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Shunt resistance R sh is a critical parameter for photovoltaic cells designed for low light indoor applications because it negatively affects the open circuit voltage, fill factor, and conversion efficiency. Standard CIGS cells are known to have low R sh and are, therefore, unpromising candidates for indoor energy sources. In this paper, we extend the original work of Virtuani et al. by determining the electrical specifications of many CIGS cells with copper contents [Cu]/([Ga]+[In]) as low as 0.33 and gallium contents between 0.28 and 0.81. First, IV data are fitted by a standard single-diode electrical circuit model for each illumination, resulting in light-dependent parameters. Then, we use a procedure based on a single dataset of electrical variables, i.e., independent of light, corrected by the experimental collection function, which captures light-dependent physical mechanisms. In this way, we are able to correctly reproduce the illuminance dependence of the electrical response of the PV cell over three orders of magnitude, in particular with a fixed value of the shunt resistance. The highest R sh is obtained with a low copper composition of 0.5 , regardless of the gallium composition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glow-in-the-daylight is a fascinating luminescence phenomenon displayed by certain storage phosphors that emit ultraviolet light upon being stimulated by ambient lighting. In this study, we investigate the influence of indoor lighting on the glow-in-the-daylight emission of a co-doped garnet phosphor, Y3Al5O12:Pr3+,Eu3+, known for its deep trap that effectively retains energy. Our experimental results demonstrate an interesting observation that, following x-ray radiation at room temperature, this phosphor exhibits negligible persistent luminescence in darkness but emits intense ultraviolet light peaking at 318 nm under indoor lighting conditions. This emphasizes the crucial role played by ambient lighting in releasing stored energy. Our findings not only shed light on the influence of indoor illumination dose and spectral distribution on the persistently stimulated luminescence but also expand our exploration to various ultraviolet phosphors with deep traps, with the aim of uncovering novel materials applicable in glow-in-the-daylight scenarios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bats are typically nocturnal. However, daylight activity (ie between one hour after sunrise and one hour before sunset) is known for a small subset of species, often associated with small oceanic islands with no diurnal avian predators. Here, we describe numerous observations of diurnal activity of Horsfield's bat (Myotis horsfieldii), in Gunung Mulu National Park in Sarawak, Malaysia. Between 2015 and 2020, bats were repetitively observed flying along streams and rivers at 14 localities during various hours of the day. Daylight active bats exhibited a flight pattern concurrent with prey hunting strategies and, through bioacoustics, foraging was confirmed by the presence of feeding buzzes. Despite the occurrence of numerous sympatric avian diurnal predators known to hunt bats (eg bat hawk Macheiramphus alcinus) and avian competitors (eg cave swiftlet Aerodramus spp.), the relatively wide temporal and spatial coverage of the records suggests that diurnal activity of this water-associated bat might be a common phenomenon in the area. We speculate that this atypical behaviour might have arisen to circumvent night-time competition with the high numbers of bats roosting in nearby caves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As many aspects of animal, human and plant behavior and survival are being perturbed by widespread exposure to artificial light at night (ALAN), lighting professionals are in the middle, attempting to make design decisions that directly affect these life forms. Research shows any light exposure higher than the nighttime natural environment will have a negative impact on various life forms during the nocturnal phase. This paper aims to provide a design process for "life-centric" lighting with good human and non-human outcomes for all life-sustaining behaviors on earth driven by phototropism, phototaxis, photoperiodism and circadian entrainment as the foundational consideration. Fundamental understandings of how light information is used by these life forms in a way crucial for development, growth and survival is provided in the paper. Key references are consolidated and synthesized using PRISMA 2020 with goals of supporting knowledge translation into pragmatic lighting strategies in a manner useful for lighting professionals. A process for life-centric lighting design using an existing process for human-centric lighting design involving lighting intensity and spectrum along with spatial and temporal patterns is provided, which can dovetail with decision-making processes that are within the workflow of lighting professionals. Well-designed studies with a wider range of light intensities and spectrum and well-defined lighting properties, along with better modes of communication between lighting professionals and ALAN researchers are recommended to facilitate the realization of biodynamic lighting solutions that will support good human and non-human outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

LEDs simplify the personalization of lighting. However, research on the effects of personalizable lighting is in its infancy. The present study investigates the impact of personalizable workplace lighting on subjective parameters, cognition, and physiological stress while performing cognitive tests. In a cross-over design, 22 participants were randomly assigned to standard workplace lighting and lighting with adjustable illuminance and color temperature for two hours on two separate days. Subjective outcome measures were sleepiness, affect, and asthenopic complaints. We further assessed vigilance and three cognitive domains (task switching, working memory, and information processing) and derived heart rate variability parameters from an electrocardiogram. Some beneficial effects of personalizable lighting on cognitive performance were observed, although the overall results remain inconclusive. Standard and personalizable lighting did not differ in subjective ratings and physiological stress responses. Exploratory analysis of personalizable lighting revealed significant variation in self-selected workplace illuminances and limited variation in self-selected correlated color temperatures. Despite the preference for increased workplace illuminance under personalizable lighting, no visual impairment was observed compared to standard lighting. Personalizable workplace lighting is a promising new design feature to support individual visual and nonvisual lighting needs in daylight-deprived environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies on fatal crashes involving heavy vehicle crashes at unsignalized intersections typically emphasize the examination of injury severity at the individual level rather than analyzing the crash itself. The objective of this study is to bridge the existing gap in the literature regarding the injuries caused by heavy vehicles at unsignalized intersections. Not only that but this study also seeks to find sound answers to the research questions: Firstly, how does the