Search Results (1,867)

Human thermophysiological responses differ greatly between individuals. However, textile and clothing systems are usually designed using average population data. They also follow the idea that one product can provide acceptable comfort for most users. This perspective paper introduces the concept of thermophysiological comfort classes (CCs). The aim is to group continuous physiological differences into a small number of practical categories. Similar to anthropometric sizing, each CC includes people who show similar physiological responses and comfort perceptions under defined environmental and activity conditions. The proposed framework combines physiological measurements, environmental and behavioural factors, subjective evaluations, and individual characteristics. Data science and artificial intelligence can support data processing, feature selection, clustering, and validation. At first, the development of CCs will require detailed questionnaires and several types of measurements. The long-term goal, however, is to identify a small set of reliable indicators for a practical assessment protocol. The concept may support textile products designed for representative thermophysiological profiles rather than for an average user. Comfort-class assignment may also change over time. Thermophysiological classification is therefore proposed as a complement to anthropometric sizing and as a basis for personalised and industrially scalable textile design. Full article

Wearable assistive exoskeletons require lightweight, compact, and backdrivable transmission systems with low output impedance to ensure safe and comfortable human–robot interaction. These efficient, modular actuators benefit from reduction mechanisms that minimize axial bulk while providing high motion regularity. While existing transmissions perform well on some of these metrics, their practical implementation is often constrained by geometric complexity, low backdrivability, limited reduction ratios, or standard component sizes. This paper presents a novel combination of a Rolling Element Eccentric (REE) stage and a planetary gearbox, specifically designed for wearable exoskeleton actuation. The proposed architecture integrates a bearing-based REE drive concentrically within the sun gear of a planetary transmission, reducing mechanical complexity and friction and improving regularity. Moreover, the design exploits additively manufactured bearings, enabling substantial weight reduction, reduced encumbrance, and increased design freedom without reliance on standard bearing dimensions. A prototype reducer has been designed and fabricated using additive manufacturing techniques. It was experimentally evaluated and compared with state-of-the-art transmission designs. These investigations demonstrated low friction, minimal backlash, good torsional stiffness, and sufficient backdrivability, despite the high reduction ratio, while maintaining a compact, flat form factor. The experimental results indicate that the proposed rolling element eccentric planetary transmission is a viable and effective solution for lightweight, efficient, axially compact (independently of the implemented reduction ratio), and backdrivable actuators in assistive wearable robotics. Full article

Sustainable historic-town conservation requires preserving historical patterns and cultural memory while understanding how spatial environments shape everyday perception. Using Yun’an Ancient Salt Town in Chongqing, China, this study develops a three-layer framework of spatial topology, scene interfaces, and historical semantic elements. Space syntax, deep-learning image recognition, rule-based coding, image-based questionnaires, Spearman correlation, random forest regression, and SHAP were used to examine perceived historicity, safety, attractiveness, and comfort. The analysis combined axial models for 1985, 2004, and 2024 with 140 images—55 human view and 85 aerial view—each evaluated by 264 valid respondents. Yun’an’s street network shifted from a salt-production and transport structure toward modern traffic corridors; integration declined in the historic core, and intelligibility fell from 0.13 in 2004 to 0.07 in 2024. At the human-view scale, modern interference was negatively associated with historicity and attractiveness, whereas stairs, traditional components, and micro-historical objects were positively associated with historicity. At the aerial-view scale, historical visibility, character integrity, and blue-green-space indicators were associated with historicity, attractiveness, and comfort. Cross-validated random forest performance was strongest for aerial-view historicity and limited for other outcomes. The findings support a human-centered, culturally sustainable renewal pathway linking historical-street continuity, townscape integration, blue-green quality, and heritage-node activation. Full article

