Comfort Conditions Research Articles

Thermoelectric active window frame: Constructive integration and preheating analysis

Building heating and cooling systems using thermoelectricity appear to be a feasible alternative, as it presents several features including versatility and high reliance. While most applications of thermoelectricity in buildings are found in wall systems, window integration shows excellent potential for enhancing the thermal performance of buildings at the façade level, compensating heat losses that take place in windows. Combining energy efficient ventilation with heat recovery leads to a significant reduction of the required energy, keeping desired comfort conditions inside buildings. Thus, the following study presents the design of an active window frame with an integrated thermoelectric system, attaining two functions: pre-heating the supply air, while simultaneously recovering the waste heat energy from exhaust air. Two full-scale prototypes were built, each featuring a different airflow pattern, and preliminary tests for heating mode were carried out under laboratory conditions. The results revealed a similar performance comparing both prototypes, achieving a COP ranging 1.56 to 2.71 for prototype A, while prototype B ranged from 1.62 to 2.65. The results showcase superior heating efficiency compared to a previous experiments conducted by the research group, where a maximum COP of 1.91 was achieved. From a building perspective, wider adoption of thermoelectricity applied to thermal conditioning is hindered by lack of suitable products for architectural integration. Therefore, the system's innovation stems from optimized design, integrated construction, and industrialized production, enhancing energy efficiency in buildings via a compact façade integrated system without space compromise.

Studi Kapasitas Dan Tingkat Pelayanan Jalan

Mr. Muhammad Hasan is street one of the entrance gates to Banda Aceh City. The condition of the road is in steady condition, with a two-lane, two-way type divided with a median of 1.5 m wide. The role of this road is very strategic, considering that if a tsunami occurs, this road is one of the community's escaped roads. The results of initial observations of this road are still in a comfortable condition to drive, but it is necessary to research the level of service to anticipate its role as an escape road. Based on that, we want to know how the level of service on Jalan Mr. Muhammad Hasan. The purpose of this study was to determine the level of service Jalan Mr. Muhammad Hasan using the 1997 MKJI method. Data were collected through a survey of traffic volume and speed for 3 (three) days, namely Thursday, Friday and Sunday. The duration of the survey is 07.00-18.00 with 8 (eight) surveyors. The traffic volume is multiplied by the number emp, so we get the amount of flow at peak hours in the morning, afternoon and evening. The result of recording speed in m/second is converted to km/hour. Furthermore, the capacity of city roads, free flow speed and degree of saturation is calculated. Based on the value of capacity, speed and degree of saturation, the value of road service level is obtained. Based on the calculation results, the highest peak hours on observation day occurred in the afternoon, namely Thursday at 15.45-16.45 (2144 p.m./hour), Friday at 16.15-17.15 (2295 p.m./hour) and Sunday at 17.00-18.00 as many as 1698 smp/hour. hour. The capacity of the road on the three observation days was 6178 pcu/hour and the speed was 53.01 km/hour. The lowest degree of saturation occurred on Sunday afternoon at 0.18 and the highest occurred on Friday at 0.54 and overall it was still below 0.75 so there was no need for a scenario. The level of service in the morning and afternoon (Thursday, Friday, Sunday) still shows a value of A, while on Monday afternoon it becomes C and on Friday and Sunday it slightly decreases to B.

A synthetic approach to the Holiday Climate Index for the Mediterranean Coast of Türkiye.

Climate change affects the comfort level of tourists visiting coastal areas. Researching these impacts is important for a more comprehensive understanding of climate change and for developing effective adaptation solutions. Considering this fact, the study derived the Holiday Climate Index (HCI: Coast, HCI: Urban, and HCI: Combined) in the Mediterranean coastal provinces of Türkiye from 1976 to 2020. Utilizing the derived indices, the effects of climate-related holiday comfort on the number of tourist arrivals as well as on overnight stays between 1976 and 2020 were examined by panel data analysis. The study examined how comfort patterns could change during the period 2026-2050 under the pessimistic RCP8.5 scenario. It was detected that the comfort level significantly and positively affects the number of arrivals and overnight stays of tourists. Besides, comfort levels were found to deteriorate in the period 2026-2050 compared to the reference period, 1976-2020. As the comfort conditions get worse, the number of tourist arrivals and overnight stays is expected to decline in the future. It is envisaged that the results of the study can be useful for tourists, tourism professionals, operators, other stakeholders, and policymakers.