absence of a traffic signal or any other form of traffic control affect the injury severity of heavy vehicle drivers? Secondly, what are the factors that contribute to injury severity sustained by drivers of heavy vehicles at unsignalized intersections? This study utilized the data regarding heavy vehicle crashes that occurred at unsignalized intersections from 2007 to 2013 in the state of Washington. A total of 4638 crashes involving heavy vehicles at unsignalized intersections were reported between 2007 and 2013. Three main injury severity categories were considered: severe (fatal and incapacitating injuries), minor (non-incapacitating and possible injuries), and no injury. A mixed logit model is estimated to achieve the objectives of the study and also to tackle the issue of unobserved heterogeneity. The estimation results show that crashes on wet roadways, crashes involving left-turning movements, and crashes involving sober drivers produced obvious heterogeneous impacts on driver injury severity while the rest of the factors had homogeneous impacts. The findings indicate that sober drivers and the lack of restraining systems increased the odds of sustaining severe injuries by 0.0078 and 0.0022 as suggested by marginal effects. In contrast, no injury chances increased if crashes occurred in daylight by 0.0512. This study can aid in a deeper understanding of the risk factors of heavy vehicle crashes at unsignalized intersections so that safety at such locations can be improved by recommending effective countermeasures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Performance of Photovoltaic-double skin facade (Photovoltaic-DSF) system in summer has been critical. Owing to high solar ingress, cooling requirement of a building significantly increases. Photovoltaic-DSF system provides a shield and controls the heat gain through fenestration in the interior spaces. In the present article, mathematical correlations are developed for energy characterization of forced-ventilated Photovoltaic-DSF system in India's hot summer zone i.e. Jaipur. The Photovoltaic-DSF system has been installed and monitored for Jaipur's summer months (May to July). L25 Orthogonal array of design parameters (air cavity thickness, air velocity, and PV panel's transparency) and their respective levels have been developed using Taguchi design to perform experiments. Based on experimental results, multiple linear regression has been used to forecast solar heat gain coefficient, PVs electrical power and daylighting illuminance indoors as function of design factors. The statistical significance of mathematical relationships is sorted by variance analysis, which is found to be in good accord with field measurements (R² > 0.90). The proposed correlations are pragmatic in designing Photovoltaic-DSF systems for hot summer conditions. The Photovoltaic-DSF system with 30% transmittance and air velocity of 5 metres per second in 200 mm air cavity thickness achieved maximum energy performance in hot summers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Daylight is one of the essential criteria for decent housing. However, in an urban kampung, access to daylight is limited due to the high-density population in urban Kampung Kota. This study aims to improve the visual and thermal conditions by modifying the aperture of the light pipe based on visual daylight distribution, illuminance level, and thermal conditions in multi-storey houses in hot-humid climates. Light pipe was developed experimentally through the simulation model to investigate the performance and impact on the visual and thermal conditions like operational temperature and RH in densely populated Kampung Kota without vertical apertures. According to the results, the two-aperture light pipe residential space enhanced the current situation but did not fulfill the standards. The two aperture light pipe visually improved daylight distribution by 1.05% -31.36% and illumination level by 8.4% - 14.8%. We also found that light pipe also impacts thermal conditions with a 10.92% RH reduction while at the same time increasing temperature up to 10.57%. Therefore, it can be concluded that a two-aperture light pipe has the potential to be applied to actual conditions in hot-humid climates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The Ottoman cultural legacy in Algeria is made up of a diverse range of architectural structures. The Algerian government strategy in connection with the Ottoman old buildings is to restore them into museums. This study will attempt to present a contrastive analysis between two old palaces being under restoration (refurbishment), and the goal is to propose a museum route by calculating the ambiance aimed at circulating the rooms by visitors. Design/methodology/approach: The authors analyzed the architectural components of the various entities by observing in situ and taking measurements for a single case study to get a sense of the results for the mid-season (spring and fall). The configuration was next evaluated by modeling the space syntax and combining it with a simulation of daylight luminance, for the period when the authors could not make measurements on-site. The ultimate goal is to combine these findings to suggest the ideal in-route for the future museum. Findings: This research allowed the authors to propose a museum itinerary adapted to the new vocation of the palaces, which considers the daylight as an element of composition in the spaces of circulation. Practical implications: The paper proposes solutions to a flow management problem encountered in several similar palaces converted into museums. Social implications: The study aims to raise questions on the museum, and to preserve such heritage from neglect by giving it a new life more adapted to the needs of the Algerian society. Originality/value: The authors believe that this contribution will be a creative solution for issues related to the operation of palaces that have been converted into museums. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The escalating scarcity of freshwater resources presents significant challenges to global sustainability, demanding innovative solutions by integrating cutting-edge materials and technologies. Here we introduce an autonomous artificial forest (3D AF) for continuous freshwater acquisition. This system features a three-dimensional (3D) architecture incorporating a carbon nanofiber (CNF) network and MXene@polypyrrole (Ti3C2@PPy), enhancing surface area, light absorption, heat distribution, and surface wettability to improve solar vapor generation and fog collection efficiency. The autonomous operation is facilitated by an integrated photothermal actuator that adjusts to the day and night conditions. During daylight, the 3D AF tilts downward to maximize solar exposure for water evaporation, while at night, it self-adjusts to optimize fog particle collection. Notably, our device demonstrates the ability to harvest over 5.5 L m−2 of freshwater daily outdoors. This study showcases the potential of integrating advanced materials and technologies to address pressing global freshwater challenges, paving the way for future innovations in water harvesting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present prevailing loop closure detection algorithm is mainly applicable for simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM). Its effectiveness