Search Results (366)

The building sector is significantly responsible for the world’s energy consumption and carbon emissions. Net-zero energy buildings (NZEBs) have become an effective solution to move towards sustainability, maximizing energy efficiency, and minimizing carbon footprint. However, achieving net-zero energy targets requires a comprehensive understanding of building performance from the perspectives of technologies, materials, and strategies, for which existing studies have a knowledge gap. This study aims to bridge the knowledge gap within existing studies through an empirical investigation. Based on a review of the literature, this study employs semi-structured interviews in the United Kingdom (UK) with industrial professionals experienced in NZEBs. The qualitative data collected from interview participants are analyzed minutely using NVivo to identify key themes and patterns, including 14 technologies, 12 materials, and seven strategies for NZEBs. Based on the literature review and, more importantly, the interview analysis, a conceptual framework is well established to describe an NZEB as a complex system that must incorporate appropriate technology adoption, careful material selection, and successful strategy implementation into consideration. This study provides a comprehensive understanding of NZEBs from a systematic point of view. It also contributes to the full fulfillment of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) established by the United Nations (UN). Full article

The three key design criteria for nearly zero-energy buildings (nZEBs) and climate-neutral buildings are minimizing energy use, ensuring high occupant comfort, and reducing environmental impact. Thermal comfort is one of the main components of indoor environmental quality (IEQ), strongly affecting occupants’ health, well-being, and productivity. As energy-efficiency requirements become more demanding, the appropriate selection of heating systems, their automated control, and the management of solar heat gains are becoming increasingly important. This study investigates the influence of two low-temperature radiant heating systems—underfloor and wall-mounted—and the use of Venetian blinds on perceived thermal comfort in a highly glazed public nZEB building located in a densely built urban area within a temperate climate zone. The assessment was based on the PMV (Predicted Mean Vote) index, commonly used in IEQ research. The results show that both heating systems maintained indoor conditions corresponding to comfort or slight thermal stress under steady state operation. However, during periods of strong solar exposure in the room without blinds, PMV values exceeded 2.0, indicating substantial heat stress. In contrast, external Venetian blinds significantly stabilized the indoor microclimate—reducing PMV peaks by an average of 50.2% and lowering the number of discomfort hours by 94.9%—demonstrating the crucial role of solar protection in highly glazed spaces. No significant whole-body PMV differences were found between underfloor and wall heating. Overall, the findings provide practical insights into the control of thermal conditions in radiant-heated spaces and highlight the importance of solar shading in mitigating heat stress. These results may support the optimization of HVAC design, control, and operation in both residential and non-residential nZEB buildings, contributing to improved occupant comfort and enhanced energy efficiency. Full article

This paper is dedicated to investigating how short-term indoor temperature drift influences occupants’ thermal sensation in residential nZEB buildings and how this affects the applicability of steady-state comfort prediction. Residential buildings frequently operate under transient conditions, where the classical PMV approach may deviate from reported sensation. The objective of this paper is to evaluate the agreement between steady-state PMV and occupants’ thermal sensation votes under winter conditions to test a regression-based correction index A_eff and an adjusted indicator PMV_adj while preserving the PMV concept. The study uses high-resolution measurements of indoor air temperature and mean radiant temperature synchronised with TSV responses, followed by statistical evaluation using error metrics and correlation analysis. The results show that baseline PMV correlates well with TSV but exhibits a consistent magnitude mismatch under transient conditions. The proposed PMV_adj reduces this mismatch, decreasing NRMSE from 17.61% to 14.00% and slightly improving agreement with Pearson r = 82.18%, R² = 67.54%. Regression analysis shows that A_eff is strongly associated with the indoor air temperature drift rate ΔT_in/Δt with R² = 0.6805, but has a weaker relationship with ΔT_MRT/Δt, R² = 0.1851. The research provides a practical basis for improving PMV-based comfort assessment during winter operation in residential nZEB. Full article

