50716 research outputs found
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From Portland cement to alkali-activated system:advances in wood-cement composites for sustainable building applications
No full textThis paper presents a detailed review of wood-cement composites, focusing on their material characteristics, mechanical performance, and evolution as a class of sustainable and cleaner construction material. Formed by combining wood particles with cementitious binders, these composites offer a unique alternative to conventional building materials by utilising renewable resources, supporting cleaner production practices, and reducing embodied carbon. The review is based on an extensive compilation of experimental data drawn from the literature, covering a wide range of studies that examine the effects of wood species, binder types, fabrication methods, and testing protocols on composite performance. Particular attention is given to the influence of binder composition, wood particle size, and mix ratios on key mechanical properties, including compressive strength, flexural strength, density, and toughness. These parameters are critically assessed to establish their role in governing the structural reliability and functional suitability of the composites. The review also addresses production techniques and standardised testing methods, identifying common challenges such as the chemical incompatibility between lignocellulosic materials and cement hydrates, and summarising approaches developed to mitigate these issues. Recent developments, including the use of alkali-activated binders, are examined for their potential to enhance material performance and support cleaner material development. By consolidating existing research and identifying gaps in current knowledge, this paper aims to support further technical advancement and inform the practical implementation of wood-cement composites in environmentally responsible construction.</p
Women's recreational walking preferences in urban streets: A structural equation modeling approach
Full text linkWomen’s walkability in urban spaces is increasingly recognized as vital to urban livability and social sustainability, ensuring equitable access to public space and fostering everyday interaction. Despite growing attention to walking behaviors, few studies comprehensively examine how perceptual-visual, sociocultural, and built environment factors shape women’s walking preferences, especially in contexts with strong traditions and patriarchal norms. Drawing on feminist geography and mobility justice, this study frames women’s walking as embedded in spatial politics and gendered power relations. To explore this, a survey was conducted with 250 women along three main streets radiating from Tajrish Square, a politically and culturally significant urban node in Tehran. This contested space, marked by gender visibility and civic symbolism, offers a rich setting to investigate the interplay of urban form, visual perception, and sociocultural dynamics. Data were collected via standardized questionnaires and analyzed using Confirmatory Factor Analysis and Structural Equation Modeling to assess relationships among latent constructs. Space Syntax analysis further evaluated street network configuration and connectivity, clarifying how urban form affects movement and accessibility. Findings reveal perceptual-visual factors had the strongest direct impact on walking preferences (β = 0.354), followed by sociocultural (β = 0.328) and built environment factors (β = 0.243). Indirect effects via sociocultural mediation were similar for perceptual-visual (β = 0.158) and built environment factors (β = 0.156). The total effect of perceptual-visual (β = 0.513) and built environment factors (β = 0.399) underscores the mediating role of sociocultural variables. Overall, the study highlights women’s walking as both a sustainable mobility practice and a socio-political act, deeply rooted in the spatial and symbolic fabric of the city
Comparative and International Education Research in an Era of Digital Acceleration, Democratic Backsliding, and Ecological Collapse
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A comprehensive survey of lower limb assistive exoskeleton robots: Models, dynamics, mechanics, and control
No full textMovement disorders of the lower limbs due to stroke lead to abnormal walking and affect life, which requires the rehabilitation of patients to improve treatment. Lower limb exoskeleton robots are used to reduce the burden of therapists in rehabilitation. This comprehensive review addresses the multidisciplinary realm of lower limb assistive exoskeleton robots and extensively explores their models, dynamics, mechanics, sensors, actuators, and control. This survey examines various modeling approaches, including musculoskeletal dynamics, human–robot interaction, and complex interactions between the mechanical structure of the exoskeleton and the human body. In addition, it deals with the dynamics and mechanics underlying designand covers areas such as kinematics, energy transfer mechanisms, and the innovative application of adaptive mechanisms. The report also goes into great detail about the control systems built into these exoskeletons, talking about things like complex control architectures, real-time adaptation, and smooth coordination with the user’s movements. Also, the study goes into great detail about human aspects and user experience, which helps us understand the important link between technology and human interaction. This survey is an important tool for researchers, doctors, and engineers that will help them make progress and generate new ideas in assistive robotics
What do the PHQ-9, the GAD-7 and their variants miss in assessing young people presenting to youth mental health services?
No full textBrief self-report measures offer significant benefits in youth mental health services by providing quick, efficient, and accessible assessment of mental health status. In this study, we describe the psychometric features of the Patient Health Questionnaire–9 (PHQ-9), the Generalised Anxiety Disorder–7 (GAD-7) and their shorter variants in 1063 young people at their first appointment to headspace youth primary care mental health services. Specific aims were to: (i) document the internal consistency, dimensionality, and measurement invariance for sex and age (12–14, 15–17, 18–21, 22–25 years) for the PHQ-9 and GAD-7; (ii) compare the full and shorter variants of the measures; and (iii) determine construct validity by correlating variants with measures of psychological distress, rumination, functioning, and quality of life. Two-factor models, comprising cognitive-affective and somatic symptom domains, best represented the dimensionality of both the PHQ-9 and GAD-7; measurement invariance for these models was found for sex and age-group. The PHQ-2, GAD-2, and PHQ-4 correlated strongly with the full versions of these measures and had strong internal consistency. Construct validity was noted for all variants of the PHQ-9 and GAD-7. As young people can present with high rates of somatic symptoms, we encourage clinicians and researchers to use subscale in addition to total scores for the PHQ-9 and GAD-7. We also caution the use of the shorter variants of these scales given they do not include somatic symptom items.</p
Perfect Faces, Imperfect Fit: Why AI-Generated Advertising Misses the Mark for Older Australians
No full textCodesigned framework for maximising the therapeutic value of rehabilitation mealtimes
No full textPurpose: To co-design a framework to maximise the therapeutic value of mealtimes with rehabilitation consumers and staff. Method: One workshop was held with consumers (n = 5) and multidisciplinary rehabilitation staff (n = 5) utilising Values-Focused Thinking processes. The framework was developed by generating objectives important for delivering a therapeutic mealtime experience, categorised as fundamental (i.e., those that are important in and of themselves) or means (i.e., those that are important for achieving the fundamental objectives). Participants generated objectives based on personal experiences and through synthesising previous research. Results: Four fundamental objectives were identified: ‘provide holistic, practical, caring, and safe experiences’, ‘share ownership of mealtime imperatives’, ‘maximise all possible outcomes’, and ‘enhance rehabilitation’. A total of twenty-three means objectives were identified to support achievement of the fundamental objectives. Five means objectives were linked to all fundamental objectives: ‘enable access’, ‘obtain feedback and monitor’, ‘identify needs’, ‘plan the mealtime’, and ‘provide information’. Conclusion: This study provides a novel and co-designed framework to support maximising the therapeutic value of mealtimes, based on the values and priorities determined by consumers and staff. Future research should involve utilising the framework in practice and develop guidance for its use.</p