is contingent upon environmental conditions, which can fluctuate due to variations in lighting or the surrounding scenario. Vision-based algorithms, while adept during daylight hours, may falter in nocturnal settings. Conversely, lidar methods hinge on the sparsity of the given scenario. This paper proposes an algorithm that comprehensively utilizes lidar and image features to assign weighted factors for loop closure detection based on multi-modal sensor fusion. First, we use k -means clustering to produce a point cloud spatial global bag of words. Second, an improved deep learning method is used to train feature descriptors of images while scan context is also used to detect candidate point cloud features. After that, different feature-weighted factors are assigned for homologous feature descriptors. Finally, the detection result related to the maximum weight factor is designated to the optimal loop closure. The adaptive weighted loop closure (AWLC) algorithm we proposed inherits the advantages of different loop closure detection algorithms and hence it is accurate and robust. The AWLC method is compared with popular loop detection algorithms in different datasets. Experiments show that the AWLC can maintain the effectiveness and robustness of detection even at night or in highly dynamic complex environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] deficiency is a global health concern, particularly in pediatric populations, with implications for musculoskeletal health and overall well-being. This study aimed to evaluate serum 25(OH)D levels in a pediatric population and assess the prevalence of deficiency and insufficiency. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on data from 741 pediatric patients (2–17 years old) who visited an urban hospital for children for acute respiratory and gastrointestinal conditions in the span of 2 years. Serum 25(OH)D levels were measured using chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay. Statistical analyses were performed to assess the prevalence of deficiency and insufficiency, seasonal variations, and correlations with age and daylight exposure. Results: Of the 739 pediatric patients analyzed, a substantial proportion exhibited insufficient (31.80%) or deficient (36.54%) serum 25(OH)D levels. While younger age groups generally had higher mean 25(OH)D levels, a negative correlation was observed between 25(OH)D levels and age. Sunlight exposure variations did not significantly impact serum 25(OH)D levels. Despite diverse daylight exposure patterns, there were no significant differences between longer and shorter daylight periods. Conclusions: This study highlights the high prevalence of 25(OH)D deficiency and insufficiency in the pediatric population, emphasizing the need for public health monitoring and targeted supplementation strategies. Findings underscore the importance of regular consultations with healthcare providers to ensure optimal 25(OH)D levels in children, with potential implications for revising current sufficiency thresholds. Addressing 25(OH)D deficiency is crucial for promoting musculoskeletal health and overall well-being in children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the work was to test the level of daylight conditions and the heat load of animals in the summer season in two identically oriented dairy barns with different construction and material solutions. Measurements were carried out in the same farm and at the same time. A classic massive building – reconstructed barn (RB) for 158 dairy cows with a volume of 34.3 m3 per animal supplemented in summer by motor ventilation (522.15 m3 per animal, total 82,500 m3·h−1) had an indoor daylight factor DF below the limit DFavg, int = 0.21% (against the recommended DF = 1% for housing dairy cows). In the external feeding alley, which was screened by a shelter and an adjacent building, lighting conditions were compliant with DFavg, ext = 4.02%. However, the level of heat load as measured by indices was above the limit (THIavg, int = 84.65) despite the motor ventilation used; in the outdoor feeder THIavg, ext = 81.63, against the recommended stress-free level THI = 72. Similarly, according to the ETIC assessment, the results were deficient ETICavg, int = 26.16 and in the outdoor feed ETICavg, ext = 25.24 against the recommended level of ETIC = 20. The second building, a new barn (NB) for 444 dairy cows was a new large-cubicle indoor structure with 82.53 m3 per animal, with a translucent roof (37.87% of the total 4,927.6 m2 was of translucent polycarbonate triple-pipe roofing). This amount of translucent elements together with large window openings of a total area of 879.6 m2 was also reflected in the values of the daylight factor DFavg, int = 7.59%. The level of heat load was not significantly lower compared to a massive RB with motor ventilation over a double row of bunks (fans with a total capacity of 82,500 m3·h−1). In NB, no animal cooling features were activated, but technically and spatially they were easily solvable (whether economical ventilation systems with laminar flow, precisely controlled sprinkling of animals, or another combination of evaporative and flow solutions). These efficient types of cooling would be almost impossible to deploy in RB or only with a special renovation of the building, which would be comprehensively costly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the concentration performance of three concentrator types – Fresnel lens, plano-convex lens, and parabolic mirrors in focusing sunlight onto a 1.5 mm diameter plastic optical fiber. The evaluation uses TracePro ray tracing software for simulation and analysis, considering visible light and infrared bands. Results show that parabolic mirrors achieved the highest concentration ratio at 7720 suns, followed by the Fresnel lens at 6400 suns, and the plano-convex lens at 2750 suns for a wavelength of 535 nm, surpassing geometric concentration values of 1202 suns. Efficiency measurements revealed that the Fresnel lens achieved 86% efficiency, the parabolic mirrors reached 97% efficiency, and the plano-convex lens achieved 93% efficiency. Additionally, the parabolic mirror demonstrated potential for creating the smallest concentration spot size due to its ability to focus light on a single point. This study highlights potential applications of sunlight concentrators in enhancing natural lighting in buildings and promoting energy efficiency. The comparative analysis of these concentrators offers insights into their performance characteristics, aiding in the selection and optimization of concentrators for daylighting applications. Moreover, this research supports the concept of green and sustainable energy by demonstrating the potential of solar energy to meet building energy demand and promote daylighting as a means to reduce reliance on conventional energy sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Federal and state governments have recently expanded their regulatory mandates and incentives to promote renewable energy (RE) use in their planned new buildings. This requires planners to analyze and optimize their preliminary design decisions, such as building dimensions, orientation, location, and window-to-wall ratio, to maximize the use of RE in their buildings. To support designers in this critical task, this paper presents a novel model for optimizing preliminary