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GazeHand2: A Gaze-Driven Virtual Hand Interface with Improved Gaze Depth Control for Distant Object Interaction
No full textResearch on Virtual Reality (VR) interfaces for distant object interaction has been carried out to improve user experience. Since hand-only interfaces and gaze-only interfaces have limitations such as physical fatigue or restricted usage, VR interaction interfaces using both gaze and hand input have been proposed. However, current gaze + hand interfaces still have restrictions such as difficulty in translating along the gaze ray direction, using less realistic methods, or limited rotation support. This study aims to design a new distant object interaction technique that supports hand-based interaction with high freedom of object interaction in immersive VR. In this study, we developed GazeHand2, a hand-based object interaction technique, which features a new depth control that enables free object manipulation in VR. Building on the strength of the original GazeHand, GazeHand2 can control the change rate of the gaze depth by using the relative position of the hand, allowing users to translate the object to any position. To validate our design, we conducted a user study on object manipulation, which compares it with other gaze + hand interfaces (Gaze+Pinch and ImplicitGaze). Result showed that, compared to other conditions, GazeHand2 reduced 39.3% to 54.3% of hand movements and 27.8% to 47.1% of head movements under 3 m and 5 m tasks. It also significantly increased overall user experiences (0.69 to 1.12 pt higher than Gaze+Pinch and 1.18 to 1.62 pt higher than ImplicitGaze). Furthermore, over half of the participants preferred GazeHand2 because it supports convenient and efficient object translation and hand-based realistic object manipulation. We concluded that GazeHand2 can support simple and effective distant object interaction with reduced physical fatigue and higher user experiences compared to other interfaces in immersive VR. We suggested future designs to improve interaction accuracy and user convenience for future works.</jats:p
Biodiversity risk and seasoned equity offerings
No full textThis study explores the relationship between a firm’s exposure to biodiversity risk and its decision to undertake seasoned equity offerings (SEOs). Our results show that firms facing significant biodiversity risks are more likely to engage in SEOs, especially those with greater external financial needs. Additionally, firms with stronger managerial capabilities are better equipped to manage biodiversity risks by obtaining additional funding through SEOs. Our research adds to the corporate finance literature by emphasizing the influence of biodiversity risk on a firm’s external financing decisions
A scoping review of gendered academic career outcomes: An ecosystem perspective
No full textA robust body of research demonstrates that women experience poorer career outcomes than men in academia. We conduct a scoping review of research investigating career outcome differences between female and male academics and find that research on this topic has increased over time. However, we also find that research examines a limited number of career outcomes (authorship and leadership) and overlooks the interconnections between academic career outcomes that accumulate gender disadvantage over an entire career. Using an ecosystem perspective, we lay the foundation for an academic career framework that aligns a causal chain of career outcomes with influential organisational actors best positioned to implement corrective interventions. Our review identifies empty spaces in the empirical database: researchers are focussing on gender differences in career outcomes that occur late in the causal chain (e.g., authorship), with less attention to gender disadvantage early in the causal chain (e.g., workloads). We encourage researchers to investigate gender differences in an expanded portfolio of career outcomes. We call on academic institutions to support research on outcome interconnections, so that their interventions can target gender bias at the earliest links in a causal chain. Finally, we highlight the value of engaging a diverse set of actors (academic institutions, professional associations, journals and funding agencies) to make academia more gender-inclusive
US partisan conflict, Sino-US political relation news, and oil market dynamics☆,☆☆
No full textData source: supplementary data, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eneco.2025.108820This study analyzes the effects of US partisan conflict and US-China political relation news shocks on the oil market. A shock to partisan conflict leads to a drop in the political relations news index, a decrease in oil demand, and an increase in oil prices. When the political relations news index rises, it significantly reduces oil demand and prices, with only minor effects on oil supply. The study also finds that negative political news shocks have a more significant impact on the oil market compared to positive news shocks, leading to lower oil prices and demand. These findings suggest important policy considerations for managing the impacts of political news on the oil market
Modelling the effect of transaction cost determinants and governance on Australian offsite construction supply chain resilience
No full textPurpose: The lack of a comprehensive understanding of the relationships between transaction cost determinants (TCDs) and supply chain resilience (SCR) has concerned the effective and efficient management of supply chain uncertainties in the offsite construction industry. Therefore, this study aims to examine the influence of TCDs, namely asset specificity, transaction frequency, transaction uncertainty, bounded rationality and opportunism, on SCR, grounded in transaction cost theory (TCT). Furthermore, it investigates the mediating role of governance in the relationship between TCDs and SCR.
