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Abstract Background and aim Children growing up in vulnerable circumstances have a higher risk of caries experience. Tracking the development of caries in relation to socioeconomic variables over time is essential for fair resource distribution to groups with higher caries risk and to even out inequalities in oral health. The aim was therefore to analyse the association between 6-year-olds´ caries prevalence and socioeconomic variables at family and residential area levels in 2010 and 2019 as well as potential differences in the association between 2010 and 2019. Methods The study design is an epidemiological registry-based, repeated cross-sectional study based on caries data (grouped as 0, 1–3 and > 3 dmft) for the population of 6-year-olds in 2010 (n = 4,408, 95% coverage) and 2019 (n = 5,199, 94% coverage) in a Swedish region. Multiple socioeconomic variables for the children’s families and residential areas were retrieved from official registries. Multinomial logistic regression was performed at both levels to produce models for each level and studied year. Results The variables that explained most of the association between caries and socioeconomic variables were mainly the same over the years at both levels. At the family level, these were: maternal age when having their first child (explained most of the association in both years, at 30 and 35%, respectively); maternal age when having the child in the study group; parental employment; parental and child’s migration background; maternal educational level; form of housing; and financial assistance (only 2010). At the residential area level, these were: migration background (explained most of the association both years; 82 and 52%, respectively), educational level and number of persons per household. The association between socioeconomic variables and caries was consistently stronger for severe caries (dmft > 3) than moderate (dmft 1–3). Multiple socioeconomic risk variables meant an even greater likelihood of caries. Conclusion Over the studied years, variables related to socioeconomic vulnerability continued to be associated with caries in young children growing up under socially disadvantaged circumstances. Effective efforts for families living in socially vulnerable contexts are needed to achieve good and equal oral health, as is continued follow-up to evaluate whether the goal is reached.

Abstract Background Oral frailty is proposed as a new concept defined as an age-related gradual loss of oral functions accompanied by a decline in cognitive and physical functions in older adults. Additionally, the participants with ≥ 20 remaining teeth are associated with a lower risk of cognitive frailty in older adults. Herein, we aimed to examine the correlations between the high risk of oral frailty and oral conditions or health behavior in community-dwelling 80-year-old adults in Japan. Additionally, our secondary aim was to investigate the factors associated with ≥ 20 remaining teeth. Methods The present investigation was designed as a cross-sectional study using data from an adult dental health field study. This study included participants only aged 80 years in Japan. Oral frailty was evaluated using the Oral Frailty Index-8, and ≥ 4 points were defined as high risk. Oral examination was performed, and data on oral health behavior and frailty were also collected by using a self-administered questionnaire. The logistic regression analysis was conducted, with the objective variable being the risk of oral frailty groups or remaining teeth. Results Overall, 3,222 participants ( 1,911 female and 1,311 men) were included. Among the participants, 1,217 (37.8%) had a high risk of oral frailty. The risk of oral frailty was significantly affected by smoking status, number of remaining teeth, dental plaque, oral malodor, family dental clinic, oral concerns, osteoporosis, and shrinking body weight. Logistic regression analysis revealed that a high risk of oral frailty was significantly associated with

ABSTRACT Background Carnivore parvovirus is commonly detected in canines and felines and results in a range of symptoms, including diarrhoea, with a high lethality rate. In recent years, the gradual restoration of urban ecosystems coupled with a lack of natural predators means that wild raccoon dogs have gradually entered residential neighbourhoods in Shanghai, and the carnivore parvovirus carried by such canines may seriously affect their health and that of dogs and cats in these neighbourhoods. Objectives Therefore, it is essential to monitor wild raccoon dogs for carnivore parvovirus. Methods The wild raccoon samples were collected from the residential area of Shanghai and screened for parvovirus, followed by virus isolation and sequence comparison analysis. Results In this study, three strains of parvovirus, YSH1‐2022, YSH2‐2022 and GSW1‐2023, were isolated from anal and pharyngeal swab mixtures of 42 live raccoon dogs and two dead raccoon dogs in Shanghai, China. After alignment, it was found that the three strains of parvovirus were all located in the same branch as feline panleukopenia virus (FPV), and the three VP2 genes had 100% homology with FPV VP2 genes isolated from Shanghai and Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province. The homology of the three NS1 genes with FPV NS1 isolated from Shanghai and other places was 99.9%–100%. Conclusion This is the first report of FPV isolated from raccoon dogs. In this study, the host range and risk of infection of parvovirus were evaluated, providing data to support wildlife management and policy formulation in Shanghai.

With the aging of China’s population and the liberalization of the birth policy, the country’s social population structure has changed, and the public activity spaces of residential areas are expected to meet the new needs created by such change. According to the existing literature, the most common population group in the public activity spaces in China’s current residential areas consists of the elderly with young children. However, how to evaluate the suitability of these spaces from the perspective of sunshine and thermal environments remains unclear. To fill this research gap, this article takes Xi’an as a case to explore the construction of an evaluation index system for sunshine and thermal environment suitability in the public activity spaces of residential areas for the elderly with young children. Firstly, based on field research and literature review, four initial indices were established, including sunshine demand hours, ultraviolet intensity, the universal thermal climate index (UTCI), and the wet bulb globe temperature index (WBGT). Secondly, on the basis of field research and expert interviews, these indices were revised and finalized, mainly with regard to the sunshine and thermal environment suitability for the elderly with young children in the urban residential area, so as to make the indices more in line with the actual research problems. Thirdly, a scoring method for each of the finalized indexes was proposed, resulting in a comprehensive evaluation index system. Finally, the suitability and operability of the constructed index system were validated through practical application in a sample residential area. The results show that, based on some known indices, the evaluation index system of the sunshine and thermal environment suitability of public activity space for the elderly with young children can be established. Its application is potentially helpful in making the public activity space environment in existing residential areas in China more adaptable to the needs of the elderly with young children.

