Improvement Of Comfort Research Articles

A Structured, Anatomy-Based Chest CT Interpretation Curriculum for Pulmonary Fellows Covering the Main Patterns of Parenchymal Lung Disease.

Chest computed tomography (CT) interpretation is a key competency for pulmonary fellows, with many resources intended for radiologists but very few for this specific group. We endeavored to create a curriculum to teach chest CT interpretation to first-year pulmonary fellows. We assembled a team of two pulmonologists, one radiologist, and a fellow with computer drafting software experience. We reviewed the literature, used principles of cognitive load theory to outline the content of our curriculum, collected original CT images exemplifying key patterns of disease, created original illustrations using computer drafting programs, and outlined frameworks to identify chest CT patterns and build differential diagnoses. We divided the material into five short videos and provided 18 practice cases to be reviewed asynchronously. We then organized a 1-hour in-person review session facilitated by a chest radiologist. We created a survey to assess our curriculum. The material presented here has been delivered to three consecutive classes of first-year pulmonary and critical care medicine fellows at our institution. Nineteen fellows in three cohorts reviewed the curriculum. Twelve fellows (63% response rate) completed the postcurriculum survey. Overall, there was a significant improvement in comfort, with the calculated paired sample t test showing a mean comfort of 3.2 precurriculum and a mean comfort of 4.5 postcurriculum (p < .001). This self-guided, interactive curriculum provides a structured approach connecting key lung anatomy to patterns of disease and is an effective way to teach chest CT interpretation to pulmonary fellows.

Real-World Treatment Outcomes of an Artificial Tear Containing Arabinogalactan, Hyaluronic Acid and Trehalose Among Subjects with Dry Eye.

To assess the efficacy, adherence, and tolerability of a new artificial tear based on arabinogalactan, hyaluronic acid, and trehalose in a population with dry eye disease (DED). A retrospective, real-world, post-marketing study identified 96 adult patients (aged 18-80 years) with signs and symptoms of dry eye. These patients received fixed combination therapy with eye drops containing arabinogalactan, hyaluronic acid, and trehalose at various dosing schedules. The data for this study were collected from April 2022 to June 2023. Patients underwent evaluation at baseline (T0) and after a follow-up period of two-three months (T1) using a patient-reported questionnaire. In 96 adult patients (71 women and 25 men) with dry eye due to various conditions, the results indicated a 98% positive response to therapy. This response included improvements in vision (13%), comfort (39%), redness (13%), itching (16%), photophobia (4%), and tearing (14%). Additionally, 61% of the patients experienced 1-2hours of comfort following instillation. This real-life post-marketing study demonstrated clinical improvement of signs and symptoms in patients with dry eye disease using a new artificial tear medical device based on arabinogalactan, hyaluronic acid, and trehalose.

Enhancing Hand Exoskeletons in Material Selection and Design

Nowadays, flexible hand exoskeletons are increasingly recognized for their applications in both rehabilitation medicine and industrial applications. This research endeavors to scrutinize and refine the choice of materials and the mechanical design for flexible hand exoskeletons, prioritizing improvements in user comfort, flexibility, durability, and lightness. The research employs a comprehensive review of the mechanical properties of commonly used materials, such as silicone, spandex, and nylon. It also evaluates their suitability in different structural designs. The study finds that silicone’s air permeability is limited although it offers excellent comfort and pressure distribution. Spandex provides superior flexibility but suffers from durability reducing as time goes by. Nylon offers excellent durability and structural stability but is less effective in terms of elasticity and air permeability. The findings advise that a combination of these materials, with the help of innovative design strategies, can achieve a balanced performance. After that flexible hand exoskeletons can meet the diverse requirements. The study concludes that future designs should keep exploring material combinations and structural innovations in order to enhance user experience and extend the practical applications of flexible hand exoskeleton.

