Search

The impact of disasters on human well-being extends beyond loss of assets. Asset based compensation approach, usually in monetary form, that the governments adopt for reconstruction of losses of affected persons is marred by challenges in identification of compensable disasters; identification of eligible claimants; identification of compensable losses; and valuation of losses. The largest asset that a household possesses is their house, which suffers major damage. Loss to a house goes beyond the asset itself and affects many dimensions of human well-being. The question this paper examines is, what are the dimensions of well-being, that housing and its location, as resource, have been able to reconstruct for households who were resettled in resettlement colonies of Chennai (India)? Using the framework proposed by Martin Binder, this paper identifies the dimensions of housing well-being and the extent to which these are reconstructed through post-disaster relocation, using the case of households relocated in resettlement colonies in Chennai (India) after disasters since 2004. This paper reveals that housing, and its location contributes to well-being, which is much more than its asset characteristics. Post-disaster resonstruction through relocation and provision of housing must create those opportunities that contribute to well-being. Opportunities for higher income, neighbourhood security, social capital, safety level in the neighbourhood, access to informal/social system for childcare, social and economic associations are significant contributors to housing well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organic π‐scaffolds are being envisaged for new‐age electron‐ and ion‐responsive materials that can accumulate electrons as well as transport proton. However, such systems are extremely rare as electron‐deficient scaffolds are unstable in aqueous solution. Here we detail the synthesis of a water‐stable core‐naphthalenediimide‐nitrobenzyl‐viologen based tetra‐cation, which accumulates up to eight‐electrons within an exceptionally narrow potential window of +0.05 V and −1.12 V. The supramolecular interactions and the ensuing ionic framework are tunable based on the three anions, e. g. Cl−, Br− and PF6−, that are investigated in this work. The ionic framework is formed and supported by a range of H‐bonds, in which, the nitro benzyl groups act as pillars connecting the 1D water‐tapes and the halide anions. The water molecules are hydrogen‐bonded with the halide anions and bestow a facile pathway for the proton conduction, with proton conductivity up to 3.19×10−3 S cm−1. In contrast, the ionic assembly formed by the lipophilic PF6− anions do not host the water tapes and consequently the proton conductivity is found to be four orders of magnitude lower. This is a unique example, whereby proton conductivity is realized and is tunable within a highly electron‐deficient, eight‐electron acceptor, water‐stable ionic supramolecular system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditionally, rental housing has been supplied by a large pool of individual investors who own a few units and invest their savings, with some leverage, to take advantage of the tax regime in Australia. The last five years have seen the emergence of build-to-rent (BTR) units, which are supplied by investors who own a large number of units. The state of Victoria in Australia has the largest share of these projects. In the current market and regulatory environment, the financial viability of BTR projects is low for investors and hinges on the ability of units to be leased at higher than market rents. This paper examines four groups of levers, including those already being pursued by the building industry, that can be used to improve the financial viability of BTRs. These include: (i) revenue maximization, (ii) cost reduction (iii) fiscal and (iv) planning incentives. An archetypical BTR project which mimics current practice is considered, assumed to be in Docklands, Victoria, where several BTR projects are planned. For the robustness check, a feasibility analysis is conducted for a site in North Melbourne, a neighbourhood in Victoria with several BTR projects. The results indicate that for revenue maximization, the mix of unit types in a BTR project should be location-specific, as market preferences (and the characteristics of renters) determine the rent for different types of units that can be achieved. In a conventional BTR project development, where land is bought upfront and the project is developed, the mixed-use BTR (residential in combination with commercial) does not provide significant financial benefits though including small retail (3–4% of the net lettable area) may provide complementary benefits. Incurring large capital costs upfront and having the revenue stream spread over long periods reduces financial viability. While construction costs are more difficult to reduce, ways to reduce land costs could be through zoning land for BTR use, through mechanisms such as joint ventures with landowners, and land