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Verifying the sustainability factors of mega transportation infrastructure: Sydney Metro’s commissioning through the “significance matrix” methodology
No full textPurpose –Through the significance matrix, this paper aims to investigate and explore the main sustainability factors of mega transportation infrastructure projects. Sydney’s Metro mega transportation infrastructure is used as a case study. Sydney’s Metro was selected because of its sustainability challenges faced because of the areas’ diverse ecological zones. Sydney’s Metro is thus examined as the basis of best practice for the determination of the sustainability factors of transportation infrastructures.
Design/methodology/approach –Using the significance matrix as a methodology, this research evaluates the environmental impact assessment and environmental assessment processes, to alleviate the problems of the mega transportation infrastructure.
Findings –This research found that a more comprehensive determination is needed to further analyse the sustainability factors of mega transportation infrastructures, use of a significance matrix would further assess the environmental complexities of mega transportation infrastructures and the sustainability factors of mega transportation infrastructures should include a nonlinear and asymmetrical scheme highlighting its components and carefully outlining its integration and consolidation.
Originality/value –Although there is concurrent research into sustainability factors of mega transportation, this paper undertakes a new methodology for such infrastructure. While the significance matrix is not a new concept, it has never been used specifically for mega transportation infrastructure. Subsequently, using the significance matrix as a methodology, this research undertakes such environmental analysis and assessment and thus produces a qualitative risk analysis matrix. The findings from this research will ultimately assist the key stakeholders of mega transportation infrastructures to better plan, monitor and support similar projects
Rethinking risk in adults' engagement with sexual digital imagery
No full textIntroduction Camera-equipped smartphones and other devices allow people to capture and share images directly with others in ways that are spontaneous, instant and relatively inexpensive. Such sharing is a common part of modern sexual intimacies, despite media and educational discourses warning of potential risks. Methods This paper reports on a qualitative study in which we interviewed 23 Australian adults about the ways in which they used with digital sexual imagery in their sex lives. The study aimed to explore participants’ experiences of digital sexual self-image creation and sharing and the ways discourses of risk and safety shape these experiences.Results Findings showed that participants tended to view the creation and exchange of sexual images as a form of sexual play that built intimacy, sexual tension and eroticism into their relationships and expanded their sexual and relationship experiences in positive ways. Participants were aware that sending sexual or nude images left them vulnerable to potential harm or unwanted sexual exposure and were concerned that some people would view such practices as foolish or irresponsible given these risks held such high profile. These concerns meant participants were often secretive about their experiences although the sense of risk and vulnerability in these exchanges enhanced intimacy or eroticism for some participants. Conclusions Educational approaches to managing digital risk should recognise that people often have positive digital sexual experiences that can lead them to disengage from fear-based messaging. Policy implications As digital technologies evolve, their integration with human sexual intimacy will continue to change and develop in unforeseen ways. Educational and regulatory responses will require ongoing scrutiny and innovation to acknowledge users’ positive experiences and desires while responding to risks and challenges.</p
Bright the Below
No full textResearch BackgroundScience fiction is a difficult genre for a fine artist to employ by virtue of its perceived 'ownership' by popular culture. In response, artists employ a variety of strategies. For example, Sarah Sze's filagree installations [www.sarahsze.com] imply a cosmic cyberspace, yet can be read in many other ways. By installing his paintings in abandoned buildings, Joshua Hagler [www.joshuahagler.com] implies post-apocalyptic dissolution. Glenn Brown piggybacks on the sublime nature of the sci-fi artist Chris Foss by directly visually quoting him [https://glenn-brown.co.uk/artworks/38/]. What is missing is an artist who employs science fiction imagery unapologetically and without resorting to such oblique strategies.Research ContributionThe artwork shown in the exhibition 'Bright the Below' is not ashamed of its visual wellspring. The 12 artworks on show, variously depict rockets, robots, spaceship interiors and post-apocalyptic ruins.Research SignificanceThe fine art scene of Vietnam is still developing and the opportunities to exhibit experimental artwork in managed project spaces is limited. Despite this, I was invited by the artist/curator Ha Ninh Pham to exhibit in A Space: one of the few independent project spaces in Vietnam. The director of this space is Vân Đỗ, one of Vietnam's only full-time professional curators. The solo show featured eight paintings, three videos and one sculpted object. The opening was well-attended, as was the accompanying artist’s talk. The show was invited to be part of the 2024 Hanoi Creative Design Festival. There was no press associated to this exhibition as there is a complete lack of art press in Vietnam.</p
Landscape Architectural Discourses on Restoration