USING THERMOPLASTIC BASE MATERIALS IN THE CLINIC OF ORTHOPEDIC DENTISTRY IN THE TREATMENT OF PATIENTS WITH COMPLETE TOOTH LOSS

Background. Fabrication of high-quality removable orthopedic structures is one of the most important and still unsolved problems in the clinic of prosthetic dentistry. In order to solve this problem, in recent years, new basic dental materials have been developed and researched. Nowadays, orthopedic dentists are increasingly using acrylic-free thermoplastic base materials. They provide opportunities for the treatment of patients, contributing to the improvement of comfort, functionality and aesthetics of complete dentures. The aim of the study is to examine the effectiveness of using basic thermoplastic materials «Vertex ThermoSens» and «Deflex Acrylato» in an orthopedic dentistry clinic in patients with complete absence of teeth. Materials and methods. The base materials used in the study were polyamide (nylon) by «Vertex ThermoSens» (Netherlands) and thermoplastic material based on polymethyl methacrylate by «Deflex Acrylato» (Argentina). We treated 30 patients with complete absence of teeth who had been wearing complete removable dentures made of acrylic base dental materials for the past 4-5 years. New complete dentures were made of thermoplastic dental base materials «Vertex ThermoSens» and «Deflex Acrylato». The effectiveness of prosthetics was evaluated using electromyography of the masticatory muscles (immediately after prosthetics and in certain long-term periods). Results. When analyzing and statistically processing the electromyograms of patients of the first and second groups before prosthetics, the amplitude of compression during the «voluntary compression» test decreased to 188.91±5.16 μV and to 201.13±6.03 μV during the «voluntary chewing» test, which is significantly different from the norm. As for the assessment of the coefficient «K», which in patients with intact dentition is as close to one as possible, its value has almost doubled and is 2.32±0.07. After the orthopedic treatment, the clenching amplitude increases significantly, and the coefficient «K» approaches one. Quantitative indicators of electromyographic studies in patients of the first and second clinical groups after a month and a year of use of complete removable dentures almost do not differ from each other and are close to normal. Conclusions. Based on the research conducted in the clinic of prosthetic dentistry, we noted that in the manufacture of complete dentures from the base thermoplastic materials «Vertex ThermoSens» and «Deflex Acrylato», better fixation and stabilization of these structures is achieved due to a more accurate reflection of the relief of the mucous membrane of the prosthetic bed. Such prostheses are very well processed and polished, which significantly improves their quality and reduces the risk of inflammation of the prosthetic bed mucosa. Based on this, it can be concluded that adaptation to such prostheses takes place in a shorter time and almost without corrections.

An innovative multicomponent compression system in a single bandage for venous leg ulcer and/or oedema treatment: a real-life study in 343 patients

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the performance of an innovative multicomponent compression system in a single bandage (UrgoK1, Laboratoires Urgo, France) in the treatment of patients with venous leg ulcers (VLUs) and/or lower limb oedema in everyday practice. Method: A prospective, observational, clinical study with the evaluated compression system was conducted in 39 centres in Germany between March 2022 and July 2023. Main outcomes included a description of the treated patients, changes in wound healing and oedema progression, local tolerance and acceptability of the compression system. Results: In total, 343 patients were treated with the evaluated compression system for a mean period of 48±30 days; 196 had a VLU and 275 had oedema, mostly of venous origin. By the final visit, 49% of VLUs healed (75% in absence of oedema and 61% in VLUs of ≤1 month's duration). Oedema was completely resolved or greatly improved in 87% of patients, with significant reduction in calf and ankle circumferences. Improvement in pruritus, pain, age-related ankle mobility and skin changes were also reported in patients who experienced them at baseline. The system was judged ‘very easy’ to apply (median: 108 seconds, three times a week), ‘extremely useful’ and ‘very well accepted’ by most patients who reported an improvement in comfort compared with previous systems. Similar results were observed when patients and/or their relatives were involved in the bandage application between the study visits. During the study, three cases of local intolerance related to the system and five early terminations (unrelated to the system) were reported. Conclusion: These results are consistent with the previous clinical evidence available on this new compression system and further support its good efficacy, tolerability, acceptability and usefulness in the treatment of patients with VLUs and/or oedema. Declaration of interest: This study was supported by a grant from Laboratoires Urgo, France. EH, UM and LT are employees of Laboratoires Urgo. CS, TB, WK, MS and JD provide advisory and speaking services to pharmaceutical and other healthcare organisations including, but not limited to, Laboratoires Urgo. Data management and statistical analyses were conducted independently by INPADS GmbH, Germany.

