Search

Copyright of DEPARCH Journal of Design Planning & Aesthetics Research is the property of DEPARCH Journal of Design Planning & Aesthetics Research and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This study investigates the current use of bedrooms to fill a knowledge gap in the existing sleep studies literature by focusing on user preferences and their needs. Despite substantial research into the optimal physical conditions for sleep, there remains a gap in understanding how individuals use their bedrooms today. As an initial step to bridge this gap, we employed a mixed-method research approach, integrating quantitative and qualitative data results. A survey including multiple-choice and open-ended questionnaire items was undertaken in Australia with 304 participants. Our research findings indicate that 'having a separate bedroom in a house' is the most common arrangement. However, other arrangements, such as living in a bedsit or sharing a bedroom, are indicators of diverse bedroom conditions. In total, 70% of respondents stated that they would like to make changes to their bedrooms for physical, functional, comfort-based, and aesthetic reasons, with comfort ranked as the highest. The majority of respondents stating they would not make any modifications in their bedrooms were found to be owner-occupiers. Mattress quality and privacy emerged as the most significant factors impacting the respondents' bedroom experience, and female participants were reported to place higher importance on cleanliness compared to male participants. Additionally, preferences for sleeping alone or with a partner were found to shift with age. Based on our findings, we suggest that survey-based sleep studies should evaluate the bedroom arrangements before the individual's sleep habits. Further studies are needed to understand how privacy needs influence sleep quality. From a built environment viewpoint, this study emphasizes the need to develop bedroom design solutions tailored to optimize bedroom conditions, particularly for rental tenants who often have limited control over the physical conditions of their sleep environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous work has demonstrated the modest impact of environmental interventions that manipulate lighting, sound, or temperature on sleep inertia symptoms. The current study sought to expand on previous work and measure the impact of a multimodal intervention that collectively manipulated light, sound, and ambient temperature on sleep inertia. Participants slept in the lab for four nights and were awoken each morning by either a traditional alarm clock or the multimodal intervention. Feelings of sleep inertia were measured each morning through Psychomotor Vigilance Test (PVT) assessments and ratings of sleepiness and mood at five time-points. While there was little overall impact of the intervention, the participant's chronotype and the length of the lighting exposure on intervention mornings both influenced sleep inertia symptoms. Moderate evening types who received a shorter lighting exposure (≤15 min) demonstrated more lapses relative to the control condition, whereas intermediate types exhibited a better response speed and fewer lapses. Conversely, moderate evening types who experienced a longer light exposure (>15 min) during the intervention exhibited fewer false alarms over time. The results suggest that the length of the environmental intervention may play a role in mitigating feelings of sleep inertia, particularly for groups who might exhibit stronger feelings of sleep inertia, including evening types. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Akofena is the property of Universite Felix Houphouet Boigny and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the multi-functional use of the domestic sleep environment (bedroom) and present evidence on outcomes that can be identified. By looking at the sleep environment in a broader context and considering the use of the bedroom space besides sleeping, this research responds to an information gap in sleep studies. A survey with multiple-choice questionnaire items was conducted with 304 participants in Australia to investigate the relationship between occupants' use of the bedroom space and their sleep habits. We found evidence that today's bedrooms are used for more than just sleeping, reflecting the respondents' multi-functional needs. Of the respondents, 60% agreed to have a consistent sleeping routine, while 49% answered they have/might have a sleep problem. The mean hours spent in a sleeping environment are 9.31, while the sleeping mean hours are 7.12. While 40% reported using the bedroom as their living space, 61% said they prefer to use it only for sleep. Age, occupation and the bedroom's location affect bedroom use and preferences. This study provides an initial inquiry into developing design strategies and understanding on the intertwined relationship between sleep and its environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pets are increasingly becoming part of the family and interactions between pets and their owners is changing. This results in extended and more intimate contact between owners and their pets, which give rise