Objectives: This study investigated the residential, area-specific prevalence and associated factors of suicidal ideation among adolescents in South Korea, based on nationally representative data. Methods: A secondary analysis was performed using the database of the 17th Korean Youth Health Behavior Survey, which contained data from 54,848 adolescents. Results: Female adolescents (more influential in counties), low economic status (more influential in metropolitan cities), perceived stress (more influential in metropolitan cities), depression (more influential in counties), loneliness (more influential in counties), and anxiety (more influential in counties) were influencing factors in all areas, and the factors associated with suicidal ideation differed by residential area. The factors related to suicidal ideation were similar by residential area, but the degree of relevance differed from area to area; in particular, the prevalence of variables related to mental health (depression, loneliness, and anxiety) was high in counties. Alcohol drinking was significant only in small- and medium-sized cities in terms of suicidal ideation. Conclusion: Suicide prevention programs for adolescents should be implemented given the higher incidence of suicidal ideation among female adolescents, the greater influence of mental health-related variables in counties, and the influence of smoking in cities. There were differences in the prevalence and risk factors of suicidal ideation by residential areas.

The aim of this study is to provide a tool to assess sediment production in an urban area. The urban environment is affected by a variety of anthropogenic and natural factors that, in particular, lead to the sediment production. The storage of sediments in the urban landscape negatively affects the quality of the urban environment. The model was developed on the basis of landscape studies conducted in residential areas of six Russian cities. The model takes into account (1) the influence of precipitation, spring snowmelt, and vehicles, (2) the influence of erosion factors for two seasons: warm (t>5°C) and cold (t

In this study, a novel method of evaluating the impact of straddle monorail noise on residential areas considering both objective and subjective effects was developed, in view of the singleness of the existing evaluation method of the track noise impact on residential areas. Using a questionnaire, the quantified straddle monorail noise data for five typical apartment complexes with rail-side layouts were combined with data on the subjective feelings of residents regarding this noise. Then, a model for evaluating the impact of the straddle monorail noise on residential areas under subjective and objective conditions was constructed. Finally, by considering the impacts of straddle monorail noise in residential areas, prevention and control measures were proposed that targeted the acoustic source, sound propagation process, and receiving location. The proposed evaluation method, which considered the needs of residents, could be used to improve straddle monorail noise impact evaluation systems and provide a scientific reference for improving acoustic environments in residential areas along straddle monorail lines.

Local surface-depressed areas in an urban microrelief are geochemical traps for sediments deposited at the surface. These sediments accumulate pollutants over space and time. The aim of this study was to estimate the total amount of surface sediment in residential areas of small towns with different industrial specialisations. Snow-dirt sludge, snow, and surface sediment samples were collected in towns of the Sverdlovsk region, Russia: Alapaevsk, Kachkanar, Serov, and Verkhnyaya Pyshma. Snow and snow-dirt sludge were collected in the cold season, and surface sediment was collected in the warm season. This study was carried out in 2024. The solid matter of the samples was divided by sieving into particle size fractions: dust (2), but differed significantly in Kachkanar (10.8 kg/m2). The contribution of the dust fraction to the total amount of sediment was estimated to be 10–20% in the cities. The total amount of surface deposited sediments in the residential areas of the small towns was 1.6 × 107 t in Alapaevsk, 5.9 × 107 t in Kachkanar, 1.7 × 107 t in Serov, and 1.3 × 107 t in Verkhnyaya Pyshma. The values obtained for the total amount of surface sediments characterise the contemporary sedimentation processes in residential areas and the environmental quality of small towns.

The charging load of electric vehicles (EV) is one of the most rapidly increasing loads in current power distribution systems. It may cause distribution transformer/feeder overload without proper coordination or control, especially in residential area where household load and EV charging load are sharing transformer capacity. Existing smart meter-based orderly charging control (OCC) approaches commonly require costly but unreliable communication schemes to control EV charging behavior. In this work, a smart meter-based distributed controller is designed to establish a meter-to-EV communication interface with low cost and enhanced reliability, based on the state-of-the-art charging standard. An event-driven OCC algorithm is developed, and then, deployed in the data hub (concentrator) of the AMI with an easy-to-implement optimization formulation. The effectiveness of the proposed approach is validated using a numerical case study and a practical field test in Hangzhou, China. Both results indicate promising advantages of the proposed OCC approach in reducing the peak load of emerging EV charging demand by more than 30%.

This study first examines changes in the amount of residential area on a regional scale, which is said to shrink following population decline, using Japan as an example, where population decline is already underway in most of the country. Second, it examines how the regional governments have set future targets for residential areas and whether these targets are consistent with the current trend. Third, it examines how prefectures, Japan’s regional governments, are responding to this situation through regional land use planning. The methodologies of the paper are a combination of collecting and sorting out the related data, reviewing and extracting information from planning documents, and conducting interviews with persons in charge. In conclusion, residential areas have continued to increase on a regional scale, even as the population has declined. Shrinkage does not follow population decline on a regional scale. It was also found that the amount of residential area changed more closely with the change in households than with the population. National and regional land use plans generally set targets for more shrinkage than the actual trend. The underestimation of the amount of residential area was due to the rapid decline in the number of persons per household. Cases of the three prefectures showed that specific control is left to the individual acts, while the measures are indicated in the wording by the prefectural land use plans.

This article looks at the different meanings of the argument for “quality of life” used in support of an urban densification project in Geneva destined for a suburban area located at the gates of the city. It sheds light on the different values that underline this argument and stresses the dangers of using the term “quality of life” in the promotion of inclusive and sustainable cities to justify socially burdensome choices framed by both ecological and rationalist debates without taking into sufficient account the underlying social realities and concerns of the different parties involved. This article analyzes the controversies surrounding an urban densification project, showing how they refer to differentiated visions of “quality of life,” more or less socially and morally legitimized.

