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Climate change is a significant challenge in today’s world. The construction industry is one of the most energy-intensive and raw material-depleting sectors worldwide. Legal regulations, such as laws, building codes, and alternative governance, are effective ways to help mitigate climate change risks. Most of the research focuses on either one country’s policies in the construction industry towards climate change or one type of regulation across various countries. Therefore, the objective of this study is to explore and compare various kinds of regulations, namely policies and laws, green codes, and green building rating systems, in three countries: Egypt, the UAE, and the United States, representing different country profiles from different continents. Sources from credible journal papers, conference proceedings, and theses dissertations were used to explore the most recent practices in these countries. It was found that Egypt is the least effective country in enforcing actions towards the climate crisis. There is a gap between the UAE’s actions and the nationally determined contribution target. Federal setbacks hinders the widespread adoption of green practices in the United States. Therefore, the key to effective approaches to combating climate change is enforcing inclusive laws, including all sustainability pillars, and having inclusive nationwide emissions targets in all sectors.

Form-based design codes have emerged as a planning tool aimed at shaping the physical form of neighborhoods to reinforce local character and enhance sense of place (SoP). However, their effectiveness in delivering these outcomes remains underexplored. This study investigates the extent to which Buffalo’s Green Code—a form-based zoning ordinance—enhances SoP in residential environments, using Elmwood Village as a case study. A multi-scalar analytical framework assesses SoP at the building, street, and neighborhood levels. Empirical data were gathered through an online survey, while the neighborhood was systematically mapped into street segment blocks categorized by Green Code zoning. The study consolidates six Green Code classifications into three overarching categories: mixed-use, residential, and single-family. SoP satisfaction is analyzed through a two-step process: first, comparative assessments are conducted across the three zoning groups; second, k-means clustering is applied to spatially map satisfaction levels and evaluate SoP at different scales. Findings indicate that mixed-use areas are most closely associated with place identity, while residential and single-family zones (as defined by the Buffalo Green Code) yield higher satisfaction overall—though satisfaction varies significantly across spatial scales. These results suggest that while form-based codes can strengthen SoP, their impact is uneven, and more scale-sensitive zoning strategies may be needed to optimize their effectiveness in diverse urban contexts. This research overall offers an empirically grounded, multi-scalar assessment of zoning impacts on lived experience—addressing a notable gap in the planning literature regarding how form-based codes perform in established, rather than newly developed, neighborhoods.

Considering the climate crisis, global environmental awareness, and the pursuit of sustainable architecture, various methodologies and global standards have been developed to assess and reduce the environmental impact of construction projects. Green Building Codes (GBCs) and rating systems have been implemented worldwide to support green building practices based on the use of simulation models to evaluate energy consumption, such as the ENERGYui and others to rate buildings based on their simulated energy performance. Israel has also established green building standards, such as SI 5281, which provide practical tools for architects to promote the use of green building methods. However, several studies have cast doubt on the actual measured performance of certified buildings. This study evaluates the effectiveness of the Israeli green building certification process (SI 5281/SI 5282) through a comparison between simulation-based ratings with measured post-occupancy electricity consumption. Through four case studies, the research identifies discrepancies, explores their causes, and proposes refinements to certification assumptions and evaluation methods. The research is intended to enhance the effectiveness of assessment tools in architectural design and contribute to more precise and sustainable green building practices. This study identifies significant gaps between simulated and actual energy consumption in Israeli green buildings, highlighting that, within this framework, educational buildings tend to exceed predicted usage, while residential buildings often consume less, thereby exposing limitations in current simulation assumptions and standard evaluation criteria.

Buildings are a major contributor to global energy consumption and energy-related carbon dioxide emissions. In light of the climate crisis, changes in the way we design, construct and use buildings are needed to reduce their environmental impact. Green Building Codes (GBCs) and rating systems have been developed around the world as a basis for green building practices. However, several studies raised doubts about the actual performance of certified buildings. Moreover, they use a per unit area approach to assess the use of resources rather than per capita, penalizing small buildings or those with high occupancy, ignoring the concepts of equity and shared common effort which are central to sustainable design. In this paper we propose adjustments to GBCs to encourage new ways of designing and evaluating green buildings. We introduce the Occupancy Correction Factor (OCF) which prioritizes smaller and more densely occupied buildings reducing land use, total operational energy consumption and embodied energy. Results show changes in their energy ratings of one to three levels both up and down, compared to their original ratings. In addition, we propose the prioritization of high-efficiency Low-Energy and Nearly Zero-Energy buildings over Net Zero Energy buildings, encouraging innovative urban design to enhance solar access and electricity production potential on-site or nearby.

Multiple sustainability standards and rating systems have been developed to draw attention to constructing sustainable buildings. The Pearl Rating System (PRS) is a mandate for all new construction projects in Abu Dhabi. Hence, it is important to understand the main components, advantages, and limitations of the PRS. The feasibility and the practical relevance of the PRS are still being studied. This paper addresses this gap and critically evaluates the PRS against some of the well-established rating systems like LEED and BREEAM. The analysis suggests that the PRS considers the cultural aspect of sustainability, in addition to the environmental, societal, and economic aspects. It was also found that most rating systems, including the PRS, have a very superficial inclusion of life cycle assessment (LCA). The paper finally concludes with other observations and outlook for a more robust implementation of the PRS.

