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Daylight Glare with the Sun in the Field of View: An Evaluation of the Daylight Glare Metric Through a Laboratory Study Under an Artificial Sky Dome and an Extensive Simulation Study
No full textThe Daylight Glare Probability (DGP) includes the luminance of a glare source quadratically, but the solid angle only linearly. While this is in line with formulae of other glare metrics, it must be questioned for small glare sources, if the glare stimulus can no longer be distinguished from larger stimuli causing equal vertical illuminance at the eye, especially in the peripheral visual field. To account for this, the modified version Daylight Glare Metric (DGM) was previously developed. We conducted two studies to evaluate the effect of the modified DGM. First, in a laboratory study under an artificial sky with an LED sun, 35 test subjects evaluated different glare situations. Second, we performed a comprehensive simulation study for an office space, including three locations, three view directions, and 17 window systems (electrochromic glazing, fabric shades). The results from the perception study under the artificial sky provide evidence that the adapted DGM is better suited to predict glare from small, bright sources. The results from the simulation study for a realistic office setting show that, compared to the DGP, the DGM reduces glare ratings for many hours of the year, thus underscoring the practical relevance of improving the DGP formula
Response of Oral and Skin Keratinocytes to Oxidative Stress
No full textOxidative stress caused by excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) disrupts skin and oral epithelial homeostasis and contributes to skin aging, inflammation, periodontitis, and mucosal injury. As the principal defenders in both skin and oral mucosal tissues, keratinocytes are important responders to oxidative stress. However, most existing studies have examined skin or oral keratinocytes in isolation, with few comparative investigations of their tolerance, repair capacity, and antioxidant mechanisms under oxidative stress. In this study, we systematically compared immortalized oral keratinocytes (TIGK) and skin keratinocytes (HaCaT) under hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced oxidative stress. Functional analyses, including cell survival, ROS accumulation, stress granule formation, in vitro wound healing, and proliferation recovery assays, were combined with transcriptomic profiling to evaluate differences in antioxidant and pro-oxidant systems. TIGK exhibited significantly higher survival rates, lower ROS accumulation, and superior migratory and proliferative recovery compared with HaCaT after oxidative insult. Transcriptomic analysis further revealed that TIGK consistently expressed higher levels of antioxidant genes and enzymes. In contrast, HaCaT showed greater ROS accumulation and relatively limited antioxidant defenses. The results show that oral and skin keratinocytes adopt distinct adaptive mechanisms under oxidative stress. The intrinsic redox advantage of oral keratinocytes provides new insights into their rapid wound-healing capacity and may inform strategies to enhance epithelial resilience
Multiscale Stochastic Characterisation of Residential Water Demand for Sustainable Network Design
No full textResidential water demand exhibits marked variability over time and across users, with direct implications for the sustainable and robust design of water distribution networks. In this study, a high-resolution experimental dataset is analysed to characterise the statistical structure of hourly consumption, deriving mean and variance scaling laws, cross-correlations between user groups, and probability density functions (PDFs) of aggregated demand. The results show that demand does not behave as an independent process. During the morning peak (07:00–08:00), the distribution does not converge to a unimodal shape as aggregation increases, but exhibits a clear bimodality for aggregation levels larger than approximately N ≈ 400 users. This behaviour indicates the presence of two synchronised consumption regimes and a non-negligible average correlation. In contrast, during the evening and night slots, unimodal distributions (Gamma or Lognormal) emerge, consistent with largely independent contributions and limited synchronisation. For comparison, a simplified Poisson Rectangular Pulse (PRP) model is evaluated. While this model reproduces the mean flow rate, it does not capture the observed variance, underscoring the need for models that account for heterogeneity and user correlations. The scaling laws, correlations, and empirical PDFs derived in this study provide a quantitative basis for generating probabilistic demand scenarios, supporting the sustainable, resilient, and robust design of water distribution networks
Precision Fermentation as a Frontier in Biofuel Production: Advances, Challenges, and Integration into Biorefineries
