scholarly journals Indoor CO2: potential criticalities and solutions

2019 ◽  
Vol 290 ◽  
pp. 12026
Author(s):  
Marco Schiavon ◽  
Luca Adami ◽  
Elena Magaril ◽  
Marco Ragazzi

Carbon dioxide (CO2) has been conventionally regarded as a global problem, due to the well-known effects of fossil fuel combustion to the climate of our planet. However, this paper aims at highlighting the role of CO2 from another perspective, i.e. by considering the effects of CO2 on the health and well-being of the occupants of indoor spaces. The exposure to CO2 air concentrations > 1,000 ppm causes symptoms like headache, dizziness, sleepiness and loss of attention, which may negatively influence the learning capability and the productivity of students and workers. In this sense, schools and universities are particularly vulnerable, due to the high density of occupants in classrooms and to the importance of the role of education in training the future members of the society. In the light of this issue, the present paper will provide examples of the incorrect design of indoor environments and, meanwhile, will propose simple solutions to monitor the problem of indoor CO2 concentration and improve the indoor environmental quality of public places.

Author(s):  
Ieva Ančevska

The article examines the depiction of gratitude and related events in Latvian folklore through comparative evaluation. Gratitude is considered in a psychological context, comparing the attitude expressed in folklore with the findings of modern scientific research. Gratitude is a concept that is usually associated with a relationship or a benefit, it is most often aimed outwards, dedicated to someone else, but at the same time, it creates a pleasant feeling within the person. In modern psychology, gratitude is receiving more and more attention from researchers because its manifestations stimulate the formation of positive emotions and contribute to the improvement of the person’s overall well-being. Research and clinical studies in psychotherapy confirm that gratitude plays an important role in improving mental health and reducing depressive, destructive feelings. In turn, neuroscience research shows the potential of a grateful and positive attitude in strengthening psycho-emotional health and well-being in general. In Latvian folklore, gratitude is depicted as an important part of ritual events, which helps to ensure a positive, balanced connection with the forces of nature, gods, and society. In folklore, the importance of gratitude is emphasised more when building family relationships or accepting various situations and occurrences in life. In both psychological research and the practice of systemic therapy, as well as in folklore, gratitude appears as one of the most important values of interpersonal connection, which promotes the formation of harmonious relationships. Similar to the opinions of psychology, the folk world views emphasise the motivational role of gratitude in improving the quality of human life and health in general.


2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 347-361 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan M. Samet ◽  
Thomas A. Burke

The quality of the environment is a major determinant of the health and well-being of a population. The role of scientific evidence is central in the network of laws addressing environmental pollution in the United States and has been critical in addressing the myriad sources of environmental pollution and the burden of disease attributable to environmental factors. We address the shift away from reasoned action and science to a reliance on belief and document the efforts to separate regulation from science and to remove science-based regulations and policies intended to protect public health. We outline the general steps for moving from research to policy, show how each has been undermined, offer specific examples, and point to resources that document the enormity of the current efforts to set aside scientific evidence.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily Nix ◽  
Jacob Paulose ◽  
Monica Lakhanpaul ◽  
Pam Factor-Litvak ◽  
Priti Parikh ◽  
...  

Disproportional burden of COVID-19 and vulnerability to containment measures in informal settlements have been recognised, however, the role of poor housing conditions in propagating these remains neglected. Poor housing conditions will make it difficult to effectively implement social distancing measures. With increased time spent in cramped, dark and uncomfortable indoor environments, water and sanitation outside the home, and no outdoor space, higher exposure to existing health hazards and high levels of stress, with women and children most vulnerable, are anticipated. We reflect on these interconnections and recommend immediate measures and the long-term need for adequate housing for health and well-being.