to zoonotic risks. Objective: To establish the presence of potential zoonotic pathogens in pets that sleep with their owner. Methods: As a pilot study, a group of 28 healthy dogs and 22 healthy cats were monitored for the presence of the zoonotic parasites Cheyletiella, Ctenocephalides spp. and Toxocara spp., the dermatophyte Microsporum canis, and the bacteria Clostridium difficile, Salmonella spp., Campylobacter jejuni and Enterobacteriaceae. This was investigated by taking samples from the fur, the footpads and the animal bed. The owners filled in a questionnaire. Results: In total, 29 of the 50 pets (58%) slept on the bed, of which 15 pets (30%) slept in the bed (under the blankets). A total of 19/22 dogs (86%) and 7/22 cats (32%) tested positive for Enterobacteriaceae on the fur or footpads. Fleas were found in 5/22 of the cats' (23%) and 2/28 of the dogs' (7%) favourite sleeping spots. High levels of aerobic colonies were found, up to 216 colony forming units/cm2. Other pathogens were not found in this study. Conclusions: The results of this preliminary study confirm literature reports that pets may constitute a potential risk in the transmission of zoonotic pathogens to their owner, especially during direct contact when sleeping in the same bed. Owners should therefore be informed about these risks and educated to interact with their pets in a more responsible way. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of China Tropical Medicine is the property of China Tropical Medicine Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Ceiling fans are the most common equipment in any household with electricity to induce a higher air movement since the potential of natural ventilation is limited. However, the higher airflow region is generally limited to the zone below the fan. The non-uniform distribution of airflow is also affected by the furniture layout and airflow from window openings. This study attempts to evaluate the effect of the different window-opening patterns on the airflow inside naturally ventilated bedrooms, having a ceiling fan for air movement with numerical simulations and on-site measurements. The airflow pattern created by a ceiling fan in a room with furniture is modelled and simulated with ANSYS Fluent 2019 R3. The results were validated with on-site measurements and compared with the literature. The air velocity was measured in bedrooms of three different sizes. It was observed that the opening of windows created a better distribution of air irrespective of room size. The non-uniformity of the air velocity is reduced from 76% to 39% with the opening of windows in the larger-sized room. The reduction in non-uniformity is influenced by the location of windows also. The practice of opening windows along with the induced air movement by ceiling fans results in a better distribution of air in the space. Practical application : People tend to depend mainly on ceiling fans even if windows are open in naturally ventilated rooms. A study of patterns of non-uniform distribution of airflow can help designers to improve comfort conditions by specifying the number and location of fans and windows while designing room furniture layout. This aids the building services engineers to provide thermal comfort without always depending on alternative active ventilation strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Duzce University Journal of Science & Technology is the property of Duzce University Journal of Science & Technology and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Journal of Engineering Research is the property of Sultan Qaboos University and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Purpose: The objective of this exploratory study was to evaluate the effects of a brief intervention intended to optimize the sleep environment in older people living in the community and to examine the way these effects change over time. Methods: The sample was made up of 44 participants (19 men and 25 women) aged 65– 85 years, with a mean age of 71.4. The intervention consisted in a group training session that covered the reasons for and ways to ("why" and "how") optimize a sleep environment. It comprises six themes: air quality and odors, luminosity, noises and sounds, comfort of the mattress, comfort of the pillow, and temperature. Participants completed a set of questionnaires before the intervention, and one month and four months later. Results: Four months after the intervention, the replies to the questionnaires showed that the participants experienced reduced severity of insomnia, sleep latency and anxiety. The subjective quality of the participants' sleep along with their sleep efficacy also increased significantly during the same period. Conclusion: A brief intervention intended to optimize the sleep environment appears promising as an addition or alternative to the two other sleep improvement options generally offered to older people: medication and cognitive behavioral therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Constelaciones (2340-177X) is the property of Fundacion Universitaria San Pablo - CEU and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Several priority characteristics of wood that have beneficial