Background/Objectives: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a highly prevalent sleep-related breathing disorder caused by recurrent upper-airway collapse during sleep, leading to intermittent hypoxia, sleep fragmentation, and excessive daytime sleepiness. Although continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) remains the first-line therapy, long-term adherence is often suboptimal, underscoring the need for more tolerable and flexible treatment options. This review aims to summarize the pathophysiological rationale for pharmacotherapy in OSA and to discuss recent developments in drug-based interventions. Methods: We conducted a narrative review of the literature on pharmacological interventions for OSA, with a systematic search of PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and ClinicalTrials.gov up to 4 August 2026. We included randomised controlled trials, observational studies, meta-analyses, and mechanistic human or animal studies that reported relevant sleep and respiratory outcomes, and graded evidence according to the principles of GRADE framework. Results: Several drug classes have shown promise: agents that increase upper-airway dilator muscle activity, respiratory stabilizers that reduce loop gain, medications that raise the arousal threshold, topical anti-inflammatory drugs for mucosal edema, and systemic metabolic modulators such as glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and dual incretin receptor agonists. Emerging strategies, including gene therapy directed at the hypoglossal motor system, are also under investigation at the preclinical stage. Moreover, combining pharmacotherapy with CPAP or other devices can produce synergistic benefits, enabling lower device pressures and enhanced patient comfort. Conclusions: Pharmacotherapy for OSA is progressively moving from exploratory research towards targeted, phenotype-driven personalized treatment. Future studies should focus on robust patient phenotyping, multi-mechanistic combination regimens, and long-term clinical outcome evaluations to facilitate the integration of drug-based therapies into routine OSA management, particularly in specific subgroups such as those with COMISA. Full article

Urban public spaces matter for young people, yet how youth visually engage with the spatial elements of Indian cities remains largely unstudied. This exploratory study uses screen-based eye tracking to examine how 43 design-discipline students (aged 18–29) allocate visual attention across urban public space scenes in Jaipur, India. Thirty photographic stimuli sampling five Lynch-derived spatial elements—edge, landmark, path, plaza, and transit node—across six public spaces were each analyzed through four semantic areas of interest (built form, human and vehicular activity, natural elements, and circulation), using fixation count, total fixation duration, time to first fixation, and visit count. Attention was allocated unevenly: built form and human activity dominated the youth gaze, while natural elements consistently drew less focal attention—interpreted as restorative background rather than low importance. Landmarks anchored attention most strongly and transit nodes least. Notably, socially active and visually complex elements did not capture the gaze earliest but held it longest, suggesting that what sustains youth attention is dissociable from what initially attracts it. Inferential tests are treated as exploratory given the repeated-measures design. As the first AOI-based account of youth visual attention in Indian heritage public space, this study offers a transferable protocol and preliminary, exploratory directions for youth-responsive design—including visual anchoring at neglected transit nodes and the use of greenery for ambient comfort rather than focal emphasis. Full article

Ride quality—encompassing vehicle comfort, vibration isolation, and noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH)—has become a key competitive differentiator in modern automobiles. This paper presents a comprehensive update to the foundational literature on passenger car ride quality, capturing the rapidly growing literature and new technological paradigms that have emerged over the past decade. Established approaches to human vibration response, vehicle dynamics modelling, and road surface characterisation are examined within the ISO 2631 framework. This review critically surveys advances driven by battery electric vehicle (BEV) powertrains—where the absence of internal combustion engine noise unmasks motor whine, inverter switching noise, and tyre–road excitation, lowering the perceptual ride–NVH boundary from ~25 Hz toward 15–18 Hz—as well as intelligent semi-active and active suspension technologies, deep reinforcement learning for suspension control, machine learning for ride quality prediction, and connected vehicle infrastructure enabling predictive preview control. Key research gaps are identified: the absence of validated ISO 2631 frequency weightings for autonomous vehicle postures, the lack of standardised open benchmark datasets for cross-study comparison, and the unresolved sim-to-real validation gap for data-driven suspension controllers. Ten priority research directions are proposed for the coming decade. Full article