Author(s):  
Luca Argenton ◽  
Federica Pallavicini ◽  
Fabrizia Mantovani

Serious games are growing rapidly both as an industry and a field of academic research. They have been able to shape new opportunities for individual and collective learning and training, showing a discrete effectiveness. Further, serious games have been capable of supporting health and well-being. That is why they can be considered as positive technologies. Positive Technology is an emergent field whose goal is to investigate how Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) can be used to empower the quality of personal experience The aim of the present chapter is to discuss the role of serious games as positive technology, analyzing how they can influence both individual and interpersonal experiences by fostering positive emotions, promoting engagement, as well as enhancing social integration and connectedness.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 5891
Author(s):  
Michael W. Mehaffy

The New Urban Agenda—the global urbanization framework agreement adopted by acclamation by all 193 countries of the United Nations—contains no fewer than eight paragraphs on the importance of public space, three of which outline its role in achieving “human health and well-being”, “attractive and liveable cities”, and “physical and mental health”. However, there is an urgent need to translate these and other quality of life aspirations contained in this landmark document into measurable targets, tools, and strategies to achieve outcomes. This paper examines the core theories that connect health and well-being to public space as reflected in the document, surveying some of the most relevant research in the field. It then analyzes the document text to identify a number of potentially useful indicators. Finally, it proposes a framework for data gathering, assessment, and iterative progress in achieving the stated goals, concluding with an overview of emerging research and practice, and proposed next steps.


2021 ◽  
Vol 17 ◽  
pp. 68-77
Author(s):  
Thomas Panagopoulos ◽  
Madalina Sbarcea ◽  
Krzysztof Herman

The biophilic design promotes specific principles and patterns of nature-based solutions for health and well-being in the spaces we live and work. A growing body of literature advocates a more prominent role of nature in urban design and architecture, emphasizing the necessity of maintaining, enhancing, and restoring the beneficial experience of nature in the cities. Biophilia and nature-based solutions can improve the quality of built environment design and bring new opportunities to restore urban ecosystems and smart thinking for sustainable cities. The paper concludes that adopting biophilic principles in urban planning will lead to cities that can regenerate life and nurture end-users' health and well-being. Moreover, bring forward ways to transfer human nature ties' knowledge into restorative approaches to design the built environment.


Author(s):  
Luca Argenton ◽  
Federica Pallavicini ◽  
Fabrizia Mantovani

Serious games are growing rapidly both as an industry and a field of academic research. They have been able to shape new opportunities for individual and collective learning and training, showing a discrete effectiveness. Further, serious games have been capable of supporting health and well-being. That is why they can be considered as positive technologies. Positive Technology is an emergent field whose goal is to investigate how Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) can be used to empower the quality of personal experience The aim of the present chapter is to discuss the role of serious games as positive technology, analyzing how they can influence both individual and interpersonal experiences by fostering positive emotions, promoting engagement, as well as enhancing social integration and connectedness.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily Nix ◽  
Jacob Paulose ◽  
Monica Lakhanpaul ◽  
Pam Factor-Litvak ◽  
Priti Parikh ◽  
...  

Disproportional burden of COVID-19 and vulnerability to containment measures in informal settlements have been recognised, however, the role of poor housing conditions in propagating these remains neglected. Poor housing conditions will make it difficult to effectively implement social distancing measures. With increased time spent in cramped, dark and uncomfortable indoor environments, water and sanitation outside the home, and no outdoor space, higher exposure to existing health hazards and high levels of stress, with women and children most vulnerable, are anticipated. We reflect on these interconnections and recommend immediate measures and the long-term need for adequate housing for health and well-being.


2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (5) ◽  
pp. 675-688
Author(s):  
Shamsi Abbasalizadeh ◽  
Behzad Ebrahimi ◽  
Aslan Azizi ◽  
Rogaye Dargahi ◽  
Maryam Tayebali ◽  
...  

Constipation is a common public health concern experienced by all individuals during their life affecting the quality of life. In this paper, we aimed to provide an overview of the existing evidence regarding the role of food ingredients, including bran, prune, fig, kiwifruit, and flax-seed in constipation treatment. We searched Scopus, Pub Med, and Science Direct by using the keywords, “laxative foods” and “constipation”, for searching studies assessing laxative food ingredients and their beneficial effects on constipation treatment and/or control. Lifestyle modifications such as increasing dietary fiber and fluid intake and daily exercise are the proposed first line treatments for constipation. Optimizing ‘diet’ as an efficient lifestyle factor may contribute to the well-being of patients. The use of laxative food ingredients including bran, prune, fig, kiwifruit, flax-seed, probiotics, and prebiotics is a convenient alternative to cope with constipation. According to previous findings, laxative food ingredients could be considered as effective treatments for subjects suffering from constipation. Many studies have assessed the pharmacological and non-pharmacological roles of these ingredients in treating constipation, however, their importance has not been thoroughly investigated.


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