Light Usage Research Articles

Raspberry Pi-based Facial Recognition for Vehicle Access Control

The integration of advanced biometric security systems in modern vehicles has become crucial to enhance safety and user convenience. This paper presents the design and implementation of a Raspberry Pi-based facial recognition system for vehicle access control, utilizing the power of computer vision and machine learning to provide secure, keyless vehicle entry. The system employs a Raspberry Pi microcontroller, coupled with a camera module, to capture and analyze the driver's facial features. OpenCV, a widely-used computer vision library, is integrated with a pre-trained deep learning model to perform facial detection and recognition in real-time. The system compares the captured facial data with pre-registered user profiles stored in a secure database. Upon a successful match, the Raspberry Pi sends a signal to unlock the vehicle, ensuring seamless and secure access. The necessity of adopting facial recognition technology for vehicle access lies in its non-invasive, hands-free nature, providing a more convenient and secure alternative to traditional key-based systems. Moreover, it adds an additional layer of security, minimizing the risk of unauthorized access through stolen keys or fob duplication. Experimental results demonstrate that the facial recognition system achieves a high accuracy rate of 95% under various lighting conditions and user angles. The average processing time for facial recognition is less than 1 second, ensuring swift vehicle access. Additionally, the system exhibits robust performance even with multiple registered users, confirming its scalability and practicality for real-world applications. This research highlights the potential of Raspberry Pi as a cost-effective, efficient platform for implementing facial recognition systems in vehicles, paving the way for further innovations in automotive security. Key Words: Raspberry Pi, Webcam, Image processing, the Main module

The Effects of Hourly Rounding by Nursing Staff on Patient Safety and Satisfaction: Implications for Clinical Practice and Healthcare Administration

Hospital admissions present significant challenges for patients and their families, often leading to feelings of vulnerability and dependence. Hourly rounding by nursing staff has emerged as a potential strategy to improve patient safety and satisfaction by proactively addressing patient needs.This systematic review evaluated 16 published studies on the impact of hourly rounding on patient satisfaction, call light usage, and patient falls. A comprehensive search was conducted in databases such as Medline, EMBASE, and CINAHL. The studies were analyzed for methodological rigor, outcomes, and applicability to clinical practice.The findings indicate that hourly rounding significantly enhances patient satisfaction and reduces call light usage, highlighting a direct correlation between proactive nursing care and improved patient perceptions of responsiveness. Units with initially low satisfaction scores experienced the most substantial improvements, emphasizing the potential benefits of implementing hourly rounding in such contexts.While the review revealed a low to moderate level of evidence regarding the efficacy of hourly rounding, the consistency of positive outcomes across multiple studies suggests that this practice can meaningfully enhance patient experiences in hospital settings. Nurse administrators are encouraged to adopt hourly rounding protocols tailored to their specific environments, acknowledging the need for further research to optimize implementation strategies.

Influence of extreme light/dark cycles on monoamine levels, physiological indices, and emotional behaviors in rats

ABSTRACT Aberrant light/dark (LD) cycles are prevalent in modern society due to electric light usage, leading to mood disorders from circadian disruption or misalignment. However, research on the physiological and behavioral effects of LD variations on brain neurotransmitters is limited. We investigated the effects of extreme LD cycles on body weight (BW), core body temperature (Tcore), locomotor activity (ACT), emotional behaviors, and monoamine levels (noradrenaline [NA], dopamine [DA], and serotonin [5-HT]) in male Wistar rats that were exposed to 1 month of either long light phase (20 L:4D), long dark phase (4 L:20D), or normal (12 L:12D) LD cycles. The 20 L:4D rats exhibited blunted rhythms, with decreased amplitude and advanced/delayed acrophase in Tcore and ACT, alongside increased BW. The 4 L:20D rats showed circadian misalignment, with increased/decreased amplitude in Tcore or ACT and delayed acrophase in Tcore and ACT, also gaining BW. In the 20 L:4D group, NA and 5-HT levels decreased in the suprachiasmatic nucleus and amygdala, respectively, while the 4 L:20D group had increased DA and 5-HT levels in the caudate putamen and dorsomedial hypothalamus, respectively. Open field and social interaction tests indicated anxiety-like behaviors in both test groups. Overall, each extreme LD cycle affected Tcore, ACT amplitude, acrophase, and monoamine levels differently, inducing anxiogenic responses.

