Spatiotemporal patterns and prediction of multi-region house prices via functional mixed effects model

House prices have always been a popular indicator for real estate market monitoring. This study explores the spatiotemporal patterns of house prices at the community level in San Francisco from January 2009 to April 2024. A functional spatiotemporal semiparametric mixed effects (FST-SM) model was proposed to analyze the Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), considering spatiotemporal variations. This response is associated with known influences and unknown latent random effects. The random-effects component was expanded using functional principal components. The conditional autoregressive (CAR) structure of the principal component scores was adopted to analyze nonparametric time trends and spatiotemporal correlations. The proposed model was compared with other time-series models in terms of spatiotemporal prediction. The results show that the prediction accuracy of the proposed model is higher than that of other regular models. In summary, a functional mixed effects model was proposed to describe spatiotemporal patterns and forecast house prices. This study can provide valuable references for decision-making by local governments, real estate suppliers, and house buyers

From theory to action: what motivates consumers to purchase IoT sustainable products

In an era marked by the importance of sustainability and technological integration, this paper explores the drivers behind sustainable consumption in a rapidly evolving market, focusing on Romanian consumer perspectives towards sustainable products driven by the relationship between the circular economy and the Internet of Things (IoT). Leveraging structural equation modelling, we conduct a thorough survey to investigate the roles of shaping purchase behaviors within the context of the circular economy and IoT integration. The findings reveal that while environmental attitudes significantly influence purchase intentions, price sensitivity and perceived value play a crucial role in shaping consumer choices. From a theoretical perspective, this study highlights the interplay between sustainability concerns and market dynamics, contributing to the broader understanding of sustainable purchase behavior. From a managerial perspective, the results provide actionable insights for businesses to design value-aligned strategies, ensuring that sustainable products are both accessible and appealing to a diverse consumer base. This dual focus on theory and practice offers a roadmap for fostering responsible consumption in a competitive marketplace

Impacts of human resources management strategies and practices on workers performance in construction industry: a review

Human resource management (HRM) plays a vital role in the growth and sustainability of companies and in achieving company objectives, as HRM relates to the workers’ practices and their functional roles. The main objective of this paper is to identify the HRM strategies, practices and their impact on worker’s performance in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) Industry. The method which was used in this study was based on three stages. After the completion of the database and web engine search, the total number of sources found were 149. Next, the sources’ titles and abstracts were reviewed and those marked as relevant to the review were chosen to be retrieved and thoroughly reviewed. The sources were chosen based on the following inclusion criteria: (a) the sources implied in HRM strategies in the AEC industry, (b) the sources released between 2010 and 2023, (c) the online sources, and (d) the English-language sources. Also, the selected sources are reviewed to extract the factors using the content analysis method which is a thorough and systematic study of the contents of a specific body of material. In addition, content analysis is carried out to extract practices of HRM strategies and their impact on worker performance. This can be followed up and observed through the figures and tables that come later. As a final result, which concludes the outputs of the previous stages which results in a first-round total of 31 HRM strategies practice but in the second-round result of reaching 39 different sources from 149 related sources. After that, discussing the most popular between them based on the appearance of it in the sources which reviewed beside that, the impact of it on worker’s performance were viewed in the AEC industry. Based on that, it was found the following 5 categories of strategies: (1) Human Resources Planning; (2) Polarization and Recruitment; (3) Training and Development; (4) Human Resources Following-up; (5) Career Planning. At the same time the most popular practices are based on appearance in sources: In terms of Human Resources Planning Strategy, “The company’s management analyses the functions accurately”. In Polarization and Recruitment Strategy, “The company’s internal resources are the best to provide its human resource needs” and “Selection and recruitment policies are in line with the company’s current and future needs”. In Training and Development of Human Resources Strategy, “The company evaluates the results of development and training programs to achieve the purpose of feedback”. In Human Resources Following-up Strategy, “There is a fair incentive system in the company”. In Career Planning Strategy, “There is a clear description of the relationship of workers to each other”. Finally, human resource management strategies and practices are one of the major players in the AEC industry, which is evidenced by its impact on the performance of workers. First published online 22 October 202

Disadvantageous effects of vibrations on the micro-hydraulic relief valve: experimental approach

The paper discusses the negative impact of external mechanical vibrations, which lead to the malfunction of drive systems, particularly affecting hydrostatic drives. The hydraulic system components feature a spring-supported control element that vibrates due to external mechanical vibrations, leading to pressure pulsation. The resulting pressure pulsation causes many unfavorable characteristics of hydraulic system operation. The positive displacement pump is shown as the main source of pressure pulsation in a hydraulic system. For selected frequencies of external mechanical vibration close to the natural frequency of the valve control element, the resulting pressure pulsation far exceeds the pressure pulsation resulting from the displacement pump. This paper presents selected results showing pressure pulsations as a consequence of the displacement pump and external mechanical vibrations acting on the pressure-relief valve

Above-building parking area and urban plan arrangement proposal for civil aircraft: the case of Türkiye

This study examines the feasibility of integrating vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) civil aircraft into urban environments in Türkiye, with a focus on adapting existing building structures and urban planning regulations. The research investigates the structural, legislative, and urban design modifications needed to support the safe operation of personal and family-use VTOL vehicles. Case studies from Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, Diyarbakır, and Samsun highlight the challenges and opportunities posed by both old, unplanned urban areas and newer, systematically developed regions. The findings reveal the need for significant legal reforms, including updates to civil aviation regulations, and structural adjustments such as rooftop reinforcements to support VTOL operations. The study emphasizes that incorporating aircraft-friendly infrastructure in new urban developments is more cost-effective than retrofitting existing buildings. It also highlights the importance of creating dedicated take-off, landing, and parking areas within urban spaces to accommodate the growing demand for urban air mobility. The research concludes that proactive urban planning, legislative changes, and technological innovation are critical for fostering sustainable urban air mobility, enhancing transportation efficiency, and ensuring safety in Türkiye’s evolving urban landscapes