This article outlines research directions for the design of public spaces that encourage physical activity. The objective of research is to evaluate spatial and functional solutions of the selected spaces and to identify potential new forms of these spaces. The paper identifies the essential elements of well-functioning public spaces that promote health and well-being of local communities based on urban analysis and the Author’s own observations. The results of this study demonstrate the importance of location of facilities with diverse functions, scales, and levels of technological advancement, as well as the characteristics of the surrounding environment, in influencing and shaping the types of physical activity observed within these spaces. The results also highlight the complexity of issue addressed and indicate the need for further research into movement activity spaces.

Introduction. The problem of antagonistic contradiction between human life and the environment has been turning global along with the development of urbanization, breakthrough growth of the energy and technological potency of cities, leading to an increase in the consumption of natural resources and an impact on the biosphere. All over the world and in Russia, scientists are searching for environmentally friendly technologies for urban planning, housing and utilities sectors. However, the problem of analyzing and forecasting the state of ecosystems in residential areas and their influence on man and the environment remains unresolved and needs to be solved in many settlements.Materials and methods. The article analyzes the legal and regulatory documentation on design and construction, urban planning solutions for residential areas, architectural and structural solutions for apartment buildings, statistical and analytical reports on housing construction in Russia, presented on the Internet.Results. The proposed subjects for discussion include two concepts of the term “ecosystem”, results of the analysis of indicators of housing construction in Russia, indices of the quality of the urban environment in settlements, and a factor model used to assess the ecosystem of a residential area. A lifecycle model of a residential area, that represents a complex system, composed of capital construction facilities, linear facilities, landscaping and gardening, and waste management, is used as the basis for the generalization of well-known approaches, developed from the standpoint of the system analysis. Properties of interaction between facilities, on the one hand, facilities and the environment, on the other hand, are taken into account.Conclusions. Now residential housing is constructed faster, and urban areas, occupied by residential buildings, grow accordingly in the settlements of the Russian Federation willing to provide their population with high-quality housing. Mass construction of apartment buildings continues to be the main focus of the country’s urban development. Urban planning activities, aimed at the development and maintenance of residential areas, need all the more attention. It is important to use the biosphere approach, supported by the regulatory and technical framework of construction and operation of facilities and the urban planning environment, to solve the problem of nature conservation and human health maintenance.

The phenomenon of traffic congestion started in the second half of the twentieth century. This arose because of our society’s constant increase in demand for mobility. The excessive traffic of vehicles attempting to use the same infrastructure at the same time is what causes congestion. The consequences are well-known: delays, air pollution, reduced speed, and dissatisfaction (which may lead to risky maneuvers, reducing pedestrian and other driver safety). Our objective is to simulate the change in traffic patterns brought about by app users in residential areas (using navigational tools like Google Maps and Apple Maps), where the majority of navigational tools provide shortcuts that go through residential areas. In addition to discouraging navigation apps from directing drivers through residential areas during peak hours to mitigate pollution levels, by developing an algorithm based on the technology of Green Light Optimized Speed Advisory (GLOSA) and implementing it in a simulated environment (VISSIM), we can see the effect of changing the duration of red lights while keeping green lights constant. Overall, this solution can be implemented to change the times of traffic lights without the need for supplies, additional equipment, or warning signs because most cities’ traffic lights are already remotely controlled. In addition, this procedure is temporary to provide some freedom and does not adhere to the speed specified for drivers who wish to pass through residential areas outside of rush hour.

This study aimed at revealing the subjective thermal comfort intervention of landscape elements in the humid and subtropical residential area of China. Data based on physical measurements and questionnaire surveys were collected. A new empirical model was developed according to microclimatic and subjective criteria, which considers air temperature, solar radiation, and wind speed. According to the empirical model in summer, a decrease of 84 W/m2 in global radiation or an increase of 0.35 m/s in wind speed would have the same effects on thermal perception as a drop of 1 °C in air temperature. A similar analysis could be conducted with the winter model, a change of 20 W/m2 in global radiation or a change of 0.10 m/s in wind speed have the same effects as a change of 1 °C in air temperature. Furthermore, the thermal comfort intervention of tree, shrubs, reflective surface and pervious ground were quantitatively analyzed based on the empirical model. We proposed that large broad-leaved trees and pervious ground were more conducive to the improvement of thermal acceptability during different seasons. The results showed that in summer, the total acceptable area significantly increased by 38.5%, whereas it was slightly reduced by 8.4% in winter.

Background: Cambodia, as a developing country, is classified as a poor country; however, in recent years, rapid economic development has been seen in urban areas and the regional differences between the rich and the poor have been increasing. In addition, school meals have been adopted on a trial basis in rural areas, and efforts are being made to support growth and development in childhood. The purpose of this study was to examine whether differences in residential area and school meals availability have an effect on the body size and composition of schoolchildren.Methods: The subjects were 3,198 schoolchildren (1,638 boys and 1,560 girls) aged 6 to 11 years old and height, weight, and body composition measurements were taken as a cross-sectional study once a year during the period from 2017 to 2020. Differences among age and schools in residential areas were analyzed via two-way ANOVA (P

Introduction. Presently, the evaluation of underground railways in regional cities of Russia enjoys little attention in the research literature. We have assessed the relationship between passenger flows of underground railways in regional Russian cities and the number of residents within walking distance of the stations. This will allow understanding the potential development of underground railways and the future uses of existing networks towards a sustainable urban environment convenient for each resident.Materials and methods. The evaluation of the relationship was conducted retrospectively using the regression analysis method. The annual passenger flow of underground railways was chosen as a dependent variable, as it is less affected by random factors, compared to average daily variables. The living space of buildings within walking distance of underground railway stations was taken as an independent variable. Major social factors that may influence passenger flows were also taken into account.Results. For the period from the opening of the underground railway to the present day, the relationship between living spaces within walking distance of underground railway stations and passenger flows was identified for Ekaterinburg and Kazan. From 2005 to 2019, the relationship has been tracked for Novosibirsk with account taken of the effect of the benefit monetization reform and restrictive measures related to the COVID-19 pandemic. This dependence has not been identified for Samara and Nizhny Novgorod. The radii of walking distances from the stations, having the greatest impact on the passenger traffic, were identified for several cities.Conclusions. The residential function is not a universal factor determining passenger flows of underground railways in regional Russian cities. Social factors, affecting large segments of the population, such as monetization reforms, have a substantial effect. Further research is planned to evaluate other factors that influence passenger flows of underground railways in Samara and Nizhny Novgorod.