Examining the Relationship Between Student Residents’ Self-Reported Energy Consumption Behavior and Their Energy-saving Intention

Understanding the relationship between student residents’ energy-saving intention and behavior is crucial for enhancing sustainable living practices in student dormitories. This study examines the alignment between self-reported energy consumption behavior and the intention to save energy among student residents. A questionnaire survey conducted in a selected student dormitory collected data on self-reported energy consumption behavior, intention, and actual energy-saving action. The study applied the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), incorporating variables such as attitude, subjective norm, perceived behavioral control, and personal moral norm, hypothesized to influence energy-saving intention and behavior. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was used for data analysis, with an innovative focus on integrating self-reported behavior into the SEM framework. Four distinct SEM analyses were conducted based on different energy consumption behaviour patterns: air conditioning usage time, air conditioning setpoint preference, lighting usage time, and shower time. Findings reveal a significant willingness among student residents to adopt energy-saving practices, varying across groups defined by specific usage behaviors. Positive attitudes, supportive subjective norms, and strong personal moral norms significantly boost energy-saving intentions. Perceived behavioral control is critical in translating intentions into actual behaviors. Furthermore, interventions for high user groups should focus on practical solutions and leveraging social influences, while moderate and low user groups can benefit from strategies reinforcing their existing positive behavior and motivation. Educational initiatives, moral responsibility campaigns, and recognition programs can strengthen commitment and ensure that strong intentions consistently translate into effective energy-saving behavior, thereby enhancing sustainability efforts within student communities.

Energy Efficiency of Educational Buildings Through Envelope Design Based on Field Observations and Sefaira Simulation (Case Study: FIP B Building)

Abstract The dense activity in the FIP B Building makes energy optimization in the building very important because it will impact faculty operations. This research shows deficiencies in the design of the existing FIP B building, which can be corrected through a number of aspects of change based on field observation and Sefaira Simulation that can increase the building’s energy efficiency in the form of adding skylights, creating an atrium, and increasing the window-to-wall ratio. The value of increasing the efficiency of the new model compared to the existing one is known by the Sefaira energy performance simulation for both model envelopes. The results of the simulation show that the greatest increase in efficiency is in the use of AHU fans, the second is in AHU cooling, and the lowest is in interior lighting and equipment. However, lighting usage has the potential to be more efficient with the relatively improved daylight accessibility in the new design model. The overall annual energy use and EUI level in the new model are slightly more efficient than the existing model. The result of this study provides aspects of consideration in the architectural design of campus buildings with large masses.

Enhanced photoelectrochemical sensor for dopamine detection based on MOFs-derived ZnO and TpPa-1 heterostructure composite

This study used ZIF-8 metal–organic framework as a precursor to create a N-doped ZnO. Subsequently, covalent organic framework named TpPa-1 (Tp, 1,3,5-triformylphloroglucinol; Pa-1, p-phenylenediamine) with a ZnO heterostructure composite (ZnO/TpPa-1) was created through an in-situ synthesis approach. Due to its superior band structure and outstanding photocatalytic performance, the ZnO/TpPa-1 composite is a good candidate for the development of a new type of photoelectrochemical (PEC) sensor for the detection of dopamine (DA). According to experimental data, ZnO/TpPa-1/ITO had a photocurrent that was roughly 1.5 times higher than TpPa-1/ITO and 4.5 times higher than ZnO/ITO. The primary reason for this improvement was the synergistic effects brought about by effective light usage and charge transfer at the interface between the TpPa-1 π-conjugated backbone and ZnO porous structure. The determination ranges for DA demonstrated two linear ranges, 0.005–0.25 μmol/L and 0.25–1.00 μmol/L, and the detection limit was as low as 1.3 nmol/L. Moreover, the PEC sensor exhibited good stability, selectivity, repeatability, and suitability for real-world samples. This work provides important new understandings for covalent organic framework (COF)-based heterostructure design, which can be used to improve PEC sensor performance.