PurposeThe objectives of the study include the following: (1) to design and develop digital information products by using Quick Response (QR) codes (2) to make an awareness of QR codes in library users; (3) to study user preferences for black and green QR codes in the library services of management institutes and (4) to raise awareness of the product layer among the library profession.Design/methodology/approachThis study uses a participatory action research approach. The researcher implemented QR codes in the library, and participants scanned QR codes through their smartphones. All data analyses were performed using IBM SPSS and Microsoft Excel 2016.FindingsThe researcher found that both QR codes will be popular in the future; however, users will prefer to scan the green QR code multiple times due to the code's increased benefits and advantages (which have been discussed in this report).Research limitations/implicationsThis study implemented QR codes in MBA libraries affiliated with Savitribai Phule Pune University in the Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad areas.Originality/valueThe current study implemented a QR code in the library service with green and black colours. This study examined which QR code will be popular in the future owing to QR code's advanced features and specifications. This, in turn, will assist the library in designing such a collection and developing more QR codes that will be recommended to users. This will assist in the creation of good digital information products for smartphone users.

Intensiometric genetically encoded biosensors, based on allosteric modulation of the fluorescence of a single fluorescent protein, are powerful tools for enabling imaging of neural activities and other cellular biochemical events. The archetypical example of such biosensors is the GCaMP series of Ca 2+ biosensors, which have been steadily improved over the past two decades and are now indispensable tools for neuroscience. However, no other biosensors have reached levels of performance, or had revolutionary impacts within specific disciplines, comparable to that of the Ca 2+ biosensors. Of the many reasons why this has been the case, a critical one has been a general black-box view of biosensor structure and mechanism. With this Perspective, we aim to summarize what is known about biosensor structure and mechanisms and, based on this foundation, provide guidelines to accelerate the development of a broader range of biosensors with performance comparable to that of the GCaMP series. Using extensive knowledge about the structures and mechanisms of genetically encoded fluorescent biosensors, this Perspective provides guidelines to aid and accelerate the development of an increasingly broad range of high-performance imaging tools.

Neuromodulator release alters the function of target circuits in poorly known ways. An essential step to address this knowledge gap is to measure the dynamics of neuromodulatory signals while simultaneously manipulating the elements of the target circuit during behavior. Patriarchi et al. developed fluorescent protein–based dopamine indicators to visualize spatial and temporal release of dopamine directly with high fidelity and resolution. In the cortex, two-photon imaging with these indicators was used to map dopamine activity at cellular resolution. Science , this issue p. eaat4422 Genetically encoded indicators allow optical measurement of dopamine release in vivo at high spatiotemporal resolution. Neuromodulatory systems exert profound influences on brain function. Understanding how these systems modify the operating mode of target circuits requires spatiotemporally precise measurement of neuromodulator release. We developed dLight1, an intensity-based genetically encoded dopamine indicator, to enable optical recording of dopamine dynamics with high spatiotemporal resolution in behaving mice. We demonstrated the utility of dLight1 by imaging dopamine dynamics simultaneously with pharmacological manipulation, electrophysiological or optogenetic stimulation, and calcium imaging of local neuronal activity. dLight1 enabled chronic tracking of learning-induced changes in millisecond dopamine transients in mouse striatum. Further, we used dLight1 to image spatially distinct, functionally heterogeneous dopamine transients relevant to learning and motor control in mouse cortex. We also validated our sensor design platform for developing norepinephrine, serotonin, melatonin, and opioid neuropeptide indicators.

Genetically encoded dopamine sensors based on green fluorescent protein (GFP) enable high-resolution imaging of dopamine dynamics in behaving animals. However, these GFP-based variants cannot be readily combined with commonly used optical sensors and actuators, due to spectral overlap. We therefore engineered red-shifted variants of dopamine sensors called RdLight1, based on mApple. RdLight1 can be combined with GFP-based sensors with minimal interference and shows high photostability, permitting prolonged continuous imaging. We demonstrate the utility of RdLight1 for receptor-specific pharmacological analysis in cell culture, simultaneous assessment of dopamine release and cell-type-specific neuronal activity and simultaneous subsecond monitoring of multiple neurotransmitters in freely behaving rats. Dual-color photometry revealed that dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens evoked by reward-predictive cues is accompanied by a rapid suppression of glutamate release. By enabling multiplexed imaging of dopamine with other circuit components in vivo, RdLight1 opens avenues for understanding many aspects of dopamine biology. Red and yellow versions of the genetically encoded dopamine sensor dLight1 have been developed and allow multiplexed imaging of dopamine with neurotransmitter or cell-type-specific calcium combined with green sensors or actuators, as demonstrated ex vivo and in behaving rodents.