effects on human beings have been reported. However, the advantages of wood use in bedroom interiors for sleep have not been fully evaluated. The aim of this cross-sectional epidemiological study was to evaluate the association of wood use in housing and bedrooms with comfort in the bedroom and sleep among workers in Japan. The study methods included sleep measurements using actigraphy and a self-administered questionnaire survey. In total, 671 workers (298 men and 373 women; mean age ± standard deviation: 43.3 ± 11.2 years) were included in the analysis. The amount of wood used in bedrooms was significantly associated with comfort in bedrooms, inversely associated with suspicion of insomnia, partly inversely associated with self-rated poor sleep quality, but not associated with low sleep efficiency. On logistic regression analysis, the adjusted odds ratio (aOR) of the "large amount of wood" group relative to the "no wood" group was 3.25 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.63–6.47] for comfort. The aOR of the "no wood" group relative to the "large amount of wood" group was 2.15 (95% CI 1.11–4.16) for suspicion of insomnia. Wood structure of housing, as well as wood use on either the floor, wall, or ceiling, were not significantly associated with comfort and sleep conditions. Our study suggested that the use of a large amount of wood used in the bedroom interior could be beneficial for comfort, sleep, and therefore, health of workers. Further studies are required to obtain generalizable results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Featured Application: Presented results are only a case study and the authors are not able to relate them to the population of children and teenagers in Poland; however, it is worth underlining the positive effects of opening doors during sleep, since the CO2 concentration decreases 55−64% without a reduction in thermal comfort. This simple action applied by parents can decrease the contribution of low indoor environment quality (IEQIV) in children's and teenager's bedrooms to approximately 1% during the night. (1) Background: Healthy teenagers are often sleepy. This can be explained by their physiology and behavioral changes; however, the influence of CO2 concentration above 1000 ppm should not be neglected with respect to sleep dissatisfaction. (2) Methods: CO2 concentrations were measured in two similar bedrooms occupied by girls aged 9 and 13 years old. The scheme of measurements included random opening and closing of the bedroom doors for the night. Additionally, the girls evaluated their sleep satisfaction in a post-sleep questionnaire. (3) Results: During the night, the CO2 concentration varied from 402 to 3320 ppm in the teenager's bedroom and from 458 to 2176 ppm in the child's bedroom. When the bedroom doors were open, inadequate indoor air quality (IEQIII and IEQIV categories) was observed in both the teenager's and child's bedroom during 11% and 25% of the night, respectively; however, closing the doors increased the contribution of moderate (IEQIII) and low (IEQIV) categories of air to 79% and 86%, respectively. The girls were dissatisfied only when the bedroom door was closed. The satisfied category of sleep was selected only by the younger girl. (4) Conclusions: Opening the bedroom door during the night can decrease the CO2 concentration 55–64% without reducing thermal comfort. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ventilation modalities in most Chinese residences are infiltration and opening windows. We measured infiltration rates and air change rates at night, with no attempt to change occupants' behaviors, of urban residences in five climate zones of China during four seasons. Using the CO2 decay method, we found the median infiltration rate for 294 residences to be 0.34 h−1. Using occupant‐generated CO2 as tracer gas, we determined air change rates over the course of 1 year in 46 bedrooms at night from mass balance considerations. In 54% of the measurements, windows were closed, so ventilation was only by infiltration. Windows were mainly closed when the outdoor temperature was below 15°C and above 26°C. The median infiltration rates did not differ appreciably among seasons and climate zones and were always less than 0.45 h−1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One striking aspect of Wuthering Heights is the use of rooms as settings for, or backgrounds to, most of the actions or situations described by its various narrators. Thus, as well as being made aware of the social difference between the two principal domiciles through references to particular rooms and buildings, we note, for example, the thematic role played by the oak-panelled closet at the Heights and by the drawing room at the Grange, just as we see frequent mention of chambers or bedrooms, usually with ominous implications. The rooms most often referred to, however, are the Heights sitting room and parlour, the Grange library and parlour, and, above all, the kitchen, which, though the humblest room in both households, is undoubtedly the most interesting for being the space in which all kinds of human behaviour, ranging from the near tragic to the utterly comical, take place. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This work examined window/door opening as means of bedroom ventilation and the consequent effect upon occupants’ sleep, using data from 17 healthy volunteers. Bedroom CO2 level, temperature, and relative humidity were measured over 5 days, for two cases: open window or door (internal, bedroom door), and closed window and door. Participant filled questionnaires and sleep diary provided subjective measure of sleep quality. Actigraphy objectively monitored the participants during sleep. Additionally, a FlexSensor, placed under pillows of participants, detected movement during sleep. Average CO2 level for the Open conditions was 717 ppm (SD = 197 ppm) and for Closed conditions was 1150 ppm (SD = 463 ppm). Absolute humidity levels were similar for both conditions, while Open conditions were slightly cooler (mean = 19.7°C, SD = 1.8°C) than Closed (mean = 20.1°C, SD = 1.5°C). Results showed significant correlations (P < .001) between actigraphy data and questionnaire responses for: sleep latency (r = .45), sleep length (r = .87), and number of awakenings (r = .28). Of all analyzed sleep parameters, questionnaire‐based depth of sleep (P = .002) and actigraphy‐based sleep phase (P = .003) were significantly different between Open and Closed conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of local body cooling on thermal comfort and sleep quality in a hot environment were investigated in an experiment with 16 male subjects. Sleep quality was evaluated subjectively, using questionnaires completed in the morning, and objectively, by analysis of electroencephalogram ( EEG) signals that were continuously monitored during the sleeping period. Compared with no cooling, the largest improvement in thermal comfort and sleep quality was observed when the back and head (neck) were both cooled at a room temperature of 32°C. Back cooling alone also improved thermal comfort and sleep quality, although the effects were less than when cooling both back and head (neck). Mean sleep efficiency was improved from 84.6% in the no cooling condition to 95.3% and 92.8%, respectively, in these conditions, indicating good sleep quality. Head (neck) cooling alone slightly improved thermal comfort and subjective sleep quality and increased Stage N3 sleep, but did not otherwise improve sleep quality. The results show that local cooling applied to large body sections (back and head) could effectively maintain good sleep and improve thermal comfort in a hot environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article considers young people's identities and privacy on social network sites through reflection on the analogy of the teenage bedroom as a means to understand such spaces. The notion therein of intimate personal space may jar with the scope and complexity of social media and, particularly, with recent emphasis on the challenges to privacy posed by such environments. I suggest, however, that, through increased use of access controls and a range of informal strategies, young people's everyday digital communication may not be as out of control as is sometimes inferred. Recent adaptations of the bedroom analogy indicate that social network sites retain intimacy and that their individual-centred format continues to facilitate the exhibition and mapping of identities. Although an awkward fit, I suggest the bedroom may still help us think through how social network sites can function as vital personal home territories in the midst of multi-spatial patterns of sociability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

People spend approximately one-third of their lives sleeping, where they can be exposed to a myriad of particle-bound biological agents and chemical pollutants that originate within mattresses and bedding, including allergens, fungal spores, bacteria, and particle-phase semi-volatile organic compounds. Full-scale particle resuspension experiments were conducted in an environmental chamber, where volunteers performed a prescribed movement routine on an artificially seeded mattress. Human movements in bed, such as rolling from the prone to supine position, were found to resuspend settled particles, leading to elevations in airborne particle concentrations. Resuspension rates were estimated for the size fractions of 1-2 μm, 2-3 μm, 3-5 μm, 5-10 μm, and 10-20 μm, and were in the range of 10−3 to 101 h−1. Particle size had the most significant impact on the resuspension rate, whereas dust loading, volunteer body mass, and ventilation rate had a much smaller impact. Resuspension increased with the intensity of a movement, as characterized by surface vibrations, and decreased with repeated movement routines. Inhalation exposure was characterized with the intake fraction metric. Intake fractions increased as the particle size and ventilation rate decreased and ranged from 102 to 104 inhaled particles per million resuspended, demonstrating that a significant fraction of released particles can be inhaled by sleeping occupants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Asthma is the most common chronic disease among children. Uncontrolled asthma may considerably decrease the quality of life for patients and their families. Our objective was to identify possible risk factors for poor asthma control in children. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among children with asthma aged 4-11 years who attended a pediatric clinic for follow-up visits at one of the major teaching hospitals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Asthma control status was measured by the childhood asthma control test. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to explore the relationships between the outcome and exposure variables. Results: Uncontrolled asthma was present in 89 out of 158 children (59.3%). Asthma control improved with the number of siblings. Control improved by 69% with two or three siblings (OR = 0.31, 95% CI = 0.10-0.96) and by 87% with four or more siblings (OR = 0.13, 95% CI = 0.04-0.48). Similarly, asthma control improved with an increased asthma knowledge of the caregiver (OR = 0.87, 95% CI = 0.81-0.93). Household incomes less than SAR 15 000 and sharing a bedroom increased the odds of having uncontrolled asthma by 2.30 (95% CI = 1.02-5.21) and 3.33 (95% CI = 1.33-8.35), respectively. Conclusions: In addition to knowledge, socioeconomic factors, such as family income, household crowding, and the number of siblings are associated with asthma control among children in Saudi Arabia. Further research is needed to investigate the role of these factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the appropriation of an everyday domestic space by a group of young Sudanese men living in Western Sydney, Australia. The participants’ construction of a do-it-yourself (DIY) wardrobe-recording studio acts as a starting point from which to investigate the transnational reproduction of spatial and material practices of resourcefulness in the context of resettlement. Concepts of space, appropriation and emplacement are employed to critically examine the pragmatic, inventive and resourceful use of an ordinary bedroom space. I ague that the ongoing project has solidified a common purpose among the participants, providing them with a material and symbolic platform from which to engage Sudanese and other migrant youth, as well as a creative means of avoiding the potentially negative effects of idle time. The article concludes that longer-term settlement strategies need to be put in place, which address the secondary settlement challenges of monitoring and needs assessment, and customized support for self-funded, youth-based projects. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Copyright of Dearq is the property of Universidad de los Andes and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

U.S. adults watch television (TV) for an average of 5 hours per day, an amount associated with increased obesity risk. Studies in children have found bedroom TV sets, which result in greater time spent by watching TV and shorter sleep durations, both of which increase a child's odds of becoming overweight. The authors examined associations between bedroom TV viewing time (BTVT), Body Mass Index (BMI), sleep time, non-BTVT, and total TV viewing time in 39 overweight and obese adults with and without a bedroom TV set. No significant correlations are found between BTVT and BMI or sleep time. BTVT is positively associated with non-BTVT (Spearman's rho = 0.37, p = .076; n = 24). Participants with a bedroom TV tend to watch significantly more TV (5.4 hours per day ± 2.7; p = .057; n = 28) than do participants without a bedroom TV (3.6 ± 1.9 hours per day, p = .057; n = 11). This article suggested that taking the TV out of the bedroom may help to reduce overweight and obese adults can decrease their TV viewing time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to investigate both the sleep environment and sleep quality in bedrooms. It was also to reveal the relationship between sleep environment and sleep quality, and to study its seasonal changes in winter, spring, and summer. The subjects for this study were 24 women who lived in apartments in Seoul and its environs. We conducted two groups of measurements. One group considered elements of the sleep environment: mean radiant temperature, air temperature, relative humidity, carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration, illumination, and equivalent noise level. The other looked at elements of sleep quality: the apnea-hypopnea index, and inspiratory flow limitation (as %FL), which were measured simultaneously while subjects were asleep. Results showed first, that people were exposed to a variety of problems when asleep, related to their sleep environment such as too low or high air temperatures, or relative humidity and high CO2 concentrations. Second, these were seasonally dependant and people slept best during spring, then winter, and then summer. Third, the effect of the sleep environment on sleep quality varied with age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Existing literature has shown that home dampness increases indoor mold burden and is associated with increased allergic symptoms among young children in temperate environments. There is no report of any studies of similar nature in the tropics where conditions are characterized typically by high temperatures and humidity with rainfall throughout the