TiO2 embedded in AC-COFs/SiO2 composites with core-shell structure for improved photocatalytic degradation performance of tetracycline

The excellent photocatalytic properties of covalent organic frameworks (COFs) and Titanium dioxide (TiO2) have been a hot research topic. However, the extensive application of the COFs and TiO2 in photocatalysis is restricted by their easy agglomeration and poor visible light usage, respectively. In this research, acyl chloride-covalent organic frameworks (AC-COFs) prepared by ultrasound assisted synthesis method was attached to the surface of silica oxides (SiO2) prepared by the modified Stöber method with high specific surface area and high porosity through amino groups to form a core-shell structure, which effectively solved the problem of easy agglomeration of the AC-COFs. Subsequently, TiO2 was loaded onto the surface of the AC-COFs@SiO2 composites to create high-performing TiO2/AC-COFs@SiO2 composites with a wide visible light absorption range (λ=409 nm), a narrow band gap (Eg=2.32 eV) and strong adsorption performance (Qm=314.47 mg/g). Compared with SiO2, the adsorption performance of this composite material was improved by 1.5 times. Meanwhile, the formed binary heterogeneous structure effectively reduces carrier recombination rate and releases more active substances like h+ and ·OH, so the catalyst has excellent self-cleaning and cyclic stability under the combined effect of adsorption and photocatalysis. It was found that tetracycline (TC) completely degrades after 50 min and the degradation rate decreasing by only 2.8 % after six cycles.

Investigation on a high-quality health laser light source based on the age of lighting users.

The optimal laser spectrum for users of all ages is determined by considering the health implications of laser lighting across different age groups. We present a theoretical calculation model for age-related blue light hazard (BLH) and Circadian Action Factor (CAF), establishing optimization criteria that integrate visual and health factors. Health assessments of white laser light source spectra, obtained from the combination of RGB-LDs, were conducted using BLH and CAF at various illumination color temperatures. Based on our proposed comprehensive optimization criteria, white-light laser sources with high luminous efficacy (LER ≥ 330 lm/W), good color rendering (Ra ≥ 70), and color coordinates within the quadrangle region specified by the ANSI C78.377-2008 standard were obtained. This research provides a theoretical foundation for the personalized design and application of high-quality, healthy laser light sources for users of different ages.

Exploring the metabolic implications of blue light exposure during daytime in rats

Excessive exposure to light is a global issue. Artificial light pollution has been shown to disrupt the body's natural circadian rhythm. To investigate the impacts of light on metabolism, we studied Sprague-Dawley rats chronically exposed to red or blue light during daytime or nighttime. Rats in the experimental group were exposed to extended light for 4 hours during daytime or nighttime to simulate the effects of excessive light usage. Strikingly, we found systemic metabolic alterations only induced by blue light during daytime. Furthermore, we conducted metabolomic analyses of the cerebrospinal fluid, serum, heart, liver, spleen, adrenal, cerebellum, pituitary, prostate, spermatophore, hypothalamus and kidney from rats in the control and blue light exposure during daytime. Significant changes in metabolites have been observed in cerebrospinal fluid, serum, hypothalamus and kidney of rats exposed to blue light during daytime. Metabolic alterations observed in rats encompassing pyruvate metabolism, glutathione metabolism homocysteine degradation, phosphatidylethanolamine biosynthesis, and phospholipid biosynthesis, exhibit analogous patterns to those inherent in specific physiological processes, notably neurodevelopment, cellular injury, oxidative stress, and autophagic pathways. Our study provides insights into tissue-specific metabolic changes in rats exposed to blue light during the daytime and may help explain potential mechanisms of photopathogenesis.

Optimizing the Use of Natural Lighting

Lighting constitutes a crucial element in spatial design aimed at enhancing user comfort. However, the efficacy of natural lighting in buildings remains suboptimal due to prevalent preferences for artificial illumination. This study identifies instances where the utilization of natural lighting, particularly sunlight, can be optimized, focusing on the Dean building of the Faculty of Engineering Unsrat, specifically the Library room, also known as the E-Library room. The objective is to investigate the most effective timing for natural lighting usage compared to artificial lighting from lamps.

