Search Results (740)

The UK’s net-zero by 2050 commitment necessitates urgent housing sector decarbonisation, as residential buildings contribute approximately 17% of national emissions. Post-1950 construction prioritised speed over efficiency, creating energy-deficient housing stock that challenges climate objectives. Current retrofit policies focus primarily on technological solutions—insulation and heating upgrades—while neglecting broader sustainability considerations. This research advocates systematically integrating Circular Economy (CE) principles into residential retrofit practices. CE approaches emphasise material circularity, waste minimisation, adaptive design, and a lifecycle assessment, delivering superior environmental and economic outcomes compared to conventional methods. The investigation employs mixed-methods research combining a systematic literature analysis, policy review, stakeholder engagement, and a retrofit implementation evaluation across diverse UK contexts. Key barriers identified include regulatory constraints, workforce capability gaps, and supply chain fragmentation, alongside critical transition enablers. An evidence-based decision-making framework emerges from this analysis, aligning retrofit interventions with CE principles. This framework guides policymakers, industry professionals, and researchers in the development of strategies that simultaneously improve energy-efficiency, maximise material reuse, reduce embodied emissions, and enhance environmental and economic sustainability. The findings advance a holistic, systems-oriented approach, positioning housing as a pivotal catalyst in the UK’s transition toward a circular, low-carbon built environment, moving beyond isolated technological fixes toward a comprehensive sustainability transformation. Full article

Additive manufacturing technologies for metals are developing rapidly. Among them, wire arc additive manufacturing (WAAM) has become widespread due to its accessibility. However, parts produced using WAAM require surface post-processing; therefore, hybrid technologies have emerged that combine additive and subtractive processes within a single compact manufacturing complex. Such systems make it possible to organize single-piece and small-batch production, including for the repair and restoration of equipment in remote areas. For this purpose, hybrid equipment must be lightweight, compact for transportation, provide sufficient workspace, and be capable of folding for transport. This paper proposes the concept of a multifunctional metal 3D printer based on hybrid technology, where WAAM is used for printing, and mechanical post-processing is applied to obtain finished parts. To ensure both rigidity and low mass, a 3-UPU parallel manipulator and a worktable with two rotational degrees of freedom are employed, enabling five-axis printing and machining. The printer housing is foldable for convenient transportation. The kinematics of the proposed 3D printer are investigated as an integrated system. Forward and inverse kinematics problems are solved, the velocities and accelerations of the moving platform center are calculated, singular configurations are analyzed, and the workspace of the printer is determined. Full article

Background: Black transgender women experience high rates of intersectional discrimination contributing to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. While sleep typically buffers psychological distress among general populations, these relationships remain underexplored among Black transgender women, and existing protective sleep literature derives primarily from non-Hispanic White, cisgender, socioeconomically advantaged populations. Methods: This exploratory secondary cross-sectional analysis of 155 Black transgender women (aged 18+) examined whether sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index) moderates associations between discrimination (Intersectional Discrimination Index) and PTSD symptoms (PTSD Symptom Checklist-DSM-5) using moderated multiple linear regression models, controlling for age (n = 139–149). Results: Contrary to expectations, better sleep quality strengthened associations between day-to-day (p = 0.0126) and major discrimination (p = 0.0235) and the PTSD symptom severity. Conclusions: These exploratory findings reveal paradoxical sleep-distress relationships among Black transgender women that contradict patterns documented among general populations, highlighting critical limitations in applying existing psychological frameworks to multiple marginalized communities. Results underscore urgent needs for culturally validated assessment instruments and comprehensive measurement of structural determinants (housing stability, economic security, and neighborhood safety) before concluding psychology in populations experiencing intersectional oppressions. Full article

Post-industrial waterfronts have become key arenas of urban transformation, where heritage, public space and social equity intersect. This study examined the Xuhui Waterfront in Shanghai under the ‘One River, One Creek’ initiative, which converted former industrial land into a continuous riverfront corridor of parks and cultural venues. The research aimed to evaluate whether this large-scale renewal enhanced social equity or produced new forms of exclusion. A tripartite analytical framework of distributive, procedural and recognitional justice was applied, combining spatial mapping, remote-sensing analysis of vegetation and heat exposure, housing price-to-income ratio assessment, and policy review from 2015 to 2024. The results showed that the continuity of the riverfront, increased greenery and adaptive reuse of industrial structures improved accessibility, environmental quality and cultural enjoyment. However, housing affordability became increasingly polarised, indicating emerging gentrification and generational inequality. This study concluded that this dual outcome reflected the fiscal dependency of state-led renewal on land-lease revenues and high-end development. It suggested that future waterfront projects could adopt financially sustainable yet inclusive models, such as incremental phasing, public–private partnerships and guided self-renewal, to better reconcile heritage conservation, public-space creation and social fairness. Full article