building designs. The two optimization objectives of the optimization model focus on maximizing harvested RE and minimizing construction cost by identifying optimal building dimensions, orientation, window-to-wall ratio, and site layout. The optimization model complies with all design requirements, such as building dimensions, natural lighting, and cost-effectiveness constraints. The model performance is analyzed using two application examples to illustrate its capabilities in considering the impact of the surrounding environment on design decisions. The results of this analysis confirm the model contributions in identifying a set of nondominated optimal solutions that provide tradeoffs among the two optimization objectives of the developed model. These capabilities are expected to support building planners in identifying an optimal preliminary building design that maximizes the use of RE while minimizing all related construction costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Daylight photoluminescence imaging of crystalline silicon photovoltaic modules is demonstrated for modules embedded in rooftop and utility‐scale systems, using inverters to electrically switch the operating point of the array. The method enables rapid and high‐quality luminescence image acquisition during the day, unlocking efficient performance and quality monitoring without the need to connect specific electrical hardware or to make any modifications to the system wiring. The principle of the measurement approach is discussed, and experimental results from a 12‐kWDC residential rooftop system and from a 149 MWDC utility‐scale photovoltaic power plant are presented. Measurements were performed using commercial inverters without modifications to the inverter hardware or firmware. In the case of the utility‐scale power plant, the daylight photoluminescence image acquisition of modules connected to a central inverter was obtained from a remote piloted aircraft. Data analysis includes the conversion of photoluminescence image data into implied voltage differences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Efficient highway lighting is crucial for ensuring road safety and reducing energy consumption and costs. Traditional highway lighting systems rely on timers or simple photosensors, leading to inefficient operation by illuminating lights when not needed or failing to adjust to changing conditions. The emergence of the Internet of Things (IoT) and related technologies has enabled the development of smart automated highway lighting systems that can dynamically control illumination levels based on real-time data. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the current state-of-the-art in smart automated highway lighting systems employing IoT technologies. Key components, communication protocols, data processing techniques, and lighting control strategies are discussed. The integration of renewable energy sources and energy storage systems is explored for environmentally sustainable operations. Practical implementation case studies are analyzed to highlight benefits and challenges. Open research issues and future directions for further enhancements are identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrochemiluminescence (ECL) has attracted significant attention as a promising light‐emitting technology owing to its simple configuration and solution processability. ECL has wide applications in biological and chemical sensors, lighting, and displays. ECL lighting devices are fabricated as sandwiched structures with a transparent electrode on top, which limits their widespread adoption. Intricate structures with high precision and customizable designs can be directly fabricated using 3D printing. However, 3D printing of ECL devices is challenging because of poor printability and structural integrity of ECL luminophore inks. Here, all‐printed electrically driven lighting is demonstrated using the direct ink writing method. The ECL reactive layer and electrodes are directly printed using a side‐by‐side electrode configuration. A 3D printable ECL ink is developed by incorporating silica nanoparticles as rheological modifiers to realize well‐defined patterns with high structural integrity. Graphene is introduced on Ag multilayer electrodes to embrace both the electrical conductivity and electrochemical stability for efficient ECL operation. This all‐printing approach allows the fabrication of ECL devices with complex designs, such as combs and spirals. Moreover, it facilitates seamless printing on various substrate materials, making this technology an asset in the fields of biology, chemistry, and electronics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The lighting control of the theatrical stage is directly related to the presentation effect of the program and the audience's experience. With the development of intelligent control technology, the control of lighting effects has been continuously improved. However, the existing stage lighting control lacks intelligence, resulting in poor control effect and weak energy‐saving performance. Based on this, a human contour image classification model using support vector machines (SVM) based on histogram of oriented gradient (HOG) feature extraction method is constructed to achieve stage lighting control. The results show that the revised HOG feature extraction approach achieves recognition performance of 99.6% when the ratio is 0.8. The HOG‐SVM model proposed in the study has the best recognition performance, reaching 99.6%. This indicates that the stage lighting control system based on HOG‐SVM feature extraction constructed in the research can meet the actual needs of stage program performance, which can be applied to stage lighting control to effectively reduce energy consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Reflectance transformation imaging (RTI) is one of the most widely used techniques in order to digitize and analyze material appearance of a surface, finding a great level of utility and applicability in the field of cultural heritage as well as in industrial applications. To date, most of the methods used to process (model and relight) RTI data assume only one light direction for all pixels as well as a single light source-surface distance for the entire image, following the model of a very distant (far) light source. This assumption does not hold in practice. Indeed, the light sources commonly used in RTI acquisitions (spotlight/photo flash) induce to a non-uniform illumination of the surface. This is caused by the variation of incidence angles and per-point distances which directly affect the amount of light received by the surface. We propose a novel pixel-wise methodology for improving lighting based on illumination laws that allows one to correct both loss of energy due to the distance variation as well as the elevation angle. We show the efficiency of the proposed method on RTI acquisitions performed on cultural heritage objects and a manufactured surface. We show that our method corrects the effects of non-uniform illumination and leads to improve the relighting commonly associated with RTI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Night lighting reflects the prosperous development of economic and the increasingly rich and colorful cultural life. Currently, various technical standards, protocols and management specifications