EVALUATION OF ORAL AND DENTAL HEALTH POLYCLINICS IN TERMS OF ERGONOMIC DESIGN FACTORS

The comfort conditions of oral and dental health clinics depend on physical environment factors. The satisfaction of the patient, physician, and staff is directly proportional to the suitability of the ergonomic conditions of the environment. Physical factors affect the health and performance of physicians and personnel working all day long. At the same time, the spatial and technical organization of clinic structures is very important for patient health and comfort. In the literature research, there were no adequate studies on the physical risk factors that the dentist, staff, and patients are exposed to during clinical applications in terms of architectural discipline. This study aims to reveal the ergonomic comfort conditions of dentists, staff, and patients in the oral and dental health outpatient clinic. The research method is fieldwork. An oral and dental health polyclinic in Istanbul was determined as the research area. The research technique is “on-site observation,” “measurement,” “survey” and “interview”. "Luxury Light Meter", "Sound Meter" and "Thermometer" applications were used to measure the light, sound, and temperature values of the space. A questionnaire with the Likert Scaling Model was administered to patients, physicians, and staff. As a result, patients prefer to be treated in the outpatient clinic where they feel comfortable, and dentists and their staff can work more motivated and more efficiently in environments where they feel comfortable and healthy. To provide quality service in an oral and dental health clinic, attention should be paid to physical environmental factors, spatial and technical characteristics, and the comfort of patients, dentists, and staff should be considered.

Solar responsive building glazing: Experimental analysis of the impact of photochromic glazing on indoor thermal and luminous conditions

The application of films on conventional glazing aims at increasing the glazing performance by reducing energy needs and increasing indoor comfort. Photochromic films in particular can alter their optical properties due to a chromatic change in response to solar radiation, allowing for reduced glare levels and solar heat gains. However, despite the potential of application, this refurbishment solution is still poorly explored. Therefore, the main purpose of this work was to experimentally evaluate the thermal and luminous performance of a double glazing with and without a photochromic film installed, using two office rooms in Lisbon as case study. An extended field experimental campaign was conducted simultaneously in both offices, where temperature, solar radiation and illuminance levels were collected. The key contribution and novelty of this research lies on the experimental assessment of the thermal and visual comfort conditions with the photochromic film under real-occupancy. Even though the photochromic film significantly increased the surface temperatures of the glazing, the indoor air temperature was not negatively affected, with an increase up to 14 % of working hours with comfortable temperature during the heating period. Illuminance levels on vertical/horizontal plane were reduced by 24/36 % in the presence of the photochromic film, when compared to the clear glazing without film, resulting in an increase of 7 % of working hours with useful illuminance during the heating period, and large areas in the office room with imperceptible daylight glare levels when facing the glazing system. The impact of the film was less noticeable during the cooling period.

Heat stress has divergent effects on the milk microbiota of Holstein and Brown Swiss cows.

Heat stress (HS) is one of the pivotal causes of economic losses in dairy industries and affects welfare and performance, but its effect on milk microbiota remains elusive. It is also unclear if and how different breeds may cope with HS in sustaining productive performance. The objectives of this study were to compare a) the performance of 2 dairy breeds, namely Holstein and Brown Swiss, subjected to HS and b) the different effects of HS on the milk microbiota of the 2 breeds in thermal comfort conditions and HS. The study was carried out on 36 dairy cows, 18 per breed. The HS was induced by switching off the cooling system during a natural heat wave for 4 d. Besides the Temperature Humidity Index (THI), the animal stress was confirmed by measuring respiratory frequency and rectal temperature twice daily at 4 a.m. and 3 p.m. The HS differently impacted the 2 breeds. Rectal temperatures were higher in Holstein cows, while no changes in rectal temperature were found in Brown Swiss. Milk yield recording and sampling were performed during the morning milking of d 1 (at 4.00 a.m.) and afternoon milking of d 4 (at 5.00 p.m.). Productive parameters were also different: milk yield, fat-corrected milk, energy-corrected milk, protein and casein content, and renneting parameters were decreased in Holstein but remained unaffected in Brown Swiss. The HS also modified the milk microbiota of the 2 breeds differently. During HS, the Brown Swiss milk microbiota was richer (α diversity) than the Holstein one. Comparing the time points before and during HS within breeds showed that Brown Swiss milk microbiota was less affected by HS than Holstein's. Under the same thermal comfort condition, milk microbiota did not discriminate between Brown Swiss and Holstein. Consistently with α and β diversity, the number of operational taxonomic units (OTUs) at the genus level that changed their abundance during HS was higher in Holstein (74 OTUs) than in Brown Swiss (only 20 OTUs). The most significant changes in abundance affected Acinetobacter, Chryseobacterium, Cutibacterium, Enterococcus, Lactococcus, Prevotella-9, Serratia, and Streptococcus. In conclusion, the present report confirms and extends previous studies by demonstrating that Brown Swiss cows regulate their body temperature better than the Holstein breed. The relative thermal tolerance to HS compared with Holstein is also confirmed by changes in milk uncultured microbiota, which were more evident in Holstein than in Brown Swiss.