Experimental and ab initio studies of enhance photocatalytic efficiency of La-doped ZnO/g-C3N4 nanocomposites for bromothymol blue dye degradation

The ability of photocatalysis to clean up environmental contamination, notably in the treatment of water and air, has received extensive research. The composite materials synthesized by the coprecipitation method were made of ZnO and graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) with various concentrations of lanthanum doping (La-ZnO). It was discovered that La metal ions were evenly distributed throughout the layered stacking structures of ZnO nanosheet, which had an impact on the band structure and increased the rate of electron-hole separation and visible light absorption. First-principles calculations show that La-doped ZnO-gC3N4 possesses a direct band gap and a type-II band structure with the conduction band minimum and the valence band maximum located in separate layers. A built-in electric field from the gC3N4 to the La-doped ZnO has been established through an analysis of charge density difference, Bader charge, work function, and band alignment. The electron-hole pair becomes spatially separated as a result, which increases the photodegradation activity. High interfacial charge transfer, efficient charge separation and migration, and high visible light optical absorbance were caused by the direct coating of ZnO on an ultra-thin g-C3N4 layer. The 0.6 % La-doped ZnO-gC3N4 degraded 97 % of the bromothymol blue (BB) dye, which was four times higher than the bulk ZnO, which could remove only about 21 % of the dye at the same time. The combined effects of lower photo corrosion, higher solar light usage owing to a hollow structure and heterostructured semiconductor photocatalysis contribute to this increased photocatalytic activity. The capacity of La-doped ZnO/g-C3N4 nanocomposite to effectively break down BB dye via photocatalysis suggests that it has the potential to address the problems associated with dye pollution in water systems.

Blinded by the light: does heat or light enhance wild mosquito (Diptera: Culicidae) attraction to CO2-baited traps in the Great Salt Lake area?

The New Jersey Light Trap has been among the earliest trap models used for mosquito surveillance in the United States. This trap was modernized in the 1950s to the miniature CDC light trap, with the addition of CO2 following soon after. The incandescent light has the tendency to attract nontarget insects, as well as losing a substantial portion of their energy as heat. Few studies have delineated whether heat or light in isolation make a difference in field collections using the former traps within the United States. Our study focused on isolating heat and light variables by using incandescent bulbs, light emitting diode (LED) bulbs, and electric heating patches affixed to a base model CO2 trap as designed at the Salt Lake City Mosquito Abatement District. Sites were selected in the urban and suburban foothills and canyons of the Wasatch Mountain front, industrial areas near the Salt Lake City International Airport, and rural wetlands in the marshes outlying the Great Salt Lake. Five traps were replicated within each sector during the summer and fall summer seasons. Collections were composed of Aedes dorsalis (Meigen), Culex pipiens L., Culex tarsalis Coquillett, and Culiseta inornata (Williston). Composition changes were a result of seasonal, rather than spatial, shifts. The results showed that LED light traps depressed collections of key species. Otherwise, there were negligible differences in collections among incandescent, heat film, and base model traps. In the Intermountain West, the miniature CDC trap is reliable enough to make programmatic decisions even if light usage varies by district.

Indoor comfort management and energy consumption in Arctic buildings: Occupant perceptions in an indigenous community of Canada

Arctic and subarctic communities currently face major and unique energy and housing challenges. However, the perceptions, needs, and adaptive strategies of occupants related to energy consumption and comfort in their dwellings are not well known. In this study, 16 semi-structured interviews were conducted in the Inuit community of Quaqtaq (Nunavik, Quebec, Canada) to investigate occupants’ experiences, observations, and perceptions on these topics. The topics covered comfort, window opening, use of curtains, and usage of thermostats, water, and lighting. Furthermore, awareness of energy consumption and renewable technologies was investigated, and occupants shared their vision of the ideal home. It was found that windows and thermostats are often used simultaneously to regulate temperature and that non-uniform temperature distribution and cold floors were often noted by occupants. Due to the limited amount of water available, coordination with neighbors was needed for activities requiring water. Awareness and interest in energy savings and renewable energy varied significantly among participants. Participants mentioned that their ideal home would have better insulation, larger water tanks, and more storage space. These results help to understand occupant behavior, energy consumption patterns, and well-being in houses of northern communities and can guide the development of future housing units.