have been developed to build a safe, comfortable and economical lighting environment. However, prevailing evaluation systems focus on objective indexes of illumination and have ignored environmental characteristics and subjective feelings and lacked consideration of regional culture, economic benefit, management and maintenance. In this context, a lighting evaluation system combining subjective and objective is proposed for the first time in this study to explore approaches to guide the development of a healthy and comfortable urban night-time environment. Design/methodology/approach: Existing research and relevant lighting standards are analyzed and an evaluation model with a logical hierarchy is constructed by combining with the evaluation theory that is set based on people and the environment. The index weights were scientifically determined on the basis of the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method. The rationality and validity of the proposed evaluation system is verified in accordance with field projects and case studies. Findings: Taking into account traditional and cultural factors, the evaluation model established has an acceptable accuracy. Evaluation based on subjective-objective combination can provide a scientific basis for the management and optimization of night lighting. Originality/value: The proposed evaluation system can serve as a guiding reference for other areas of cultural identity and esthetic perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the day-dark approach to measuring the contribution of road lighting to pedestrian reassurance, reassurance is evaluated in daylight and after dark. In previous studies, the daylight and after dark evaluations were carried out at different times of day. Other factors, such as the presence of other people, are likely to vary with time of day, and hence this confounds conclusions about the effectiveness of road lighting. In this study, we conducted a day-dark field study of pedestrian reassurance but with the daylight evaluation carried out at two times of the day, one at around mid-day and one at the same time of day as the after dark evaluation, achieved by taking advantage of the biannual daylight savings clock change. These data did not suggest any significant effects of time of day on the daylight evaluations of pedestrian reassurance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document is a summary of a special issue on lighting in buildings. The issue covers various research papers on topics such as integrative lighting, indoor lighting, and daylighting. The papers explore the impact of lighting on occupant well-being, performance, and comfort, as well as the effects of lighting color on emotions. The research also investigates the use of sensors and advanced controls to optimize energy efficiency while meeting occupants' needs. The document concludes with a call for papers for a follow-up special issue on lighting in buildings. [Extracted from the article]

Although traditional Chinese wooden residential buildings have historically adapted to their respective regions, they face challenges in meeting modern living standards, particularly with regard to insufficient indoor natural lighting. This study focuses on three representative Tujia residences: the "L-shaped" dwellings, the "U-shaped" dwellings, and the courtyard residences, with the aim of improving their indoor lighting performance. Using Ecotect 2011 software for computer simulations, the study investigates the impact of altering the geometric shapes of courtyards in traditional wooden residential buildings on the lighting of the central room. The results indicate that, for the "L-shaped" dwellings, the geometric dimensions of the courtyard have little impact on the lighting of the central room. For the "U-shaped" dwellings, the optimal courtyard geometry is achieved with a well index (WI) of 1, balancing residential functionality, economic considerations, and indoor lighting performance. Regarding the courtyard residences, the best results are obtained by minimizing the building height while maximizing the well depth index to 1. Additionally, the study shows that a square layout of 90° ∗ 90° is most favorable for courtyards, effectively balancing lighting performance, functionality, and aesthetics. These findings provide valuable insights for the renovation of existing traditional residences and the design of new buildings, aiming to enhance overall indoor lighting effectiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The energy design of museums in developing countries is a subject that has been poorly studied, despite its significant implications for heritage preservation, human comfort, energy efficiency, and environmental sustainability. This study introduces a comprehensive framework of Energy Performance Indicators tailored to air-conditioned museums in tropical regions, which represent the most prevalent museum type. These indicators are particularly important as international standards may not be applicable in these contexts. A comprehensive review of the factors and their design implications is provided at the building, system, and component levels. Efficient integration of lighting and air conditioning systems can optimize energy use while maintaining appropriate conditions for both artefact preservation and visitor comfort. Parameters such as average illuminance, uniformity of lighting, lighting power density and lighting energy use intensity are critical in balancing visual quality and energy efficiency. Recommended values and strategies, such as the use of LED lighting and daylight harvesting, help to minimize energy consumption. In addition, parameters such as power density and energy use intensity of air conditioning systems are essential for assessing their efficiency. Techniques such as the integration of solar-assisted, optimized performance indices can effectively reduce energy consumption. Synthetic indicators for assessing lighting quality and overall energy performance are (i) Average Illuminance Ratio, which assesses the adequacy of lighting in a space by comparing the average measured illuminance with the recommended illuminance levels for that space, and (ii) Energy Use Intensity, which represents the total annual energy consumption per unit area of conditioned space. By adopting these indicators, tropical museums can advance energy efficiency and broader sustainability objectives, taking a significant step towards a more energy-conscious and sustainable future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Light can influence many psychophysiological functions beyond vision, including alertness, circadian rhythm, and sleep, namely the non‐image forming (NIF) effects of light. Melanopic equivalent daylight illuminance (mel‐EDI) is currently recommended as the predictor of the NIF effects of light. Although light dose is also critical for entraining and regulating circadian cycle, it is still unknown whether relatively low mel‐EDI light exposure for prolonged duration in the evening would affect pre‐sleep arousal and subsequent sleep. In all, 18 healthy college students (10 females, mean [standard deviation] age 21.67 [2.03] years) underwent 2 experimental nights with a 1 week interval in a simulated bedroom environment. During experimental nights, participants were either exposed to high or low mel‐EDI light (73 versus 38 lx mel‐EDI, 90 versus 87 photopic lx at eye level, 150 photopic lx at table level) for 3.5 h before regular bedtime, and their sleep was monitored by polysomnography. Subjective sleepiness, mood, and resting‐state electroencephalography during light exposure were also investigated. Results showed no significant differences in sleep structure and sleep quality between the two light conditions, whereas 3.5 h of exposure to high versus low mel‐EDI light induced marginally higher physiological arousal in terms of a lower delta but higher beta power density before sleep, as well as a lower delta power density during sleep. Moreover, participants felt happier before sleep under exposure to high versus low mel‐EDI light. These findings together with the current literature suggest that evening prolonged relatively low mel‐EDI light exposure may mildly increase arousal before and during sleep but affected sleep structure less. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents an indoor positioning strategy based on Visible Light Communication that relies on LED luminaires as transmitters, whose luminous flux is modulated at different frequencies, and a light sensor as a receiver. Then, a previously trained Artificial Neural Network (ANN) uses the illuminance signal gathered by the receiver as input to estimate the sensor's position. The main contribution of the technique is that the ANN is trained by using an illuminance estimator based on the lighting distribution of the luminaires, which is obtained through the IES file provided by the luminaire's manufacturer, without the need to collect data from the environment. In this work, the designed illuminance estimator is validated by comparing it to the well-known commercial software DIALux and Relux. The algorithm's setting and the performance evaluation of the ANN are explained. Then, the impact of the lighting uniformity and the environment's number of divisions on the accuracy of the results is analyzed. Error analyses are also made by adding uncertainty to the illuminance measurements obtained by the sensor. Finally, the work is compared to several papers in the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article focuses on the respondents' reactions to window views in dense urban environments. A representative sample of multistorey buildings in residential neighbourhoods in close-up window view was observed. To test the respondents' reactions to window views and the influence of various architectural features, the data was collected with an online questionnaire. The respondents were selecting a reaction to an individual window view, evaluated features and defined causes for their decisions. Results were analysed with descriptive statistics and Chi-Square test was used to analyse the relationship between the variables. The research indicates that window views in densely build urban environments that restrict the building from the context of the space received predominantly negative reactions, but due to various features and causes. As a general rule, the restricted window views increase importance of architectural details, increase importance of surface treatment of façades and decrease importance of the façade geometry. Specifically, the research indicates that the age of the respondents and the way they spend their day does not significantly influence their tolerance to unfavourable window views. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Human circadian clocks are synchronized daily with the external light-dark cycle and entrained to the 24-hour day. There is increasing evidence that a lack of synchronization and circadian entrainment can lead to adverse health effects. Beyond vision, light plays a critical role in modulating many so-called non-visual functions, including sleep-wake cycles, alertness, mood and endocrine functions. To assess (and potentially optimize) the impact of light on non-visual functions, it is necessary to know the exact 'dose' (i.e. spectral irradiance and exposure duration at eye level) of 24-hour light exposures, but also to include metadata about the lighting environment, individual needs and resources. Problem statement: To address this problem, a new assessment tool is needed that uses existing metrics to provide metadata and information about light quality and quantity from all sources. In this commentary, we discuss the need to develop an evidence-based integrative lighting score that is tailored to specific audiences and lighting environments. We will summarize the most compelling evidence from the literature and outline a future plan for developing such a lighting score using internationally accepted metrics, stakeholder and user feedback. Conclusion: We propose a weighting system that combines light qualities with physiological and behavioral effects, and the use of mathematical modelling for an output score. Such a scoring system will facilitate a holistic assessment of a lighting environment, integrating all available light sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: This study investigated the health effects of two different architectural glass types: A two-layered low-iron high transmittance glass and a three-layered low energy glass with lower transmittance. The study investigated how these glass types affected daylight conditions in 72 residential apartments, as well as health and satisfaction of the residents. Methods: The study installed high transmittance glass (light transmittance LT:0.82) in 36 apartments and low transmittance (LT:0.74) in 36 identical apartments. The study then analyzed the light transmittance of each glass type in the laboratory and analyzed the indoor environmental quality (IEQ) in eight representative apartments before and after renovation. Self-reported questionnaires were handed out and collected before and after renovation. Results: The results showed that the glass types differed significantly in measured daylight transmittance. The two-layered high transmittance glass transmitted 15% more visual light (380-750 nm) and 20% more light in the spectral range (460-480 nm), stimulating ipRGCs and circadian rhythm, when compared to three-layered low energy glass. In addition, significant differences were observed in the UV-B spectrum (280-315 nm). While two-layered high transmittance glass transmitted UV-B, three-layered low transmittance glass did not. During the 12-month study period, residents in apartments with three-layered low energy glass reported more difficulties sleeping (p=0.05), higher satisfaction with daylight (p=0.03) and higher satisfaction with ventilation (p=0.04). Residents in apartments with three-layered low energy glass experienced fewer days with too cold indoor temperatures (p=0.02), compared to residents with two-layered low-iron glass. The results of energy consumption for heating showed that two-layered low-iron glass reduced the energy consumption by 11.0%, while three-layered low energy glass reduced the energy consumption by 9.4%, compared to the year prior to renovation. Conclusion: The results contribute to a discussion about potential energy savings on one hand and potential non-energy benefits, such as daylight quality, overall health, and total economy/life cycle assessment of the built environment on the other hand. The results suggest further research performed in randomized large-scale studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Building temperature setpoints affect both HVAC energy consumption and occupant comfort. To reduce HVAC energy usage, researchers often investigate how system operations can be optimized under weather and occupancy variability subject to a fixed setpoint that minimizes any possible discomfort. While previous research has explored the selection of dynamic setpoints to minimize HVAC energy consumption based on outdoor temperature, they have often neglected the impact of varying occupancy rates on the setpoints. This paper aims to demystify energy savings derived from fixed and dynamic temperature setpoints under weather and occupancy variability and explores the additional energy savings that can be achieved through dynamic temperature setpoints. An exhaustive HVAC zone temperature setpoint optimizer was developed to determine dynamic setpoints with respect to weather and occupancy (i.e., setpoints that minimize HVAC energy consumption at different occupancy rates based on outdoor weather). U.S. DOE reference building energy models for small, medium, and large office buildings were simulated at 17 climate zones, 4 occupancy rates (25%, 50%, 75%, 100%) and 7 setpoints (19.5°C to 25.5°C at 1°C interval). It was found that, both fixed and dynamic setpoints benefit from the energy reduction of approximately 2-4% from the lower heat generated by the occupants at lower occupancy rates. However, at outdoor temperatures between 5°C and 32°C where occupant heat loads can swing the building between heating, free-running, and cooling modes, dynamic setpoints yield additional 2-10% energy savings, compared to fixed setpoints. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the growing interest in indoor greenery and its positive effects on occupants' well-being, there is limited knowledge on the optimal light levels for indoor plants that ensure energy efficiency and sustainable growth. This study explored the survival of ornamental plants under low-light conditions typical of indoor workplaces without daylight and investigated the impact of increased light intensity or extended day length on their growth. Three species of foliage plants (Epipremnum aureum, Pachira aquatica, and Rhaphidophora tetrasperma) were cultivated in growth chambers with three different lighting schemes. The results showed that plants sustained growth with 6.8 μmol m−2 s−1 white LED light for 9 h/day, suggesting that extra lighting might not be necessary for shade-tolerant species in offices. In this environment, plants maintained efficient photosynthesis under low illumination by increasing their specific leaf area. Elevating the light to 20.1 μmol m−2 s−1 and extending the day length to 18 h/day enhanced the plants' relative growth rate. Climbing plants allocated more biomass to stems, resulting in a lower leaf weight ratio and noticeably altering their appearance. This study demonstrates that customized lighting strategies effectively support indoor greening goals, like adjusting intensity for energy savings or adding light for greening large spaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Images captured under low-light conditions often suffer from low contrast, high noise, and uneven brightness due to nightlight, backlight, and shadow. These challenges make it difficult to use them as high-quality inputs for visual tasks. Existing low-light enhancement methods tend to increase overall image brightness, which can cause overexposure of normal-light areas after enhancement. To solve this problem, this paper proposes an Uneven Dark Vision Network (UDVN) that consists of two sub-networks. The Luminance Domain Network (LDN) uses Direction-aware Spatial Context (DSC) and Feature Enhancement Module (FEM) to segment different light regions in the image and output the luminance domain mask. Guided by this mask, the Light Enhancement Network (LEN) uses the Cross-Domain Transformation Residual block (CDTR) to adaptively illuminate different regions with various lights. We also introduce a new region loss function to constrain the LEN to better enhance the quality of different light regions. In addition, we have constructed a new low-light synthesis dataset (UDL) that is larger, more diverse, and includes uneven lighting states in the real world. Extensive experiments on several benchmark datasets demonstrate that our proposed method is highly competitive with state-of-the-art (SOTA) methods. Specifically, it outperforms other methods in light recovery and detail preservation when processing uneven low-light images. The UDL dataset is publicly available at: https://github.com/YuhangLi-li/UDVN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study analyzed the effect of indoor lighting energy reduction using a daylight-concentrating indoor louver system, which is a renewable energy equipment item. Daylight-concentrating indoor louver systems enhance indoor lighting by directing natural light, entering through windows, into the room via louvers. This study demonstrates significant lighting energy savings through the use of LED-linked dimming control, particularly during the transitional season, achieving an 85.65% reduction in power consumption. In contrast, the winter season showed higher cumulative power consumption due to reduced natural light availability, with a three-day average consumption of 1128.22 W compared to 836.60 W in the transitional season, representing a 25.85% increase. The illuminance distribution analysis revealed that, while winter had higher illuminance at 1 m from the window, the transitional season recorded higher values at 3 m and 5 m, indicating more effective natural light penetration. The solar altitude during the transitional season facilitated even light distribution through daylighting louvers. These findings confirm the substantial energy savings and improved illuminance distribution achieved with daylighting louvers and LED dimming control, with notable efficiency during the transitional season. Consequently, daylight-concentrating indoor louvers are confirmed to be effective in reducing indoor electric lighting energy consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Solid-state lighting systems can vary widely in the degree of temporal light modulation (TLM) of their light output. TLM is known to have visual, cognitive, and behavioral effects but there are few recommendations for limits on the acceptable TLM in everyday lighting systems and there is little information concerning individual differences in sensitivity. This paper is a re-analysis of previously presented data, focusing on two subgroups in a larger sample: those scoring low or high on the Wilkins Pattern Glare Sensitivity (PGS) test, which is a validated test that identifies people at high risk of visual stress. The results show that the PGS groups differed in their sensitivity to TLM conditions, despite short exposures and a restricted field of view. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper introduces the results of an experiment on lighting perception and reading speed where data collected in a physical space is compared to that collected in representations of that space simulated through a web survey and three VR Head-Mounted Displays (HMDs). The results build on an experiment, where perceptions of electric lighting conditions in a physical space were compared to those of the same space simulated in a single VR HMD (HTC Vive Pro). This study extends the previous scope to compare three VR HMD groups (cardboard VR, Oculus Quest 2, and HTC Vive Pro) to ratings of the same lighting conditions viewed through 2D-perspective or immersive panoramic images displayed in a web survey. Past research has compared perceptions of daylight and electric lighting scenes between physical and VR environments, but there is a lack of research that compares ratings of lighting conditions between VR HMDs and to other conventional image formats. For the VR HMD groups, the results revealed significant differences in reading speed between the physical space and cardboard VR HMD groups. An analysis of our subjective ratings showed all three VR HMDs producing fewer significantly different ratings from the physical space than either of the web groups, but ratings in the panoramic group outperformed the 2D-perspective group. The findings suggest that the type of VR HMD impacts reading speed in virtual lighting scenes and more immersive images produce less error than 2D-perspective images when compared to ratings in a physical space. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article investigates the role of scenographics in staging climate crisis cultures. The art collective SUPERFLEX's installation It Is Not The End Of The World (Copenhagen 2019) explored human-world relations through techniques of set design, lighting, sound and costume. Central to this was a detailed 1-to-1 scale replica of the UN Building toilets re-imagined as an archaeology of a future without humans. While described as an 'installation', It Is Not... is adopted as a case study that exemplifies the role of scenographics in irritating a sense of place and is argued as affording insight into the assemblages of place, world and atmosphere. Drawing upon Global South philosopher Arturo Escobar's 'pluriversal design', I offer an argument for scenographics as a methodology when investigating world feelings in an era of climate crisis. 'Pluriversal scenographics' is proposed as a critical framework for the staging of nondualistic, relational and more-than-human 'possible reals'. Pluriversal concepts are proposed as a model for renewing the political purpose of scenographic practice as a methodology for investigating world feelings. I conclude with a call for a renewed political task of scenography and the value of this perspective for theatre makers, arts professionals and cultural geographers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Skylight is an effective strategy for maximising daylight penetration while minimising electrical lighting energy demand in buildings. However, in tropical climate regions, skylight can be problematic due to the risk of excessive sunlight. This study aimed to optimise skylight design parameters using multi-objective optimisation (MOO) approach through a case study of a low-rise building with office rooms configured to surround a skylight in the tropical climate of Yogyakarta, Indonesia. It was conducted using computational modelling and simulation with RadianceIES tools in IES-VE 2019 software. The parameters examined included skylight shape, opening area, and thickness, while the performance indicators were spatial daylight autonomy (sDA300/50%), average daylight factor (DFave), and annual sunlight exposure (ASE1000,250). The sensitivity analysis showed that skylight opening area significantly influenced daylight performance. Moreover, the optimum design, drawn from the objective function f and Pareto frontiers, was a rounded trapezium skylight with an opening area of 897 m2, achieving sDA300/50%-ASE1000,250 = 35%, DFave = 0.9%, and mean distance to the utopia point of 64.1%. These results could serve as a guide for architects and engineers in designing skylight for typical buildings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A rchitectural documentation not only plays a critical role in the conservation of historical structures, but also enables their detailed comprehension of the structure. This study aims to assess the most effective methods for drawing and modeling architectural structures and present their advantages and disadvantages. Measurements play a significant role in this context, and today's technology offers the potential to accelerate this process and enhance accuracy. However, the application of these technologies can impose additional burdens such as elevated expenses, the requisite for specialized personnel, and the management of substantial data volumes. Therefore, determining the appropriate measurement method in line with the quality of architectural documentation is essential. For this study, the Mosque of Kurşunlu Complex in Eskişehir was selected for its historical and topographical attributes which enabled all methods to be examined. The data produced via terrestrial laser scanning, aerial photogrammetry and terrestrial photogrammetry methods were examined in terms of the production of drawings and models for different analysis methods such as structure, daylight and building acoustics, as well as survey drawings required for the architectural documentation processes of the building. The study concluded that no single method could produce holistic data on its own, and the best results for comprehensive documentation were achieved by integrating terrestrial laser scanning and aerial photogrammetry. Furthermore, for products that do not require comprehensive data, photogrammetric methods were more efficient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Energy conservation and carbon reduction in buildings have become important concerns and, at the same time, the value of low-tech approaches employed in indigenous architecture is increasingly acknowledged as a pertinent reference for contemporary design practices. The research on vernacular dwellings in Jiangxi has many perspectives and fruitful results, but not enough attention has been paid to the research on climate adaptation. This article verifies the vernacular dwellings' climate adaptation and summarizes the low-tech methods embedded in vernacular dwellings, aiming to provide guidelines for future exploration of energy-saving and carbon-reducing practices in architecture. By selecting different types of vernacular dwellings in Nanfeng County, this article verifies three aspects of the ecological characteristics of vernacular dwellings: the light environment, wind environment, and energy consumption, by comparing them with those of local modern residential buildings. It is concluded that the average daylight factor of the hall area of vernacular dwellings is better than that of the modern residential buildings in rural areas, and the vernacular dwellings regulate the indoor wind environment and maintain indoor comfort through natural ventilation in winter and summer seasons. Also, the annual energy consumption of the vernacular dwellings per unit area per year can be reduced by up to about 32% in comparison with modern residential buildings. Subsequently, the article concludes that patio space has a positive impact on the indoor physical environment through comparative experiments. Vernacular dwellings are well adapted to the local climate in terms of form, structure, and materials, and these low-tech methods should be applied to the design of rural dwellings in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]