air quality, natural light, thermal comfort, and acoustics. The review was conducted systematically, comparing frameworks using criteria such as health benefits, human–nature connections, and user satisfaction. Key findings highlight a lack of comprehensive frameworks that explicitly link biophilic design to measurable improvements in human health, comfort, and satisfaction. To address this gap, the study proposes an enhanced biophilic design framework that bridges IEQ-focused indoor environments with urban outdoor elements, prioritizing human comfort alongside environmental sustainability. The framework also emphasizes the role of post-occupancy evaluation (POE) in assessing the real-world performance of biophilic interventions, particularly in achieving user satisfaction and ensuring long-term effectiveness. This research contributes to the advancement of biophilic design by offering actionable strategies for architects, urban planners, and policymakers to adopt biophilic principles that create resilient, healthy, and sustainable spaces. Additionally, the study emphasizes the need for empirical testing and validation of the proposed framework, including POE and user surveys, to assess its real-world impact on human well-being and satisfaction, thus setting the stage for future research. Full article

While aspects of indoor environmental quality, such as thermal comfort, indoor air quality (IAQ), acoustic, and visual comfort, are usually studied separately, their interactions are crucial yet often overlooked. Understanding how these factors influence each other is essential for a comprehensive perception of the indoor environment. This paper investigates the relationship between indoor air quality (IAQ) and thermal comfort using an extensive field investigation conducted in university classrooms during the heating season, collecting 712 samples of subjective responses correlated with environmental measurements. Key findings reveal significant correlations between subjective responses related to the thermal environment and those related to air quality. Perceived control over the thermal environment shows stronger correlations with IAQ responses than with thermal responses, particularly with perceived ventilation (r = 0.41), COVID-19 risk (r = 0.28), and air quality (r = 0.28). Additionally, environmental parameters demonstrate stronger correlations with thermal responses than with IAQ responses. Higher CO₂ concentration is associated with increased thermal sensation and decreased thermal preference and perceived control. Conversely, IAQ responses remain relatively stable with changes in indoor operative temperature. The difference between the operative temperature to which the occupants are exposed and their expressed neutral temperature widens as CO₂ concentration rises, indicating a reduced adaptive capacity of occupants which is associated with increasing CO₂ levels. These insights are crucial for providing HVAC system management strategies that consider the interaction between different aspects of IEQ, aiming to improve occupants’ well-being and reduce energy consumption. Full article

Polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) exhibit rat aryl hydrocarbon receptor (rAhR) activities, leading to diverse biological or toxic effects. In this study, the key amino residues and molecular interactions that govern the rAhR activity of PACs were investigated using in silico strategies. The homology model of rAhR was first docked with 90 PACs to yield complexes, and the results of the molecular dynamics simulations of 16 typical complexes showed that the binding energies of the complexes range from −7.37 to −26.39 kcal/mol. The major contribution to the molecular interaction comes from van der Waals forces, and Pro295 and Arg316 become the key residues involved in most complexes. Two QSAR models were further developed to predict the rAhR activity of PACs (in terms of log IEQ for PACs without halogen substitutions and log%-TCDD-max for halogenated PACs). Both models have good predictive ability, robustness, and extrapolation ability. Molecular polarizability, electronegativity, size, and nucleophilicity are identified as the important factors affecting the rAhR activity of PACs. The developed models could be employed to predict the rAhR activity of other reactive PACs. This work provides insight into the mechanisms and interactions of the rAhR activity of PACs and assists in the assessment of their fate and risk in organisms. Full article

This study presents the results of the practical application of the first prototype of WEMoS, the Wearable Environmental Monitoring System, in a real case study in Singapore, along with two other wearables, a smart wristband to monitor physiological data and a smartwatch with an application (Cozie) used to acquire users’ feedback. The main objective of this study is to present a new procedure to assess users’ perceptions of the environmental quality by taking into account a multi-domain approach, considering all four environmental domains (thermal, visual, acoustic, and air quality) through a complete wearable system when users are immersed in their familiar environment. This enables an alternative to laboratory tests where the participants are in unfamiliar spaces. We analysed seven-day data in Singapore using a descriptive and predictive approach. We have found that it is possible to use a complete wearable system and apply it in real-world contexts. The WEMoS data, combined with physiology and user feedback, identify the key comfort features. The transition from short-term laboratory analysis to long-term real-world context using wearables enables the prediction of overall comfort perception in a new way that considers all potentially influential factors of the environment in which the user is immersed. This system could help us understand the effects of exposure to different environmental stimuli thus allowing us to consider the complex interaction of multi-domains on the user’s perception and find out how various spaces, both indoor and outdoor, can affect our perception of IEQ. Full article

