Search Results (118)

Inclusive campus design is increasingly being recognised as a key component of sustainable and equitable higher education environments. However, limited research has been carried out on this topic, particularly examining university campuses in Australia. Hence, this paper examines how principles of inclusion are embedded in the spatial planning and architectural design of Australian university campuses. Focusing on a comparative analysis of six Melbourne-based institutions, Victoria University, the University of Melbourne, Deakin University, RMIT University, La Trobe University, and Monash University, this study explores how each campus addresses accessibility, cultural diversity, social equity, and environmental comfort to achieve inclusivity. Drawing on site observations, planning documents, and design frameworks, this paper assesses the extent to which these universities operationalise inclusive design within their built environments. The analysis is guided by a theoretical framework combining universal design, spatial justice, and climate-responsive planning. The findings reveal diverse approaches across institutions, with some campuses demonstrating holistic and integrated strategies, while others exhibit more fragmented or symbolic applications. This paper concludes by outlining best practices and key design enablers that can inform more inclusive and sustainable campus development in Australia and beyond. Full article

This study investigates the hygrothermal performance of window frames to assess their capacity to prevent surface condensation—a critical factor for indoor air quality and building durability, particularly in humid climates. Driven by the practical need to replace existing aluminum frames with more sustainable alternatives, the research evaluates standard aluminum frames against modified timber frames designed to replicate the aluminum geometry. Using daily temperature and humidity data from Valdivia, Chile (2023)—a city with a temperate oceanic and humid climate—interior surface temperatures were simulated with HTflux software and compared against dew point values over a relative humidity (RH) range from 40% to 80%. A novel methodology is proposed for verifying the hygrothermal behavior of window frames based on annual performance analysis and highlighting the need to optimize window design according to specific local climate conditions. The results indicate that modified timber frames exhibited consistently lower average interior surface temperatures (by 1.2 °C) and a significantly higher risk of surface condensation compared to aluminum frames, particularly at typical comfort-level indoor humidity conditions (e.g., 167 vs. 100 condensation days at 50% RH). While both materials presented a high risk of condensation under extreme humidity conditions (80% RH), timber frames showed potentially greater severity of condensation. These findings underscore that the proposed timber frame modification is not hygrothermally adequate without strict control of indoor humidity. Anchored in the Level(s) framework, the study emphasizes the critical influence of geometric design on material performance and advocates for holistic, sustainable construction practices that balance energy efficiency, environmental impact, and occupant comfort. It highlights the need for integrated design solutions and effective moisture management to ensure building resilience in humid environments. Full article

The formulation of biosimilar products critically determines their stability, safety, immunogenicity, and market accessibility. This article presents a novel integrative framework for biosimilar formulation that balances scientific, regulatory, and intellectual property dimensions, offering a holistic perspective rarely unified in the literature. It highlights the growing trend toward buffer-free, high-concentration systems that leverage protein self-buffering to improve patient comfort and formulation stability. The article also addresses regulatory flexibility from the FDA and EMA, which allows scientifically justified deviations from reference formulations to ensure pharmaceutical equivalence and minimize immunogenicity. A novelty of this article is its comprehensive analysis of how digital innovations, such as Quality-by-Design, Process-Analytical-Technology, and AI-based in silico simulations, are transforming formulation design and bioprocess optimization to reduce immunogenic risks and enhance bioequivalence. Two important key takeaways emerge: (1) strategic innovation in formulation, especially using buffer-free and high concentration systems, improve product stability and patient tolerability while complying with regulatory standards; and (2) intellectual property challenges, including patent thickets, strongly influence formulation decisions, making early legal-strategic alignment essential for market entry. The article confirms that practical recommendations for the selection of recombinant therapeutic protein formulations can effectively guide developers and regulators toward safer, more efficient, and commercially viable biosimilar products. Full article

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease with a complex clinical picture that remains incurable and requires ongoing dermatological care. The purpose of this literature review is to identify the latest therapeutic strategies used to treat psoriasis, taking into account both the efficacy of modern approaches and their impact on patients’ quality of life. The cornerstone of psoriasis treatment remains regular skin care through the use of emollients, which support the effectiveness of other topical therapies used such as corticosteroids. In addition, the review presents current epidemiological data on the prevalence of psoriasis worldwide, with a focus on European countries and Poland. The article discusses innovative approaches in therapy, including targeted biologics, modern forms of topical therapy, and the role of emollients in comprehensive skin care, as well as various cosmetological treatments aimed at removing the excessively accumulated stratum corneum, and improving the degree of hydration of psoriatic skin. The review also included current expert recommendations and guidelines from scientific societies that guide the treatment and care of psoriatic skin. The results of the analyses underscore the need for targeted therapies and the importance of a holistic approach to patient care. As the collected data indicate, the possibilities for effective topical and systemic treatment of psoriasis are increasing all the time due to research into newer and newer active substances that are expected to improve the efficacy of treatment, the comfort of life for psoriasis patients and reduce the side effects of long-term therapy. Full article