ObjectiveTo determine the seasonal fluctuation and population distribution of Aedes albopictus in Jiading District， and provide scientific evidence for the prevention and control of dengue fever and other Aedes-borne diseases.MethodsIn 2020， the mosq-ovitrap method and mosq-ovitrap index （MOI） were used to monitor and evaluate the density of Aedes albopictus in Jiading District. Spatial and temporal distribution of Aedes albopictus was determined. Chi-square test was used for statistical analysis.ResultsIn 2020， the annual average MOI was determined to be 4.10， which was under safety threshold. The seasonal fluctuations showed a unimodal distribution， which peaked in July. The fluctuation trend in urban area was similar to the overall trend， while that in the non-urban area showed a bimodal distribution with peaks in June and August. The density of Aedes albopictus at different monitoring sites varied widely，with the highest MOI （6.64） at Anting town and the lowest MOI （2.09） at Huating town. The distribution of Aedes albopictus in different habitats also varied widely； the highest density was observed in environments as waste collection stations and construction sites， with the highest MOI 33.33 in waste collection stations in peak season. The MOI value of Aedes albopictus in residential areas was significantly higher than that in non-residential areas （χ2 = 6.082， P = 0.014）.ConclusionAedes albopictus is quite common in Jiading District. In certain areas， Aedes density may exceed the safety threshold from May to September. More targeted mosquito control measures should be implemented in waste collection stations， construction sites and residential areas.

Fire accidents have become a common problem in human life and may lead to permanent injury or death. The fire fighter robot is developed with the aim to save lives of fire fighters who risk their lives, entering dangerous environments. This paper presents the development of the fire fighter robot, which is suitable to extinguish fire in closed areas and residential areas. The robot’s movement can be manually controlled using Flysky GT2 Controller from outside of the affected area. The robot is in the form of a robust and compact vehicle which allows it to move front, back, left and right in small areas with a steady speed. The robot has a 12V water pressure pump capable of shooting water up to 3 to 5 litres per minute which allows it to control large amounts of fire. The robot also provides live streaming and GPS location tracking services during the movement of the robot. This live recording can be viewed in PC or in the user's mobile phone.

Introduction and objective Bioaerosols exist in almost every environment and are known to be risk factors for a variety of diseases. Agricultural work involves high exposure to bioaerosols and its workplace concentrations affect the surrounding areas. The study evaluates bioaerosol concentrations in agricultural workplaces and residential areas according to farm type. Material and methods In 2013–2015, a total of 381 samples were collected for endotoxin and microbial testing from three farm types: open field, greenhouse, and livestock facilities. Endotoxins were measured using a 37-mm glass fire filter connected to an air pump calibrated to 2 LPM. Microorganisms were measured using a gelatin filter and impaction (single-stage Andersen sampler). Results The concentration of endotoxins and microorganisms at the livestock facilities was significantly higher than in the open fields and greenhouses (p

This study contributes to efforts towards creating livable communities, by identifying and proposing countermeasures for factors that are associated with residential area crashes. Three risky driving pre-crash actions: driving under the influence of alcohol or drug, aggressive driving, and speeding were considered. The study used residential area crash data from Alabama, USA and developed a latent class multinomial logit model to identify factors associated with the pre-crash actions. The results showed that male drivers had 0.44% and 2.09% higher chances to be at fault in driving under the influence of alcohol or drug and aggressive driving crashes, respectively, while female drivers were found to have a 1.82% higher likelihood to be at fault in speeding-related crashes but less likely to be at fault in aggressive driving or driving under the influence of alcohol or drug-related crashes in residential areas. Speeding and driving under the influence of were found to be the leading contributing factors in rural area residential crashes whereas aggressive driving was more pronounced in urban areas. These findings provide a basis for the implementation of appropriate crash countermeasures to reduce residential area crashes, as part of efforts geared towards promoting community safety and livability across the state.

Romanian cities are facing two opposing patterns of urban development that are common worldwide: a significant number of small cities are undergoing a process of shrinkage, while large cities are experiencing dense urban sprawl. This study examines the framework of the current legislation and urban codes that impact the growth of Romanian cities. The aim is to establish a critical analysis of the current urban codes of residential areas in Romania and to create a framework for an integrated neighbourhood tool of analysis for Romanian residential areas, using urban form as a starting point. This direction starts from the fact that international documents such as the “New Leipzig Charter” recommend a resilient and environmentally friendly approach to urban development, while current Romanian normative documents on resilience and sustainability focus mostly on buildings, ignoring a broader vision that includes the urban scale of the neighbourhood or city while considering the multidisciplinary requirement for understanding urban morphology and phenomena. Existing urban legislation in Romania is characterised by several deficiencies resulting from the fragmentation of outdated regulatory bodies in the field of urban planning. Furthermore, this study has demonstrated that urban indicators can serve as a versatile tool for the assessment and enhancement of residential areas in the country.

In recent periods, urban soils have been extensively studied. These studies contribute to better understanding of the soil cover diversity in the urban area, identification of changes and threats resulting from expansion of urbanization and industrialization. The aim of our study is to identify to define correctly some urban soils, such as “technogenic soils”, that are recently introduced in the soil classification and are constantly updated and completed. The studied sites are located in the urban areas from northeastern part of Romania. In our studies we made several soil profiles. The studied soils have been diagnosed according to the Romanian System of Soil Taxonomy and World Reference Base for Soil Resource. Characterization of soil profiles was done following the instructions from guidelines for soil and land descriptions. The urban soils are characterized by a strong spatial heterogeneity resulting from various input of exogenous materials and mixing of material from different soil horizons. Case studies conducted in several locations of urban areas showed that Ekranic and Linic Technosols keeps some undisturbed soil properties such as particle size, mineralogical composition and allows some plants roots to develop their roots. We believe that the results obtained during our investigations will facilitate easier identification in the field of urban soils such as Linic and Ekranic Technosols and the establishment of appropriate management.