Electricity conservation intention among university students in northern Ghana: An assessment of the drivers for some electrical appliances

University students are among those associated with high energy consumption but with low conservational practices. Such behavior has serious implications on energy sustainability and emission of greenhouse gases. For developing countries, low electricity conservation increases the burden on utility companies and the government as a whole. Efforts to promote electricity conservation have led to an increased number of studies. However, such research have not given much consideration to the role of emotions as well as religion in energy conservation. Evidence from Ghana is also limited. This study examines the factors of electricity conservation intention among University students in Ghana. With the lens of the theory of planned behavior, electricity conservation intention associated with the usage of laptops, refrigerators, light and electric fans was assessed. Emotions and religion were included in the model to assess their effect. Data was collected through the administration of questionnaires to 204 university students. The findings from ordered probit regression indicate that subjective norms, perceived behaviourial control, attitude, emotions and religion influence the extent that students intend to conserve electricity. However, their effects were somehow found to be appliance-specific. The results suggest that continuous teaching of the need for electricity conservation at religious centers or among religious groups could generate some guaranteed levels of electricity conservation among students and may be, even among the larger population. Individuals that assume considerable importance in society should act as conservation leaders to promote such behavior among students and the general public.

LIGHTING CONSIDERATIONS FOR A FASHION HOUSE

The study investigated the use of lighting in Nigerian fashion houses. This is built on the observation that most fashion houses are not purpose built. This leads to poor use of day light usage; necessitating the use of artificial lighting which often increases their cost of production. Aside from the effect of poor utilization on the operational cost of fashion houses, it has consequential effect on the wellbeing of staff as well as the quality of materials produced. In view of these shortcomings, the study adopted a case study approach to examine how fashion houses in developed economies have been able to incorporate day light strategies in their construction plans. The study examined three global fashion houses namely; Vionnet’s historic building, CafèModa, and Monsoon Flagship Store. From the analysis, it found that the use of day light strategies improved users experiences as well as reduce operational cost at Vionnet’s historic building. Similarly, the louvre system adopted at CafèModa enhanced users’ ability to control the light penetration depending on times and demands. This enhanced staff productivity as well as reduced expenses on electricity bills. Lastly, at Monsoon Flagship Store, it was found that skylight strategy was used. In as much as it guaranteed the penetration of solar energy, it was found that it could generate heat which could threaten the quality of fabrics used in clothe production. From these findings, the study concluded that Day light not only offers an aesthetically pleasing effect within a space but it also allows for interiors to be well lit free of charge throughout most parts of the day according to the seasonal variations. However, its usage must be within the ambience of industry and environmental regulations.

Coordination between vehicles in traffic

Abstract This study belongs to the ethnomethodological tradition of identifying the everyday practices accounting for the oiled machinery of social organization and applies this approach to understanding direction light usage. We observe a set of episodes videorecorded in North-East Italy in the urban traffic. We first unpack the meaning of direction light usage from a pragmatic perspective and then test our interpretation against the cases in our collection that seem to deviate from it. We argue that direction lights’ usage works as an announcement to some road users and a request to a subset of them; in both cases, direction lights convey contextualized (indexical) coordinates about the vehicle’s prospective trajectory. We then explain the cases in which signaling is omitted and draw some implications for traffic coordination and safety.

Modify The Led Lights By Adding Pir Sensor As A Motion Sensor

Motion sensor lights have become a popular solution to optimize lighting usage in various spaces and environments. This article explores the concept and advantages of motion sensor lights, which are capable of detecting human motion and automatically controlling illumination. Motion sensor lights use PIR sensors to detect human movement, triggering a relay module as a switch to turn the lights on or off. The primary benefit of motion sensor lights is energy efficiency, reducing unnecessary power consumption. The article also explains how to create motion sensor lights using simple tools and easy-to-follow steps. Consequently, readers can grasp the fundamental concept of motion sensor lights and have a practical guide to make them on their own. Through the research conducted, a modification of regular LED lights into LED lights that can function with a PIR sensor has been achieved through several experiments.