The odour quality of atmospheric air plays an important role in the comfort of life and human health. Odours can originate from various sources, including municipal facilities, the agricultural and food sectors or industrial plants. A holistic approach to reducing the formation and emission of odorous substances should therefore include the development of odour-neutral process solutions, deodorisation techniques and analytics to measure and monitoring such pollutants in the atmosphere. The implementation of appropriate measures in these three areas can enable the effective management and control of odour emissions. The aim of the work is to carry out a comparative analysis of current methods for measuring the content of odorous substances in the air and for monitoring this type of pollutant. The characterisation of existing solutions carried out became the basis for determining the strengths and weaknesses of the applied protocols and indicating the directions for their further development and improvement. Full article

In 2020, the European Union endorsed its “Farm-to-Fork” strategy, emphasizing the need for transparency in the food production chain and communication of the sustainability level and nutritional value of food products to the consumer through labeling. For animal-based products, this also includes information about the husbandry systems under which the animals are raised. At the same time, people are becoming increasingly concerned both as citizens and as consumers about animal welfare issues in production species, as animal welfare is considered an integral part of sustainability and food security. This has led to the development of various enhanced animal welfare labeling schemes, initiated by public or private entities, or even as a partnership of both. Specifically for cattle, sheep, and goats, various standards have been developed and implemented in Europe, all establishing higher welfare standards compared to conventional farming, and in some cases exceeding the minimum requirements for organic farming as set by Regulation (EU) 2018/848. Most of these standards, especially those developed by NGOs advocating for animal welfare or through public initiative, were developed for semi-intensive to extensive systems. They primarily incorporate animal-based measures, including positive welfare indicators, offering a holistic approach to animal welfare evaluation. Although there is significant heterogeneity in European animal welfare standards, nearly all of them promote access to pasture, comfort, environmental enrichment, and, in some cases, even mother–young bonding. Full article

Non-visual techniques for identifying sleep postures have become essential for enhancing sleep health. Conventional methods depend on a costly professional medical apparatus that is challenging to adapt for domestic use. This study developed an economical airbag mattress and introduced a method for detecting sleeping positions via restricted body pressure data. The methodology relies on distributed body pressure data obtained from barometric pressure sensors positioned at various locations on the mattress. Two combinations of base learners were chosen based on the complementary attributes of the model, each of which can be amalgamated through a soft-voting strategy. Additionally, the architectures of Autoencoder and convolutional neural networks were integrated, collectively constituting the base learning layer of the model. Gradient enhancement was utilized in the meta-learner layer to amalgamate the output of the basic learning layer. The experimental findings indicate that the suggested holistic learning model has high classification accuracy of up to 95.95%, precision of up to 96.13%, and F1 index of up to 95.01% in sleep posture recognition assessments and possesses considerable merit. In the subsequent application, the sleep monitoring device identified the sleep posture and employed an air conditioner and an air purifier to create a more comfortable sleep environment. The user can utilize the sleep posture data to improve the quality of sleep and prevent related diseases. Full article

Sustainable development in educational environments requires a holistic approach to architectural design, balancing multiple environmental functions to optimize student well-being and energy efficiency. According to architectural standards, rectangular classrooms typically have a shallow proportion, meaning the external facade is longer than the internal sides. While this design ensures adequate natural lighting, essential for classroom visual functions, it may not fully align with the sustainability goals in regions with diverse environmental characteristics. This diversity can lead to shortcomings in other aspects of human comfort or environmental performance, as optimizing one function may negatively impact others, while the environmental efficiency of architectural spaces should not be judged solely on a single comfort criterion. A holistic study should evaluate common architectural shapes and proportions to ensure they align with the Green Architectural principles for specific locations. This manuscript compares eight rectangular classrooms with different external-to-internal wall proportions and window-to-wall ratios (WWR) to determine their suitability for Taif City, KSA schools. The case studies include variations in window sizes (10.5 m² and 14 m²) and orientations (North and South), providing a comprehensive evaluation of their impact on human comfort. Simulation results reveal that the common classroom proportion did not yield the highest green credits, suggesting it may not be optimal for all regions, including Taif City. The findings emphasize the need to reconsider standard classroom dimensions to better align with local environmental conditions and Green Architecture principles, contributing to the broader goals of sustainability and sustainable development in educational infrastructure. Full article