The physical and multisensory conditions of classrooms influence students’ well-being, motivation, and learning, yet much of the available evidence comes from high-income contexts and from primary education, and it rarely evaluates integrated interventions in settings with fewer spatial and social resources. This study assessed the effect of a human-centered, multisensory architectural classroom intervention, developed through a participatory process with students and teachers, on students’ life satisfaction, school satisfaction, school motivation, and classroom satisfaction in a public school in Greater Concepción, Chile. A quasi-experimental repeated-measures design with three assessments (baseline, pre-intervention, and post-intervention) was used with students aged 12 to 14; the intervention was implemented in two classrooms of traditional typology (54.5 m² each) and analyzed as a single condition. The results showed significant improvements in classroom satisfaction and school motivation, whereas the more global dimensions, school satisfaction and life satisfaction, did not change. The effects followed a proximity gradient: they were largest for the dimension most directly linked to the modified space and attenuated toward the more distal dimensions. The findings indicate that classroom-scale interventions were associated with improvements in the school experience of adolescents. Moving toward a design that goes beyond the merely functional to incorporate the sensory dimension and elements that afford flexibility and choice within constrained spatial conditions constitutes a concrete pathway to improve that experience, particularly in resource-limited public schools. Full article

University campus design frequently emphasizes environmental comfort metrics, like shade provision and solar exposure, to optimize outdoor space usage. Nonetheless, the degree to which these ambient elements affect real user behavior remains ambiguous in relation to the functional attributes of space. This study examines the correlation between environmental factors and student spatial behavior on a university campus. Shadow and solar-hour assessments were performed to pinpoint regions providing optimal climatic comfort. Behavioral observations were utilized to record patterns of student presence and activity in various campus locations. The findings indicated a significant divergence between environmental performance and user conduct. Enclosed courtyards demonstrated the greatest shade levels and little solar exposure, signifying enhanced environmental comfort. Nonetheless, students primarily congregated in locations adjacent to the campus cafeteria, despite increased solar exposure and little shading. Users often congregated beneath dispersed trees instead of moving to the more comfortable enclosed courtyards. The data indicate that functional attractors, especially those related to food services and social contact, have a greater impact on occupancy patterns than environmental comfort by itself. The research contends that effective design of university open spaces must combine environmental efficacy with an awareness of activity generators and social hubs. The findings enhance current discourse on human-centered environmental design by illustrating that spatial function may exert a more significant influence than climatic comfort on outdoor behavior. Full article

Upper-limb motor dysfunction resulting from neurological disorders severely limits patients’ activities of daily living and social participation. Pneumatic upper-limb rehabilitation robots have emerged as a promising intervention owing to their inherent compliance, lightweight design, and high power-to-weight ratio, which facilitate safe, repetitive, and home-based training. Despite these advantages, extensive clinical translation remains hindered by challenges including actuator hysteresis, nonlinear dynamics, limited accuracy in intention recognition, and inconsistent clinical evaluation metrics. This review systematically examines recent advancements in pneumatic upper-limb rehabilitation robots across four critical dimensions: structural design, human–robot interaction, control strategies, and clinical translation. We comparatively analyze rigid exoskeletons, soft wearable devices, and rigid–soft hybrid configurations based on output capability, motion accuracy, comfort, and clinical applicability. The findings suggest that while rigid systems offer high precision and soft systems maximize safety, rigid–soft hybrid architectures represent a critical developmental trend for balancing motion accuracy with interaction compliance. Furthermore, the review evaluates multimodal sensing techniques (e.g., EMG, EEG, and IMUs) for motion intention decoding and training state monitoring, alongside conventional, adaptive, and artificial intelligence-driven control methods aimed at compensating for pneumatic nonlinearity and improving real-time response. Current clinical evidence indicates that these systems effectively enhance upper-limb function and muscle strength, particularly in post-stroke rehabilitation; however, existing trials are frequently constrained by small sample sizes, short interventions, and heterogeneous protocols. Future research must prioritize rigid–soft hybrid architectures, robust multimodal sensor fusion, digital twin-assisted assessment, adaptive intelligent control, and standardized home-based rehabilitation platforms. Ultimately, this comprehensive review provides a concise reference for the design optimization and clinical deployment of next-generation pneumatic rehabilitation systems. Full article

