Evaluating the Impact of Lighting Conditions on Workers' Safety and Health in Industrial Settings

open access articleLighting is a key element of design that plays an important role in affecting workers’ health and safety in industrial workspaces. Given the scarcity of scientific studies addressing visual environments in relation to workers health in industrial buildings, this field study was conducted to explore workers' responses to multiple lighting scenarios inside production halls on their occupational health and safety in six factories in Sadat City, Egypt. Self-assessments of 456 factory workers during day and night shifts were collected and correlated to light measurements collected at the factories. The statistical analysis of data revealed a significant reduction in workers reporting eye strain, alleviating headaches, and enhancing the ability to concentrate under daylight conditions compared to mixed and/or artificial lighting conditions. Moreover, it was found that lighting levels lower than 140 lux led to visual fatigue(p=0.03), headaches (p=0.014), drowsiness (p=0.004), and rapid loss of concentration (p=0.149) among workers. Poor lighting was shown to increase the likelihood of making occupational errors. Despite the health benefits of natural light compared to artificial lighting, glare from sunlight can sometimes cause headaches. This study emphasizes the importance of improving lighting quality in production halls within industrial environments, as it is a crucial factor in maintaining the health and safety of workers and enhancing professional performance

Good Enough Ethics by Design: AI and Alternative Digital Realities

Good Enough Ethics by Design: AI and Alternative Digital Realities is based on research from the EU-funded SHARESPACE project, the book shows how GEE can be applied across emerging technologies and calls for an iterative, inclusive ethics culture - one that embeds reflection into innovation without stifling it.Good Enough Ethics explores how society can ethically navigate the accelerating complexity of technological innovation. Tracing developments from cave paintings to the industrial age to AI and the Metaverse, the book explores reactive approaches - such as GDPR and the Online Safety Act - and examines proactive strategies like Ethics by Design, which integrates ethics throughout product development. Yet such frameworks often prove too rigid or burdensome in practice. Inspired by Donald Winnicott’s idea of good enough parenting, the authors propose Good Enough Ethics (GEE) - a pragmatic, flexible model that balances ethical responsibility with real-world constraints. Rather than aiming for perfection, GEE emphasises empowering technologists to act ethically without paralysis. Based on research from the EU-funded SHARESPACE project, the book shows how GEE can be applied across emerging technologies and calls for an iterative, inclusive ethics culture - one that embeds reflection into innovation without stifling it