year. To evaluate if there are associations between the prevalence of current asthma and allergic symptoms in young children (age 1.5–6 yr) with dampness and indoor mold in children's bedrooms in a tropical environment. A cross-sectional study adopting an expanded and modified ISAAC – International Study on Asthma and Allergies in Children– questionnaire for the evaluation of asthma and allergies was conducted on 6794 children (4759 responded – 70%) attending 120 randomly selected daycare centers. Specific information on demographics, home dampness, and the visible presence of indoor molds were obtained. The prevalence ratios (PR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were determined by Cox proportional hazard regression model with assumption of a constant risk period as recommended for cross-sectional studies. The calculated PRs were controlled for age, gender, ethnicity, socio-economic status, type of housing, maternal and paternal atopy, respiratory infections, environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure, and food allergy. After adjusting for potential confounding effects, home dampness was observed to be significantly associated with current symptoms of rhinoconjunctivitis (adjusted PR 1.53, 95% CI: 1.00–2.33). The visible presence of mold was significantly associated with current symptoms of rhinitis (PR 1.55, 95% CI: 1.16–2.07) and rhinoconjunctivitis (PR 2.38, 95% CI: 1.51–3.75). Indoor dampness and mold in children's bedroom are important risk factors associated with allergic symptoms in young children in Singapore. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: We examined having a TV in the bedroom as a risk factor for child overweight.Design: Cross-sectional study.Setting: School- and telephone-based surveys in New Hampshire and Vermont between 2002 and 2004.Participants: Two thousand three hundred and forty-three children enrolled in public schools, aged 9-12 years, and one of their parents.Main Exposures: The child having a TV in the bedroom.Main Outcome Measures: Age- and gender-standardized child body mass index (zBMI). Overweight was defined as equal to or above the 95th percentile for zBMI.Results: Overall, 22.3% (N=523) of the children were overweight, and almost half of all children (48.2%, N=1130) had a TV in their bedroom. Children with a TV in their bedroom had a higher zBMI and were significantly more likely to be overweight compared to those without a TV in their bedroom (27.3 versus 17.7%, respectively; P<0.05). After controlling for sociodemographics, physical activity, frequency of TV or movie watching and internet use, children with a TV in their bedroom who watched at least one session of TV or movies per day were more likely to be overweight compared to those without a TV in their bedroom (odds ratio=1.32, 95% confidence interval: 1.03, 1.70).Conclusions: Having a TV in the bedroom is a risk factor for child overweight, independent of reported physical activity, participation in team sports, TV or movie watching time and internet use at home. Further study is needed to fully understand the mechanism by which having a TV in the bedroom increases children's risk for overweight. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

da Silva DR, Binotti RS, da Silva CM, de Oliveira CH, Condino-Neto A, de Capitani EM. Mites in dust samples from mattress surfaces from single beds or cribs in the south Brazilian city of Londrina.Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2005: 16: 132–136.© 2005 Blackwell MunksgaardThe aim of this study was to investigate the mite fauna in mattresses dust samples from cribs or beds in the south Brazilian city of Londrina, State of Paraná. A total of 133 dust samples from upper and lower mattress surfaces, and bed frames were aspirated once from 38 dwellings (18 cribs and 21 beds), and one day nursery (six cribs). A total of 758 mite bodies were counted in slides: 233 (30.7%) from cribs and 525 (69.3%) from beds (p < 0.001). House dust mites– mainlyDermatophagoides pteronyssinus, represented 72% and 84% of total mite count in crib and bed dust samples, respectively. The mean HDM body concentration in crib or bed slides were, respectively, 289.9 ± 136.7 and 875.0 ± 183.6 mites/g. Statistical analysis showed a significantly higher mite bodies count on lower mattress surface compared with upper surface in bed samples only (p = 0.025). Data herein show that cribs like mattress have sufficient mite bodies to cause sensitization to humans. The use of mattress covers for cribs and beds should be encouraged in order to avoid allergens exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Comfort temperature and sleep quality involving 20 participants were determined in two cases: Case A (arbitrary, controlled air-conditioner setting) and Case B (adjustment of 3 °C higher than the setting of Case A with cool bed linen). Data of indoor thermal comfort and electricity consumption were collected every night throughout the measurement period. Questionnaires on thermal comfort and sleep quality were distributed twice a night for a duration of three nights for each case; the first night was for respondents' adaptation and the following two nights were for measurement. The