The smart capsule bubble tile (SCBT) is an innovative flooring solution that combines acupressure-based reflexology with electromagnetic wave stimulation to enhance well-being. Designed for smart buildings and healthcare applications, SCBT integrates traditional construction techniques with advanced healing technologies to create a health-conscious, eco-friendly flooring system. For durability and thermal performance, SCBT tiles are manufactured using conventional concrete methods, enhanced with aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃). Each tile contains multiple pressure point capsules featuring a copper cap that emits electromagnetic waves when exposed to sunlight. This dual-function mechanism stimulates acupressure points on the feet, promoting better blood circulation, reducing stress, and enhancing relaxation. The heat release from the copper caps further improves thermal comfort and energy flow in the body, reinforcing the benefits of reflexology. The performance of SCBT tiles was extensively tested, demonstrating impressive physical and functional properties. They exhibit a flexural strength of 4.6 N/mm², a thermal emissivity of 0.878, a solar reflectance of 0.842, and a water absorption rate of 8.12%. In biomechanical assessments, SCBT showed significant benefits for balance and posture correction. Users experienced a 70.8% reduction in lateral stance ellipse area with eyes open and a 50.5% reduction with eyes closed, indicating improved stability and proprioception. By integrating acupressure and electromagnetic stimulation into flooring design, SCBT promotes a holistic approach to health. This technology supports energy efficiency in smart buildings and contributes to preventive healthcare by enhancing musculoskeletal health and reducing fatigue. SCBT represents a significant step in creating built environments supporting human well-being, merging traditional healing principles with modern material science. Full article

We face a significant challenge in balancing the creation of comfortable built environments with the pressing need to minimize energy consumption and environmental impacts. Meeting this challenge demands a proactive approach. This research explores the interplay between indoor environmental quality (IEQ), energy use, and environmental impacts in an educational building throughout an academic year. The methodology integrates experimental campaigns for the assessment of IEQ parameters, the analysis of data on energy consumption, and the environmental impact calculations and simulations. The IEQ monitoring results for the academic year reveal a mean indoor air temperature of 26.49 °C, a CO₂ concentration of 805.83 ppm, an illuminance of 335.83 lx, and a sound level of 51.03 dB. To assess the building’s compliance with the energy efficiency regulations, the energy use intensity was calculated to be 90.19 kWh/m²/year, The environmental impact assessment revealed a global warming potential of 120,199.82 kg CO₂e/year, with natural gas consumption contributing 61.72%. The analysis of the results uncovered challenges in IEQ and opportunities for improvement. A 1 °C reduction in the indoor temperature during the heating months may result in environmental benefits, including a potential decrease of 1.17 kg CO₂e/m². This study recommends integrated, intelligent control systems and a holistic strategy to optimize the energy use while maintaining the proper IEQ in educational settings. Full article

The pursuit of sustainable design has made strides in improving building practices, yet traditional approaches often fall short in addressing the holistic needs of both the environment and human well-being. This research delves into the emerging field of regenerative design, which extends beyond sustainability by seeking to restore and enhance ecological and human systems. By integrating regenerative principles into indoor environments, this study evaluates their impact on indoor environmental quality (IEQ). Through a comprehensive literature review, the research demonstrates that regenerative design can significantly enhance air quality, thermal comfort, lighting, and acoustics, ultimately creating healthier and more productive indoor spaces. This paper also discusses potential challenges and outlines future research directions to further advance the application of regenerative design in building practices. Full article

The European building stock is aging and needs renovation. Holistic renovation approaches, including Vertical Forest (VF) systems, are emerging as sustainable alternatives to demolition and reconstruction. This paper reviews and defines missing reliable damage and hazard intensity measures for the holistic renovation of existing reinforced concrete (RC) buildings with VF systems. Based on an extensive literature review and preliminary studies, including empirical multiparametric system evaluation assessments, Monte Carlo simulations, and System-Theoretic Process Analysis (STPA), combined structural, non-structural, vegetation, and human comfort components are examined. Key damage indicators are identified, including interstory drift ratio, residual deformation, concrete and reinforcement strains/stresses, and energy dissipation, and their applicability to VF-integrated structures are evaluated. Green modifications are found to have higher risk profiles than traditional RC buildings (mean scores from Monte Carlo method: 9.72/15–11.41/15 vs. 9.47/15), with moisture management and structural integrity as critical concerns. The paper advances the understanding of hazard intensity measures for seismic, wind, and rainfall impacts. The importance of AI-driven vegetation monitoring systems with 80–99% detection accuracy is highlighted. It is concluded that successful VF renovation requires specialized design codes, integrated monitoring systems, standardized maintenance protocols, and enhanced control systems to ensure structural stability, environmental efficiency, and occupant safety. Full article

