Residential Agent Engagement with Energy Efficiency when Advertising in Melbourne

This research examined the extent of environmental engagement and attitudes of real estate agents when advertising energy-efficient houses for sale. Findings show agents list energy-efficient technologies when advertising, but market pressure ensures the focus remains on traditional house attributes thereby highlighting the need for more direct market interventions by government

Residential auction clearance rates – what do they really mean?

The residential market in Melbourne is often referred to as the &lsquo;auction capital of the world&rsquo; with approximately 30-35% of housing transfers undertaken via the auction process, most of which are conducted on the weekend and then reported in the media the following day. The most quoted measurement of auction success is via the clearance rate which simply indicates the proportion of signed contracts of sale within the auction process. At the same time the clearance rate can have a relatively large variance where the residential market can traditionally range from very good (i.e. a high clearance rate) to very poor (i.e. a low clearance rate). The subsequent effect on the market can directly increase or decrease demand, predominantly based only on this single measure of the perceived level of auction clearance rates only.This paper examines the concept of the auction clearance rates and the heavy reliance on the only one measure of success (i.e. the clearance rates), regardless of other variables. The emphasis is placed on the auction clearance rate as one measure of demand in the housing market but within the context of the definition of market value i.e. willing buyer-willing seller. This is supported by a discussion about other variables including the asking price, the auction process itself, marketing considerations and seasonal adjustments. The findings provide an insight into how to correctly interpret the auction clearance rate in the context of the overall supply-demand interactions. Whilst the auction process is clearly an integral part of the residential transfer process it is essential that the auction clearance rate is used with caution and also in conjunction with other variables.<br /

Risk homeostasis theory - A study of intrinsic compensation

Risk homeostasis theory (RHT) suggests that changes made to the intrinsic risk of environments are negated in one of three ways: behavioural adjustments within the environment, mode migration, and avoidance of the physical risk. To date, this three-way model of RHT has little empirical support, whilst research findings on RHT have at times been diametrically opposed. A reconciliation of apparently opposing findings might be possible by suggesting that extrinsic compensation fails to restore previously existing levels of actual risk in cases where behavioural adjustments within the environment are incapable of negating intrinsic risk changes. This paper reports a study in which behavioural adjustments within the physical risk-taking environment are capable of reconciling target with actual risk. The results provide positive support for RHT in the form of overcompensation for the intrinsic risk change on specific driver behaviours

Prognostic model to predict postoperative acute kidney injury in patients undergoing major gastrointestinal surgery based on a national prospective observational cohort study.

Background: Acute illness, existing co-morbidities and surgical stress response can all contribute to postoperative acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients undergoing major gastrointestinal surgery. The aim of this study was prospectively to develop a pragmatic prognostic model to stratify patients according to risk of developing AKI after major gastrointestinal surgery. Methods: This prospective multicentre cohort study included consecutive adults undergoing elective or emergency gastrointestinal resection, liver resection or stoma reversal in 2-week blocks over a continuous 3-month period. The primary outcome was the rate of AKI within 7 days of surgery. Bootstrap stability was used to select clinically plausible risk factors into the model. Internal model validation was carried out by bootstrap validation. Results: A total of 4544 patients were included across 173 centres in the UK and Ireland. The overall rate of AKI was 14·2 per cent (646 of 4544) and the 30-day mortality rate was 1·8 per cent (84 of 4544). Stage 1 AKI was significantly associated with 30-day mortality (unadjusted odds ratio 7·61, 95 per cent c.i. 4·49 to 12·90; P < 0·001), with increasing odds of death with each AKI stage. Six variables were selected for inclusion in the prognostic model: age, sex, ASA grade, preoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate, planned open surgery and preoperative use of either an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor or an angiotensin receptor blocker. Internal validation demonstrated good model discrimination (c-statistic 0·65). Discussion: Following major gastrointestinal surgery, AKI occurred in one in seven patients. This preoperative prognostic model identified patients at high risk of postoperative AKI. Validation in an independent data set is required to ensure generalizability