Design/methodology/approach: Data were collected from 97 Australian offsite construction supply chain partners via a questionnaire survey through a purposive sampling process. Data analysis was conducted quantitatively using partial least square structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM).
Findings: The results revealed that asset specificity, transaction frequency and transaction uncertainty were significantly associated with SCR constructs. Governance confirmed a significant mediating effect on these relationships. Interestingly, opportunism did not have a significant negative relationship with the SCR constructs, suggesting the need to explore its behaviour in enhancing SCR. Bounded rationality demonstrated a significant direct association with SCR constructs regardless of the mediating effect of governance.
Originality/value: This study provides novel insights by empirically testing the mediating effect of governance on the relationship between TCDs and SCR. It highlights the importance of promoting SCR with a minimum impact on the cost-effectiveness of offsite construction projects
Long-term follow-up after authorization of gene therapy: leveraging real-world data
No full textData source: supplementary material, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drudis.2025.104337Gene therapies are innovative treatments that could revolutionize healthcare. Given their unique mechanisms of action, methods of manufacturing and administration, and the potential for long-lasting impact, gene therapies require long-term follow-up (LTFU) of safety and effectiveness post-authorization, often using real-world data (RWD). With over 2000 gene therapies in development, there is a need for knowledge-building regarding LTFU studies. Here, we review regulatory, scientific, and operational requirements and considerations for LTFU studies using RWD from a global perspective. The insights in this review support post-authorization LTFU studies for gene therapies, thereby contributing to their safe and effective use
Single-Atom Copper@Carbon Nanospheres for Catalytic Ozonation: Parallel Dual Surface Oxidation Pathways for Broad-Spectrum Water Pollutant Removal.
No full textPublished as part of Environmental Science & Technology special issue “Materials Science and Environmental Applicability”.Heterogeneous catalytic ozonation (HCO) is a promising strategy for removing organic pollutants from wastewater, but its practical deployment is limited by the scavenging effects of coexisting constituents (e.g., inorganic anions and humic acids) on hydroxyl radicals (•OH). Herein, we developed atomically dispersed single-atom copper@carbon nanospheres (Cu-NC-3), which effectively decompose ozone (O₃) to generate surface atomic oxygen (*O), as confirmed by the in situ Raman experiments and theoretical calculations. The *O species rapidly degrade 60% of oxalic acid (OA) within 1 min, while protonation of *O produces surfaceconfined hydroxyl radicals (•OHad) that achieve 94.7% removal of benzoic acid (BA) and other aromatic compounds. Compared to ozonation alone, the O₃/Cu-NC-3 system enhances OA and BA removal by 34.5- and 1.5-fold, respectively. Atomic-level Cu dispersion induces carbon defects that enrich surface O₃, and Cu−N₄ coordination sites promote its conversion to *O and •OHad. This dual-oxidation mechanism effectively ensures and enables broadspectrum pollutant removal and exceptional catalytic stability under long-term operation. Therefore, the O₃/Cu-NC-3 system offers a robust and efficient approach for treating real wastewater containing diverse interfering species.Yizhen Cheng, Jianshu Zhou, Zhonglin Chen, Jinhong Bi, Shiying Ren, Shuang Zhong, Pengwei Yan, Yabin Li, Shaobin Wang, and Xiaoguang Dua
Prevalence and Factors Associated with the Use of Artificial Sweeteners in Non-pregnant Non-lactating Women of Reproductive Age – A Systematic Review
No full textBackground Artificial or nonnutritive sweeteners (ASs/NNSs) are widely consumed as sugar substitutes globally. Although research often focuses on specific groups such as those with diabetes or pregnant females, nonpregnant, nonlactating females of reproductive age remain understudied despite the significant implications of dietary patterns on females’ health. Objectives This systematic review aims 1) to summarize the global prevalence of AS/NNS consumption among nonpregnant, nonlactating females aged 15−49, and 2) to identify the factors associated with AS/NNS use within this population. Methods Following PRISMA reporting guidelines, we conducted a comprehensive search across multiple databases, including the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, CENTRAL, Campbell Library, MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, SCOPUS, Web of