No full textThe industrial transition to advanced biofuels is currently limited by the metabolic constraints and low inhibitor tolerance of wild-type microbial hosts. This review justifies the necessity of Precision Fermentation (PF) as the pivotal technological framework to overcome these barriers, providing a systematic synthesis of high-resolution genetic tools and intelligent bioprocess architectures. We analyze how the integration of CRISPR-Cas9, retron-mediated recombineering, and synthetic regulatory circuits enables the development of specialized microbial “chassis” capable of achieving 10- to 100-fold higher yields compared to native organisms, with industrial titers reaching 50 g/L for isobutanol and 25 g/L for farnesene. A major novelty of this work is the critical evaluation of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Soft Sensing, and Digital Twins in orchestrating real-time metabolic control and mitigating the toxic effects of advanced alcohols and drop-in hydrocarbons (C15–C20). Furthermore, the study concludes that the “scale-out” modular strategy, when integrated into hybrid thermochemical-biochemical biorefineries, allows for the full valorization of C5/C6 sugars and lignin, achieving a Minimum Selling Price (MSP) competitive with fossil fuels. By mapping the synergy between advanced metabolic engineering and data-driven process optimization, this review establishes PF as an indispensable driver for achieving carbon-neutral and carbon-negative energy systems in the circular bioeconomy
Food Environment Assessment in Primary Schools Before the Implementation of Mexico’s 2025 School Food Guidelines: A Mixed Method Analysis
No full textBackground: Childhood obesity and being overweight represent a global public health challenge; the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) and ultra-processed foods (UPFs) contributes to this problem. In Mexico, public health policies have been implemented to improve school food environments. Objective: To assess the school food environment before the implementation of the guidelines for the preparation, distribution, and sale of food and beverages (SFGs) in three primary schools in Mexico City. Methods: A cross-sectional mixed method study was conducted, including structured non-participatory observation of selling points outside and inside of schools, and availability of drinking fountains and lunchboxes contents. A food waste audit assessment was performed to identify the most frequently consumed products, main ingredients, front-of-package labels, and colorants. Additionally, 23 semi-structured interviews were conducted with school authorities, teachers, and food vendors. Results: SSBs and UPFs selling points were observed outside and inside in public schools, while in private schools, only inside, with use of delivery food apps. Public schools lacked functional drinking fountains. A total of 345 food waste items were collected across the schools, of which 46.3% were SSBs and 53.7% were UPFs. The main ingredient was sugar (15.6%), the principal front-of-package was excess sugar (37.5%), and the most frequently used colorants were red 40 (25.1%). Interview participants reported awareness of the SFGs; however, they identified barriers such as resistance from parents and students and the economic dependence of school cooperatives on UPFs sales. Conclusions: These findings highlight structural and economic challenges for the effective implementation of public policies promoting healthier school food environments
Square Root of a Multivector of Clifford Algebras in 3D: A Game with Signs
No full textAn algorithm is presented to extract the square root from a multivector (MV) in real Clifford algebras Clp,q, where n=p+q≤3, in radicals. It is shown that in Cl3,0, Cl1,2, and Cl0,3 algebras, there are up to four isolated square roots in a case of the most general (generic) MV. The algebra Cl2,1 is an exception and, there, the MV can have up to 16 isolated roots. In addition, a continuum of roots has been found in all Clifford algebras except p+q=1. Examples which clarify computations are provided to illustrate the properties of roots in all n=3 algebras. The results may be useful in solving nonlinear equations, like for example, the Clifford–Riccati equation
Rotating Intercrops in Continuous Maize Cultivation: Interaction Between Main Crop, Intercrops, and Weeds
No full textContinuous cropping leads to declines in soil productivity and biodiversity, as well as a deterioration of overall phytosanitary conditions. What if we rotate the intercrops instead of the main crops? In a stationary three-year field experiment, maize was intercropped with Fabaceae (faba bean, crimson and Persian clovers, and blue-flowered alfalfa), Poaceae (winter rye, annual ryegrass, spring barley, and common oat), and Brassicaceae (white mustard, spring oilseed rape, oilseed radish, and spring Camelina) intercrops in separate growing seasons. Fabaceae intercrops developed slowly and competed poorly with weeds. The highest air-dried biomass (ADM) was produced by Persian and crimson clovers (approx. 86 g m−2). Intercrops of the Poaceae family, particularly rye and oats, as well as ryegrass, which was the most productive at 200 g m−2 ADM, germinated faster and competed effectively with weeds. Brassicaceae intercrops also developed rapidly, especially mustard, Camelina, and radish (the most productive 206 g m−2 ADM). Most intercrops competed with maize and reduced its biomass productivity; however, their competitive effects were weaker than those of weeds. A strong negative correlation between maize and weed biomass was detected (max. r = −0.946; p < 0.01). Complex evaluation index (CEI) showed that the crimson clover–annual ryegrass–spring oilseed rape rotation (CC-AR-SR) was the most productive and was effective in suppressing major weeds Echinochloa crus-galli, Chenopodium album, Polygonum lapathifolium, and Cirsium arvense, less competitive with maize (CEI 4.82), and can be used as an Integrated Pest Management tool