Photovoltaic performance of magnetron sputtered antimony selenide thin film solar cells buffered by cadmium sulfide and cadmium sulfide /zinc sulfide

Antimony selenide (Sb2Se3)-based thin-film solar cells have recently attracted worldwide attention as an abundant, low-cost, and efficient photovoltaic technology. The highest efficiencies recorded for Sb2Se3 solar cells have been obtained using cadmium sulfide (CdS) as a buffer layer. The Cd-included hybrid buffer layers could be one option to increase device efficiency through more effective usage of light. Therefore, in this work, the effect of single CdS and hybrid CdS/zinc sulfide (ZnS) buffer layers on the photovoltaic performance of Sb2Se3 thin-film solar cells has been investigated in detail. Sb2Se3 thin films have been deposited on molybdenum (Mo)-coated soda-lime glass (SLG) substrates by radio frequency magnetron sputtering technique followed by a post-heat treatment process. The morphological, and structural properties of Sb2Se3 thin films have been investigated by X-Ray Diffraction and Scanning Electron Microscopy. To compare the device performances of single CdS and hybrid CdS/ZnS buffered Sb2Se3 thin-film solar cells, SLG/Mo/Sb2Se3/CdS/ZnS/indium tin oxide (ITO) and SLG/Mo/Sb2Se3/CdS/ITO structures have been fabricated. The findings of this study have revealed a reduction in solar cells’ performance from η=3.93% for CdS buffer to η=0.13% for CdS/ZnS hybrid buffer. The change in the solar cell performance using the CdS/ZnS hybrid buffer has been discussed in detail.

Effects of different visible light spectrums on phototaxis and bottom preference behavior of sea cucumber

In recent years, studies have shown that different light wavelengths have varying effects on aquaculture species. This indicates that exposure to light can significantly influence the health and development of aquatic organisms. This study investigated the effects of different visible light spectra on the behavior and physiological responses of sea cucumbers. Under blue LED and white LED illumination, the sea cucumbers exhibited shelter-seeking behavior. A phototaxis experiment found that the blue LED light elicited the strongest negative phototaxis, followed by the white LED. However, the red LED light elicited no obvious response. In the bottom zone preference experiment, blue LED and white LED illumination affected the bottom preference behaviors of some individuals compared to the control group. By measuring the mean photon flux density (MPFD) values at different illumination distances, the individuals in each group tended to stop moving when they were close to a similar MPFD value. Next, this study examined the physiological effects of red LED and blue LED illumination on sea cucumbers. Interestingly, the blue LED group exhibited higher oxygen consumption rates and thinner connective tissue in the respiratory tree during the early stage of the experiment. In contrast, no significant differences in coelomocyte phagocytosis were observed between the blue LED and red LED groups. Our findings suggested that the behaviors and physiological responses elicited by the blue or white LED light are likely caused by the number of photons in a specific time and area received by photoreceptors on the integument of sea cucumbers. Furthermore, neither long- nor short-wavelength spectra caused significant stress or damage to sea cucumbers in this study. The results obtained from this data will be beneficial for lighting usage in aquaculture environments in the future.

Large‐scale human celebrations increase global light pollution

Abstract Culturally dependent human social behaviours involving artificial light usage can potentially affect light pollution patterns and thereby impact the night‐time ecology in populated areas, although to date this has not been examined globally. By analysing continuous (monthly), highly resolved, spatially explicit data on global night lights (Visible and Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite–Day/Night Band‐VIIRS‐DNB; 2014–2019) with circular statistical techniques, we evaluated whether macro‐cultural activities involving social aggregations and the use of artificial lights shape annual lighting patterns globally. Scheduled routines associated with cultural‐specific festivities appear to be important drivers of observed seasonal patterns in urban night‐time lights. For instance, the display of Christmas lights between Christmas and Epiphany Day celebrations (December–January) coincides with the annual peak in urban night‐time light intensity in Christian countries. Analogously, night celebrations during the Holy Month of Ramadam (from May to July) or the month‐long period of Karthika Masam (from October to November) fits with annual night light peaks in Muslim and Hindu countries. Annual peaks of urban light intensity in China and Vietnam also match with Chinese and Vietnamese (Tê't) New Year celebrations (January–February). In contrast, predominantly Buddhist countries, which do not have such prominent and prolonged celebrations involving artificial lights, show a relatively uniform distribution of night light peaks throughout the annual cycle. Social behaviour and sociocultural contexts help explain how people modify the global nightscape and contribute to light pollution globally. Understanding the cultural contexts responsible for peaks in artificial light usage is an important first step if humans are to mitigate any deleterious effects associated with global increases in night‐time light pollution. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.