sleep quality of the respondents was objectively measured using a commercially available activity tracker. Results found that most respondents were thermally comfortable in both cases, with 39% lower energy consumption reported for Case B compared to Case A. The thermal conditions of Case B were found to be more tolerable than those of Case A. Most respondents reported to have a calm and satisfied sleep for both cases. Comfort temperature and Sleep Efficiency Index (SEI) were found to be maintained in both cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The hypothesis was tested that wall-to-wall carpets on school classroom floors have a negative effect on the respiratory health of asthmatic children. Asthmatic Patients (n = 98) were selected from the records of the Sophia Children's Hospital in Rotterdam. The patients were between 5 and 11 years old. All children had peak-flow measurements three times a day for a 1-month period. The parents of the children completed a diary in which respiratory symptoms and medication use were recorded daily for the same period. Dust samples were taken from classroom floors, living-room and bedroom floors, and mattresses of the children. The dust samples were analyzed for Der p I content, the major allergen of the house-dust mite Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus. The results of the study showed that there was no significant difference between children visiting schools with or without carpeted classroom floors in peak-flow variability, acute respiratory symptoms, or medication use. The Der p I content of dust collected form classroom floors was much lower than of dust collected form homes. There was a significant correlation between peak-flow variability and mattress dust Der pI content in asthmatic children sensitized to dust mites, but not between peak-flow variability and classroom floor dust Der p I content. We concluded that carpeted classroom floors do not contribute to asthma symptom severity, possibly because of the low levels of Der p I on them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review aimed to provide an overview of the characterisation of indoor air quality (IAQ) during the sleeping period, based only on real life conditions' studies where, at least, one air pollutant was considered. Despite the consensual complexity of indoor air, when focusing on sleeping environments, the available scientific literature is still scarce and falls to provide a multipollutants' characterisation of the air breathed during sleep. This review, following PRISMA's approach, identified a total of 22 studies that provided insights of how IAQ is during the sleeping period in real life conditions. Most of studies focused on carbon dioxide (77%), followed by particles (PM2.5, PM10 and ultrafines) and only 18% of the studies focused on pollutants such as carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds and formaldehyde. Despite the high heterogeneity between studies (regarding the geographical area, type of surrounding environments, season of the year, type of dwelling, bedrooms' ventilation, number of occupants), several air pollutants showed exceedances of the limit values established by guidelines or legislation, indicating that an effort should be made in order to minimise human exposure to air pollutants. For instance, when considering the air quality guideline of World Health Organisation of 10 µg·m−3 for PM2.5, 86% of studies that focused this pollutant registered levels above this threshold. Considering that people spend one third of their day sleeping, exposure during this period may have a significant impact on the daily integrated human exposure, due to the higher amount of exposure time, even if this environment is characterised by lower pollutants' levels. Improving the current knowledge of air pollutants levels during sleep in different settings, as well as in different countries, will allow to improve the accuracy of exposure assessments and will also allow to understand their main drivers and how to tackle them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Results of an investigation of the effects of window position on theairflow characteristics for a typical bedroom setting in Taiwan are presented. Four different window positions were examined in the experiment which used a full-scale laboratory bedroom model with a single bed. A three-dimensional ultrasonic anemometer was used to measure airflow distribution and the results of flow measurements at two heightlevels are presented. Computer simulation of the airflow distribution was performed using the standard k-epsilon turbulence model. The measurements and the computer calculations resulted in similar airflow distributions for all positions of window openings. Close congruence between the results of calculations and those of the measurements shows the validity of using such a computer simulation in the airflow design of a residential bedroom. The results also show that the positions of window openings have appreciable effects on the airflow distribution. Proper window position is therefore an important factor in thedesign of ventilation for a cross-ventilated bedroom. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]