No full textThe literature of landscape architecture points to an intensifying interest in “landscape restoration” practices. This literature represents restoration projects as demonstrations of multifaceted societal ambitions achieved through landscape transformation. Through exemplary case studies, we trace the lineages and evolution of restoration and related concepts, situating them against discourses of beautification and civility; integration and functionality; and adaptation and complexity that characterized landscape architectural practice through the Picturesque, Ecohumanist, and Landscape Urbanist periods. Each case study presents a distinct practice employed to transform the landscape in ways that reflect scientific breakthroughs and societal ambitions, as understood through discourses between 1730 and the present. We highlight an apparent conflation in contemporary terminology describing these practices and a lack of critical evaluation of the complex implications of such initiatives.</p
Generation and Influence of Carbon Dioxide Nanobubbles on Physicochemical Properties Including the Surface Tension of Clarified Apple Juice
No full textThis work aims at examining the impact of generated CO2 nanobubbles (NBs) via the membrane-based method on physicochemical properties and surface tension of commercial clarified apple juice. The gas was injected at 300 kPa pressure for variable liquid circulation times (5, 13 and 26 min) to produce the CO2 NBs. Sets of 13- and 26-min circulation time to mix CO2 and liquid gave the desirably nano-size (~ 80–200 nm) NBs and significantly (p ≤ 0.05) reduced surface tension (by ~ 20–25%) of the juice dispersed with these formed tiny gas bubbles (NB-juice). An increase in circulation time also resulted in more negative zeta potential and higher dissolved CO2 concentration of the NB-juice. Density values of apple juice remained unchanged with and without incorporating CO2 NBs. These experimental outcomes provide the potential use of NBs in controlling the characteristics of liquid food as an environment-friendly approach to minimise chemical usages.</p
Optimising corn (Zea mays) cob powder as an effective sorbent for diverse gel matrices: exploring particle size and powder concentration effects
No full textThis study aims to valorise a plant waste, corn cobs (Zea mays) enriched with fibres (cellulose of 19.09–19.18% and hemicellulose of 34.04–60.13%), to create gel-like sorbents. Corn cobs (CB) were dried, grounded and sieved to obtain 500, 250 and 125 μm powder size fractions. Various CB powder concentrations (10–40% w/w) were mixed with distilled water and rice bran oil for 2 min at ambient temperature to form hydrogel-like and oleogel-like sorbents, respectively. Visual appearance indicated that selected gels formed by 250 and 125 μm CB powders were self-sustained right after mixing, while the largest particles (500 μm) could not fabricate gels at the CB concentrations studied. FTIR results suggested that the gelation process was primarily attributed to physical absorption rather than chemical binding. Comprehensive analyses of microstructure, physicochemical properties and rheological behaviour indicated that gelation was due to fibre–fibre interaction (125 μm) and oil/water–fibre interaction (250 μm). An increase in CB powder concentration enhanced the microstructural density and hardness of gels. Thus, 250 μm particles and higher absorbent concentrations resulted in brittle sorbents characterised by high hardness but low cohesiveness. The 250 μm particles also exhibit a superior antioxidant profile and lower oil/water loss than the 125 μm CB particles due to effective intra-particle trapping mechanisms.</p
The protective role of carnosine against type 2 diabetes-induced cognitive impairment
No full textThe morbidity and mortality associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) have grown exponentially over the last 30 years. Together with its associated complications, the mortality rates have increased. One important complication in those living with T2DM is the acceleration of age-related cognitive decline. T2DM-induced cognitive impairment seriously affects memory, executive function, and quality of life. However, there is a lack of effective treatment for both diabetes and cognitive decline. Thus, finding novel treatments which are cheap, effective in both diabetes and cognitive impairment, are easily accessible, are needed to reduce impact on patients with diabetes and health-care systems. Carnosine, a histidine containing dipeptide, plays a protective role in cognitive diseases due to its antioxidant, anti-inflammation, and anti-glycation properties, all of which may slow the development of neurodegenerative diseases and ischemic injury. Furthermore, carnosine is also involved in regulating glucose and insulin in diabetes. Herein, we discuss the neuroprotective role of carnosine and its mechanisms in T2DM-induced cognitive impairment, which may provide a theoretical basis and evidence base to evaluate whether carnosine has therapeutic effects in alleviating cognitive dysfunction in T2DM patients.</p
Melittin as a therapeutic agent for rheumatoid arthritis: mechanistic insights, advanced delivery systems, and future perspectives
No full textRheumatoid arthritis (RA), a condition characterized by joint deterioration through the action of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), is prevalent worldwide. Bee venom (BV) has traditionally been used in Chinese medicine for pain, arthritis, rheumatism, skin diseases, etc. BV is enriched with active substances, notably melittin and phospholipase A2 (PLA2), offering significant therapeutic potential. Hence, the review summarizes current insights into BV's composition, antiarthritic mechanism and pharmacological benefits, focusing on melittin. Constituting 50-60% of BV, melittin notably downregulates nuclear factor Kappa B (NF-κB) activity, inhibits MMP-1 and MMP-8, and diminishes tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), all of which contribute to the mitigation of type 2 collagen degradation. Despite its potential, melittin exhibits hemolytic activity and can significantly affect cell membranes, limiting its application, which poses a challenge to its therapeutic use. To overcome these challenges, delivery techniques utilizing nanocarriers and modifications in amino acid sequencing have been developed. Recent advancements in delivery systems, including nanocarriers, transdermal patches, and nanoemulsions, aim to minimize toxicity, expanding its therapeutic utility for RA. This article explores these novel strategies, underlining the evolving role of melittin in RA management.</p