The TV series Architecture School depicts entanglements between design (education), urban development, and the complexities of everyday life through its presentation of students in a program of “public-interest” design–build education (wherein students plan and construct homes for low-income families in post-Hurricane Katrina New Orleans). The series offers a nuanced presentation of the situated difficulties of critical design thinking in the context of creating contemporary homes: starting from the initial stages of sketching and model making, through construction, and finally to managing the occupation of the homes by persons who are typically underserved by contemporary architecture. We provide an analysis of the series through outlining how the show presents its participants (student designer-builders, non-profit housing administrators, potential homeowners). We focus on discussing instances of talk on the TV series to illustrate some of the specific concerns and contexts of these participants. Our aim is to explore Architecture School as a relevant case study in designing and building that reflects a dilemma underpinning much contemporary, urban, and public-interest design: how can socially and economically marginalized individuals acquire innovative, well-designed homes when structural conditions of government policies, financial protocols, and administrative complexity offer sustained constraint? We detail how the series depicts the students, administrators, and potential occupants to consider how stereotypes of architects, bureaucrats, and the working poor are reinforced or challenged. Accordingly, we argue that Architecture School is a cultural text that remains timely and important today for its presentation and critique of both the inside world of design’s aims to design and build for others and also the outside-world challenges that limit design’s capacities to create inclusive and equitable material conditions. Full article

This paper presents the results of an empirical study examining residents’ perceptions of contemporary dwellings in Serbia, with a focus on spatial organization, comfort, and everyday usability. An online survey conducted in October 2025 was structured into four thematic sections: demographic characteristics, dwelling attributes, housing quality assessment, and subjective spatial experience. The study is based on the hypothesis that apartments built during the socialist period are perceived as spatially and functionally superior to recently constructed housing. The results indicate a pronounced user preference for dwellings built between 1975 and 1990, particularly in terms of functional layout, kitchen daylighting, storage capacity, and spatial adaptability, despite their technical obsolescence and lower energy performance. By highlighting the relationship between spatial characteristics and user satisfaction, the findings contribute to a better understanding of everyday housing experience and provide a basis for informing architectural design and housing policy grounded in user needs rather than exclusively market- or norm-driven criteria. Full article

This study develops a theory-integrated Virtual Reality (VR) information platform for designing age-friendly residential units, addressing the intersection of population aging and digital transformation. Unlike studies emphasizing post-implementation outcomes, it focuses on the input-stage logic of design by embedding human cognition, emotion, and behavior into spatial reasoning. Grounded in environmental behavior theory, the research constructs a housing model that reflects older adults’ perceptual and behavioral responses to spatial configurations such as layouts, circulation, lighting, and visual coordination. Space is redefined as an experiential medium that evokes emotional resonance, fosters empathy, and bridges theoretical reasoning with practical design outcomes. The proposed VR platform integrates aging, behavioral, and design sciences into an intelligent guide functioning as both an educational and evaluative system, enabling interactive and scenario-based exploration of spatial experiences. Following design-based and developmental research principles, this study represents a preliminary phase within an ongoing framework, establishing a robust conceptual foundation for future empirical validation. It highlights that the robustness of the developmental process is as crucial as learning outcomes, reinforcing the importance of theoretical integration in sustainable, human-centered housing design for super-aged societies. Full article

Post-disaster temporary housing units (PDTHUs) are crucial to the rebuilding process after disasters; however, current designs fall short in several areas, including user comfort, contextual relevance, and long-term flexibility. This situation suggests that design weaknesses emerge through interactions among multiple factors, requiring an analytic approach that goes beyond isolated evaluation. This study aims to (1) identify the main design issues in PDTHUs, (2) explore the relationships among these issues, and (3) prioritize interventions by grouping causes for decision makers. First, eleven primary design problems were identified through a systematic literature review. Next, a matrix-based questionnaire was developed and administered to five experts with experience in post-disaster projects. In the third stage, expert opinions were analyzed using the DEMATEL (Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory) method. As a result, the design problems were classified into “cause” and “effect” groups, and a cause-and-effect diagram was created. The findings indicate that the lack of contextual and cultural integration in design (4.485); the absence of pre-disaster planning and prototyping (3.964); and low thermal, acoustic, and ergonomic comfort (3.385) are the most influential issues because they belong to “cause groups” with high Pi values. This study provides a guiding framework for practitioners and policymakers to allocate resources efficiently, plan strategically, and develop context-sensitive designs. Full article