In recent decades, energy efficiency policies have increasingly focused on reducing buildings’ energy use and improving their performance. However, by overlooking the entire life cycle of a building, a considerable portion of its environmental impact has indeed been kept out of the process. As a result, even leading buildings that have advanced toward Zero-Energy status may not that as innocent as promised by evaluating environmental impacts during their whole life. Consequently, a logical method for achieving nearly Zero Energy Buildings (nZEBs) involves implementing energy-efficient measures and proper materials throughout the entire life cycle of buildings. This paper is one of its first kinds that includes all building systems and materials embodied energy and cost to explore the possibility of creating nearly zero residential buildings through their life cycle. Life-cycle energy consumptions, life-cycle CO₂ emissions and life-cycle cost of nZEB retrofit packages for a five-storey, 20-apartment residential building in Ankara, Turkey were evaluated. The methodology couples dynamic simulation (DesignBuilder/EnergyPlus) with an EN 15978-aligned boundary (A1–A5, B, C). The study highlights the critical role of both operational and embodied energy and carbon emissions in the pursuit of nZEBs. The best nZEB package reduces primary energy by ~55% and life-cycle CO₂ by ~45% relative to the reference building over 50 years, while cost-optimal packages deliver 6–7% lower global cost. These findings demonstrate the effectiveness of life cycle assessment in measuring building environmental impact, the utilization of renewable energy, and the optimization of building materials in reducing energy consumption and emissions, providing a sustainable and cost-efficient approach to residential building design. Full article

Despite growing interest in positive-energy and net-zero-energy buildings (NZEBs), few studies have addressed the integration of biobased construction with building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) under hot–dry climate conditions, particularly in Morocco and North Africa. This study fills this gap by presenting a simulation-based evaluation of energy performance and renewable energy integration strategies for a residential building in the Fes-Meknes region. Two structural configurations were compared using dynamic energy simulations in DesignBuilder/EnergyPlus, that is, a conventional concrete brick model and an eco-constructed alternative based on biobased wooden materials. Thus, the wooden construction reduced annual energy consumption by 33.3% and operational CO₂ emissions by 50% due to enhanced thermal insulation and moisture-regulating properties. Then multiple configurations of the solar energy systems were analysed, and an optimal hybrid off-grid hybrid system combining rooftop photovoltaic, BIPV, and lithium-ion battery storage achieved a 100% renewable energy fraction with an annual output of 12,390 kWh. While the system incurs a higher net present cost of $45,708 USD, it ensures full grid independence, lowers the electricity cost to $0.70/kWh, and improves occupant comfort. The novelty of this work lies in its integrated approach, which combines biobased construction, lifecycle-informed energy modelling, and HOMER-optimised PV/BIPV systems tailored to a hot, dry climate. The study provides a replicable framework for designing NZEBs in Morocco and similar arid regions, supporting the low-carbon transition and informing policy, planning, and sustainable construction strategies. Full article

Although vitamin D3 (VD3) deficiency has been recognized as a harmful agent in several respiratory diseases, the present study is the first one to investigate its influence on the development of hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP). This research was conducted in a murine model of HP, wherein pulmonary fibrosis was induced by antigen of Pantoea agglomerans. VD3 deficiency was provoked by diet with 10-times less cholecalciferol than feed given to VD3-sufficient mice. Before and after 14 and 28 days of nebulization, lung function was evaluated. Moreover, at indicated time points, lungs were collected and subjected to histological assessment, flow cytometry, gene expression assays, and ELISA. The performed research showed a higher sensitivity of VD3-deficient mice to fibrosis response to P. agglomerans antigen, which was strongly associated with enhanced epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, the signs of which were over-expression of EMT-transcription factors (Snail2, Zeb1, Zeb2) and mesenchymal cell markers (Cdh2/N-cadherin, Acta2/SMA, Fn1/Fibronectin, Vim/Vimentin). Indicated negative changes in VD3-deficient mice with developed HP were supported by deepening calcitriol deficiency and worsening respiratory functions, including the frequency of breathing, minute volume, total cycle times, expiratory and inspiratory time. Moreover, typical for VD3-deficient mice with HP, there was also an increased influx of immune cells into the lungs (especially neutrophils, macrophages, dendritic cells and lymphocytes Tc), a disturbed cytokine profile with over-production of growth factors favoring fibrosis (FGF2 and TGFβ), and lowered synthesis of several cytokines (IL1β, IL6, IL12, IL4 IL10, IL13). The present study reveals that VD3 deficiency promotes the development of pulmonary fibrosis in the murine model of HP. Full article