As population aging intensifies, older adults who are bedridden or have limited mobility often experience strong restraint and poor comfort during defecation nursing; therefore, an unrestrained defecation-assisting device is urgently required. This study aims to design a novel unrestrained defecation-assisting posture transformation mechanism and defecation-receiving protective cover mechanism to improve the defecation experience of older adults. Firstly, a posture adjustment mechanism composed of a translation module and a back-elevation, leg-flexion, and leg-abduction module is proposed. The degrees of freedom of the system are calculated to ensure proper and coordinated motion. Furthermore, the human body slip displacement during the posture transformation process is analyzed. Secondly, a defecation-assisting coordinated docking mechanism is developed. Inspired by the pangolin model, a protective cover mechanism is designed. Through kinematic and workspace analyses, the driving lengths of the four-section keel are determined as 34 mm, 19 mm, 38 mm, and 40 mm, respectively. Thirdly, the control system for the entire nursing device is established, the control method of human body translation motion based on visual sensing is analyzed, and the control method of the protective cover mechanism based on the fuzzy adaptive control algorithm is conducted. Lastly, experiments are conducted and the results show that the motion error of the translation module is ≤7.6 mm. The posture transformation mechanism demonstrates excellent operational performance, the back-slip compensation effect is significant, the working trajectory of the mechanism meets human body requirements, and the protective cover accurately conforms to the human body with a reasonable contact pressure distribution. The results indicate that the proposed device effectively alleviates the sense of restraint associated with a conventional wearable excretion-care device, and provides a feasible solution for the application of intelligent nursing device. Full article

The continued development and modernisation of railway networks, together with increasingly demanding expectations regarding human comfort, require careful assessment and mitigation of the effects of railway infrastructure on nearby buildings, their occupants, and vibration-sensitive equipment. Using a recently completed railway line in Portugal as a case study, this paper provides insights into predicting railway-induced ground-borne noise and vibration (GBN&V) during the environmental impact assessment stage. The initial predictions are compared with experimental measurements obtained during the exploration of the railway infrastructure, revealing a good match between predicted and observed ground-borne vibration levels. However, the direct application of the empirical FTA vibration-to-noise conversion factors underestimates the measured ground-borne noise levels. This discrepancy highlights the importance of the building-specific vibro-acoustic response and indicates that simplified conversion factors should be applied with caution. Full article

Background: Many studies have been carried out using scientific approaches, but the targets are uncertain due to variable environmental and human factors. Therefore, these two factors need to be integrated into modes, which represent combinations of devices in specific statuses. These modes should be changed in response to environmental conditions. To maximize the effectiveness of elemental technologies for environmental consideration, buildings must be designed alongside an operational method based on this mode changing, and the way of describing these operations must also be developed. In this paper, a logic of mode changing is established. The proposed design and operational method can be applied broadly to building design while being adaptable to individual cases. Methods: The design of a house based on the mode-changing theory is presented along with a provisional operational flow as a case study. To support the theory, CFD simulations of each mode’s configuration were conducted for comparison under the representative conditions. These conditions, which represent each mode, can be continuously changed to the other mode by occupants based on their personal comfort. After the house was built, mode-changing operations by the occupants themselves were monitored for a year for the purpose of an operational record. Results: The record of the modes manually selected by occupants, measurements of outdoor/indoor temperatures, and indoor illuminance are superimposed into an integrated graph. According to these records, an actual operational flow was extracted as a method for environmental adjustment. There are notable deviations between the provisional operational flow and the actual record. Based on the actual operational flow, the deviated behaviors are described in the flow, and reasons for the deviation are examined as conscious factors. Conclusions: The deviations from the provisional operational flow demonstrate the flexibility of the mode-changing design, which ultimately enhances occupant satisfaction. Further research is expected to develop a wider variety of modes. The cost analysis of the environmental adjustment devices, human contribution to mode changing, and energy saving ratio are verified as a case study providing a valuable reference for future projects. Full article