Impact of indoor thermal environment on human thermal comfort, psychological response, and performance during winter in Jaipur, India

It is crucial to investigate the effects of indoor thermal environmental conditions on human performance, especially in India, during the winter when there is a significant need for space heating to maintain human comfort conditions. The present study was conducted in a controlled climate during winter, with 96 participants exposed to four air temperatures: 15 °C, 18 °C, 21 °C, and 24 °C. Participant's thermal comfort, emotion, and self-rated workload were assessed using a subjective questionnaire, while their performance was quantitatively evaluated using a neurobehavioral test. The data was analyzed to establish how the various thermal environmental factors influence performance, workload, emotion, and thermal sensations. The results show that the highest performance within the experimental thermal environmental conditions was observed when the thermal sensation ranges from neutral to slightly warm (+0.20) at the 23.5 °C mean standard effective temperature. At the same sensation, the occupant's mood disturbance and the mental workload for completing the task were minimal. These results would be helpful for facility managers of buildings by giving them insight into the impact of under or over-heating spaces on occupant performance during winter in the composite climate of India.

DESIGN STRATEGIES OF APARTMENT HOUSING WITH SHELTERS TAKING PANDEMIC RISKS INTO ACCOUNT: CURRENT TRENDS AND DEVELOPMENT DIRECTIONS

The article explores the issue of adaptation of living spaces to pandemic risks. It was determined that the creation of special isolation zones in new residential complexes is one of the key aspects. These premises must be equipped with everything necessary for a comfortable stay during quarantine, including separate bathrooms and autonomous ventilation systems, which will minimize contact between residents and prevent the spread of infections. It is well-founded that the design of ventilation systems is an important element in preventing the spread of viruses. Modern ventilation systems must ensure a constant flow of fresh air and effective removal of contaminated air. an important direction is the change in planning and zoning of living spaces. New approaches to planning take into account the possibility of reducing population density and creating conditions for social distance, so common areas should be spacious and ensure the possibility of maintaining a safe distance between people. Research has shown that increasing privacy, creating workspaces, eco-design and flexibility are also defining trends in the field of residential design. The pandemic leveled the concept of "Open-space" in favor of interior separatism, which allows creating isolated areas for work, recreation and other activities, which provides comfortable conditions for residents who are forced to spend more time at home. Innovative technologies, such as health monitoring systems and smart home systems, can significantly improve the safety and comfort of living. The introduction of such technologies makes it possible to quickly identify potential threats and take the necessary measures to neutralize them. The importance of implementing eco-design, which contributes to improving the mental and physical health of residents, has been revealed. Green areas on balconies and terraces stabilize the emotional state of people, creating private gardens in the structure of living space. Organizing space for self-isolation and reducing pandemic risks requires new approaches to planning living spaces, common spaces, and infrastructure. These changes contribute to the creation of a safer, more comfortable and adaptive living environment during the pandemic.