This research presents a solution to the problem of controlling the energy demand and carbon footprint of old buildings, with the focus being on a (heated) building located in Madrid, Spain. A framework that incorporates AI and advanced hybrid ensemble approaches to make very accurate energy consumption predictions was developed and tested using the MATLAB environment. At first, the study evaluated six individual AI models (ANN, RF, XGBoost, RBF, Autoencoder, and Decision Tree) using a dataset of 100 points that were collected from the building’s sensors. Their performance was evaluated with high-quality data, which were ensured to be free of missing values or outliers, and they were prepared using L1/L2 normalization to guarantee optimal model performance. Later, higher accuracy was achieved through combining the models by means of hybrid ensemble techniques (voting, stacking, and blending). The main contribution is the application of a Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) model for predicting the energy consumption of the building and, very importantly, its carbon footprint over a 30-year period until 2050. Additionally, the proposed methodology provides a structured pathway for existing buildings to progress toward nearly Zero-Energy Building (nZEB) performance by enabling more effective control of their energy demand and operational emissions. The comprehensive assessment of predictive models definitively concludes that the blended ensemble method is the most powerful and accurate forecasting tool, achieving 97% accuracy. A scenario where building heating energy use jumps to 135 by 2050 (a 35% increase above 2020 levels) represents an alarming complete failure to achieve energy efficiency and decarbonization goals, which would fundamentally jeopardize climate targets, energy security, and consumer expenditure. Full article

Ensuring thermal comfort in waiting areas is essential for visitor satisfaction and well-being. In the context of nearly zero-energy buildings (nZEBs), these spaces—typically characterized by short-term occupancy, transient user behavior, and the need for rapid temperature adjustment—pose specific challenges for HVAC control in balancing comfort and energy demand. This study investigates the influence of a ceiling-mounted fan coil unit (FCU) operating in heating mode on thermal comfort conditions in an nZEB office waiting area. Measurements were conducted at multiple points within the space to assess microclimate parameters, followed by the calculation of the predicted mean vote (PMV) and predicted percentage of dissatisfied (PPD) indices, supported by occupant feedback collected through short interviews. The results showed that although the FCU effectively increased the average temperature, its intermittent operation and localized air jets during the heating phase caused temporary discomfort near the unit. Occupant feedback confirmed sensations of discomfort due to strong air movement during FCU operation but indicated slightly higher overall dissatisfaction and smaller variability compared to model-based PPD values, reflecting the averaging effect of occupant perception over time. These findings highlight the need for optimized FCU control strategies in waiting areas, such as operating at reduced fan speeds and preheating the heat exchanger, to enhance occupant comfort. This study contributes to improving HVAC control concepts for semi-transient spaces in nZEBs. Full article

