New Working Practices: A Scientometric Review

Study on New Working Practices (NWPs), which is the subject of this review paper, has created a large body of literature. Studies in this research area are progressing quickly, and it is important to stay abreast of new trends and essential factors in the growth of mutual awareness. This study evaluates the global scientific output of New Working Practices (NWPs) research and explores their hotspots and frontiers from 1980 to 2018 (pre-COVID-19), using bibliometric methods. 850 relevant articles were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) and analysed. Scientometric method and Citespace VI were used to analyse the bibliometric data. Reference citation and cocitation networks were plotted, while keywords were used to analyse the research hotspots and trends. There is a significant increase in the number of annual publications with time. The United Kingdom (UK) ranked highest in the countries with most publications, and the leading author is Friedhelm Nachreiner based on publication counts. The most cited author/organisation is the UK Department of Health. Performance, work, and flexible working are the research hotspots, while flexible working arrangement represents the prominent research domain. The study offers valuable references for researchers, industry practitioners and policymakers

Effects of High-Voltage Overhead Power Lines (HVOPLs) on Residential Property Prices

Research findings on the effects of high-voltage overhead power lines on values of neighborhood properties remain inconclusive and inadequately explored. This study aims to investigate the effects of HVOPLs on market values and sale-prices of residential properties in the vicinity. The empirical results based on a hedonic price model show that HVOTLs impart a significant negative effect on nearby residential properties. Results show that affected properties are selling at a discount price compared to properties without the influence of HVOPLs. The market value of a residential unit located within physical distance of 300-meters of power-lines, and pylon, are on average, 34.2% and 18% lower than comparable properties, respectively. Furthermore, results suggest that it is the physical distance to HVOPL structures that accounts more for the value diminution compared to the visual impact of the structure. The results imply that the market value of properties adjacent to HVOPL corridors is reduced significantly. This discourages potential property buyers. The study contributes to the knowledge in two-ways: (i) it shows the greater impact of HVOPLs on property prices with a larger reduction in valuation than previous studies; and (ii) effects of the different visual impact of pylons compared with that of cables are clearly distinguished

Environmental certification schemes and property values: evidence from the Hong Kong prime commercial office market

A barrier to green-building development is the uncertainty and scepticism about the financial implications. This study aimed to investigate whether the green-certification schemes help buyers to recognize the benefits of green office buildings by their willingness to pay a premium for such buildings. The study used a hedonic-model based on a sample of 67 prime office buildings (including non-green comparables) certified by HKBEAM, BEAM-Plus and LEED in Hong Kong. The empirical findings suggest that green certification schemes add extra value to an office property. The rental value of office properties certified by HKBEAM, BEAM Plus and LEED is about 10.9% higher than for non-certified office buildings. More specifically, tenants/users are willing to pay a premium of 10.9% for green-certified office properties. The findings have practical implications in encouraging green building development in Hong Kong and elsewhere. The findings indicate that the higher rental income from green office buildings can cover the additional cost of obtaining green certification within a period of 22-months (22.32 months) in Hong Kong. The results provide references for various stakeholders (developers/investors/users) in establishing the business case for green-office buildings, because of the ability of the market to capitalize the environmental benefits of green office properties

Buyers’ property asset purchase decisions: an empirical study on the high-end residential property market in Hong Kong

Demand for luxury housing units from the upper and upper-middle income groups in Hong Kong has been increasing over the last few years. as the market cannot satisfy demand, some prospective buyers have turned their attention to “special” housing units. this research paper attempts to investigate buyers’ preferences for two types of “special” units, namely duplex units and adjoining flats. the study investigates the price premiums paid by the buyers, and examines the effects of these special units on property price. the study employs two hedonic price models: one measuring the buyers’ preference on duplex units and the other one measuring buyers’ preference on adjoining flats. The results show that buyers are willing to pay a larger premium for special residential units: HK$588/ft 2 more for a duplex unit and HK$934/ft 2 more for an adjoining property unit, respectively. furthermore, a relatively larger premium is found for adjoining flats compared to duplex units. This implies that a property unit, purchased as an adjoining flat can add more value to the property price (in terms of $s per sq. ft.) compared with being a duplex unit

Housing Consumption of the “Soon-to-Retire” in Hong Kong: A Cross-Sectional Regression Analysis