Investigating the influence of urban green spaces on urban heat island mitigation – taking four districts in Shijiazhuang as an example

The primary objective of this scholarly investigation is to elucidate the intricate interplay between the urban heat island (UHI) effect and municipal green spaces. The geographical focus includes the four areas with the highest urbanization rate in Shijiazhuang, China. To conduct this survey, ECOSTRESS remote sensing imagery was acquired during distinct temporal intervals–morning, midday, and evening. The data were collected using the equal-scale city blocks performed by the OpenStreetMap urban network and ECOSTRESS remote sensing images at different times (morning, noon and evening). Surface temperature inversion of satellite images was performed using ArcGIS 10.7 software to obtain surface temperature. The overarching aim was to discern the nuanced impact of urban parks on the surface temperatures of their proximate environs during the summer season. The findings of this investigation revealed that, in order to effectively ameliorate the discernible heat island effect (SUH), rejuvenation initiatives ought to be directed toward sites maintaining a distance from green spaces within the range of 160 to 370 meters. Furthermore, augmentation of green space configurations is recommended in vicinities characterized by building densities falling within the range of 0.2 to 0.3. Notably, in locales marked by high building density, park layouts should adhere to a more regularized design during the renovation process. Additionally, it is advisable to ensure that the spatial separation between distinct urban parks exceeds 900 meters. These empirical insights are poised to enhance the comprehension of urban planners regarding the intricate dynamics through which urban parks exert influence on municipal surface temperatures. Furthermore, the discerned patterns furnish pragmatic guidance for mitigating the heat island effect, thereby offering invaluable recommendations for urban planning endeavors

Development of a method of surface water content research using ultraviolet rays

It is known that the process of water treatment in surface water bodies requires the development of advanced and effective technologies for the destruction of harmful microorganisms and viruses. The aim of the present study is to develop a method for the investigation of surface water content. As a result of the study, the electronic circuit of the purification device using ultraviolet rays was developed. The energy and spectral characteristics were experimentally investigated and the economic efficiency of the ultraviolet ray device was determined, taking into account the basic sanitary and hygienic requirements for the organisation of ultraviolet water disinfection. It is substantiated, that the developed scheme provides safety of conditions of work of the personnel with the equipment

Tail risk diversification strategy with flight-from-loss approach: Evidence from U.S. REITs

This study introduces a novel portfolio allocation strategy, the flight-from-loss approach, designed to diversify tail risk in the REIT market. The strategy reallocates capital toward assets that have historically outperformed during periods of extreme REIT losses, aiming to reduce downside risk and improve portfolio efficiency. Using U.S. REIT data from 1993 to 2023, we demonstrate that our portfolio approach reduces tail risk significantly, while also enhancing Sharpe ratios compared to a REIT-only benchmark portfolio. These diversification benefits are particularly significant during market crises, such as the subprime mortgage crisis, when risk reduction exceeds 30%. Our analysis further reveals that the minimum-variance and tangency portfolio approaches consistently outperform the equal-weight method in both risk control and performance efficiency. To test the strategy’s generalizability, we applied it to the Fama-French 30 industry portfolios, where the results of some industries indicate even stronger risk reduction and Sharpe ratio gains than in the REIT market. These findings suggest that the flight-from-loss strategy offers a practical, cross-sector solution for managing concentrated portfolio risks

Enhancing real estate mass appraisal in Type II metropolitan cities: A GIS-MGWR approach

At present, China’s real estate appraisal sector confronts a number of challenges, including low appraisal efficiency, significant human influence, lack of objectivity, and absence of unified standards. Particularly, conducting a scientific, precise, and efficient mass appraisal of existing housing is vital for fostering the industry‘s healthy development. This study adopts Zhangjiakou City in Hebei Province as a case study, integrating Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and utilizing the Ordinary Least Squares (OLS), Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR), Semi-parametric Geographically Weighted Regression (SGWR), and Multiscale Geographically Weighted Regression (MGWR) models to assess the prices of existing housing. The research delves into the specific challenges in mass appraisal of real estate within Type II metropolitan cities. The study reveals spatial heterogeneity in the prices of existing housing in Zhangjiakou City and shows that the MGWR model excels in mass appraisal of housing prices in Type II metropolitan cities. This research offers strategic guidance for real estate market investment and transactions in Zhangjiakou City and provides valuable references for other Type II metropolitan cities in real estate appraisal practices, market analysis, and policy formulation

Evaluating complexity of construction precast component: empirical study in Taiwan

Companies in the construction precast industry usually face lack of skilled manpower, overtime working, and complexity of manpower allocation. The objective of this research is to identify the complexity of precast components using Swarm-Inspired Projection (SIP) algorithm. After conducting a comprehensive literature review regarding precast production, clustering, classification, cost management, manpower allocation, and optimization, expertise from field/head-quarter supervision leads the way to SIP algorithm that drives collected data converted to certain clusters. Data collection was carried out to gather over 90% precast construction data in Taiwan for the recent decade. A total of 1,015,840 datasets were collected and then 772,212 datasets were taken into computation SIP algorithm after data filtering. Evaluation and comparison of models reveal SIP’s remarkable efficiency, halving processing time while delivering superior results. The study identifies four complexity tiers linked to the manufacturing of building precast elements. Significant variations exist among these tiers, with workload increments of 18.22%, 11.71%, and 30.08% between Level 1 and 2, Level 2 and 3, and Level 3 and 4, respectively