The various non-standard schedules required of shift workers force abrupt changes in the timing of sleep and light-dark exposure. These changes result in disturbances of the endogenous circadian system and its misalignment with the environment. Simulated night-shift experiments and field-based studies with shift workers both indicate that the circadian system is resistant to adaptation from a day- to a night-oriented schedule, as determined by a lack of substantial phase shifts over multiple days in centrally controlled rhythms, such as those of melatonin and cortisol. There is evidence that disruption of the circadian system caused by night-shift work results not only in a misalignment between the circadian system and the external light-dark cycle, but also in a state of internal desynchronization between various levels of the circadian system. This is the case between rhythms controlled by the central circadian pacemaker and clock genes expression in tissues such as peripheral blood mononuclear cells, hair follicle cells, and oral mucosa cells. The disruptive effects of atypical work schedules extend beyond the expression profile of canonical circadian clock genes and affects other transcripts of the human genome. In general, after several days of living at night, most rhythmic transcripts in the human genome remain adjusted to a day-oriented schedule, with dampened group amplitudes. In contrast to circadian clock genes and rhythmic transcripts, metabolomics studies revealed that most metabolites shift by several hours when working nights, thus leading to their misalignment with the circadian system. Altogether, these circadian and sleep-wake disturbances emphasize the all-encompassing impact of night-shift work, and can contribute to the increased risk of various medical conditions. Here, we review the latest scientific evidence regarding the effects of atypical work schedules on the circadian system, sleep and alertness of shift-working populations, and discuss their potential clinical impacts.

S and full research articles published in SLEEP, the official journal of the APSS. Sleep and sleep disorder scientific findings.

Architectural lighting has potent biological effects but applied lighting practices that capitalize on this potential have been limited. In this review, we endeavor to consolidate and synthesize key references that will be useful for lighting professionals, with the goal of supporting knowledge translation into pragmatic lighting strategies. Specifically, we explain relevant terminology, outline basic concepts, identify key references, provide a balanced overview of the current state of knowledge, and highlight important remaining questions. We summarize the physiological effects of light on human health and well-being, including a description of the processes underlying the photic regulation of circadian, neuroendocrine, and neurobehavioral functions. We review seminal work elucidating the elements mediating the potency of light for these physiological responses, with specific attention to factors critical for interpreting those findings. In parallel, we explain and endorse melanopic Equivalent Daylight Illuminance ( $E_{\mathrm{v},\mathrm{m}\mathrm{e}\mathrm{l}}^{\mathrm{D}65}$) as the preferred measure to quantify the biological potency of light. Ultimately, while future studies are necessary to further facilitate the translation of laboratory knowledge to domestic and workplace settings, the immediate potential for applied lighting to better support human health is clear. Aiming for integrative lighting solutions that have biologically high potency light during the day and low potency during the night is perhaps the most immediate improvement to be made in order to better support applications for humans.

The study of molecular clock mechanisms in psychiatric disorders is gaining significant interest due to data suggesting that a misalignment between the endogenous circadian system and the sleep-wake cycle might contribute to the clinical status of patients suffering from a variety of psychiatric dis …