Design of a Suspension Controller with Human Body Model for Ride Comfort Improvement and Motion Sickness Mitigation

This paper presents a method to design a suspension controller with a human body model for ride comfort improvement and motion sickness mitigation. Generally, it has been known that the vertical acceleration of a sprung mass should be reduced for ride comfort. On the other hand, recent studies have shown that, combined, the vertical acceleration and pitch rate of a sprung mass are key factors that cause motion sickness. However, those variables have been considered with respect to the center of gravity of a sprung mass. For motion sickness mitigation, the vertical acceleration of a human head should be also considered. In this paper, the vertical accelerations and pitch rates of a sprung mass and a human head are controlled by a suspension controller for ride comfort improvement and motion sickness mitigation. For the controller design, a half-car and human body models are adopted. With those models, several types of static output feedback suspension controller are designed with linear quadratic optimal control methodology. To reduce the pitch rate of the sprung mass and the vertical acceleration of the head, a filtered-X LMS algorithm is adopted as an adaptive feedforward algorithm and combined with the static output feedback controllers. A frequency response analysis and simulation are performed with the designed controllers on vehicle simulation software, CarSim®. From the simulation results, it is shown that the proposed controllers can effectively reduce the vertical accelerations and the pitch rate of the sprung mass and the human head.

Palliative Care Training for Medical Speech-Language Pathologists: A Multiple-Baseline Design.

Current research supports favorable outcomes using online continuing education, and speech-language pathologists (SLPs) report a lack of training in palliative care. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of online palliative care training on the knowledge and comfort level of medical SLPs. In the multiple-baseline across participants method, 10 medical SLPs completed online training modules provided by the Center to Advance Palliative Care. An electronic visual analog scale was used to collect knowledge and comfort ratings. Seven intervention modules were completed asynchronously with self-perceived knowledge and comfort measured following each session. A follow-up phase was used to determine whether the gains were maintained for 3 weeks after the intervention. Nine of 10 participants experienced statistically significant improvements in knowledge, which were maintained through the follow-up phase. Eight of 10 participants demonstrated statistically significant improvements in comfort, which were maintained through the follow-up phase. To date, no other study has examined the effects of online palliative care training on medical SLPs. This investigation provides evidence that online, asynchronous continuing education for medical SLPs may improve their self-perceived knowledge and comfort in palliative care. https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.27964515.

Design and Simulation of a Fuzzy PID Control System for Building Climate

This article discusses that climate control systems are important to maintain comfortable temperatures and clean, and efficient structures in the modern world. An effective system for climate control of buildings including responses in real time is highly beneficial for human comfort and the reliability of equipment. Nevertheless, conventional proportional-integral-derivative (PID) control systems may experience difficulties in addressing the non-linear processes and changing conditions of properties, as a result of which they deliver quite a low level of performance. Thus, this research work presents an adaptation of the conventional control scheme known as the PID model as the Fuzzy PID. The Fuzzy PID system was developed and analyzed through simulation to determine its performance solution in comparison to conventional PID control. The results further reveal that the proposed Fuzzy PID controller enhances the response time, stability, and accuracy by bringing down by about 15% the overshoot and by about 20% the settling time as compared to the basic PID controller. To the existing field of control methodologies in building climate systems, this research helps extend the progress towards better control systems that can bring about improvements in energy consumption and occupant comfort in multiple uses.

Customer Satisfaction and Service Quality Assessment of Nepal Yatayat Public Buses: A Statistical Analysis of Passenger Perceptions

