Article
Construction & Building Technology
Xi Meng, Lianyu Yan, Fudan Liu
Summary: Combining a living wall with air-conditioning can improve the indoor thermal environment, reduce CO2 concentration, and enhance subjective evaluation on indoor environment.
BUILDING AND ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Natalia Giraldo Vasquez, Gabriel Beko, Pawel Wargocki, Blanka Cabovska, Despoina Teli, Jan-Olof Dalenback, Lars Ekberg, Theofanis Psomas, Sarka Langer
Summary: This study investigated the relationship between children's perception of indoor environmental quality in classrooms, measured thermal and air quality factors, and the type of ventilation. The study found no significant differences in subjective perception between the three ventilation categories, but classrooms with ventilation category A had noticeably lower perception index compared to those with ventilation category B or C.
BUILDING AND ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
An Galicic, Jan Rozanec, Andreja Kukec, Tanja Carli, Saso Medved, Ivan Erzen
Summary: Poor indoor air quality in schools has a negative impact on students' health and learning performance. This study aimed to identify factors affecting indoor air quality in primary schools. A new questionnaire was developed based on a systematic literature review, and its validity was assessed. The results showed that the location of the school and the distance from potential pollution sources, particularly traffic, were important outdoor factors. No dominant factor was found among the indoor factors. The study highlights the importance of spatial location in addressing indoor air quality issues in schools.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yuan-duo Zhu, Xu Li, Lin Fan, Li Li, Jiao Wang, Wen-jing Yang, Lin Wang, Xiao-yuan Yao, Xian-liang Wang
Summary: The study reveals a severe indoor air pollution problem in Chinese primary school classrooms, with high levels of PM2.5, PM10, and other pollutants exceeding recommended guidelines, particularly in regions like Shijiazhuang and Nanning. There is a need to improve ventilation in classrooms to create a healthy learning environment for students.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Dawei Hu, Yeny Tobon, Aymeric Agostini, Benoit Grosselin, Ying Chen, Corinne Robin, Abderrazak Yahyaoui, Patrice Colin, Abdelwahid Mellouki, Veronique Daele
Summary: This study conducted high time resolved measurement of indoor formaldehyde concentration in different educational institutions in France. The results showed that ventilation played an important role in controlling indoor formaldehyde levels. In addition to primary sources, the study identified tobacco smokers' residue and VOCs released from cleaning products as secondary sources of indoor formaldehyde. Therefore, in schools, besides implementing ventilation systems, the control of secondary sources of formaldehyde should also be considered.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Grace Kuiper, Ada Wilmer, Hannah Carter, Caroline Shannon, Hannah Curcio, Elicia Ratajczyk, Brian Dunbar, Ellison Carter, Anisa Heming, Sheryl Magzamen
Summary: School closures during the COVID-19 pandemic have emphasized the importance of in-person learning for child health. Improving indoor air quality is crucial for keeping schools open during outbreaks. This study evaluated the impact of Enhanced IAQ credit achievement in LEED-certified schools on their ability to remain open during the pandemic, and found that although the treatment effect was not significant, there was a secondary finding of decreased COVID-related closure days associated with increased mask usage in the community.
BUILDING AND ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Mary Myla Andamon, Priyadarsini Rajagopalan, Jin Woo
Summary: This paper presents field measurements of CO2 concentration levels in classrooms in Victoria, Australia, showing insufficient ventilation and elevated CO2 levels. The study highlights the importance of improving classroom design, promoting proper ventilation practices, raising awareness of building ventilation in schools, and developing guidelines for ventilation and indoor air quality in schools.
BUILDING AND ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Hooseung Na, Haneul Choi, Haseong Kim, Dongjun Park, Joosang Lee, Taeyeon Kim
Summary: This study proposes an operating method to minimize noise while improving indoor air quality in school classrooms by using CONTAM simulations. The method involves operating the heat recovery ventilation (HRV) in low wind mode during class time and strong wind mode during break time. The study findings provide an effective and feasible approach to satisfying both noise and indoor air quality requirements and can be valuable for developing appropriate air purifier facility capacities in different schools.