In today’s highly regulated cities, a conspicuous pattern of marginal open space has emerged between buildings and streets. With rapid population growth, different activities are also emerging in the open spaces, particularly in the cities of developing countries. This study explores the informal use of the marginal open spaces along residential streets in Ile-Ife, Nigeria, to identify the physical planning implications. The data for this study were mainly collected through a questionnaire survey and open space measurements. Findings established that the major activities in the open space were necessary (earning income), socio-cultural and leisure pursuits. Land-use problem occurrence index (LPOI) showed that the significant challenges associated with the use of the space were an increase in travel time to destinations (LPOI = 4.33), open space littering (LPOI = 4.17), traffic and pedestrian congestion (LPOI = 4.17), and degradation of aesthetics (LPOI = 3.99). It is therefore concluded that the use of marginal open space has both positive and negative effects on the residential environments of the Nigerian city. The study adds to the body of knowledge in urban studies by empirically investigating the physical planning implications of the everyday use of marginal open space in a developing country.

Landscape elements in residential areas can effectively improve the outdoor thermal environment, with different outcomes depending on the climate conditions. This study explores how the ground surface and shading properties affect the outdoor thermal environment in a high-altitude plateau climate where few studies have been conducted. The measurements were conducted during summer and winter in a residential area in Lhasa, Tibet. Without natural shading such as trees, there is a positive correlation between Sky-view factor (SVF) and Physiological equivalent temperature (PET) during winter and a negative correlation during summer. When SVF exceeds 0.65 in summer, it may cause human discomfort. Compared to artificial shading such as a tensioned membrane, deciduous trees are superior at improving human comfort, as they can increase PET by 10.56 °C in winter and decrease it by 9.73 °C in summer. During summer, high-reflection water-permeable bricks can reduce the PET by 1.08 °C, and lawns can reduce the mean radiation temperature (Tmrt) by 1.65 °C; however, the lawns may produce a microclimate with a high air temperature. The results from this paper can be used as a reference for landscape planning and design in residential areas in high-altitude cold-climate regions.

ÖZ: Doğal afetlerin ve özelde depremlerin oluşturduğu tehlikelerin üstesinden gelme maksadıyla toplumsal bilinç ve algı düzeyinin belirlenmesi sosyolojik araştırma alanları içerisinde kendisine yer bulmaktadır. Alan yazınında afet algısı farkında olma terimiyle açıklanmaktadır. Sosyal algının inşa edilme sürecinde sosyolojik bakış açısı insanların fiziksel ve sosyal dünyayı anlamasına ve etkileşimde bulunmasına odaklanmaktadır. Deprem riskinin dünyada ve Türkiye'deki yansımaları değerlendirildiğinde yapılan analizlerin; depremin bir doğa olayının yarattığı riskin ötesinde, ülkelerin gerçekliğine bağlı olarak toplumsal bir risk özelliği taşıdığı ifade edilmiştir. Bu araştırma, 30.10.2020 tarihinde İzmir kentinde meydana gelen depremin toplumsal bilinç üzerine yansımalarını incelemektedir. Bu çerçevede metodolojik açıdan nitel araştırma veri toplama teknikleri arasında yer alan görüşme formu önceden hazırlanmış, soru formları sistematik bir biçimde görüşülenin deneyimlerinin elde edilmesini amaçlamıştır. Çalışmaya Bayraklı, Buca ve Bornova ilçelerinden 336 katılım sağlanmıştır. Devamında nicel araştırma yöntemleri arasında yer alan tarama araştırması kapsamında survey tekniğine dayalı tarama deseni sonrası tanımlayıcı veriler yapılandırılmış, görüşme formunda yer alan sorular düzenlenmiş ve veri madenciliği teknikleri arasında sınıflandırma yöntemi uygulanmıştır. Depreme dair depremzedelerin bilgi düzeyinin test edildiği araştırmada“mahalle bilgisi, eğitim durumu, hanede yaşayan birey sayısı, mülkiyetin sağlamlığı düşüncesi, yaş, mülkiyeti edinme nedeni, aylık toplam geliri, mahallede ne kadar yıl yaşandığı ve bina yaşı” değişkenlerinin önemi bulgulanmıştır. Bu açıdan risk teşkil eden ve deprem bölgesinde yer alan fiziki alanlarda ikamet eden bireylerden yerleşim yerinin risk düzeylerine göre imar düzenlemelerinin ivedilikle yerine getirilmesi ve depreme dair özellikle kadınların ev içerisinde daha uzun süre kalmalarından dolayı bilinç düzeylerinin artırılması gerektiği sonucuna varılmıştır. ABSTRACT: Determining the level of social awareness and perception in order to overcome the dangers caused by natural disasters, earthquakes in particular, finds a place in sociological research areas. In the literature, disaster perception is explained with the term awareness. In the process of building social perception, the sociological perspective focuses on people's understanding and interaction with the physical and social world. When the analysis performed the world and its impact on Turkey earthquake risk assessment; it has been stated that earthquakes carry a social risk characteristic depending on the reality of the countries, beyond the risk of a natural event. This research examines the reflections of the earthquake that occurred in the city of Izmir on 30.10.2020 on social awareness. In this framework, the interview form, which is one of the methodologically qualitative research data collection techniques, was prepared in advance. The questionnaires aimed to obtain the experiences of the interviewees in a systematic way. 336 participants from Bayraklı, Buca and Bornova districts were participated in the study. Afterwards, descriptive data were obtained by arranging the questions in the structured interview form, after the data collection process based on the survey technique within the scope of screen research, which is among the quantitative research methods and the classification method among data mining techniques was applied. In the study, the level of knowledge of earthquake was tested, the variables of "neighborhood knowledge, educational status, number of individuals living in the household, the idea of the soundness of the property, age, the reason for acquiring the property, the monthly total income, how many years lived in the neighborhood and the age of the building" were found to be important. In this respect, it has been concluded from the individuals residing in physical areas in the earthquake zone that the reconstruction arrangements should be carried out urgently according to the risk levels of the settlement and that the awareness level of the earthquake should be increased, especially since women stay in the house longer.