Role of Bioadditions in Sustainable Energy Production

This PhD research investigated the effects of yeast bioaddition on anaerobic digestion (AD) of lignin-rich agricultural waste, specifically rye and corn silage, with a focus on understanding the underlying mechanisms of yeast action on the lignocellulosic component of lignin, biogas production and microbial communities. While previous studies have explored bioadditives in lignocellulosic biomass degradation, the detailed mechanisms of these bioadditives, particularly yeast, in enhancing anaerobic digestion remain poorly understood. This study addresses key knowledge gaps by evaluating the impact of yeast addition on process parameters, microbial dynamics, and biogas production in batch and semi-continuous AD systems. The research was divided into four objectives. Firstly, the study assessed the effect of yeast on lignin-rich feedstock, hypothesizing that yeast enhances the degradation of lignin and improves biogas yields. Results revealed that yeast contains enzymes such as polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and phenol oxidizing enzymes (POE), which are able to react with G-units and S-units phenolic compounds following lignin degradation. These compounds, in particular H-units, can have inhibitory effect on methanogens. Some of these PPOs have also been reported to be able to demethylase these phenolics. This is the case in this work as yeast addition to rye, richer in Sunits, results in higher biogas production in the early stages of the reaction, linked to easily digestible methyl-groups. The result also confirms that not all the phenolic compounds following lignin degradation have an inhibitory effect. For example, syringic acid (S-unit) was metabolized and produced increased biogas yields compared to control and yeast addition significantly increased these yields. On the other hand, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, inhibited biogas production, with and without yeast addition. In addition, yeast can provide metals and micronutrients to the process for micronutrients-poor feedstocks such as food waste. This was not the case in this study as both rye and corn silage contained all the required micronutrients. The second objective involved the development of a novel method for full-length 16S rRNA archaeal extraction and sequencing using Oxford Nanopore® Technology (ONT). By combining newly designed primers targeting a broader range of archaeal groups with ONT’s long-read 14 chemistry kit, this method offers a novel alternative to traditional short-read technologies such as Illumina MiSeq. It provides greater taxonomic resolution, enabling comprehensive and real-time detection of methanogens and broader archaeal diversity in iv anaerobic digestion systems, thereby enhancing the detailed identification of critical microbial players for improved biogas production performance. For the third objective, the study explored the short-term and long-term effects of yeast bioadditions on microbial community composition and process performance in pilot-scale reactors digesting rye silage. Yeast addition was found to enhance soluble COD removal efficiency and mitigate ammonia inhibition. Despite comparable soluble COD levels in both the treated (DRY) and untreated (DR) reactors, the DRY reactor demonstrated more stable biogas production, suggesting that yeast bioaddition shifted the COD profile towards more readily biodegradable compounds, sustaining microbial activity. The DRY reactor also exhibited higher concentrations of hydrogenotrophic methanogens, suggesting that yeast supported the growth and activity of these critical microbes, even under elevated NH₃ concentrations. The final objective focused on long-term yeast effects under variable conditions. The study showed that yeast contributed to a more stable syntrophic acetate oxidation (SAO) process, which was linked to the increased presence of SAO bacteria such as Tepidanaerobacter acetatoxydans. This stabilization of the microbial community allowed the treated reactor to maintain high biogas yields, despite high ammonia and volatile fatty acid concentrations. In conclusion, yeast bioaddition positively influenced the degradation of lignocellulose in AD systems, improved microbial resilience, and enhanced biogas production. The findings suggest that yeast can play a critical role in optimizing AD processes, particularly in systems dealing with high-lignin feedstocks. Future research should focus on further understanding the molecular interactions between yeast and the very strong syntrophic association established between Tepidanaerobacter acetatoxydans and Methanoculleus bourgensis that ensured process stability in this study. Also, exploring the scalability of yeast bioadditives for industrial applications is equally recommended

(Dys)regulation of the Immune System in Parkinson's Disease: Methodologies, Techniques, and Key Findings from Human Studies

open access articleParkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder, characterized by the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the midbrain. While PD is typically considered a disorder primarily affecting the central nervous system, there is mounting evidence of cellular dysfunction and PD pathology occurring in the peripheral nervous system, likely preceding central manifestations. In this context, it has become increasingly evident that dysregulation of both the central and the peripheral immune system plays a key role in PD pathogenesis and progression. In this narrative review, we describe and discuss the methodological approaches employed in human studies to investigate immune responses in PD pathogenesis and progression, their main findings and the potential to unveil novel therapeutic avenues. In particular, we present methodologies employed in and insights gained from human genetic studies, techniques utilized to investigate neuroinflammatory processes in post-mortem and living human brains, to investigate the blood-brain barrier, as well as the involvement of peripheral T cells and innate immune cells. Additionally, we elucidate methodologies utilized to explore the roles of mitochondrial dysfunction and infectious diseases in PD. Finally, we address the causes behind conflicting findings in the published literature, which may stem from disparities in sample ascertainment schemes, immunological protocols, and analysis designs. Given these challenges, it becomes imperative to develop methodological guidelines to enhance the validity of immunological studies in PD and facilitate their translation into clinical medicine

Application of Laser Spectroscopy and Machine Learning for Diagnostics of Uncontrolled Type 2 Diabetes

