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The built environment is a major consumer of raw materials compared to other industries. In the context of finite natural resources and climate change, transitioning to a circular economy (CE) in this sector is imperative to preserve natural resources and to strive in achieving zero waste and pollution reduction. This study aims to explore the concepts and principles of CE as applied within the built environment discipline. Local case studies from five countries were collected and analysed to investigate how CE practically operates in different contexts. CE in the built environment primarily focuses on 3R strategies of “recycle, reuse, and reduce” while other R strategies, such as “repurpose, rethink, refuse, and regenerate”, typically receive less attention. A conceptual model illustrating CE principles and strategies implemented throughout a project life cycle was developed to demonstrate how various principles and strategies can be applied in different project phases using analysis from selected case studies. The study concludes with recommendations to implement multiple R strategies to create higher value rather than relying on lower-order R strategies. The study can assist policymakers, external and internal project stakeholders of the built environment to better understand CE and adopt a circular mindset in building and construction projects.

Purpose: It is still unclear how Asian universities incorporate the theory or practice of sustainable development (SD) in their research and education programmes. To address this gap, the purpose of this paper is to report on a study that has examined how universities in Asian countries handle and address matters related to SD. Design/methodology/approach: The study used a bibliometric analysis and an online survey-method. The online survey data were analysed through descriptive analysis and one-sample student’s t-test. Findings: The study indicates that there is considerable variation among the Asian countries regarding sustainability practices in higher education institutions (HEIs). The HEIs in far eastern countries, such as Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand are perceived to demonstrate more sustainability practices. Research limitations/implications: Even though a substantial number of participants participated in the survey, it did not cover all Asian countries. The online survey was carried out over a limited period of time, and not all HEIs in the field may have received information about the study. Practical implications: Asia is the largest continent facing a number of sustainability challenges. In this context, the contribution of HEIs is very important. The findings of the current study may serve as a baseline for Asian HEIs to take more initiatives towards SD goals, as HEIs are responsible for the education and training of hundreds of thousands of students who will be occupying key positions in industry, government or education in the coming years. Originality/value: The study contributes to the existing literature in two distinct ways. First, it was possible to develop a comprehensive instrument to measure sustainability practices in HEIs. Second, this study has filled the gap of the scarcity of studies regarding sustainability practices in HEIs in Asia.

Background: This paper presents a review of the literature and trends related to social values and sustainable development and describes a set of case studies from a variety of community-based projects which illustrate the advantages that social values bring about as part of efforts to promote sustainability. Three approaches were used to develop this study: a bibliometric analysis of the topic “social values and sustainable development”, an analysis of case studies that concretely present community projects addressing social values and sustainability, and the development of a framework linking up bibliometric clusters and the cases studies. Results: While the bibliometric analysis revealed clusters where social values are strongly connected with sustainable development, the case studies indicated the lack of a common terminology and understanding of the relation between social values, sustainable development, and community-based projects. Conclusions: The study concludes by suggesting a set of measures that could be deployed to better take social values into account when planning policies or making decisions related to community projects.

© 2020, Springer Nature B.V. Governance issues, here interpreted as the provisions of adequate policy frameworks characterized by reliability and accountability, coupled with resources to support their implementation, are known to be the basis for the implementation of sustainable development measures. This paper discusses the influence of governance in the ways sustainability is perceived and practiced in a higher education context. Apart from due considerations to the role of governance as the basis for regulation and institutional actions and management decisions, this paper reports on an empirical study undertaken in a sample of higher education institutions. This study entailed an analysis of sustainable development policies, certification, organizational structure, budget, reports, team for sustainability, staff training, and challenges for the integration of sustainability and governance. The results suggest that even though there are different opinions and attitudes on the role of governance, it is regarded as an important component in supporting efforts by higher education institutions to include considerations on sustainable development as part of their strategies.

Antioxidant therapy is thought to improve oocyte quality through the reduction of oxidative stress. Melatonin and coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) are known antioxidants. We aimed to investigate the clinical efficacy of exogenous melatonin supplementation with or without CoQ10 in improving oocyte quantity and quality. Fifty-three women undergoing cycles at Monash IVF were supplemented with melatonin 4mg daily, with 19 of those additionally supplemented with 150mg of CoQ10. Controls were matched at a 2:1 ratio to cases. Data were taken from an index (pretherapy) cycle and from a therapeutic (posttherapy) cycle for both cases and controls. Comparisons were made directly between cases and controls in the therapeutic cycle and by comparing the median differences of the change in outcomes from the index to therapeutic cycle. Primary outcomes included follicle, oocyte, and metaphase II oocytes (MII) counts. Results showed higher median absolute oocyte numbers (6.00 vs. 4.00, P = 0.049) in the case group. Cases and controls were significantly different when comparing median change between cycles in oocyte number (0.00 vs. -1.00, P = 0.028) and MII count (0.00 vs. -1.00, P = 0.034). However, this was the result of poorer outcomes in the control group rather than improvements in the case group, and it cannot be concluded that treatment improved oocyte quality.Copyright © the authors, publisher and licensee Libertas Academica Limited.

OBJECTIVE: Mechanical endometrial injury is proposed to induce and modulate expression of genes for factors required for improving implantation. Hysteroscopy also provides reassurance and opportunity for treatment of uterine pathology. However, with a lack of large sized RCTs, recommendation is based on meta-analysis, using non randomized or quasi randomized studies, which have used non-matched controls. We sought to identify whether a normal hysteroscopy in the cycle preceding transfer (fresh or frozen) would have a beneficial impact on the implantation and clinical pregnancy rate after matching for variables known to affect pregnancy rates. DESIGN: Case -controlled study. MATERIALSAND METHODS: Case controlled study of women undergoing hysteroscopy, during IVF treatment in the last 4 years in one clinician's practice. All patients with no abnormality detected at hysteroscopy followed by transfer in the next cycle (n= 87) were matched with controls in a 3:1 ratio(no=263). Matching included age, cycle and treatment number, stimulation protocol, IVF/ICSI and Fresh/Frozen embryos transferred, and day of transfer. Statistical analysis was performed with Fischer's exact test. RESULT(S):Mean age in the hysteroscopy and control group was comparable: 36.2 yrs. and 36.3 years respectively. The only biochemical positive pregnancy rate per transfer in the intervention group was 5.9, in controls 7.1 (p=NS), pregnancy rate per transfer 28.2 in the intervention group versus 20.9(p= NS, stratification of fresh versus frozen was non-significant (21.7:21.4; 35.9:20.2). A further comparison stratifying for age subgroups and cycle numbers did not show any benefits in the intervention group. CONCLUSION(S): Mechanical intervention with hysteroscopy did not show a statistical significance in terms of implantation or pregnancy when matched with controls for confounding variables .Although there was a probable trend of more pregnancies in the frozen transfers following hysteroscopy, this s