Impact of semi-private open spaces on outdoor thermal comfort in a residential neighbourhood in warm humid climate

ABSTRACT Semi-private open spaces are indispensable as they enhance society’s growth and contribute to individuals’ health and well-being, thereby improving the quality of life in residential neighbourhoods. However, at present, the integration of such open spaces into the planning of housing projects is often neglected and results in incidental open spaces in the built environment. These incidental open spaces, if designed and integrated carefully, can enhance thermal comfort and community activities significantly. Therefore, this study aims to assess the impact of semi-private open spaces on outdoor thermal comfort in a residential neighbourhood in Kochi, India. A low-rise residential neighbourhood was selected for the study, and the semi-private open spaces were categorized into six typologies based on location, shape, proportions, orientation, aspect ratio, sky view factor, and albedo. Further, the outdoor thermal comfort conditions of these typologies were assessed through simulations in Envi-Met software for a critical summer day. The comfort conditions were assessed through comfort indices namely physiological equivalent temperature and mean radiant temperature (MRT) and were compared to arrive at appropriate design recommendations for semi-private open spaces. The study found a significant correlation between orientation, aspect ratio, sky view factor, and shading with outdoor thermal comfort. The study found a sky view factor of 0.3–0.5, an aspect ratio greater than 1.5, orientation of open spaces in the N-S axis, and shading by trees with canopies above 2.5 m height as appropriate design strategies to reduce the heat stress in semi-private open spaces in low-rise residential neighbourhoods. The study recognizes the importance of integrating planned semi-private open spaces in the local building regulations which can improve the quality of open spaces and enhance public health and well-being while contributing to a better microclimate.

Проблемы современной сферы образования и ее влияние на экономику страны

The field of education is undergoing significant transformations in response to the evolving needs of society and the economy. In the face of rapid technological advancements and changes in the socio-economic environment, there is a need for updating the content of education to provide the younger generation with the opportunity to successfully adapt and compete in the labor market. The flexibility and responsiveness of the educational system to the changing demands of the modern world are crucial aspects of successfully addressing issues related to the field of education. It is important to create a flexible system capable of tracking current market requirements and offering new knowledge and skills for the future. Additionally, it is necessary to consider the individual characteristics of each learner to create comfortable conditions for their development. This article conducts an analysis of the aforementioned topic, examines changes in the modern educational system, and proposes solutions to the problematic issues in the field of education. In conclusion, the challenges facing modern education are multifaceted and require a comprehensive approach to address. By fostering flexibility, responsiveness, and inclusivity within the education system, countries can better prepare their citizens for the demands of the 21st-century economy. Strategic investments in education, coupled with ongoing research and innovation, are essential for ensuring the continued prosperity and competitiveness of nations in the global marketplace.

Validation of Dynamic Natural Ventilation Protocols for Optimal Indoor Air Quality and Thermal Adaptive Comfort during the Winter Season in Subtropical-Climate School Buildings

The need for energy-efficient buildings must be based on strong effective passive-design techniques, which coordinate indoor air quality and thermal comfort. This research describes the principles, simulation, implementation, and monitoring of two different natural cross-ventilation algorithm scenarios applied to a school-building case study affected by a subtropical climate during the winter season. These ventilation protocols, the steady and dynamic versions, can control the carbon dioxide concentration and actuate the window openings according to pre-defined window-to-wall ratios. The implementation of the monitoring process during three non-consecutive days in the winter of 2021 validates the opening strategy to maintain carbon dioxide below 800 ppm, described by the protocol Hygiene Measures Against COVID-19, and the temperature within the comfort ranges suggested by the adaptive UNE-EN 16798. The study shows that a steady opening of 2.16% window-to-wall equivalent ratio can be enough to maintain the requested comfort and carbon dioxide conditions. The use of the dynamic window ratios, from 0.23% to 2.16%, modified according to the measured carbon dioxide concentration, can partially maintain the carbon dioxide below the required limits for ASHRAE 62.1, Hygiene Measures Against COVID-19 and UNE-EN 16798 between 48.28% to 74.14% of the time. However, the carbon dioxide limit proposed by RITE, 500 ppm, is only achieved for 15.52% of the time, which demonstrates the inadequacy of the natural ventilation to fulfil the standard. Further improvements in the dynamic control of the openings in these buildings could lead to lower carbon dioxide concentrations while maintaining the thermal comfort in mild winter climates.