leasing. Exemptions on income, land tax, and rates (like CHPs) can result in a higher return for investors. A full GST refund, an incentive that industry is lobbying for, results in a similar IRR as an exemption on income, land tax and rates would offer. These results will assist in determining priorities for policies that are aimed at BTR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim Isolation, identification, structural and functional characterization of potent anti- Candida compound with specific antagonistic activities against significant human pathogens, Candida albicans and C. auris. Methods and Results The compound (55B3) was purified from the metabolites produced by Streptomyces chrestomyceticus ADP4 by employing column chromatography. The structure of 55B3 was determined from the analyses of spectral data that included LCMS, nuclear magnetic resonance, FTIR, and UV spectroscopies. It was identified as a novel derivative of diterpenic aromatic acid, 3-(dictyotin-11′-oate-15′α, 19′β-olide)-4-(dictyotin-11′-oate-15″α, 19″β-olide)-protocatechoic acid. The compound displayed potent antifungal and anti-biofilm activities against C. albicans ATCC 10231 (Minimum Inhibitory Concentration, MIC90:14.94 ± 0.17 μgmL−1 and MBIC90: 16.03 ± 1.1 μgmL−1) and against C. auris CBS 12372 (MIC90: 21.75 ± 1.5 μgmL−1 and Minimum Biofilm Inhibitory Concentration, MBIC90: 18.38 ± 1.78 μgmL−1). Further, pronounced inhibition of important virulence attributes of Candida spp. e.g. yeast-to-hyphae transition, secretory aspartyl proteinase and phospholipase B by 55B3 was noted at subinhibitory concentrations. A plausible mechanism of anti- Candida action of the compound appeared to be the inhibition of ergosterol biosynthesis, which was inhibited by 64 ± 3% at the MIC90 value. The non-cytotoxic attribute of the compound was noted in the liver cell line (HepG2 cells). Conclusion The present work led to the discovery of a novel diterpenic derivative produced by S. chrestomyceticus ADP4. The compound displayed potent anti- Candida activity, particularly against the two most significant human pathogens, C. albicans and C. auris , which underlined its significance as a potential drug candidate for infections involving these pathogens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to compare the different levels of teacher competence and self-efficacy among secondary school teachers. A comparative survey method for descriptive research was used. A total of 147 secondary school teachers were selected through a random sampling method. Analysis of variance was used for data analysis. The key finding of this study is that among male and female teachers with high, moderate, and low competency levels, there are no significant differences in self-efficacy. Government teachers show no significant differences in self-efficacy with respect to their competence levels, but private teachers show an apparent pattern. Private teachers differ only in terms of high and low levels of self-efficacy; neither high nor medium self-efficacy levels differ from one another. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The total synthesis of (−)-δ-lycorane is reported. We performed organocatalytic Mannich reaction between phenylacetaldehyde and γ-hydroxy lactam to construct a 5-substituted-2-pyrrolidone derivative in favor of the cis-isomer. Furthermore, diastereoselective conjugate addition to α,β-unsaturated lactam was accomplished to obtain 4,5-disubstituted-2-pyrrolidone. The other salient features of this synthesis include Bischler–Napieralski reaction and ring closing metathesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The extraordinary physical characteristics and enormous potential for technological applications of multiferroic materials have sparked recent interest in these materials. In this work, the composition of aliovalent ions Ba2+/Ti4+ doped YMnO3 i.e., Y0.95Ba0.05Mn0.95Ti0.05O3 ceramic sample was prepared through the solid-state method. The structural, dielectric, and ferroelectric properties of the prepared sample were studied in detail. X-ray diffraction patterns unveil the hexagonal crystal structure of the ceramic owning P63cm space group symmetry, which is also authenticated by accomplishing Rietveld's refinement of the sample. Nevertheless, the ceramic demonstrated the emergence of the orthorhombic peak. The formation of phase composition of the prepared sample was proved through FT-IR spectroscopic measurement. The Raman spectroscopy analysis of the sample reveals the presence of subtle vibrational modes. The investigation of the dielectric and electrical properties of the prepared sample at frequencies between 1 kHz and 1 MHz and temperatures spanning from 303 to 623 K has yielded significant outcomes. These outcomes include dielectric dispersion, conduction mechanism, and relaxation process of the samples, which are highlighted in this study. The ferroelectric behaviour of the prepared sample has been studied using PE hysteresis loop measurement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]