The contribution of X-linked coding variation to severe developmental disorders

Abstract: Over 130 X-linked genes have been robustly associated with developmental disorders, and X-linked causes have been hypothesised to underlie the higher developmental disorder rates in males. Here, we evaluate the burden of X-linked coding variation in 11,044 developmental disorder patients, and find a similar rate of X-linked causes in males and females (6.0% and 6.9%, respectively), indicating that such variants do not account for the 1.4-fold male bias. We develop an improved strategy to detect X-linked developmental disorders and identify 23 significant genes, all of which were previously known, consistent with our inference that the vast majority of the X-linked burden is in known developmental disorder-associated genes. Importantly, we estimate that, in male probands, only 13% of inherited rare missense variants in known developmental disorder-associated genes are likely to be pathogenic. Our results demonstrate that statistical analysis of large datasets can refine our understanding of modes of inheritance for individual X-linked disorders

Energy efficiency rating systems for housing : an Australian perspective

Purpose &ndash; The purpose of this paper is to examine current trends in energy efficiency ratings and consider their likely impact on the Australian housing market.Design/methodology/approach &ndash; The research is yet to be conducted; however a mixed method is proposed which is grounded on the theoretical model of consumer behaviour within housing markets. This model has been tested and demonstrated to be useful in predicting buyer behaviour.Findings &ndash; Established theories of buyer perception indicate the introduction of energy efficiency rating systems will have an effect on the level of house prices.Research limitations/implications &ndash; This research is focussed on housing in Australia but also has implications for other global housing markets which are addressing sustainability.Practical implications &ndash; Outputs of this research have implications for policy makers, real estate agents and valuers.Social implications &ndash; Increasing energy costs is likely to restructure the way housing markets operate with regard to sustainability and energy efficiency rating systems and also how they are understood.Originality/value &ndash; This research will be in the Australian context utilising international modeling. As mandatory energy efficiency ratings have not been introduced, this research will be original

Application of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) for Regional Development: Case Studies in Integrated Functional Approach

This paper evaluates the application of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) specifically as a part of regional development. Although ITS has been extensively studied in the context of city-wide developments, research on such developments for the regional enhancement is scarce. Importantly, transportation development for regional areas differs to that of traditional urban provinces. Whilst the transportation developments in urban areas need to concentrate on a range of diverse community requirements, for regional areas, such population are less diverse and more alike. Consequently, developed ITS in the regional areas needs to concentrate on more homogeneous communities and their needs. There are many factors influencing regional transportation developments, however functionality is one of the most critical aspects. Although functionality is an important aspect of all developments, it is considered to be the most crucial factor for regional areas. Fittingly, this paper will examine some of the most important transportation functionality issues for regional areas. To further explore this theme, the surrounding areas of Fukushima and Tokyo were studied to highlight their regional transportation requirements. These two case studies were then compared using factor analysis method. The comparison generally found that, due to its geographical location Fukushima aligned its regional functionalities more broadly. Further, this paper proposes a streamlined approach to analyze the successful application of transportation development in the Fukushima and Tokyo regional areas. To do so, an integrated functional approach was carefully undertaken. The proposed approach specifically focused on incorporating mobility and ITS as the key ingredients for the regional developments. It was found that, such integrated functional approach would therefore increase innovation and productivity as the result of successful application of ITS for regional development

Application of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) for Regional Development: Case Studies in Integrated Functional Approach

This paper evaluates the application of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) specifically as a part of regional development. Although ITS has been extensively studied in the context of city-wide developments, research on such developments for the regional enhancement is scarce. Importantly, transportation development for regional areas differs to that of traditional urban provinces. Whilst the transportation developments in urban areas need to concentrate on a range of diverse community requirements, for regional areas, such population are less diverse and more alike. Consequently, developed ITS in the regional areas needs to concentrate on more homogeneous communities and their needs. There are many factors influencing regional transportation developments, however functionality is one of the most critical aspects. Although functionality is an important aspect of all developments, it is considered to be the most crucial factor for regional areas. Fittingly, this paper will examine some of the most important transportation functionality issues for regional areas. To further explore this theme, the surrounding areas of Fukushima and Tokyo were studied to highlight their regional transportation requirements. These two case studies were then compared using factor analysis method. The comparison generally found that, due to its geographical location Fukushima aligned its regional functionalities more broadly. Further, this paper proposes a streamlined approach to analyze the successful application of transportation development in the Fukushima and Tokyo regional areas. To do so, an integrated functional approach was carefully undertaken. The proposed approach specifically focused on incorporating mobility and ITS as the key ingredients for the regional developments. It was found that, such integrated functional approach would therefore increase innovation and productivity as the result of successful application of ITS for regional development