134125 research outputs found
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Rethinking value: insights from a scoping literature review of the principles and benefits of housing co-operatives
No full textCurrent debates in housing research and policy often emphasise financial attributes, however housing systems also embody diverse social and environmental values. To advance a holistic understanding of economic and non-economic values, this study examines housing co-operatives, which are collectively managed forms of housing driven by coherent systems of principles. Using Arksey & O’Malley’s structured approach and PRISMA guidelines, 68 peer-reviewed articles were synthesised to explore co-operative housing values from the dual perspectives of principles and benefits. Findings reveal that co-operative values underpin democratic decision-making, economic contributions, and sustainability practices, resulting in positive outcomes such as social solidarity and environmental stewardship. Housing co-operatives, therefore, exemplify values promoting democratic participation, collective action, and sustainability. These insights offer lessons for prevailing housing models, suggesting a need to reconsider how value in housing is understood, researched, and pursued, moving beyond financial metrics to embrace broader principles and benefits.Full Tex
Compound-Semiconductor-Based Field-Effect Transistors for Ultrasensitive Biomolecule Sensors
No full textCompound-semiconductor-based field-effect transistor (FET) biosensors have emerged as a powerful platform for ultrasensitive and selective biomolecule detection, offering transformative potential for personalized healthcare and real-time environmental monitoring. This review comprehensively discusses recent advances in the development and integration of compound semiconductor materials for electronic biosensing applications, including two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides, such as molybdenum disulfide, layered III–VI semiconductors, such as indium selenide, and oxide-based II–VI semiconductors, such as zinc oxide and indium oxide. Key detection mechanisms, emphasizing bandgap modulation and charge-absorption-induced carrier density variations, are explored to elucidate the underlying principles of high sensitivity and specificity. The paper also reviews key fabrication strategies for flexible and wearable FET devices, highlighting their integration with microfluidics and bioreceptors for enhanced functionality. Practical applications in point-of-care diagnostics, implantable healthcare monitoring, wearable sensor technologies, and environmental safety assessments are critically evaluated. The review unifies material-level physics, interface chemistry, and device-level engineering to establish a cohesive framework explaining how compound semiconductors uniquely enable bandgap-modulated biosensing. The review further identifies cross-platform design principles and emerging trends, particularly toward scalable fabrication, multiplexed detection, and clinically deployable bioelectronic systems. By outlining key challenges and opportunities in material innovation and system integration, this review provides a forward-looking roadmap for advancing compound-semiconductor FETs toward next-generation diagnostic and continuous monitoring technologies.No Full Tex
RARFLoc: Robust absolute and relative fused visual localization for UAVs
No full textUnmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) typically rely on Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) for localization. When GNSS signals are unreliable, UAV visual localization offers an effective alternative to determine the UAV’s position. This method matches and aligns UAV images with a satellite map to calculate the absolute localization result. However, the discrepancies between the UAV images and the satellite map present significant challenges to accurate matching and alignment, which can lead to localization inaccuracies or failures. To address these challenges, we propose RARFLoc, which fuses the relative localization process between UAV adjacent frames into the above absolute localization process to achieve precise localization even under challenging conditions. Notably, RARFLoc does not require prior knowledge of the initial position and incorporates mechanisms for failure detection and re-localization, greatly enhancing its robustness. Moreover, in the matching stage, we introduce a self-training boosted matching method that improves the matching model’s performance for remote sensing. During the alignment stage, a Depth-Guided Alignment (DGA) strategy is proposed to ensure accurate alignment between UAV images and the satellite map. Localization experiments were conducted to evaluate the performance of RARFLoc. The average localization errors of RARFLoc on the MSDI and Nanchang datasets are 3.73 m and 4.38 m, respectively, representing reductions of 40.4 % and 23.9 % compared with the baseline. The results show that it consistently delivers accurate and robust localization, even in environments with significant discrepancies between UAV images and the satellite map.No Full Tex
Greening the gold: a review of the environmental turn in skateboarding and the push for sustainable olympics
No full textThis paper explores skateboarding as an opportunity for sustainability-related diplomatic and place-branding opportunities in the Olympic Games and its host cities. The rise in popularity of skateboarding also makes it a highly visible example of how the Olympics can turn, or conversely, exacerbate, the environmental footprint of the Games. We explore two main lines of inquiry: How might the inclusion of skateboarding in the Olympics mark a turning point for a ‘greener’ image of the Games? And: how can skateboarding facilitate a minimalist and adaptable approach to conducting sport events more sustainably by using a city’s already existing infrastructure?No Full Tex
