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Many studies have shown that urban workers may have a higher acceptance rate of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine uptake compared to their rural counterparts. As Omicron spreads globally, the COVID-19 booster vaccination has been acknowledged as the primary strategy against this variant. In this study, we identify factors related to the willingness of workers in megacities to take the vaccine booster shots and their main reasons accounting for their booster willingness. This research survey was conducted in megacity H in eastern China, and a total of 1227 employees from different industries were interviewed. The study at hand examines the relationship between various characteristics (including both economic and non-economic factors) of urban employees and their intention/desire to accept the COVID-19 booster shoots. The survey results show that some characteristics, namely work organization, vaccine knowledge, and social network, affect their intention to take COVID-19 vaccine booster shots. Urban employees with a strong work organization, a high degree of vaccine knowledge, and a dense social capital are more likely to receive booster injections than other employees. Therefore, work organization, vaccine knowledge, and social networks provide fundamental entry points for designing enhanced injection strategies to increase the acceptance of COVID-19 vaccines among employees in megacities.

Findings of the study provide recommendations for assisted living facilities to improve the walkability of environments and to create environmental interventions to promote regular walking among their residents. This study also implies several directions for future research.

The silicon carbide (SiC) ceramics containing multilayer graphene derived from graphite exfoliation were successfully prepared by pressureless sintering, and the effect of graphene content on the sintering behaviours, microstructure, mechanical, tribological, electrical and thermal properties was investigated in detail. The bulk density, bending strength and hardness of the composite ceramics gradually decrease with the increase of graphene content, but the friction, conductance and thermal conductance properties are improved obviously. When the graphene content reaches 5 wt-%, the dry friction coefficient of 0.22, electrical conductivity of 2724.14 S−1 m−1 and thermal conductivity of 8.5 W (m−1 K−1) can be obtained, indicating good comprehensive mechanical, tribological, electrical and thermal properties. This multilayer graphene reinforced silicon carbide ceramic is a promising seal material instead of SiC seal materials containing graphite to be applied in nextgeneration mechanical seals.

Walking has multiple physical and psychological benefits for older people. This study explores corridor walking behaviors and perceptions of corridor walkability in assisted living residents. Focus groups were conducted with 50 residents in six assisted living facilities in Texas. The data were analyzed by the constant comparative method. The findings revealed three types of corridor walking: walking to destination, walking for exercise, and walking for interaction. Residents' perception of corridor walkability was related to the themes of safety, comfort/ convenience, and aesthetics. Qualities of design elements that residents used to judge corridor walkability included continuity and graspability of handrails, coverage of carpeted floor, availability of seating, appropriate size of the corridor (i.e., width and length) and the elevator, appropriate locations of activity spaces and restrooms, and presence of artwork, window views, and plants. The findings provide insights to environmental interventions that may promote walking among sedentary residents.

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Climate vulnerability is higher in coastal regions. Communities can largely reduce their hazard vulnerabilities and increase their social resilience through design and planning, which could put cities on a trajectory for long-term stability. However, the silos within the design and planning communities and the gap between research and practice have made it difficult to achieve the goal for a flood resilient environment. Therefore, this paper suggests an AI (Artificial Intelligence)-driven platform to facilitate the flood resilience design and planning. This platform, with the active engagement of local residents, experts, policy makers, and practitioners, will break the aforementioned silos and close the knowledge gaps, which ultimately increases public awareness, improves collaboration effectiveness, and achieves the best design and planning outcomes. We suggest a holistic and integrated approach, bringing multiple disciplines (architectural design, landscape architecture, urban planning, geography, and computer science), and examining the pressing resilient issues at the macro, meso, and micro scales.