Background: Public transportation is vital for urban mobility, offering affordable and accessible commuting options, especially in densely populated regions. In Nepal, public buses serve a broad demographic, and understanding passenger satisfaction with services like Nepal Yatayat can provide insights for service improvements. Objective: This study aims to analyze customer satisfaction with the Nepal Yatayat bus service, examining factors such as comfort, safety, cleanliness, punctuality, and overall service reliability. The goal is to identify key areas for improvement to enhance user experience and promote public transport use. Methods: The study utilized a quantitative approach through a structured questionnaire distributed to 92 respondents. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS software, where various statistical tools such as correlation and reliability analysis assessed relationships between demographic factors and satisfaction variables. Findings: The majority of respondents were young adults aged 18-24 (75.8%), predominantly male (65.9%), with a significant portion holding bachelor's degrees (49.5%) and most being unemployed (61.8%). 59.4% of respondents expressed discomfort with bus seating and internal space arrangements, while 78.1% reported dissatisfaction or uncertainty about cleanliness standards. About 42.9% felt safe on Nepal Yatayat buses, while 30.8% were dissatisfied with punctuality. 37.7% of respondents rated staff behavior poorly, indicating a need for improvement in professionalism. Overcrowding was a significant concern, with 67.1% agreeing that buses were frequently crowded, and 45.1% believed the bus station locations were appropriate. : Reliability was rated as medium by 77.2% of respondents, with moderate recommendations for the service among users (40.7% likely to recommend). Conclusion: The analysis reveals that Nepal Yatayat requires improvements in comfort, cleanliness, safety, and punctuality to enhance passenger satisfaction. Crowding and staff professionalism are also key areas where service modifications could significantly impact commuter perceptions. Novelty: This study provides a detailed and empirical assessment of passenger satisfaction specifically with Nepal Yatayat, addressing service dimensions such as comfort, cleanliness, safety, and route effectiveness, previously underexplored in public transport studies within Nepal.

Physiological impact of oral carbohydrate preload in healthy volunteers.

Oral carbohydrate loading has become a key component of Enhanced Recovery After Major Surgery (ERAS) pathways, with potential improvements in patient comfort, nausea and vomiting, ileus and length of stay. The contribution of each component of ERAS, including carbohydrate beverages, remains unclear. We aimed to determine the impact of standardized oral carbohydrate fluid loading on haemodynamics, stroke volume and gastric state in a group of healthy volunteers. Twenty-three volunteer participants free of known cardiovascular or gastrointestinal disease, consumed 400 mL of a proprietary carbohydrate solution. Heart rate (HR), blood pressure (BP), stroke volume (SV) and gastric cross-sectional area (CSA) were measured with bedside ultrasound at baseline, 30/60/120 min post-ingestion. There were small decreases in HR, BP (<10%) that were statistically significant. There were small increases (<10%) in SV at 30 and 60 min post-ingestion, but SV had returned to baseline by 120 min. There were no changes in SV variation. Gastric CSA increased immediately post-ingestion, then decreased in a linear fashion before returning to baseline by 120 min. In a standard 400 mL dose of a carbohydrate beverage, only small increases in SV could be demonstrated in the first-hour post-ingestion. All patients had largely returned to their baseline SV and gastric CSA state within 2 h post-fluid ingestion. A mild decrease in HR and BP was noted that persisted at 120 min. A 400 mL carbohydrate beverage does not appear to have favourable cardiovascular effects in a healthy population.

Intrathecal Morphine and Ropivacaine for Quality of Recovery After Laparoscopic Colorectal Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Intrathecal morphine is increasingly used for pain management in laparoscopic colorectal surgery. While ropivacaine shows advantages of reduced cardiotoxicity and faster motor recovery compared to bupivacaine, the impact of intrathecal morphine-ropivacaine combination on postoperative recovery quality remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate this combination's effect on recovery outcomes after laparoscopic colorectal surgery. In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 78 patients undergoing laparoscopic colorectal surgery received either preservative-free intrathecal morphine 250μg with ropivacaine 15 mg (Intrathecal group) or a sham subcutaneous saline injection (Control group). The primary outcome was the Quality of Recovery-15 (QoR-15) score 24hours after surgery. Secondary outcomes included pain scores, opioid consumption, and adverse effects. The intrathecal group showed significantly higher QoR-15 scores 24hours postoperatively compared to the control group (median [IQR]: 121 [109-128] vs 111 [102-116], p < 0.001), with improvements in pain management (p < 0.001), physical comfort (p = 0.001), and physical independence (p = 0.002). The intrathecal group had lower pain scores at rest (area under the curve 0-48h: 66 [59-90] vs 107 [89-126], p < 0.001) and during coughing (152 [137-172] vs 191 [166-213], p < 0.001), particularly from 0.5 to 24hours. They also required less postoperative morphine (0-48h: 10 [6-20] vs 26 [22-36] mg, p < 0.001). While hypotension (43.6% vs 17.9%, p = 0.014) and pruritus (35.9% vs 2.6%, p < 0.001) were more frequent in the intrathecal group, but no respiratory depression occurred in either group. Intrathecal morphine-ropivacaine administration improves 24-hour postoperative recovery quality and provides superior pain relief after laparoscopic colorectal surgery, despite increased but manageable side effects. Further research should focus on dose optimization and comparative studies of different intrathecal local anesthetic combinations. The Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR2100052337.