Science, and eLANA (World Health Organization), covering studies up to May 2024. We included observational and experimental studies involving nonpregnant and nonlactating females aged 15 to 49, focusing on AS/NNS consumption and its associated factors. Data extraction was performed in duplicates, and quality assessment was conducted using the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Quality Assessment Tool. Results This review identified 15 eligible studies. The pooled prevalence of AS/NNS use among females of reproductive age was 37.1% (95% confidence interval: 25.1%, 49.9%; heterogeneity: I² = 99.9%). Most of the studies were conducted in high-income countries, with only one from an upper-middle-income country. All studies were cross-sectional (n = 15), with 33% high and 67% moderate quality ratings. Factors associated with AS/NNS use included people living with obesity, ethnicity (higher prevalence among White participants), and physical activity levels. However, due to a lack of sex-disaggregated data, these factors could not be analyzed specifically for females; thus, a narrative synthesis is presented. Conclusion This review highlights significant AS/NNS consumption among nonpregnant, nonlactating females of reproductive age. The findings underscore the need for further research on the long-term health implications of AS/NNS use in this population. The study was registered with PROSPERO as CRD42023450145.Saima Shaukat Ali, Patience Elizabeth Castleton, Kainat Meherali, Mumtaz Begum, Shao Jia Zhou, Zohra S Lass
Health status and heat preparation at a UCI World Tour multistage cycling race
No full textData source: supplementary data, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2024.08.206Objectives: To assess health status and heat preparation of cyclists at the 2019 Tour Down Under and determine the alignment of heat mitigation strategies with current recommendations.
Design: Cohort study.
Methods: Twenty-three (17 % participation rate) male World Tour cyclists from five teams and 10 countries completed a pre-competition questionnaire evaluating exertional heat illness (EHI) history, pre-race health status, and heat mitigation and recovery strategies use. Associations between arrival days pre-competition, years as professional, nationality, team, history of EHI symptoms and diagnosis on heat mitigation and recovery strategy utilisation were assessed.
Results: 65 % of cyclists reported previously experiencing one or more EHI symptom (cramping: 48 %) and 22 % a diagnosis of heat stroke. In the 10 days preceding the race, 26 % experienced one or more illness symptoms. 65 % trained in the heat (acclimatisation 8–25 days; acclimation: 3–7 days), which was associated with team (P = 0.047, ϕc = 0.61), nationality (P = 0.009, ϕc = 0.86) and EHI symptoms history (P = 0.058, ϕ = 0.43). All cyclists had a hydration plan, with links to team (0.5–1.0 L·h−1, P = 0.043, ϕc = 0.68) and EHI symptom history (1.0–1.5 L·h−1, P = 0.048, ϕ = 0.476). Most had pre-cooling (87 %) and mid-cooling (83 %) strategies, most commonly cold beverages (75 %) and neck collars (78 %), respectively. All cyclists planned on using at least one recovery strategy (massage: 87 %).
Conclusions: Our data indicate good alignment with current recommendations for competing in the heat, particularly for hydration, cooling and recovery strategies. Whilst the proportion of cyclists engaging in heat acclimation/acclimatisation is encouraging, greater awareness on adapting and implementing heat training is required
Trans youth in the media: discursive constructions
No full textAlarmist ideas about gender dysphoria have spread rapidly through the media in recent years. Children and young people are often the target in these debates, positioned as “victims of ‘gender ideology’” and framed as incapable of comprehending and making decisions about their gendered identities and bodies. Children feature in these debates less as beings than as becomings—as future victims of “irreversible consequences” or as symbols of the societal collapse that an out-of-control “gender ideology” is assumed to represent. At the same time, these young trans people are trying to become happy, healthy trans adults while their medical treatment is tightly restricted, they struggle to access the care that they need, and they live in environments with multiple adversities. This chapter examines the childhood and gender politics as discourse that shape key issues impacting trans young people and their families, including a lack of support services and the high rates of harassment and abuse. It includes summaries of a few recent Australian representations in media, community reactions, and the comparable scenarios overseas and what we can expect of these representations going forward