Objective: Previous reports showed that periodontopathic bacteria induce epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Fisetin, a foodborne flavonoid, is reportedly associated with anticancer potential in various carcinogenic processes. This study aimed to elucidate the effects of fisetin on Fusobacterium nucleatum- and Porphyromonas gingivalis-induced EMT in OSCC cells. Methods: OSCC cells were co-cultured with live and heat-killed forms of F. nucleatum and P. gingivalis. The concentration of fisetin was set at 10 μM. Morphological changes in the OSCC cells were observed under a light microscope. Cell viability was measured using the Cell Counting Kit-8 assay, whereas migration was examined via wound healing. The mRNA expression of EMT-related markers was quantified using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and the expression of EMT-related markers and Wnt pathway-associated proteins was examined via Western blotting. Results: At a multiplicity of infection (MOI) of 300:1 for F. nucleatum and 100:1 for P. gingivalis, OSCC cell viability remained unchanged; however, wound closure rates increased significantly relative to the control. Likewise, treatment with fisetin (10 µM) did not materially alter viability; nevertheless, it attenuated promigratory effects induced by heat-killed periodontal pathogens at 3 h and 6 h. The OSCC cells exhibited EMT-like morphological changes after 6 h of co-culture with heat-killed pathogens. Consistently, reverse-transcriptase quantitative PCR and Western blot analyses showed increased expression of TWIST, ZEB1, and N-cadherin, accompanied by decreased E-cadherin expression, which was more pronounced in F. nucleatum than in P. gingivalis. However, fisetin reversed these trends. Moreover, co-culture with heat-killed pathogens markedly elevated β-catenin protein levels. In line with modulation of canonical Wnt/β-catenin signaling, fisetin and a Wnt inhibitor reduced β-catenin expression, whereas co-treatment with a Wnt agonist restored β-catenin levels in the presence of fisetin. Conclusions: Heat-killed F. nucleatum and P. gingivalis induced EMT in OSCC cells, with F. nucleatum exerting the strongest effect. Fisetin suppressed pathogen-driven EMT, at least partly via canonical Wnt/β-catenin signaling, highlighting its potential therapeutic value and warranting further investigation. Full article

Biomass has long been a major source of energy for residential heating and, in recent decades, has regained attention as a renewable alternative to fossil fuels. This review explores the current state and prospects of domestic biomass-based heating technologies, including biomass-fired boilers, local space heaters, and hybrid systems that integrate biomass with complementary renewable energy sources to deliver heat, electricity, and cooling. The review was conducted to identify key trends, performance data, and innovations in conversion technologies, fuel types, and efficiency enhancement strategies. The analysis highlights that biomass is increasingly recognized as a viable energy carrier for energy-efficient, passive, and nearly zero-energy buildings, particularly in cold climates where heating demand remains high. The analysis of the available studies shows that modern biomass-fired systems can achieve high energy performance while reducing environmental impact through advanced combustion control, optimized heat recovery, and integration with low-temperature heating networks. Overall, the findings demonstrate that biomass-based technologies, when designed and sourced efficiently and sustainably, can play a significant role in decarbonizing the residential heating sector and advancing nearly zero-energy building concepts. Full article

Adenomyosis (AM) is a hormonally responsive uterine disorder defined by ectopic endometrial tissue within the myometrium, causing pain, abnormal bleeding, and subfertility. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs)—including microRNAs (miRNAs), long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), and circular RNAs (circRNAs)—are post-transcriptional regulators implicated also in uterine remodeling. We systematically reviewed original studies evaluating ncRNAs in AM using human samples, in vitro and animal models, or bioinformatic approaches. Data sources included PubMed and Google Scholar (inception up to 10 August 2025). Forty-one studies were included and synthesized across mechanistic, diagnostic, and translational domains. miRNAs (n = 31) were the most studied subclass, followed by lncRNAs (n = 10) and circRNAs (n = 5). Recurrent miRNAs such as miR-10b and miR-30c-5p (downregulated, inhibitory) and miR-145 (upregulated, promotive) regulate epithelial invasion, epithelial–mesenchymal transition, and cytoskeletal remodeling via PI3K–AKT/MAPK and Talin1 signaling. The let-7a/LIN28B axis governed estrogen-sensitive proliferation in the junctional zone, while miR-21 exhibited compartment-specific roles in decidualization and ectopic cell survival. Extracellular-vesicle (EV)-bornemiRNAs (e.g., miR-92a-3p, miR-25-3p, miR-4669) contributed to immune polarization and show early diagnostic potential. lncRNAs and circRNAs acted via chromatin modifiers and ceRNA networks. Most findings remain at the discovery stage. Convergent dysregulation was observed in key signaling pathways, including JAK–STAT, Wnt/β-catenin, and Hippo–YAP. ncRNAs regulate critical axes of invasion, proliferation, immune modulation, and hormonal response in AM. Targets with preliminary causal support—miR-10b/ZEB1, let-7a/LIN28B, and miR-145/Talin1—warrant further validation. Circulating miRNAs—especially in EVs—offer promise for non-invasive diagnosis. Full article