This study evaluated the effects of including additional roughage and the timing of roughage addition on rumen temperature (T_RUM), rumen pH, dry matter intake as a percentage of live weight (DMILW), water consumption as a percentage of live weight (WILW) and average daily gain of grain-fed steers exposed to a simulated heat wave. A total of forty-eight Black Angus steers (539.53 ± 4.95 kg) were housed within climate control rooms for 21 days and exposed to a 5-day simulated heat wave. Steers were randomly allocated into four cohorts with 12 steers/cohort, and then allocated to one of three dietary treatments: Treatment 1 (T1) were fed a finisher diet for the 21 days; Treatment 2 (T2) transitioned from the finisher diet to a heat load diet on d 9 and fed the heat load diet until d 14; and Treatment 3 (T3) transitioned from the finisher diet to the heat load diet on d 7 and fed the heat load diet until d 14. On d 15, T2 and T3 transitioned back to the finisher diet. The study was categorised into five phases consisting of (i) Phase I, d 0–6 (Temperature Humidity Index, THI 65 to 78); (ii) Phase II, d 7–8 (THI 65 to 78); (iii) Phase III, d 9–11 (THI 83 to 90); (iv) Phase IV, d 12–13 (THI 78 to 85); and (v) Phase V, d 14–20 (THI 65 to 78). During the heat wave challenge in Phase III, all Treatments exhibited lower DMILW (p < 0.0001), greater T_RUM and rumen pH (p < 0.0001), lower ranges in T_RUM and rumen pH (p ≤ 0.0005) and altered diurnal T_RUM and rumen pH rhythms. Average daily gain was not influenced by Treatments (p ≥ 0.98). Overall, these results suggest that nutritional management remains an important consideration to reduce the impact of hot climatic conditions on the rumen environment during heat wave and post-heat wave conditions. Full article

Seasonality has traditionally shaped the U.S. housing market, with activity peaking in spring-summer and declining in autumn-winter. However, recent disruptions, particularly those following COVID-19, raise questions about shifts in these patterns. This study analyzes housing market data (1991–2024) to examine evolving seasonality and regional heterogeneity. Using Housing Price Index (HPI) data, inventory, and sales data from the Federal Housing Finance Agency and U.S. Census Bureau, seasonal components are extracted via the X-13-ARIMA procedure, and statistical tests assess variations across regions. The results confirm seasonal fluctuations in prices and volumes, with recent shifts toward earlier annual peak (March–April) and amplified seasonal effects. Regional variations align with differences in climate and market structure, while prices and sales volumes exhibit in-phase movement, suggesting thick-market momentum behaviour. These findings highlight key implications for policymakers, realtors and investors navigating post-pandemic market dynamics, offering insights into the timing and interpretation of housing market activities. Full article

Purpose: To develop a workflow for systemically reviewing the doses received by organs at risk (OARs) in a BgRT treatment session, as a means of monitoring delivery constancy and possibly identifying changes of clinical concern in the patient. Methods: We implemented a workflow consisting of a qualitative review of the reconstructed delivered-dose information provided by the RefleXion system, followed by its quantitative evaluation using in-house software. For the latter we developed a framework for calculating custom OAR dose–volume metrics from the delivered-dose distribution and graphing them. We retrospectively applied our workflow to three select BgRT patient cases to appraise its clinical utility. Results: Our workflow efficiently incorporates existing RefleXion TPS features and in-house software into a process for thoroughly evaluating doses to OARs after BgRT delivery. The spreadsheet we created for graphing the trends of normalized OAR dose–volume metrics readily shows if OAR doses have significantly changed or tolerance limits have been violated, thereby potentially revealing if changes of concern occurred in the targeted region. Our workflow also yields a cumulative delivered-dose record at the end of treatment. Conclusions: We established a post-BgRT dose evaluation workflow which supplements the information provided by RefleXion with calculation and graphing of custom OAR dose–volume metrics. This workflow is now routinely used in our clinic following all BgRT treatments. Future improvements could include increased automation, updating the dose calculation to reflect changes in patient anatomy, incorporation of PET metrics, and consideration of target dose data. Full article