JOURNAL OF BUILDING ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Shamila Haddad, Afroditi Synnefa, Miguel Angel Padilla Marcos, Riccardo Paolini, Steven Delrue, Deo Prasad, Mattheos Santamouris
Summary: A field study was conducted in secondary school classrooms in Sydney, Australia, where the use of a cloud-connected demand-controlled mechanical extract ventilation system (DCV) significantly improved air quality and comfort. Students demonstrated adaptability to indoor temperature and CO2 concentration changes. Understanding indoor air quality and thermal environment is crucial for developing child-friendly design guidelines for schools.
ENERGY AND BUILDINGS
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Ji Hyeon Cho, Jin Woo Moon
Summary: Recently, AI-based methods have shown high prediction accuracy and energy-efficient control performance in building control or prediction. However, optimizing indoor environments in macroscopic systems like buildings can be challenging due to interaction between various physical factors. Therefore, an innovative integrated prediction and control solution for building environment is needed.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2022)
Review
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Nishant Raj Kapoor, Ashok Kumar, Tabish Alam, Anuj Kumar, Kishor S. Kulkarni, Paolo Blecich
Summary: Research on Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) in Indian school classrooms has been lacking organization and comprehensive methodology, hindering the assessment and improvement of IEQ parameters. Future research should focus on integrating current conditions with advancements in technology and addressing the impact of factors like the COVID-19 pandemic and Artificial Intelligence on IEQ in educational settings.
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Mahmoud Fathy ElSharkawy
Summary: This study aimed to assess indoor air quality (IAQ) by monitoring various air pollutants in selected homes in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. The findings showed that the highest levels of PM10, CO2, and NO2 were found in kitchens, while the highest level of CO was found in living rooms. PM10 levels exceeded air quality guidelines in homes near industrial and agricultural areas.
INDOOR AND BUILT ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Lin-Rui Jia, Qing-Yun Li, Xi Chen, Chi-Chung Lee, Jie Han
Summary: The study investigates the influence of thermal comfort and CO2 concentration on overall comfort sensations of university students in a mechanically ventilated classroom. Results show that students prefer a relatively cold indoor environment and CO2 sensation is the most critical aspect. Individual weighting coefficients for comfort factors vary across geographical locations and building types.
Article
Engineering, Multidisciplinary
Faramarz Farahi
Summary: This article reports two applications of a sub-category of air cleaning devices based on soft ionization. The experiments showed that using a bipolar ionizer in conjunction with a MERV 10 filter significantly improved the removal rate of fine and ultrafine particles. In addition, introducing ions into the air enhanced the inactivation rate of aerosolized SARS-CoV-2.
IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON INDUSTRY APPLICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Bin Zhao, Shanshan Shi, John S. Ji
Summary: The WHO AQGs 2021 incorporates stricter guidelines for air pollution, including both outdoor and indoor air quality. The challenges to meeting the indoor air quality guidelines are discussed. A treatment solution that combines efforts from policy, technology, and education is suggested.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
Rita Buechner, Monika Voros, Henrietta Allaga, Andras Varga, Attila Bartal, Andras Szekeres, Sarolta Varga, Judit Bajzat, Nora Bakos-Barczi, Andras Misz, Csaba Csutoras, Lorant Hatvani, Csaba Vagvolgyi, Laszlo Kredics
Summary: This study isolated and examined bacterial strains from mushroom casing material for their potential use as biocontrol agents against mold pathogens of white button mushroom. The selected Bacillus velezensis strain showed effective control against the pathogen, and even increased the crop yield of A. bisporus. These findings provide a potential method for the biological and integrated treatment in Agaricus cultivation.
Article
Microbiology
Thu Huynh, Monika Voros, Orsolya Kedves, Adiyadolgor Turbat, Gyoergy Sipos, Balazs Leitgeb, Laszlo Kredics, Csaba Vagvolgyi, Andras Szekeres
Summary: This study developed an easy and fast-automated identification tool based on cellular fatty acid profiles to distinguish Bacillus velezensis and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens. The differences and similarities between the two species were identified through the analysis of fatty acid components.