Effect of vitamin and mineral complex enrichment of diet on physiological parameters and behavioral reactions of laboratory animals in experimental conditions of the Arctic Zone

Nutrition optimization by providing workers with specialized products enriched with vitamin and mineral components has great importance in solving problems in the health condition of workers in the Arctic zone. Objective: to evaluate the effect of vitamin-mineral complex (VMC) containing vitamins (А, D, В1, В2, В3, В6, В12 and C) and minerals (Fe, I, Se) on physiological indicators and indicators of orientative-research behavior of laboratory animals which characterize the adaptation process. Object of the study: white laboratory rats of «Wistar» type, organized into 4 groups: two experimental groups, kept in conditions of low air temperature (4–6 °C) and unusual photoperiodism, which received VMC with the diet, and two control groups, where animals did not receive VMC. One of them was maintained under «Northern Territories» conditions, the second — under comfortable conditions (usual photoperiodism and temperature +22…+24 °C). Indicators of body weight and temperature and functional activity of the nervous system were studied using the «Open Field» method. Statistical analysis was performed using standard application programs Statistica 10.0 with calculation of median (Me) and percentile interval. Acceptable level of reliability of the results was considered to be the probability of differences of 95 % and higher (p ≤0.05). The animals of the experimental groups showed constancy of temperature balance, statistically significantly lower anxiety level indicators, higher level of emotional activity compared to the animals of the control group. The gender peculiarities of anxiety indices were revealed, which were more pronounced in males, whose research activity was increased in the conditions of «polar night» and sharply decreased in the conditions of «polar day». The obtained stress-protective effect of intake of VMC containing daily norm of vitamins (C, Е, В1, В2, В3, В6, В9, В12, D3, carotene) and minerals (zinc, iron, iodine, selenium) indicates the safety and high significance of the use of VMC in the diet of shift workers in the Arctic zone.

Decline in Ice Coverage and Ice-Free Period Extension in the Kara and Laptev Seas during 1979–2022

The duration of ice-free periods in different parts of the Arctic Ocean plays a great role in processes in the climate system and defines the most comfortable sea ice conditions for economic activity. Based on satellite-derived sea ice concentration data acquired by passive microwave instruments, we identified the spatial distribution of the dates of sea ice retreat (DOR), dates of sea ice advance (DOA), and the resulting ice-free period duration (IFP) between these days for the Kara and Laptev seas during 1979–2022. The monthly decline in sea ice extent was detected from June to October in both seas, i.e., during the whole ice-free period. The annual mean sea ice extent during 2011–2021 decreased by 19.0% and 12.8% relative to the long-term average during 1981–2010 in the Kara and Laptev seas, respectively. The statistically significant (95% confidence level) positive IFP trends were detected for the majority of areas of the Kara and Laptev seas. Averaged IFP trends were estimated equal to +20.2 day/decade and +16.2 day/decade, respectively. The observed DOR tendency to earlier sea ice melting plays a greater role in the total IFP extension, as compared to later sea ice formation related to the DOA tendency. We reveal that regions of inflow of warm Atlantic waters to the Kara Sea demonstrate the largest long-term trends in DOA, DOR, and IFP associated with the decrease in ice coverage, that highlights the process of atlantification. Also, the Great Siberian Polynya in the Laptev Sea is the area of the largest long-term decreasing trend in DOR.

A thermal comfort assessment on semi-outdoor sports stadiums located in 3 different climate zones in China

The thermal environment of sports stadiums, one of the biggest public facilities in the city, can easily impact the health of tens of thousands of people. Semi-outdoor stadiums are susceptible to summer heat waves due to global warming. Overall, this paper provides insights into the thermal comfort conditions in semi-outdoor sports stadiums in three different climate zones in China. Through field research, a method is provided to monitor the thermal environment in the stands of a big stadium using eight sensors. Stadium occupants' thermal comfort is assessed using the Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI), and the effects of various climatic conditions are examined. The results of the study show that the north side of the stadium stands is the point with the highest thermal risk, even if the climatic zones are different. The distribution of thermal comfort in the stands will be directly impacted by the stadium's roof prototype. The UTCI has modest sensitivity to wind speed and great sensitivity to the three climatic parameters of air temperature, mean radiant temperature, and relative humidity. This implies that in the stadium grandstand, the shading strategies will enhance the thermal environment more effectively than the natural ventilation strategies. The findings suggest that a combination of passive and active strategies can be used to improve thermal comfort, such as asymmetrical seating design, full wrap-around roofs, and scheduling events to avoid peak heat stress.