Availability and quality of housing have long been serious problems in Hong Kong over the years. It is now apparent that the rapidly increasing aging population (those over 65 years) seems to make the housing issue an even more serious one. As the demographic and social structures of the society continue to evolve, government’s housing policy should be reviewed and revised from time to time, accordingly, in order to satisfy the changing needs of the society. The main objective of this study is to explore the significant determinants of housing consumption of the ‘soon-to-retire’ group and suggest an explanation for their underlying dynamics. Based on a sample survey data, a cross-sectional regression model is employed to identify significant determinants that influence housing consumption of this group. Empirical results reveal that housing consumption of this group is influenced not only by market and demographic factors but also by the health status of the household. Heath status of the household, of this age group, is very important as this group is nearing their retirement. The empirical results further reveal that average household size and housing tenure as significant determinants of housing consumption of this study group. By introducing this new factor, we attempt to broaden our knowledge about the housing consumption of this less explored aspect of the housing market

Scientometric analysis of global scientific literature on aging in place

© 2021 The Authors. Published by MDPI. This is an open access article available under a Creative Commons licence. The published version can be accessed at the following link on the publisher’s website: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182312468The amount of literature reporting “aging-in-place” studies has increased sharply in recent decades. However, the studies have taken a global view of the range and scope of the research that has taken place. This study presents a bibliometric analysis of the current status of the aging in place research themes published as scientific articles between 1970 and 2021, using the Web of Science database. VOSviewer software was employed to map and visualize the 1331 items of bibliographic data retrieved. The findings reveal a continuous growing trend in the publication of aging in place research. Most productive institutions derive from the USA. The International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health is the most preferred Journal. The most popular research hotspots or areas include; older adults, aging, housing, dementia, long-term care, and technology, and their associations with the field of “aging in place” field were elucidated. This study offers several valuable insights to scholars, research institutions, and policymakers, enabling a better understanding of the developments in the aging in place research domain

Photocatalytic Nanolithography of Self-Assembled Monolayers and Proteins

Self-assembled monolayers of alkylthiolates on gold and alkylsilanes on silicon dioxide have been patterned photocatalytically on sub-100 nm length-scales using both apertured near-field and apertureless methods. Apertured lithography was carried out by means of an argon ion laser (364 nm) coupled to cantilever-type near-field probes with a thin film of titania deposited over the aperture. Apertureless lithography was carried out with a helium–cadmium laser (325 nm) to excite titanium-coated, contact-mode atomic force microscope (AFM) probes. This latter approach is readily implementable on any commercial AFM system. Photodegradation occurred in both cases through the localized photocatalytic degradation of the monolayer. For alkanethiols, degradation of one thiol exposed the bare substrate, enabling refunctionalization of the bare gold by a second, contrasting thiol. For alkylsilanes, degradation of the adsorbate molecule provided a facile means for protein patterning. Lines were written in a protein-resistant film formed by the adsorption of oligo(ethylene glycol)-functionalized trichlorosilanes on glass, leading to the formation of sub-100 nm adhesive, aldehyde-functionalized regions. These were derivatized with aminobutylnitrilotriacetic acid, and complexed with Ni2+, enabling the binding of histidine-labeled green fluorescent protein, which yielded bright fluorescence from 70-nm-wide lines that could be imaged clearly in a confocal microscope

Methodologies for “Wiring” Redox Proteins/Enzymes to Electrode Surfaces

The immobilization of redox proteins or enzymes onto conductive surfaces has application in the analysis of biological processes, the fabrication of biosensors, and in the development of green technologies and biochemical synthetic approaches. This review evaluates the methods through which redox proteins can be attached to electrode surfaces in a “wired” configuration, that is, one that facilitates direct electron transfer. The feasibility of simple electroactive adsorption onto a range of electrode surfaces is illustrated, with a highlight on the recent advances that have been achieved in biotechnological device construction using carbon materials and metal oxides. The covalent crosslinking strategies commonly used for the modification and biofunctionalization of electrode surfaces are also evaluated. Recent innovations in harnessing chemical biology methods for electrically wiring redox biology to surfaces are emphasized

Impact of service sector on office space construction and use: the case of Hong Kong

published_or_final_versionArchitectureDoctoralDoctor of Philosoph