In recent years, European and national policies on energy efficiency and sustainable construction have promoted a profound rethinking of building practices and strategies for upgrading the existing building stock. With the conversion of Law Decree No. 34 of 19 May 2020 (Decreto Rilancio) into Law No. 77 of 17 July 2020, and of Law Decree No. 76 of 16 July 2020 (Decreto Semplificazioni) into Law No. 120 of 11 September 2020, the tax deduction rate was increased to 110% for expenses related to specific interventions such as seismic risk reduction, energy retrofit, installation of photovoltaic systems, and charging infrastructures for electric vehicles in buildings—commonly known as the Superbonus 110%. Furthermore, the category of “building renovation,” as defined in Presidential Decree No. 380 of 6 June 2001 (art. 3, paragraph 1, letter d), was expanded with specific reference to demolition and reconstruction of existing buildings, allowing—under certain conditions—interventions that do not comply with the original footprint, façades, site layout, volumetric features, or typological characteristics. These measures were designed not only to positively affect household investment levels, thereby significantly contributing to national income growth, but also to support the broader objective of decarbonising the building sector while improving seismic safety. Within this regulatory and policy framework, instruments such as the Superbonus 110% have acted as a driving force for the diffusion of renovation projects aimed at enhancing energy performance and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, in line with the objectives of the European Green Deal and the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD). This paper is situated within such a context and examines a real-world case of bio-based renovation admitted to fiscal incentives under the Superbonus 110%. The focus is placed on the procedural framework as well as on the technical, economic, and evaluative aspects, adopting a multidimensional perspective that combines regulatory, operational, and financial considerations. The case study concerns the demolition and reconstruction of a single-family residential chalet, designed according to near-Zero-Energy Building (nZEB) standards, located in the municipality of San Roberto, in the province of Reggio Calabria. The intervention is set within an environmentally and culturally sensitive area, being situated in the Aspromonte National Park and subject to landscape protection restrictions under Article 142 of Legislative Decree No. 42/2004. The aim of the study is to highlight, through the analysis of this case, both the opportunities and the challenges of applying the Superbonus 110% in protected contexts. By doing so, it seeks to contribute to the scientific debate on the interplay between incentive-based regulations, energy sustainability, and landscape–environmental protection requirements, while providing insights for academics, practitioners, and policymakers engaged in the ecological transition of the construction sector. Full article

Buildings in Indonesia’s tropical climate face significant barriers to energy efficiency due to high cooling loads and electricity intensity. Previous studies have primarily addressed technical optimization or policy frameworks, but few have provided an integrated and data-driven evaluation model for tropical conditions. This study develops an Internet of Things (IoT) and EDGE-based hybrid framework to support the transition toward Net-Zero-Energy Buildings (NZEBs) while maintaining occupant comfort. The research combines real-time IoT monitoring at the LLDIKTI Region XIII Office Building in Banda Aceh with simulation-based assessment using Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies (EDGE). Baseline energy performance was established from architectural data, historical electricity use, and live monitoring of HVAC systems, lighting, temperature, humidity, and CO₂ concentration. Intervention scenarios—including building envelope enhancement, lighting optimization, and adaptive HVAC control—were simulated and validated against empirical data. Results demonstrate that integrating IoT-driven control with passive design measures achieves up to 31.49% reduction in energy use intensity, along with 24.7% improvement in water efficiency and 22.3% material resource savings. These findings enhance indoor environmental quality and enable adaptive responses to user behavior. The study concludes that the proposed IoT–EDGE framework offers a replicable and context-sensitive pathway for achieving net-zero energy operations in tropical office buildings, with quantifiable environmental benefits that support sustainable public facility management in Indonesia. Full article