A Novel Integrated Approach for the Assessment of Coastal Eutrophication Using Advanced Statistical Tools and GIS
No full textThe eutrophication of coastal waters is a primary environmental concern worldwide, with severe implications for marine biodiversity and ecosystem services. Effective monitoring and assessment of eutrophication are crucial for the sustainable management of coastal zones. However, traditional methods often fail in terms of accuracy and scalability. This study introduces a novel integrated methodology for evaluating eutrophication by combining statistical modeling, trophic indices, and Geographic Information System (GIS) tools. This methodology was applied over 12 months to assess the eutrophication status of Saïdia Bay, Morocco, a region of significant ecological and economic importance. Monthly water samples were collected from eight stations, and 13 water quality parameters were measured, including chlorophyll a, nutrients, and dissolved oxygen. Statistical techniques such as Principal Component Analysis, Cluster Analysis), and Factor Analysis were employed to identify the primary water quality parameters and categorize the stations based on pollution levels. Trophic indices, including the Eutrophication Index (EI), Carlson Trophic State Index (TSI), and Trophic Index (TRIX), were calculated and visualized using GIS-based modeling. The findings revealed that Saïdia Bay is currently in “Good” ecological condition according to the EI, with both Carlson TSI (< 47) and TRIX (2–4) classifying it as “Oligotrophic,” with seasonal variations reflecting localized mesotrophic conditions in autumn. This integrated approach represents a significant advancement in coastal water quality monitoring, provides a robust framework for assessing eutrophication, and supports targeted management strategies. This methodology is also transferable, offering a scalable model for eutrophication assessments in coastal regions worldwide.No Full Tex
Fe metal–organic framework–derived heterojunction for metabolic diagnosis of thymic epithelial tumor
Full text linkThymic epithelial tumors (TETs), rare yet clinically significant malignancies, face diagnostic challenges due to their occult presentation and lack of noninvasive risk-stratification tools, leading to systemic overtreatment and poor prognoses for high-risk subtypes. To address this unmet need, we developed a Fe3O4@Fe metal-organic framework heterojunction-enhanced laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry (LDI MS) platform for the efficient analysis of serum metabolic fingerprints (SMFs). Engineered through gradient pyrolysis, this nanomaterial synergizes ultraviolet absorption and photothermal conversion from its two constituent components with enhanced charge separation, achieving 1,000-fold improvement in sensitivity and thus enabling direct SMF acquisition from 1 μL of serum. Coupled with machine learning, the platform demonstrates robust diagnostic performance, yielding area under the curve (AUC) of 0.960 for distinguishing TETs from benign control and AUC of 0.856 for hierarchical risk stratification, outperforming clinical workflows. Beyond advancing material design for LDI MS, this work establishes a clinically translatable framework for rapid, large-scale screening, addressing critical gaps in TET management through metabolic-driven stratification.Full Tex
Evaluation of calcium phosphate bone cement in augmenting screw hole defects in the ulna: A biomechanical study
No full textBackground: Following ulnar shortening osteotomies, plates are often removed due to discomfort or irritation. The screw holes left after plate removal act as stress risers and predispose the bone to fracture. To our knowledge, calcium phosphate cement (CPC) is yet to be investigated for its use in reinforcing screw holes. The aim of this study was to determine if filling screw holes with CPC in a synthetic anatomical ulna model will improve its immediate mechanical strength compared to leaving screw holes unfilled. Methods: Eighteen synthetic anatomical ulna models were randomly divided into three equal groups. The control group was left unaltered, the drilled group received six 3.5 mm screw holes, and the CPC group had the six 3.5 mm screw holes filled with CPC. All bones were subjected to torsional loading until failure. Peak torque at failure, stiffness, and energy absorption were measured. Findings: Compared to the drilled group, the CPC group had greater peak torque, stiffness, and energy absorption. Group effects on peak torque and stiffness were moderate (eta squared = 0.12 for both) but did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.37 and 0.38, respectively). A statistically significant group effect was found for energy absorption (p < 0.001); but post-hoc analysis revealed no difference between the drilled and CPC groups. Interpretation: Effect sizes suggest CPC may improve mechanical performance, albeit modestly. Clinicians may consider using CPC for reinforcing screw holes after plate removal in bones like the ulna when refracture is of concern.No Full Tex
On being the grass ... strategic outlook for the Pacific islands region
Full text linkWhen elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers
~Swahili proverb
This proverb can be interpreted in several ways. Most obviously, it refers to the likelihood that those who are or are perceived to be weak will be trampled and damaged by competition and conflict between the powerful. Those who are most at risk of collateral damage are not those who have initiated the conflict. It also points to elements of resilience and recovery: provided the root structure holds strong, the grass may recover and regrow once the elephants have moved on.