Article
Mycology
Zsofia Tischner, Anna Paldy, Sandor Kocsube, Laszlo Kredics, Csaba Dobolyi, Rozsa Sebok, Balazs Kriszta, Bence Szabo, Donat Magyar
Summary: Predicted climate scenarios may impact the prevalence and distribution of fungal species in the Pannonian Biogeographical Region, with non-native fungi being more likely to colonize and grow under heat waves driven by climate change.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Ertan Sal, Jannik Stemler, Jon Salmanton-Garcia, Iker Falces-Romero, Laszlo Kredics, Elisabeth Meyer, Benjamin Wuerstl, Cornelia Lass-Floerl, Zdenek Racil, Nikolay Klimko, Simone Cesaro, Anupma Jyoti Kindo, Hilmar Wisplinghoff, Philipp Koehler, Oliver A. Cornely, Danila Seidel
Summary: Trichoderma spp. is a filamentous fungus that causes invasive fungal infections in patients with haematological malignancies and peritoneal dialysis. This study analyzed the clinical presentation, predisposing factors, treatment, and outcome of Trichoderma infections. The results showed that despite antifungal therapy and surgery, Trichoderma infections remain life-threatening complications in immunocompromised patients, especially after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and solid organ transplantation.
JOURNAL OF ANTIMICROBIAL CHEMOTHERAPY
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Andrea Ferrantelli, Jarek Kurnitski
Summary: This study tested the impact of different energy performance certificate (EPC) label classifications on building renovation progress and estimated their effects on the national building stock to achieve European climate goals. Results indicate the need for a unified strategy to promote renovation campaigns.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Paula Sankelo, Kaiser Ahmed, Alo Mikola, Jarek Kurnitski
Summary: The Finnish government launched subsidies for private homeowner energy renovations, and this study reveals that using ground-source heat pumps with additional insulation and heat recovery measures can significantly reduce energy consumption.
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Amar Aganovic, Guangyu Cao, Jarek Kurnitski, Pawel Wargocki
Summary: In this study, we improved the Wells Riley model by incorporating new data on viral load, aerosol droplet sizes, and removal mechanisms. We introduced several novel elements, including a new model for calculating respiratory fluid volume, a viral dose-based generation rate model for dehydrated droplets, a quanta-RNA relationship for various SARS-CoV-2 strains, and a method for accounting for incomplete mixing conditions. These improvements allowed for more accurate estimation of quanta emission rates and the potential impact of ventilation and removal mechanisms.
BUILDING AND ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Attila Bartal, Huynh Thu, Anita Kecskemeti, Monika Voros, Orsolya Kedves, Henrietta Allaga, Monika Varga, Laszlo Kredics, Csaba Vagvoelgyi, Andras Szekeres
Summary: Surfactins are cyclic lipopeptides consisting of a beta-hydroxy fatty acid and a peptide ring. They have antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral activities and can be produced by Bacillus species. Bacillus strains isolated from vegetable rhizospheres were identified and tested for surfactin production and inhibition on phytopathogen bacteria and fungi. An HPLC-HESI-MS/MS method was used for quantitative and qualitative analysis, revealing the production of 29 surfactin variants and homologues by more than half of the tested Bacillus strains.
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Tuule Mall Parts, Andrea Ferrantelli, Hendrik Naar, Martin Thalfeldt, Jarek Kurnitski
Summary: This study investigates the impact of increasing detail in modelling underfloor heating control on a simulated room's energy and temperature performance. Empirical models of wax motor and valve curve were developed and calibrated through experiments. The On/Off and proportional-integral (PI) control processes were implemented and tested at different levels of modelling detail. The biggest impact was found in the On/Off control dead band and PI parameters, which reduced energy use and temperature fluctuations. Modulating the PI output signal increased temperature fluctuations and space heating demand. The wax actuator had minimal impact but caused time delays and changes in mass flows.