Bereavement in Southern Africa is not a private event. It is rather a shared and communal experience, shaped by rituals, faith, and relationships. In Botswana, mourning is influenced by Botho, a way of life that says, “I am because we are,” where a whole community carries the pain of loss together and takes responsibility for the bereaved. These communal rituals bring comfort, meaning and a sense of belonging, helping families accept death and move towards healing. Yet research also shows a harder side: many mourning practices are gendered and favors male gender. Widows often face long, strict rituals, social isolation and suspicion, rooted in patriarchy and ideas about impurity or danger, which can harm their emotional, social, and economic well-being. This article uses conceptual/theological analysis within pastoral theology and African relational ethics to examine these practices and to explore how churches and caregivers can honor culture while resisting injustice. Drawing on work of Botho African pastoral care and gender, it shows that the same communal systems that care can also exclude and marginalize widows. The article proposes a Gendered Botho Pastoral Care Model that calls Christian communities to sustain communal solidarity and shared mourning, challenge patriarchal and violent widowhood rites, reinterpret rituals in life-giving ways, and build resilience, dignity and agency for widows, so that mourning spaces become places of healing, justice and restored humanity Pastors for widows in Botswana and across Southern Africa. Full article

Background: To date, there are no known published studies in Portugal that link the perceived neighborhood walkability of a specific geographical area to the functional capacity and social participation of older adults living in the community. Thus, the main objective of this study, conducted in Portugal, is to examine whether the perceived neighborhood walkability is associated with functional capacity, walking confidence, social participation, and exercise self-efficacy among community-dwelling older adults, thereby contributing to the national evidence base on the influence of contextual factors on human functioning, with particular relevance to active and healthy aging. Methods: An exploratory, cross-sectional study was conducted using data from older adults (aged 50 and over) living in the community, in Portugal. A member of the research team assessed physical function using objective measures of upper and lower body function, balance and mobility. To assess the perceived neighborhood walkability, a validated questionnaire for Portuguese adults living in the community with good internal consistency (α = 0.848) was used. The walkability dimensions assessed were safety, facilities/surroundings, comfort/esthetics and accessibility/connectivity. The Pearson correlation coefficient was used to analyze the relationships between continuous variables. Differences between groups were analyzed using independent sample Student’s t-tests or analysis of variance (ANOVA) as appropriate. Results: Perceived neighborhood walkability was associated with several sociodemographic, health, and psychosocial variables. Higher educational levels and better self-perceived health were associated with more positive perceptions of walkability. Participants without urinary incontinence and osteoarthritis reported significantly higher walkability scores, particularly in the safety, facilities/surroundings, and comfort/esthetics dimensions. Older age was associated with higher scores in the facilities/surroundings dimension, whereas slower gait speed and higher anxiety levels were associated with lower perceptions in this dimension. Few significant associations were found between perceived neighborhood walkability and objective physical function measures, and these associations were generally weak. Conclusions: Overall, the findings suggest that neighborhood walkability is a multidimensional construct influenced not only by environmental characteristics but also by health status, psychological factors, and individual perceptions. These results reinforce the importance of considering contextual and environmental factors when promoting mobility, participation, and healthy aging among community-dwelling older adults. Full article

Autonomous vehicles (AVs) will operate alongside human-driven vehicles for an extended transition period, during which aggressive human driving may become a major source of risk. This study proposes an integrated safety-control framework that combines real-world-data-driven behavior modeling with deep reinforcement learning to design longitudinal AV control strategies for mixed traffic. Aggressive, general, and defensive driving patterns are calibrated from the CitySim dataset, and dynamic aggressiveness is incorporated into an improved car-following model. A proximal policy optimization algorithm with a Kullback–Leibler penalty is then used to learn multi-objective strategies balancing safety, efficiency, comfort, and fuel economy in freeway and signalized-intersection scenarios. The results show that the behavior-aware strategies exhibit different strengths across traffic environments. On the freeway, the defensive-threshold strategy maintains a larger time headway, reduces positive acceleration, and lowers system-level fuel consumption, whereas the default, aggressive, and general strategies preserve higher traffic efficiency. At the intersection, signal control narrows the differences among strategies and limits the influence of longitudinal threshold settings on most evaluated indicators. These findings provide a quantitative basis for selecting behavior-aware control thresholds and designing robust AV strategies for mixed-autonomy traffic containing aggressive human drivers. Full article