Describing the Pacific islands region as ‘the grass’ is far from ideal. Having achieved and maintained sovereignty, countries are rightly concerned with asserting agency and strategic independence. However, they are constrained in doing so by several forces that are hard to withstand, particularly when they converge. Among these forces are the following that will be considered here: geopolitical competition and the decline of multilateralism. As 2026 gets underway, the world is at an inflection point that marks this period as different and more challenging. For the countries of the Pacific islands region, the need for agency and strategic autonomy is greater than ever.
This is not a story of doom and gloom. It is a realistic assessment of the strategic situation in which many Pacific island countries find themselves. It is also an opportunity to shine a spotlight on where Pacific leaders and communities are innovating to drive their own story.Full Tex
China green finance status and trends 2025-2026
Full text linkChina’s green finance development in 2025 continued to make significant progress across several areas. This advancement contrasts with trends in many Western markets, which have slowed or, in the case of the United States, reversed progress on green and sustainable finance. China’s advancements in green finance appear to be driven by three factors:
Policy trumps politics: unlike many Western countries, Chinese politics is less public, allowing policymakers to focus more on policy development. This enables the evaluation of environmental risks, such as climate change and biodiversity loss, based on scientific evidence rather than populism or current voter sentiment. As a result, policy recognises the need for green finance to address both short-term and long-term financial risks associated with climate change. This also reflects another feature of China’s system – long-term planning, in contrast to the shorter political election cycles in many Western countries.
Green economy opportunities: China is increasingly capitalising on the economic opportunities presented by a green transition, supported by a growing green real economy (e.g., in renewable energy, electric vehicles, and green industrialisation). These opportunities manifest in green economy equipment (e.g., solar PV panels, wind turbines, batteries) as well as in the cost advantages of a green transition (e.g., lower energy prices)
Green finance knowledge and capacity in key institutions: Key institutions, such as the People’s Bank of China (PBoC) (China’s central bank) and related government and non-government entities (both financial and non-financial), have developed strong expertise in green finance since the top-level establishment of China’s green financial system in 2015. Although significant gaps persist across the financial ecosystem, China’s green finance capacity is likely world-leading, enabling it to export its knowledge base (e.g., through the Green Investment Principles (GIP), the Global Green Finance Leadership Program (GFLP), and the Capacity Building Alliance of Sustainable Investment (CASI).Full Tex
Identifying typologies of adverse experiences and psychosocial functioning for youth who sexually harm
No full textBACKGROUND: Youths who engage in harmful sexual behaviours (HSBs) have often experienced childhood adversity and psychosocial health problems. Greater understanding of how developmental risks cluster together and/or differ within this heterogeneous population is needed. OBJECTIVE: This research aimed to further knowledge of the aetiology and treatment needs of youths with HSBs by identifying typological differences based on co-occurrence of developmental risk factors, including adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: Data was derived from clinician case files of 386 Australian male youths receiving specialised treatment following adjudication for sexual offences. METHODS: Latent class analysis was used to determined risk-factor based typologies. Differences in offence characteristics across classes were examined using Chi-square tests and ANOVA. RESULTS: Four distinct profiles of young males with HSBs were identified: Limited Risk, Socially Excluded, Antisocial, and High Adversity. Characteristics of sexual harm, including offence setting, and victim age and sex, differed across these classes. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest differential pathways to youth HSB, and have relevance for informing intervention efforts, to ensure responses meet the varying needs of young people.No Full Tex