Sustainable building design has gained global significance as a strategy to address environmental challenges and promote healthier living spaces. This concept is particularly relevant in Saudi Arabia, where there is a growing emphasis on integrating sustainable practices into the design and operation of buildings, especially in educational settings. Amidst the global push for sustainability in workplaces, this study’s core lies in assessing and comparing the satisfaction levels with the indoor environmental quality (IEQ) of a Saudi Arabian higher education building against those in international green buildings, considering factors that comprise thermal comfort, air quality, lighting, acoustic quality, office arrangement, furnishings, cleanliness, and maintenance. Employing the Center for the Built Environment (CBE) IEQ survey tool, a comprehensive study was conducted among the building’s occupants. A literature review and benchmarking studies complemented this to gather data on international green buildings. This study aims to assess and compare the satisfaction levels with the IEQ of a Saudi Arabian higher education building against international green buildings. The comparative analysis aims to expose the commonalities and differences in satisfaction levels, exploring how various factors influence overall satisfaction with the IEQ. The research found that there is overall satisfaction with the IEQ parameters of the building under investigation, except with two parameters: acoustics and thermal comfort. The building is generally in alignment with the IEQ of international buildings. This research is presumed to contribute significantly to sustainability initiatives in educational buildings, fostering a healthier and more sustainable workplace environment. Full article

Mass timber construction has recently gained popularity due to its outstanding environmental benefits and building performance, which hold revolutionary potential for the construction industry. However, its impacts from the perspective of occupants have not been thoroughly explored. This study introduces an innovative empirical approach that explores the potential benefits of mass timber construction for individuals and organizations, with an emphasis on the workplace. We review the conceptual framework regarding how visual and physical exposure to timber construction materials and finishes have a positive effect on individuals and organizations at a broad level. We propose a more holistic mixed-method behavioral approach to studying occupant behavior and well-being by integrating self-reported questionnaires, objective biomarkers (heart rate variability and hair cortisol), and indoor environmental quality (IEQ) measures. Our study offers a novel research primer on the exploration of mass timber construction impacts and benefits for both office workers and construction workers. Participants from different office settings completed pre- and post-occupancy evaluation surveys to assess their experiences, including IEQ satisfaction, productivity, and health. Office workers were located in three different offices: a controlled laboratory environment, an open-plan office, and an open-plan space with a timber interior. The construction workers worked in a timber space for three months and then moved to work in a building with a concrete structure. The analysis included descriptive statistics, t-tests, ANOVA, and linear regression to compare differences between office settings and assess the relationship between environmental variables and overall satisfaction in IEQ, comfort, productivity, and health. In office workers, in terms of building image, thermal comfort, and artificial lighting, the data analysis revealed significant differences in occupants’ satisfaction levels between office settings. However, the low number of participants affected the results, and some factors were not found significant in relation to the office setting. Among tradespeople, there was no relationship between the building environment and productivity, health, or comfort. However, the results of hair cortisol testing indicated that working in a timber space can decrease the level of cortisol (stress) and have an impact on the productivity of workers. Such occupant’s perspective research is pivotal to informing policy makers, developers, business owners, construction professionals, timber industry stakeholders, environmentalists, and researchers in their decision-making processes. Fostering the future widespread adoption and advancement of mass timber construction. Full article

This study critically examines the impact of indoor air quality (IAQ) on occupant health in two critical care units (ICUs) at Jason Sendwe Hospital (JSH) and General Carrier de Mine Hospital (GCMH) within the Southern DRC metropolitan area, focusing on their impact on occupant health and well-being. Utilizing a mixed methods approach that includes health questionnaires, continuous environmental monitoring (monitoring CO₂, VOCs, PM_2.5, PM₁₀, temperature, and relative humidity), and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis, this research aims to identify correlations between environmental factors and the health of hospital staff and patients. The investigation was conducted across both the rainy and dry seasons, revealing significant seasonal variations in IEQ parameters and exploring the incidence of symptoms commonly associated with sick building syndrome among hospital staff. Higher CO₂, VOCs, and particulate matter levels during the dry season indicated the inadequacy of current ventilation strategies to maintain optimal air quality. This study proposes the implementation of air filtration and purification systems and the refurbishment of natural ventilation systems as effective measures to improve IAQ. Additionally, alternative ventilation strategies, including occupancy reduction and the integration of supply and exhaust ventilation, were explored to address the challenges of inadequate ventilation. The findings reveal the urgent need for hospitals to adopt ventilation strategies that ensure the health and well-being of occupants, highlighting the importance of continuous IAQ monitoring, community engagement, and the integration of advanced ventilation technologies in healthcare settings. This comprehensive exploration offers valuable insights for improving ventilation in ICUs, contributing to creating healthier indoor environments in hospital settings, especially in regions facing unique environmental challenges. Full article

This research evaluates the quality of the indoor environment and comfort of Palestinian public schools. The importance of this study is related to the pivotal role of indoor environmental quality (IEQ) on students’ health, well-being, and academic performance, especially in a region facing significant challenges such as limited financial resources and diverse climate conditions. Unlike traditional technical evaluations, this research uses a post-occupancy evaluation (POE) methodology. This research is based on a questionnaire about classes’ indoor environment and comfort parameters, including thermal comfort, lighting, acoustics, indoor air quality, and ergonomic environment. The research focuses on students’ overall well-being, considering factors often overlooked in traditional assessments. Key findings reveal significant challenges in thermal conditions due to inadequate heating, cooling, and ventilation systems and a lack of passive thermal design. High carbon dioxide levels in classrooms due to inadequate ventilation highlight a second critical challenge. Schools also suffered from noise pollution due to the absence of noise-absorbing materials. Students expressed their satisfaction with the lighting and indoor ergonomic comfort. This research resulted in recommendations to address classrooms’ IEQ challenges, focusing on strategies to improve thermal comfort, acoustics, and indoor air quality. Full article