Research on Energy Efficiency Optimization Control Strategy of Office Space Based on Genetic Simulated Annealing Strategy

Current energy-saving lighting control algorithms often face the dilemma of local optimality, which limits the energy-saving potential and comfort improvement of indoor lighting systems. The control parameters of the lighting system are optimized using a genetic simulated annealing algorithm to achieve the global optimal solution and enhance energy-saving efficacy in indoor lighting. The local search ability of the algorithm is enhanced by simulated annealing processing of excellent individuals after genetic operation. The genetic probability is adaptively adjusted according to the number of iterations and the fitness of the population, so that the algorithm enriches the population diversity in the early stage and avoids the “premature” convergence of the algorithm. A lamp illuminance model based on an artificial neural network and an indoor natural illuminance model based on a workbench are proposed to evaluate the lighting comfort, which provides a basis for constructing the fitness function of the optimization algorithm. Through the simulation experiment, the genetic simulated annealing algorithm is applied to the lighting scene introduced in this paper and compared with the traditional particle swarm optimization algorithm and genetic algorithm, the lighting energy saving performance is significantly improved.

Comparing the improvement of occupant thermal comfort with local heating devices in cold environments

Local heating can improve the thermal comfort of occupants and save energy in buildings in cold environments; however, few studies have investigated the effects of heat-transfer modes. Here, we aimed to evaluate different local heating measurements including five-sided enclosed radiant panel, heating plate, and fan heater using climate chamber experiments with 20 participants in cold environments (14 °C). Skin temperature and thermal perception votes under two radiation types with low and high power, one condition of conduction, and one condition of convection were collected and analyzed (RL, RH, CD, and CV). Under conditions RH, CD, and CV, the investigated parameters significantly improved by three local heating devices, with foot skin temperature rising by 0.46 °C, foot thermal sensation rising by 1.25 scores, and overall thermal comfort increasing by 0.36 score; however, their energy consumption varied greatly. In contrast, no significant improvement was observed in the RL group. Additionally, direct application of heat at sites of palpable cold discomfort was not always the optimal approach, and heating other parts of the body may provide significant alleviation. We recommend that the surface temperature of local heaters based on conduction and radiation for heat transfer should not be lower than 40.38 °C and 52.15 °C, respectively. To maintain thermal comfort, air outlet temperature should not be lower than 34.56 °C for convection type heaters. Our results provide technical and experimental basis for designing energy-saving buildings.

Effects of Urban Tree Species and Morphological Characteristics on the Thermal Environment: A Case Study in Fuzhou, China

Trees and their morphology can mitigate the urban heat island (UHI) effect, but the impacts of tree species and their two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) morphological characteristics on the thermal environment of residential spaces at the building scale have not been effectively evaluated. This research extracted the data of trees in the spatial range of a 50 m radius of the sampling sites located in a subtropical humid city’s residential area based on unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) imagery and field measurements. It included Ficus microcarpa L. f., Cinnamomum camphora (L.) J. Presl, and Alstonia scholaris (L.) R. Br. as three typical evergreen tree species and six quantitative indicators of trees, with the number of trees (N) serving as fundamental indicator and mean canopy width (MCW), mean canopy height (MCH), mean tree height (MTH), canopy biomass (CV), and mean canopy biomass (MCV) as morphological characteristic indicators. We analyzed the impact of the six indicators above on two thermal environment parameters: Air temperature (AT) and relative humidity (RH), by correlation analysis and multiple linear regression analysis. Results showed that: (1) F. microcarpa, as a dominant local species, provided more than 65% of the tree canopy volume within the study area (50 m radius buffer zones), and its contribution to cooling and humidification effects was superior to those of C. camphora and A. scholaris. (2) The MTH and CV of F. microcarpa are the key factors influencing daytime AT and RH, respectively, with temporal fluctuation in impact intensity during the spring (May) daytime. (3) The MTH and N of F. microcarpa show the best cooling effect (adjusted R2 = 0.731, p &lt; 0.05) during midday (13:00–14:00 p.m.), while its CV and MTH have the best humidification effect (adjusted R2 = 0.748, p &lt; 0.05) during the morning (9:00–10:00 a.m.) among three typical tree species. The 2D and 3D morphological characteristic indicators effectively describe the impact and variation of tree species on the spring microclimate within small-scale residential spaces. This work provides new insights into the thermal benefits brought by the spatial growth features of trees at the building scale and offers reference for urban residential areas in the planning and management related to tree species selection, canopy maintenance, and the improvement of thermal comfort for inhabitants.