The file attached to this record is the author's final peer reviewed version. The Publisher's final version can be found by following the DOI link.Diabetes, a chronic metabolic disorder affecting millions worldwide, presents a persistent need for reliable and non-invasive diagnostic techniques. Here, we suggest a highly effective approach for differentiating between fingernails from diabetic individuals and those from healthy controls using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS). The excitation source employed was a Q-switched neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) laser emitting light with a wavelength of 1064  nm. The initial differentiation between individuals with and without diabetes was achieved by applying principal component analysis (PCA) to LIBS spectral data, which was then incorporated into a novel machine-learning model. The classification model designed for a non-invasive system included random forest (RF), an extreme learning machine (ELM) classifier, and a hybrid classification model incorporating cross-validation techniques to evaluate the outcomes. The algorithm analyses the complete spectrum of both healthy and diseased samples, categorizing them according to differences in LIBS spectral intensity. The classification performance of the model was assessed using a k-fold cross-validation method. Seven parameters, i.e., specificity, sensitivity, area under curve (AUC), accuracy, precision, recall, and F-score, were used to evaluate the model's overall performance. The findings affirmed that the suggested non-invasive model could predict diabetic diseases with an accuracy of 95%

Examining the Impact of Multilevel Courtyards in Hot-Dry and Humid Climates

open access articleUrbanisation has significantly transformed human settlements, presenting sustainability challenges, particularly in hot-dry and humid climates. The urban heat island effect and increased energy consumption exacerbate reliance on mechanical cooling and fossil fuels. As climate change escalates, developing sustainable architectural solutions that improve thermal performance and energy efficiency becomes crucial. This study examines the effects of various multilevel courtyard designs on building performance in Abuja, Nigeria, highlighting gaps in applying traditional principles to these models. A mixed-method approach, combining quantitative and qualitative techniques, assesses user perceptions, thermal performance, energy efficiency, and daylighting in multilevel courtyards. Findings indicate that optimised multilevel courtyard configurations yield a 2.15 °C reduction in temperature, enhancing indoor thermal comfort and improving natural ventilation. Users favour multilevel courtyard housing; however, challenges include inadequate daylighting on lower levels and the need for shading solutions. Compressed earth blocks exhibit better thermal performance, reducing peak temperatures by 1.19 °C compared to hollow concrete blocks. Guidelines for architects and urban planners are provided, as well as recommendations for future research on policy incentives to promote multilevel courtyard models

Tubulin targeting agents and their implications in non-cancer disease management

The file attached to this record is the author's final peer reviewed version. The Publisher's final version can be found by following the DOI link.Microtubules act as molecular ‘‘tracks’’ for intracellular transport of accessory proteins to enable them to assemble into various larger structures, such as spindle fibers formed during the cell cycle. Microtubules provide an organizational framework for healthy functioning of various cellular processes which work through the process of dynamic instability, driven by hydrolysis of GTP. In their role, tubulin proteins undergo various modifications and in doing so modulate various healthy or pathogenic functioning of physiological processes within cells. In this review, we provide a detailed update of small molecule chemical agents which interact with tubulin, along with their implications, specifically in non-cancer disease management

Do we measure what should be measured? Towards a research and theoretical agenda for STI measurement in Africa

open access articleA persistent critique of standard science, technology and innovation (STI) indicators is that they remain reliant on concepts and theories transposed from the literature on STI in high-income countries. It is widely recognized that their relevance for African countries is limited, so we may not be measuring what we should be measuring, to promote development goals. To inform a shift from critique to building meaningful alternatives, the paper conducts a systematic review of the literature on STI measurement in Africa. The analysis highlights that STI measurement in Africa is under-researched, but the knowledge base is growing. The strongest trends relate to the adoption and extension of traditional standard STI indicators. More recent is a focus on environmental sustainability, digitalization and the informal sector, with most scholars based in South Africa and Nigeria. The main contribution is a research agenda to facilitate theory building as a foundation for designing contextually relevant STI indicators

Current Issues: Is the workplace about to get better or worse for disabled people in the United Kingdom?

open access articleIn the United Kingdom, the new labour government has recently unveiled two new bills, the Employment Rights Bill and Equality Race and Disability Bill, that seem to strengthen the 2010 Equality Act. However, it is not clear how these bills will address the disability employment gap. The government’s policy to Make Work Pay has many good points like more transparency in terms of race, gender and disability pay gaps but it also raises questions about what devolvement to local authorities to get more disabled and chronically ill people into work will look like? This seems to target disabled and chronically ill people and does not think about how to create more enabling workplace environments following the social model