Heavy metals have become widespread urban pollutants, exposing vulnerable age groups such as children to potential risk. Specialists need feasible approaches that can routinely assist them in customizing options for sustainable and safer urban playgrounds. The aim of this research was to explore the practical relevance of the X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) method from the perspective of landscaping specialists, and the practical significance of screening for those heavy metals that currently present elevated levels across urban environments Europe-wide. Soil samples from six public children’s playgrounds of different typologies from Cluj-Napoca, Romania, were analyzed. The results indicated that this method was sensitive to identifying thresholds stipulated in legislation for the screened elements (V, Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, and Pb). Coupled with the calculation of pollution indexes, this method can serve as a quick orientation in landscaping options for urban playgrounds. The pollution load index (PLI) for the screened metals showed that three sites displayed baseline pollution with incipient deterioration in soil quality (PLI = 1.01–1.51). The highest contribution to the PLI among the screened elements, depending on the site, was due to Zn, Pb, As, and Mn. The average levels of the detected heavy metals were within admissible limits according to national legislation. Implementable protocols addressed to different categories of specialists could help to transition towards safer playgrounds and more research on accurate cost-effective procedures to overcome the limitations of existing approaches is currently needed.

This study investigated the concentrations of radon and some heavy metals in drinking water in Ota; an industrial hub of south-western Nigeria. RAD-7; an active electronic device produced by the Durridge Company in the USA was used for measurement of radon concentration and Atomic Absorption Spectrometer for heavy metals. Twenty (20) water samples were collected for this study. Radon concentration in the samples varied from 2.3 to 34.5 Bq L-1, with a mean of 7.7 Bq L-1. The committed annual effective doses due to the ingestion of radon varied from 0.017 to 0.252 mSv y-1 with a mean of 0.056 mSv y-1. It was observed that 15% of the samples have radon concentration above the 11.1 BqL-1; the action level recommended by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. The mean concentration of heavy metals in the water samples were 0.02, 0.014, 0.048, 0.010 and 0.003 mgL-1for Cd, Pb, Se, Cr and As, respectively. The concentrations of Pb, Se and As were higher than the WHO permissible limit. This study revealed high concentration of some heavy metals in water in the study areas which may have some delirious effects on the consumers.

Abstrak Tanaman buah sangat besar manfaatnya bagi manusia dan lingkungan hidup antara lain berperan untuk menjaga kawasan hijau di kawasan hunian, namun keberadaannya di pekarangan saat ini teracam karena meningkatnya alih fungsi lahan dari pekarangan menjadi lahan terbangun untuk tempat tinggal seiring dengan pertambahan jumlah manusia. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah menganalisis persebaran kerapatan penduduk, keanekaragaman tanaman buah, hubungan kerapatan penduduk dengan keanekaragaman tanaman buah, adaptasi masyarakat dalam melestarikan tanaman buah dan pekarangan dan menyusun usulan pelestarian tanaman buah dan pekarangan di Kecamatan Godean, Kabupaten Sleman. Metode yang digunakan adalah observasi dan memanfaatkan data sekunder dengan periode waktu penelitian selama sepuluh bulan. Hasil yang diperoleh adalah kerapatan penduduk di Kecamatan Godean semakin ke bagian timur (mendekati Kota Yogyakarta) memiliki angka semakin tinggi. Semakin rapat penduduk maka semakin rendah indeks keanekaragaman dan kemerataan, semakin tinggi indeks dominansi, semakin sedikit jumlah jenis tanaman buah yang ditemukan, dan semakin sedikit kawasan hijau di kawasan hunian. Lokasi dengan kerapatan penduduk semakin tinggi terjadi adaptasi pelestarian tanaman buah dan pekarangan yang mendukung konsep lanskap produktif. Usulan pelestarian tanaman buah dan pekarangan disusun dengan mempertahankan usaha pemerintah dan warga yang dirasa efektif, memperbaiki atau menghilangkan yang kurang efektif dan menyusun usulan baru dengan harapan agar tetap dapat menjaga lingkungan hidup dengan menjaga kawasan hijau di kawasan hunian berdasarkan permasalahan yang ditemukan di lapangan. Abstract Fruit plants are very beneficial for human and environment, including their role is protecting green areas in residential areas, but their presence in the yard today is threatened because the increasing conversion of land functions from yard to building for shelter along with the increase in the number of people. The purpose of this study is to analyze the distribution of population density, the relationship between population density and diversity of fruit plants, community adaptation to conserve fruit plants and yard, and to give the recommendation for fruit plants and yard conservation in Godean Sub-District, Sleman District. The methods used are observation and utilizing secondary data with a research period of ten months. The study found that the population density in eastern part of Godean District (approaching the City of Yogyakarta) had higher numbers. The higher population density is, the lower diversity and evenness index, the higher the dominance index, the fewer the number of fruit plants found, and the less green areas in residential areas. Locations with higher population densities are adapted to conserve the fruit plants and yard. These findings support the concept of productive landscapes. Recommendation for fruit plants and yard conservation was compiled by maintaining goverment and citizen efforts that are felt to be effective, repairing or eliminating ones that are less effective and making new recommendation with the hope that it can protect the environment by protecting green areas in residential areas based on problems found in the field.