Assessment of cooling capacity of chimney-enhanced cross-ventilation systems for kindergartens in African cities

This study proposed a novel approach for naturally ventilated buildings to address the challenges of rising temperatures and increased urban heat island effect in African cities. Existing research often overlooks the performance of combined wind and buoyancy-driven systems in the context of climate change. This research introduced a novel chimney-enhanced cross-ventilation configuration that effectively combined both wind and buoyancy effects for optimal performance. By conducting CFD simulations and detailed building energy simulations, the study aimed to quantify the contributions of these driving forces to assess the performance of the proposed innovative ventilation approach in various urban settings, and analyze its adaptability to future climate scenarios. The cross-ventilation system showed superior performance to a single-sided ventilation solution with identical opening areas. The proposed solution achieved airflow rates up to 20 times higher than that of the single-sided alternative, even in urban environments shielded by tall buildings, due to its ability to effectively harness both wind and stack effects. Consequently, this allowed an improvement in thermal comfort, shown by the higher fraction of occupied time within the thermal comfort range, in comparison with single-sided ventilation. Furthermore, the cross-ventilation system could significantly decrease energy use by mechanical cooling systems by up to 31 %, when compared to the single-sided solution. Finally, the use of night cooling further increased energy savings, and significantly reduced peak mechanical cooling thermal loads. Overall, the chimney-enhanced cross-ventilation system is a promising solution for improving indoor environmental quality and energy efficiency in buildings in African cities, since it is particularly well-suited for the climate change-induced challenges in that continent. The findings of this study can inform the design and implementation of sustainable building practices, promoting the adoption of natural ventilation strategies to mitigate the impacts of climate change.

Simulation-Based Training in Clinical Event Debriefing Improves Leadership Performance.

Clinical event debriefing (CED) improves healthcare team performance and patient outcomes. Most pediatric emergency medicine (PEM) physicians do not receive formal training in leading CED. Our objectives were to develop a CED curriculum and evaluate its effect on performance, knowledge, comfort, and clinical practice. This was a single group pre-post-retention study. We developed a hybrid curriculum with simulation, an interactive module, and individual feedback. We invited faculty and fellows from the PEM division of our hospital to participate. During an in-person training day, participants led standardized clinical simulation scenarios followed by simulated CED with immediate feedback on their leadership performance. They watched an interactive module between scenarios. Participants returned for a retention assessment 2-6 months later with a third simulation and debrief. Participants completed surveys measuring attitudes, experiences, and knowledge. Participants also evaluated the curriculum.The primary outcome was CED leadership performance using a novel 21-item tool that we developed, the Debrief Leadership Tool for Assessment (DELTA). A blinded, trained rater measured performance with DELTA. Secondary outcomes included changes in knowledge and comfort and changes in clinical practice. Twenty-seven participants enrolled and completed all parts of the curriculum and assessments. Debrief leadership performance improved by a mean of 3.7 points on DELTA pre-training to post-training (95% confidence interval = 2.7, 4.6, P < 0.01) and by 1.4 points from pre-training to retention (95% confidence interval = 0.1, 2.8, P = 0.03). Knowledge and comfort also significantly improved from pre-training to post-training and were sustained at retention. Most (67%) participants changed their clinical practice of CED after completing the curriculum. All participants would recommend the training to other PEM physicians. A hybrid simulation-based curriculum in leading CED for PEM physicians was associated with improvement in CED leadership performance, knowledge, and comfort. PEM physicians incorporated training into their clinical practice.