Investigation of the energetic and exergetic performance of hybrid rotary desiccant-vapor compression cooling systems using different refrigerants

In this study, a desiccant-based hybrid cooling system supported by a vapor compression system and a heat recovery unit (rotary heat wheel) was analyzed from energetic and exergetic perspectives during the daily working hours of an office building in Istanbul to meet the desired comfort conditions. We focus on the impact of different refrigerants; namely R32, R1234yf, R290, R134a, R600a, R245fa, and R717, on hybrid rotary desiccant-vapor compression systems. While the highest electricity consumption was obtained in the system using R1234yf, the lowest electricity consumption was achieved with R717. However, with the effectiveness of the desiccant wheel, the best results were obtained for R1234yf with those pertinent to R717 at the other extreme. Considering the total electricity consumption of the system, the highest energetic and exergetic performance parameters were achieved with the use of R717 as the refrigerant. Compared to R1234yf, the daily average energetic performance parameters obtained with R717 increased by 22.3 % for COPr, 21.8 % for COPel, and 4.7 % for COPth. Similarly, compared to R1234yf, the daily average exergetic performance parameters in R717 presented increases of 13.6 % for COPx,el, 7.5 % for COPx,th, and 8.1 % for ηx.

Study Roadmap Selection Based on the Thermal Comfort of Street Trees in Summer: A Case Study from a University Campus in China

The intensification of the urban heat island effect, characterized by persistent high temperatures in Chinese cities during summer, has led to notable shifts in urban residents’ activity patterns and travel preferences. Given that street trees, as fundamental components of urban road networks, have significant interaction with residents, it is imperative to investigate their thermal comfort impact. This study aims to enhance the comfortable summer travel experience for urban dwellers. Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University (FAFU) was selected as the case study site, with eight street tree species identified as measurement points. The summer solstice (21 June 2023) served as the representative weather condition. Through monitoring temperature and humidity, the study explored the correlation between street tree species, their characteristic factors, and thermal comfort. Utilizing ENVI-met and ArcGIS, the thermal comfort of campus travel routes was assessed, leading to the development of a summer travel guide based on thermal comfort considerations. The research novelty lies in applying a combined ENVI-met 5.0.2 and ArcGIS 10.8 software approach for modelling and visualizing the microclimate, which enables a more precise analysis of the thermal comfort variations of different campus paths, thus improving the accuracy and applicability of the results in urban planning. The findings reveal several points. (1) Different street trees possess varying capacities to enhance human comfort, with Falcataria falcata and Mangifera indica exhibiting the strongest cooling and humidifying effects, whereas Bauhinia purpurea and Amygdalus persica perform the poorest. Additionally, the research confirms ENVI-met’s scientific accuracy and practicality for microclimate studies. (2) The contribution of street trees to the comfort of campus road travel is primarily determined by the Sky View Factor (SVF), which negatively correlates with cooling and humidifying intensity and positively with thermal comfort. (3) During midday, travel comfort conditions on campus roads are better. Based on the thermal comfort assessment, a summer roadmap was created for the campus. In this case, the campus roads indicated by road A are considered the best travel routes in summer, and the roads indicated by roads B and C are considered alternatives for travelling. This practical application demonstrates how theoretical research results can be translated into practical tools for daily commuting and urban planning. It provides data references and empirical cases for the scientific optimization and enhancement of urban roads.

ФОРМИРОВАНИЕ И РЕАЛИЗАЦИЯ СТРАТЕГИЙ ИННОВАЦИОННОГО И НАУЧНО-ТЕХНОЛОГИЧЕСКОГО РАЗВИТИЯ В РОССИИ

The XXI century is a time of breakthrough technologies and incredible innovations, which are the profession of tomorrow to create! Science has become a field where talented young people can find themselves and develop successfully. Today, Russia has set a course for an innovative breakthrough. The national project "Science and Universities" is being implemented in accordance with the decrees of the President of the Russian Federation dated May 7, 2018 No. 204 "On National Goals and Strategic Objectives for the Development of the Russian Federation for the period up to 2024". and No. 474 dated July 21, 2020 "On the National Development Goals of the Russian Federation for the period up to 2030". Its key task is to train and support a new generation of scientists capable of making great discoveries. Within the framework of the national project "Science and Universities", significant funds are allocated to support scientists and create research centers with first-class conditions for research work. In addition, work is underway to improve the digital infrastructure, as well as create comfortable conditions for students, researchers and teachers.