The building sector plays a key role in the transition toward climate neutrality, with national regulations across the EU requiring the construction of nearly zero-energy buildings (nZEBs). However, while energy performance has been extensively studied, less attention has been given to the problem of ensuring user comfort—both indoors and in the surrounding outdoor areas—under nZEB design constraints. This gap raises two key research objectives: (1) to evaluate whether a well-designed nZEB with extensive glazing maintains acceptable indoor thermal comfort and (2) to assess whether residents experience greater outdoor thermal comfort and satisfaction in small, sun-exposed private gardens or in larger, shaded communal green spaces. To address these objectives, a newly built residential estate near Kraków (Poland) was analyzed. The investigation included simulation-based assessments during the design phase and in situ measurements during building operation, complemented by a user survey on spatial preferences. Indoor comfort was evaluated for rooms with large glazed façades, as well as rooms with standard-sized windows, while outdoor comfort was assessed in both private gardens and a shared green courtyard. Results show that shading the southwest-oriented glazed façade with an overhanging terrace provided slightly lower temperatures in ground-floor rooms compared to rooms with standard unshaded windows. Outdoors, users experienced lower thermal comfort in small, unshaded gardens than in the larger, vegetated communal area (pocket park), which demonstrated greater capacity for temperature moderation and thermal stress reduction. Survey responses further indicate that potential future residents prefer the inclusion of a shared green–blue infrastructure area, even at the expense of building some housing units in semi-detached form, instead of maximizing the number of detached units with unshaded individual gardens. These findings emphasize the importance of addressing both indoor and outdoor comfort in residential nZEB design, showing that technological efficiency must be complemented by user-centered design strategies. This integrated approach can improve the well-being of residents while supporting climate change adaptation in the built environment. Full article

Background: A range of cancer cells are significantly inhibited by FTY720. It is unknown, nevertheless, how FTY720 influences the onset of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Using bioinformatics techniques, we analyzed and the possible molecular mechanisms and targets of FTY720 for the treatment of NSCLC. Methods: DEGs (Differentially expressed genes) were acquired by differential analysis of the dataset GSE10072. Obtained FTY720 target genes and NSCLC disease genes from databases such as Swiss-TargetPrediction and GeneCard. Subsequently, target and disease genes, as well as DEGs, were merged for Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis, gene ontology (GO), and protein interaction analysis. The overlapping genes of DEGs and target genes, and disease genes were also obtained separately and subjected to survival as well as expression analyses. We constructed the regulatory network of miRNAs and transcription factors (TFs) on hub genes. Finally, the immune cell association of hub genes was evaluated using the ssGSEA method, molecular docking of FTY720 to hub genes was carried out utilizing Autodock, and molecular dynamics simulations were conducted. Results: In this study, 444 DEGs, 232 target genes of FTY720, and 466 disease genes were obtained. Moreover, a total of 1062 genes were obtained by removing duplicate values after merging, among which PIK3R1, Akt1, and S1PR1 had the highest DEGREE values in the protein interactions network, and these genes were primarily enriched in MAPK, PI3K-Akt signaling pathways, with the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway being the most prominent. Among the overlapping genes, three potential targets of FTY720 for NSCLC treatment were found: S1PR1, ZEB2, and HBEGF. ZEB2 and S1PR1 were determined to be hub genes and to significantly affect NSCLC prognosis by survival analysis. Furthermore, hsa-miR-132-3p, hsa-miR-192-5p, and hsa-miR-6845-3p were strongly associated with FTY720 for the treatment of NSCLC; CTBP1 (carboxy-terminal binding protein 1), EZH2 (protein lysine N-methyltransferase), and ZNF610 (zinc-finger protein 610) may all influence the expression of ZEB2 and S1PR1. Hub genes had a substantial negative link with memory B cells and a significant positive correlation with memory CD8 T cells and Th17 helper T cells. The molecular docking and kinetic simulation results of FTY720 with the two hub genes indicate that the protein-ligand complex has good stability. Conclusion: Our research indicates that FTY720 may inhibit NSCLC via possible targets ZEB2 and S1PR1, further laying the theoretical foundation for the utilization of FTY720 in NSCLC treatment. Full article