The T-Rehab System delivers a semi-immersive tele-rehabilitation experience by integrating Affective Computing (AC) through facial expression analysis and contactless heartbeat monitoring. T-Rehab closely monitors patients’ mental health as they engage in a personalized, semi-immersive Virtual Reality (VR) game on a desktop PC, using a webcam with MediaPipe to track their hand movements for interactive exercises, allowing the system to tailor treatment content for increased engagement and comfort. T-Rehab’s evaluation comprises two assessments: system performance and cognitive walkthroughs. The first evaluation focuses on system performance, assessing the tested game, middleware, and facial emotion monitoring to ensure hardware compatibility and effective support for AC, gaming, and tele-rehabilitation. The second evaluation uses cognitive walkthroughs to examine usability, identifying potential issues in emotion detection and tele-rehabilitation. Together, these evaluations provide insights into T-Rehab’s functionality, usability, and impact in supporting both physical rehabilitation and emotional well-being. The thorough integration of technology inside T-Rehab ensures a holistic approach to tele-rehabilitation, allowing patients to participate comfortably and efficiently from anywhere. This technique not only improves physical therapy outcomes but also promotes mental resilience, marking an important step advance in tele-rehabilitation practices. Full article

This study aims to understand the impacts of climate change and extreme climate events on residential buildings and explore how existing buildings can be adapted to resist these negative impacts. A bibliometric and scientometric analysis was conducted on resilient residential retrofits to highlight the prevalent themes, critical directions, and gaps in the literature, which can inform future research directions. The resilient residential retrofit publications from 2012 to 2023 were retrieved and analyzed using text-mining software. In all, 4011 publications and 2623 patents were identified. The analysis revealed an average annual publication growth rate of 11%, indicating increasing interest in resilient residential retrofits. Four central topics were explored specifically throughout the study, as they are known to be the most prevalent climate risks for residential buildings: Overheating, Flooding, Wind, and Wildfires. The research trends analysis reveals that emerging interests in resilient residential retrofit encompass nature-based solutions, energy efficiency, thermal comfort, microclimates, durability, post-disaster recovery, and extreme events. Nearly half of the publications reference urban context and over one-third mention costs. The building envelope is the most frequently discussed housing component. Although energy retrofit was not the primary focus of this study and was not specifically searched for, energy concerns were still prevalent in the dataset, highlighting the critical importance of energy efficiency and management in resilient residential retrofits. The analysis of R&D momentum revealed several research gaps. Despite high growth rates, there are low publication rates on key topics such as durability, holistic approaches, microclimates, nature-based solutions, and traditional homes, to name a few. These areas could benefit from further research in the context of climate-resilient residential retrofits. Additionally, the analysis indicates a lack of publications on cross-themed research specific to rural and suburban settings. There are also few studies addressing combinations of themes, such as overheating in high-rise buildings, wildfires in Nordic climates, and flooding risk in smart homes within the scope of resilient residential retrofits. The United States leads in publication output, followed by China and the UK, with China dominating the patent landscape. This scientometric analysis provides a comprehensive overview of the research landscape in resilient residential retrofit, systematically maps and analyzes the vast amount of research output, and identifies the key trends and gaps, enabling us to see a type of quantitative snapshot of the research in a field at a certain point in time and thus providing a unique point of view. This study helps stakeholders prioritize efforts and resources effectively for guiding future research, funding decisions, informing policy decisions, and ultimately enhancing the resilience of residential buildings to climate-related challenges. Full article

Background/Objectives: an estimated 1.8 billion people worldwide menstruate, and many face difficulties managing. Young adults often encounter stigma, exclusion, and a lack of resources to manage menstruation comfortably. A review of studies on college students revealed that menstrual symptoms and stigma lead to absenteeism, poorer performance at work and school, and decreased quality of life. This study examines the multifaceted perceptions of a diverse group of young adults aged 18–25 to gain a deeper understanding of the menstrual experience, including cultural stigma, to advocate for personalized care and policy change. Methods: we used snowball sampling and employed a qualitative research methodology integrating a Qualtrics survey (n = 620) and focus groups (n = 50). We used an interpretive phenomenological approach to thematically code participants’ lived experiences by assigning codes to text segments and grouping them by broader themes using the Nvivo 14.23.3 software to understand the underlying meaning and significance of the data. Results: a diverse group of young adults completed the study. Key themes include difficulties attending work/school/social activities related to the physical and mental health challenges associated with menstruation, a cultural stigma, and a lack of access to healthcare and care products during menstruation. Quality of life could be improved with decreased stigma and improved self-care strategies. Limitations include the small sample size and the qualitative study design. Conclusions: this study highlights the need for a holistic approach to supporting menstruation. Recommendations include increasing access to menstrual healthcare, an understanding of cultural differences, and consideration of policy accommodations such as paid time off by workplaces and educational institutions related to menstruation. Full article