Over the past decades, China has built a large number of superblocks and gated residential areas, which have contributed to increased congestion on urban road traffic. Although some studies have found a correlation between residential environments and travel convenience, there is little quantitative evidence to explain which factors influence the connectivity of road networks. This paper aims to clarify the indicators of built environments in Chinese residential areas that affect travel accessibility and their correlation proportions through a more quantitative method and to provide a basis for planning and design decisions. To this end, this study took 204 residential areas in the three districts of Nanjing, China as a sample and calculated 16 built-environment indicators. The path distance (D) and pedestrian route directness (PRD) from the center of these residential areas to the nearest urban intersection were measured by GIS as outcome variables. First, correlation analysis was used to screen for significant variables, and multiple linear regression models were used to examine the significant influencing factors of D and PRD. Then, a binary logistic regression analysis was performed to provide a model that could determine whether the built environment of the residential area met the requirements for convenient travel. The results revealed that the length of the long side, the area size, and the total road length of the residential area were significantly related to D, and the number of entrances and exits, the intersection density, and the X ratio were significantly related to PRD. The indicators that were positively correlated with D were the size, network complexity, and the boundary shape of the residential area according to the degree of correlation. Meanwhile, other indicators such as the density and connectivity of the residential road network were negatively correlated with D.

Sustainable urban drainage systems (SUDS) or eco-drainage system has been implemented in developed countries. The aims of the construction of the system are: to minimize surface runoff by capturing and temporarily retain it, to improve the quality of surface runoff, to infiltrate stormwater, to increase evapotranspiration, and to enhance landscape aesthetic value. Learning from the success of the implementation of SUDS in developed countries, the paper presents a model of eco-drainage system for residential area in Indonesia, which consists of rainwater harvesting system (RWHS) and retention ponds. A simulation of stormwater and surface runoff utilization is also presented. At 14,602.26 m2 bare land in Mojokerto Regency, East Java, which is transformed into residential area, the model of eco-drainage system could reduce surface runoff volume almost by 70%. It is recommended to adjust the dimension of rainwater storage tank and retention ponds in order to reduce more surface runoff volume.

Sustainable urban drainage systems (SUDS) or eco-drainage system has been implemented in developed countries. The aims of the construction of the system are: to minimize surface runoff by capturing and temporarily retain it, to improve the quality of surface runoff, to infiltrate stormwater, to increase evapotranspiration, and to enhance landscape aesthetic value. Learning from the success of the implementation of SUDS in developed countries, the paper presents a model of eco-drainage system for residential area in Indonesia, which consists of rainwater harvesting system (RWHS) and retention ponds. A simulation of stormwater and surface runoff utilization is also presented. At 14,602.26 m2 bare land in Mojokerto Regency, East Java, which is transformed into residential area, the model of eco-drainage system could reduce surface runoff volume almost by 70%. It is recommended to adjust the dimension of rainwater storage tank and retention ponds in order to reduce more surface runoff volume.

Identification of changes in the culture of society in the Kota Tua Ampenan Mataram (the Old Town of Ampenan) is expected to be able to influence the emergence of residential transformation so that destination branding strategies can be developed. This research combines the heritage engineering approach in guiding the destination branding strategy. Using data collection methods through field observations and interviews with community leaders, elders, and the community, findings showed that the heritage engineering approach resulted in a recommendation that the Kota Tua Ampenan could be developed into a specific residential area and become a city identity. Therefore, it is necessary to develop cultural changes in the local community, such as changes in mindset, perspective, community behavior, and agreements between communities. This is important to develop Kota Tua Ampenan as the flagship destination of Mataram, NTB.

In communities, outdoor activity space is utilized most often by older adults and children, and the soundscape is very important for its quality. For different community planning modes, such as gated and open communities, focus should be on different soundscape enhancement strategies for outdoor spaces. In this paper, typical samples of activity spaces in a gated community and in an open community were used. The comparison was conducted through soundscape evaluation including an analysis of the dominance of various sound sources, noise annoyance, and the perceptual dimensions of soundscape. The results showed that noise annoyance in the gated community was significantly lower than in the open community, although the noise level was of no significance between the two communities. The community planning mode moderated the relationships among the soundscape perception parameters between the gated and open communities. To reduce noise annoyance in the gated communities, each sound source should be considered; in open communities, traffic noise only should be considered. In a gated community, adding natural sounds to reduce noise annoyance may be a feasible intervention; in an open community, this is not necessary. Besides, there was no relationship between noise annoyance and Eventfulness in an open community, indicating that noise annoyance was insufficient to explain the complex sound environment of the community. China’s community planning will gradually shift from a gated community to an open community, making the soundscape of outdoor activity spaces likely to change dramatically in the future. The findings will help urban designers and managers to adopt targeted strategies to improve the soundscape and quality of life of community-dwelling older adults and children.

The rapid increase in population growth due to industrialization and urbanization has resulted in air quality deterioration in Pakistan. Consequently, a considerable increase has been seen in the types of sources of air pollutants. However, the air quality of the country has deteriorated in the absence of management capabilities against air quality. Evidence from numerous governmental organizations and international bodies has specified that the environment, health, and quality of life are at high risk due to air pollution. Although the government of Pakistan established the Pakistan Clean Air Program, along with continuous monitoring stations to manage the quality of ambient air, air quality values have not yet been achieved. The present investigations were made in the city of Faisalabad in selected locations. Sampling of a 24 h average was done for selected sites. The air quality parameters such as NO2, SO2, COx, O2, noise level, and suspended particulate matter (SPM) were measured at two locations, i.e., Khurrianwala and Liaqatabad in the Faisalabad District. The measured values of air quality parameters were compared with national environmental quality standards (NEQS). Air pollutants such as SPM, SO2, and noise levels were found to be significantly higher than the 24-h standards of NEQS, which poses harmful effects on the quality of air and health, whereas the O2 concentration was found to be lower than the normal values, and NO2 and COx values were normal. The SO2, CO2, noise level, SPM, and O2 values ranged from 418–652 and 423–661 µg/m3, 3.03–3.44 and 3.08–3.51 mg/m3, 68–73 and 69–75 dB, 555–667 and 581–682 µg/m3, and 19.5–20 and 19.5–20.3 % for summer and winter season, respectively, as compared to standard values (150 µg/m3, 10 mg/m3, 65 dB, 550 µg/m3 and 21%). After the complete analysis of the selected locations, it was concluded that the ambient air quality of this area is severely degraded due to industrial as well as other commercial activities. These significant variations in air quality parameters suggest that there is a need to check the air quality regularly to take appropriate measures for reducing ambient air pollutants, especially in industrial areas as well as commercial areas.