Review of Angular-Selective Windows with Guest–Host Liquid Crystals for Static Window Applications

This review focuses on the development and advancements in angular-selective smart windows, with particular emphasis on static windows utilizing guest–host liquid crystal (GHLC) systems. Angular-selective windows are designed to adjust their transmittance based on the angle of incident light, offering enhanced energy efficiency and visual comfort in both architectural and automotive applications. By leveraging the anisotropic absorption properties of dichroic dyes, GHLC-based windows can selectively block oblique sunlight while preserving clear visibility from normal viewing angles. Various liquid crystal (LC) alignment configurations, including vertically aligned, homogeneously aligned, hybrid aligned, uniformly lying helix, and twisted aligned LC cells, have been investigated to optimize light control for different installation angles, such as for automotive windshields and building windows. These advancements have demonstrated significant improvements in energy conservation and occupant comfort by reducing cooling demands and regulating sunlight penetration. This review summarizes key findings from recent studies, addresses the limitations of current technologies, and outlines potential future directions for further advancements in smart window technology.

Thermal Comfort Simulation-Based Forest Management Scenarios for Forest Healing

Background and objectives: Forest environments provide various healing benefits for humans and have been widely studied. Nevertheless, the field of forest management for forest healing remains relatively understudied. The purpose of this study is to utilize thermal environmental simulation to derive forest management scenarios that are optimized for forest healing. Methods: This study focused on the Seogwipo Experimental Forest on Jeju Island, Korea. Three-dimensional forest models were generated based on field surveys. Thermal environment simulations were conducted using Grasshopper with the Ladybug and Honeybee plug-ins, and the thermal comfort levels of six forest management scenarios were evaluated using the Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI). Results: The simulation results showed that, among all the scenarios, only scenario (c), “10% thinning in the buffer zone”, led to an improvement in thermal comfort. Additionally, the study identified discrepancies in thermal comfort between different forest management scenarios. Conclusions: In the management of forests for healing forestry purposes, the distinction of forest zones by use and the application of different forest management scenarios have thermal comfort implications. Thus, the methodology could be employed in forest management for forest healing purposes.

A Review of Seismic Optimization Design of Building Structures with Uniform Response

Earthquakes threaten human survival with powerful destructive power, and the performance of buildings in earthquakes is crucial. The seismic design of traditional building structures has the limitations of non-uniform response to displacement and acceleration, which can easily lead to partial damage to the building, unreasonable structure and difficulty in post-earthquake repair, which seriously affects the comfort and safety of the building. It is emphasized that improving the seismic safety of buildings is not only an inevitable requirement to ensure the safety of people's lives, but also to meet people's needs for continuous improvement of building comfort. The review shows that it is of great practical significance to study the seismic optimization design method of building structures with uniform response, which provides an important reference direction for the future design of building structures.

Vertical Plant Configuration: Its Impact on Microclimate and Thermal Comfort in Urban Small Green Spaces

The presence of small green spaces throughout high-density urban areas is essential for enhancing thermal comfort and combating the urban heat island effect. Extensive research has been conducted on plants, which play a key role in cooling green spaces. However, the majority of research focuses on trees, overlooking the efficiency of vertical plant configurations, especially shrubs. Hence, this paper selected a typical small green space in Tokyo’s high-density urban area and employed scenario simulation to examine how various vertical plant configurations impact the microclimate and thermal comfort of small green spaces, with a particular emphasis on quantifying the efficiency of shrubs. The research primarily discovered four findings. First, trees significantly outperform shrubs in improving thermal comfort, especially during periods of strong sunlight during the day, leading to a direct modification of the thermal comfort levels. Second, while shrubs (height &lt; 2 m) usually do not make a substantial difference in the overall thermal comfort levels of small green spaces, they are effective in reducing areas classified as “hot” and “very hot” during the day, with their cooling effect becoming more pronounced in the late afternoon. Third, when small green spaces combine trees and shrubs in their plant configuration, taller shrubs (within 0–2 m) exhibit a more pronounced cooling effect and improvement in thermal comfort. The conclusions of this study could offer guidance for the planning, design, and renovation of small green spaces in high-density urban areas.