In September 2024, an acute hemorrhagic diarrhea occurred in a colony of captive ring-tailed lemurs (Lemur catta) housed adjacent to an enclosure of squirrel monkeys in Henan Province, China. Three of the ring-tailed lemurs (1-year-old females) died, and necropsy revealed severe cecal hemorrhage. Histopathology demonstrated extensive mucosal necrosis, hemorrhage, and inflammatory cell infiltration in the cecum, with parasite adhesion and invasion into the crypts. Microscopic examination and PCR targeting the ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 region (347 bp) confirmed the presence of T. mobilensis in the deceased lemurs’ intestinal contents and in feces from 40.0% (4/10) of the squirrel monkeys. Ultrastructural analysis (SEM/TEM) confirmed that the isolated parasites exhibited the morphology and key features of T. mobilensis, including prominent peripheral hydrogenosomal vesicles. Treatment with metronidazole and supportive care led to the recovery of the surviving lemurs. Post-treatment fecal exams of ring-tailed lemur were negative for T. mobilensis. This report provides the first evidence of T. mobilensis infection in ring-tailed lemurs, indicating cross-species transmission from squirrel monkeys to lemurs, likely facilitated by keeper-mediated mechanical transmission via tools and footwear that were used in both enclosures. Full article

This study examines the transformation of modern residential architecture in Cyprus between 1930 and 1974 through 14 representative residences selected across four historical periods. The study examines the political, social, and cultural contexts extending from the introduction of modern architecture to the island, through the post-Republican era, and the conflict between 1963 and 1974. It aims to comprehensively explore the spatial, climatic, and regional characteristics of modern Cypriot housing. The examples were selected based on criteria such as documentability, period representativeness, architectural originality, and spatial qualities. Data were tabulated based on plan structure, façade layout, use of semi-open spaces, material choices, and climatic adaptation strategies. These parameters were evaluated through comparative analysis to identify changes in modernist expressions, the emergence of regionalist trends, and how Mediterranean environmental approaches were reflected in architecture. The findings demonstrate that the spatial flexibility, interior-exterior continuity, and climatic sensitivity seen in modern housing from the 1930s onward evolved into a more pronounced Mediterranean regionalism with the contributions of local architects after 1950. The study offers a typological, spatial, and climatic analysis unique to the literature on the development of modern residential architecture in Cyprus. Full article

This paper presents DeepMask-GPR, a novel deep learning framework for automatic detection and geometric estimation of buried cylindrical objects in ground-penetrating radar (GPR) B-scan images. Built upon Mask R-CNN, the proposed method integrates hyperbola detection, apex localization, and real-world coordinate mapping in an end-to-end architecture. A curvature-enhanced dual-channel input improves the visibility of weak hyperbolic patterns, while a quadratic regression loss guides the network to recover precise geometric parameters. DeepMask-GPR eliminates the need for raw signal data or manual post-processing, enabling robust and scalable deployment in field scenarios. On two public datasets, DeepMask-GPR achieves consistently higher TPR/IoU for spatial localization than baselines. On an in-house B-scan set, it attains low MAE/RMSE for radius estimation. Full article

Demographic decline and population ageing present unprecedented challenges to housing systems in post-socialist Europe. With one of the European Union (EU)’s fastest shrinking populations, an underdeveloped social housing sector, and an ageing housing stock dominated by Soviet-era multi-family blocks, Latvia exemplifies these difficulties. Adaptive property reuse—repurposing underutilised buildings into age-friendly social housing—offers a potential solution, but its feasibility depends on complex economic, regulatory, social, and environmental determinants. This study investigated these determinants using a mixed-methods approach. Data were drawn from 312 survey responses, 15 policymaker interviews, 10 developer interviews, and focus group of 25 senior residents across Latvia. Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) was used to extract six determinant clusters: site selection, feasibility analysis, design and planning, implementation strategies, monitoring and evaluation, and scaling strategies. The findings demonstrate: (1) economic feasibility and regulatory clarity dominate stakeholder concerns, with financing gaps receiving the lowest ratings (M = 2.91); (2) implementation strategies emerged as the highest-priority determinant, emphasising governance capacity and structured execution; (3) significant trust deficits exist between developers and municipal authorities, undermining collaboration; (4) seniors prioritise design inclusivity and social integration, while developers emphasise cost efficiency and regulatory certainty; and (5) environmental sustainability consistently ranked lower (M ≈ 3.34) across all stakeholder groups due to pressing affordability concerns. Although municipal officers were intentionally oversampled (58%) due to their central role in Latvia’s housing governance, robustness checks confirmed the six-factor structure remained stable across stakeholder groups. This study contributes theoretically by contextualising adaptive reuse within shrinking cities and ageing societies and practically by providing a determinant-based framework for housing policy. Full article