Modelling of the heat and the cold risks in Sofia and Varna – preliminary results

According to future climate projections, the expected thermal stress environmental conditions will get worse if the authorities do not apply appropriate measures for mitigation and adaptation to these changes. The health issues concerning air pollution and extreme temperatures have assumed great importance in recent years. The objective of this study is to estimate the thermal comfort in two of the biggest cities in Bulgaria - Sofia and Varna and their surroundings for the year 2017 by biometeorological indexes. We use computer simulations of the atmospheric parameters that define the thermal comfort indexes, by Advanced Research Weather Forecast Model WRF ARW version 3.9. We performed the simulations on four domains for 2017 with an output frequency of 1 hour. The outermost domain has a horizontal resolution of 9 km and encompasses the Balkan Peninsula. It uses initial and boundary conditions from the 0.25-degree NCEP Final Operational Model Global Tropospheric Analyses datasets with a time-frequency of 6 hours. The estimation of the thermal comfort conditions is performed with characteristics called indexes. The differences in the number of cases between the indexes are due to the specific definitions and the meteorological factors that each of them takes into account. Some of these characteristics have applications depending on the specific thermal conditions.

Thermal and functional condition of microbiological laboratory workers when using personal protective equipment against biological factors

Introduction. The use of personal protective equipment (PPE) against pathogenic biological agents (PBA) by medical workers in microbiological laboratories is a mandatory requirement for infectious safety, however, low or absent air and vapor permeability of these PPE and their elements can contribute to disruption of the functional and thermal state. The aim of the study is a physiological and hygienic assessment of PPE against pathogenic pathogens based on indicators of the thermal state of the body when modeling the professional activities of microbiological laboratory workers. Materials and methods. The study was conducted on the basis of the laboratory of personal protective equipment and industrial exoskeletons of Izmerov Research Institute of Occupational Health on 12 practically healthy individuals — male and female medical workers while simulating work activities and sanitary and epidemiological requirements for a microbiological laboratory. Results. The values of skin and body temperature, heart rate, blood pressure and blood oxygen saturation levels obtained in the dynamics of the study made it possible to determine the degree of stress in the thermal and functional state of the body of medical workers. The indicators obtained during the experiment were assessed in accordance with current regulatory documents. A number of thermal state indicators obtained during the study had statistically significant differences from their initial values at p<0.05. Conclusions. When using personal protective equipment against pathogenic pathogens under comfortable microclimatic conditions, an increase in some criterion indicators of the examined individuals was noted, in particular to the upper limit of permissible values of thermal state, which indicates the leading influence of PPE on the thermoregulation of the body and necessitates a reduction in the process of production activities and requires limiting the maximum duration of a work shift under given conditions is three hours, followed by a break to restore the thermal state and water-salt balance. Ethics. The study was conducted in compliance with ethical principles and norms, an extract from the minutes of the meeting of the local ethics committee No. 9 dated 11/23/2022 was obtained.

АНАЛІЗУВАННЯ ВПЛИВУ ЗМІНИ КРИТЕРІЮ ВИЯВЛЕННЯ МІСЦЬ (ДІЛЯНОК) КОНЦЕНТРАЦІЇ ДОРОЖНЬО-ТРАНСПОРТНИХ ПРИГОД НА БЕЗПЕКУ АВТОМОБІЛЬНИХ ДОРІГ

Introduction. Ensuring road safety is one of the foremost tasks in any country with vehicular traffic. Despite significant efforts made to improve road safety in Ukraine and globally, the issue of traffic accidents is still relevant. Problem statement. Given the relatively high level of mortality due to accidents, Ukraine needs to ensure highly qualified management of road safety, which requires an integrated approach and consideration of various aspects, including legislation, infrastructure, vehicles and road user’s behavior. Purpose. Ensuring road safety, reducing the severity of the consequences of traffic accidents and providing comfortable travel conditions for road users. Materials and methods. Current legislative acts and regulatory documents regarding the identification of places (areas) of concentration of traffic accidents, as well as statistical information on the number of such places (areas) were analyzed. Results. It has been established that the implementation of a new criterion for identifying the places (areas) of the concentration of traffic accidents is justified and indicates a systematic approach to road safety management.