JOURNAL OF BUILDING PERFORMANCE SIMULATION
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Liqiong Chen, Simang Champramary, Neha Sahu, Boris Indic, Attila Szucs, Gabor Nagy, Gergely Maroti, Bernadett Pap, Omar Languar, Csaba Vagvolgyi, Laszlo G. Nagy, Laszlo Kredics, Gyorgy Sipos
Summary: This study analyzed the antagonistic and defense mechanisms of a soilborne fungus against destructive forest pathogens. The results showed that the antagonistic fungus inhibited the growth of the pathogenic fungus through multiple biocontrol mechanisms, while the pathogenic fungus protected itself from fungal invasion through multiple defense mechanisms. This study provides insights for further exploration of the interaction mechanisms between plant pathogenic fungi and biocontrol agents.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Viktor David Nagy, Anuar Zhumakayev, Monika Voros, Adam Borde, Adrienn Szarvas, Attila Szucs, Sandor Kocsube, Peter Jakab, Tamas Monostori, Biljana D. Skrbic, Edina Mohai, Lorant Hatvani, Csaba Vagvolgyi, Laszlo Kredics
Summary: The cultivation and consumption of sweet potato are increasing globally, but the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides may cause pollution. Therefore, there is a need for environmentally-friendly biological solutions. This study developed a microbial inoculant from multiple microorganisms and tested its application in sweet potato cultivation, resulting in increased yield. This is the first successful application of a fungal-bacterial consortium in sweet potato cultivation.
Article
Microbiology
Maria (Aino) Andersson, Camilla Vornanen-Winqvist, Tuomas Koivisto, Andras Varga, Raimo Mikkola, Laszlo Kredics, Heidi Salonen
Summary: During the COVID-19 pandemic, research found that dust samples collected in sport facilities contained a high proportion of pathogenic fungi and a low proportion of bacteria. These potentially pathogenic fungi in the dust samples may pose potential health risks. This is likely the result of the influence of cleaning and disinfection on microbial communities.
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Jarek Kurnitski, Martin Kiil, Alo Mikola, Karl-Villem Vosa, Amar Aganovic, Peter Schild, Olli Seppanen
Summary: Ventilation, air filtration and disinfection are found to be the main measures to control airborne respiratory infection transmission in shared indoor spaces. A new infection risk-based ventilation design method is proposed, which includes explicit target ventilation rate equations, implementation of pre-symptomatic period infection risk control, application of point source ventilation effectiveness, and measurement method for ventilation effectiveness. Results show that existing ventilation is enough in classrooms and offices, but higher ventilation is needed in meeting rooms, restaurants, and gyms.
ENERGY AND BUILDINGS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Martin Timusk, Janis Locs, Triin Kangur, Aarne Kasikov, Jarek Kurnitski, Andris Sutka
Summary: A concept of preparing thermally responsive hydrogels with rapid and reversible light scattering switching is presented. The material exhibits a luminous transmittance of over 95% and solar energy modulation of 59.91%, and the transition temperature can be chosen in a wide range by adjusting the pH and additives in the hydrogel solution. The unique thin layer on the surface, scalability to large surface areas, and robust and fast response make this material highly potential for smart window technology applications.
ACS APPLIED POLYMER MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Dora Balazs, Tamas Marik, Andras Szekeres, Csaba Vagvolgyi, Laszlo Kredics, Chetna Tyagi
Summary: This study investigated the production of peptaibols by various Trichoderma strains and their correlation with structure-activity relationships. The results showed that T. longibrachiatum f. bissettii SZMC 12546 exerted the lowest minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) against Gram-positive bacteria and also inhibited the plant pathogenic Gram-negative Rhizobium radiobacter. Molecular dynamics simulations revealed that the folding dynamics of Group A peptaibols were more restricted and had well-folded helical conformations, which may contribute to their bioactivity against bacteria.
COMPUTATIONAL AND STRUCTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL
(2023)