Neural Correlates of Cognitive Gains Induced by Commercially Available Cognitive Training Programs: A Meta-Analysis of Neuroimaging Studies
No full textBackground: Commercial cognitive training programs are widely marketed as tools for enhancing cognitive performance, yet training-related task-related brain activation changes remain incompletely characterized. This preregistered meta-analysis aimed to synthesize evidence on whether commercially available cognitive training is associated with improvements in cognitive function and convergent alterations in task-related brain activation, and to explore factors that may moderate these effects. Methods: A multivariate meta-analysis was conducted on behavioral outcomes to estimate the overall effect of training on cognitive performance. Task-based neuroimaging findings were synthesized using a coordinate-based neuroimaging meta-analysis to identify consistent activation changes associated with training. Exploratory analyses examined whether participant characteristics and training parameters were associated with training-related activation changes and whether these changes were related to cognitive improvement. Results: Commercial cognitive training was associated with a significant moderate improvement in cognitive performance (Hedges’ g = 0.485; 95% CI = 0.149–0.821; t = 2.924; p = 0.006). Neuroimaging analyses revealed increased activation in the left anterior cingulate cortex (L.ACC), right inferior frontal gyrus (R.IFG) and right superior temporal gyrus (R.STG), together with decreased activation in the right supplementary motor area (R.SMA). In exploratory analyses, training frequency, compliance and age were associated with differences in training-related brain activation. Activation within the L.ACC and R.IFG was significantly related to cognitive improvement. Conclusions: Commercial cognitive training was associated with cognitive gains and convergent task-related activation differences across studies. These findings provide the first quantitative neuroimaging synthesis of commercial cognitive training and highlight training frequency, compliance and age as potential moderators of training-related neural outcomes
Biofeedback-Informed Assessment of Biophilic Interior Variables: A 23 IVR Factorial Study in Design Studio Interiors
No full textThis study investigates the influence of three biophilic interior design variables: natural light, interior vegetation (vertical green wall), and biomorphic form (biomorphic wall panel) on affective and physiological responses in a design studio interior utilizing immersive virtual reality (IVR) and wearable biofeedback technology. This study was a within-participant 23 factorial design that included one baseline and eight IVR studio conditions. Participants experienced all conditions while reporting affects using the Self-Assessment Manikin (SAM) valence and arousal scales, electrodermal activity (EDA), and skin temperature (ST). Cybersickness was measured with the Simulator Sickness Questionnaire (SSQ) and presence was assessed using the Igroup Presence Questionnaire and Slater-Usoh-Steed presence measures (IPQ, SUS), while baseline anxiety (STAI) was controlled. The results demonstrated a significant primary influence of natural light on SAM valence ratings: conditions with natural light were evaluated as more pleasant than the non-variable and baseline condition, whereas interior vegetation and biomorphic form had smaller, context-dependent effects that were most evident when layered with natural light. Differences in SAM arousal ratings were modest and non-systematic. EDA did not differentiate, and ST showed only small shifts, indicating that during calm exploratory monitoring, subjective affect was more responsive. The circumplex findings guided to an activity-specific zoned interior rather than a single uniform design studio
Predicting Phloeosinus cupressi (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Phloeosinus) Distribution for Management Planning Under Climate Change
No full textPhloeosinus cupressi Hopkins is an invasive bark beetle that poses a serious threat to Cupressus trees, with potential ecological and economic impacts globally. Native to North America, it has spread to Australia and New Zealand, and climate change may further alter its range. Global trade increases the risk of spread, highlighting the need for predictive modeling in management. In this study, we employed CLIMEX and random forest (RF) models to project the potential global distribution of P. cupressi, incorporating host distribution data for Cupressus. Climatic suitability is concentrated in temperate, subtropical, and Mediterranean zones, including Europe, the U.S., South America, China, Australia, and New Zealand, totaling 10,165.22 × 104 km2. Coldest-quarter precipitation (bio19) and annual temperature range (bio7) were identified as the most influential variables. Under RCP6.0 scenarios, suitable areas are projected to expand northward, increasing by ~18%. Regional shifts include contraction in southern Europe and South China, expansion in southern Argentina, southeastern Australia, and coastal New Zealand. Temperature sensitivity is expected to exceed precipitation, enhancing colonization. Due to global Cupressus trade, quarantine and monitoring should focus on high-risk regions. Our findings support early detection, long-term monitoring, and control measures for managing P. cupressi under climate change