A comprehensive study on concentration, spatial distribution, pollution, ecological–health risk and source of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in dust of residential area in Xi’an, China were conducted to explore the environmental quality of residential area in urban district. The results show that the concentrations of V, Ni, and Mn in the dust were less than, while the contents of Cr, Zn, Pb, Cu, and Ba in the dust were obviously larger than, the soil background values of Shaanxi. The high–value area of PTEs primarily concentrated in densely populated areas, heavily trafficked areas and the surroundings of plants. Cr, Pb and Zn posed moderate enrichment and Pb possessed moderate ecological risk in the dust. The comprehensive pollution levels of PTEs in the dust were uncontaminated to moderately contaminated and their comprehensive ecological risk were moderate. The non–carcinogenic risks of the PTEs for adults and children were in the safe level and the carcinogenic risks of Ni and Cr were under the current acceptable value. Four major sources were discriminated on basis of the multivariate statistical analysis results and the content characteristics, enrichment degrees, and the spatial distribution features of the PTEs, viz. Mn, V, and Ni primarily came from natural source; Pb, Zn, and Cu mainly originated from traffic source; and Ba and Cr were respectively from construction source and coal–fired power plant source, which respectively contributed 22.8%, 28.3%, 47.3%, and 1.6% to the total content of PTEs determined in the dust.

Vilnius, capital of Lithuania, has the largest concentration of residents in the whole country. Along with the population growth, 544 386 people were living in Vilnius in 2016, the need for residential land also increases. During the last decade, there has been a noticeable sprawl of Vilnius urban area. One of the phenomena of this trend – conversion of collective gardens into residential zones. Collective gardens in Vilnius city have been converted into residential zones for more than a decade, however none of the collective gardens have been converted into typical neighborhood residential zone from legal or practical perspective. The problem is getting worse due to the increasing intensity of city’s sprawling and converting collective gardens into residential zones. Article in Lithuanian. Sodininkų bendrijų urbanizacija Vilniaus mieste – problematika darnaus vystymosi aspektais Santrauka Vilnius – Lietuvos sostinė, miestas, kuriame yra didžiausia gyventojų koncentracija visoje šalyje. Augant miestui ir didėjant gyventojų skaičiui, 2016 m. Vilniuje gyveno 544 386 žmonės, auga ir gyvenamųjų teritorijų poreikis. Paskutinį dešimtmetį pastebimas Vilniaus miesto „išsiliejimas“, t. y. intensyvus gyventojų koncentracijos miesto periferinėse dalyse, kuriose vyrauja privačių namų kvartalai, didėjimas. Vienas iš šios tendencijos reiškinių – sodininkų bendrijų virtimas gyvenamosiomis teritorijomis. Šis procesas Vilniaus mieste vyksta daugiau nei dešimtmetį, tačiau nė viena sodininkų bendrijos teritorija dar nėra iki galo performuota į gyvenamąjį kvartalą teisiniu ar praktiniu požiūriu, o didėjant Vilniaus miesto plėtrai didėja ir konversijos aktyvumas – problema gilėja. Reikšminiai žodžiai: sodininkų bendrija, mėgėjiško sodo teritorija, darnus vystymasis, plėtra, gyvenamasis kvartalas.

The COVID-19 pandemic caused lockdowns in many countries worldwide. Acousticians have made surveys to monitor how cities became quieter under the lockdown, mainly in central areas in cities. However, there have been few studies on the changes in the acoustic environment due to the pandemic in the usually quieter residential areas. It may be expected to be different from the effect in ‘originally noisy’ areas. Also, the effect could be different in Japan, because the ‘state of emergency’ declaration there was different to lockdowns elsewhere. Considering these circumstances, this article reports the results of noise monitoring and makes some observations on the acoustic environment in residential areas far from city centres, to provide an example of how the acoustic environment was affected by the state of emergency declaration due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan. The results showed that the reduction of noise levels was somewhat less than that reported in large cities. Also, comparing the results after the cancellation of the state of emergency, the noise level increased again. However, observations of noise sources imply that a possible change in human behaviour may have also affected the acoustic environment.

With the popularization of electric private cars and the increase of charging facilities in residential areas, disorderly charging will affect the power supply efficiency of their distribution transformers and the quality of electricity used by users in residential areas. In severe cases, it may even cause vibration of the power grid, causing serious three-phase imbalance problems such as single-phase burnout of transformers or insulation breakdown of household appliances. This paper analyzes the influencing factors of the unbalanced operation of each phase of the distribution transformer and the electrical load characteristics of typical residential areas. Based on the photovoltaic output of the station area, the charging and discharging capacity of the energy storage system, and the orderly charging plan of residential electric vehicles, a local orderly charging strategy for electric vehicles based on energy routers under the three-phase balance of the residential area is proposed. This strategy can realize the three-phase balance control of the distribution transformer. The effectiveness of the method is verified by a typical scenario example. The control method is changed to minimize the three-phase imbalance in residential areas and improve the low utilization rate of the distribution network and the comprehensive utilization efficiency of adjustable resources in residential areas.

Over time, urban developments with increased densities have led to a decrease in private open space with a lack of public open space. Residential open spaces are missing in housing legislations as they are estimated based on floor area ratio and building coverage ratio, whereas they cannot be used as an all-encompassing measurement tool. Moreover, it is important for designers to consider housing layout to ensure a pleasant environment for residents; eventually, a range of benefits and opportunities will be available in residential open spaces. Therefore, to achieve a better quality of space in residential areas, new indices in the evaluation of residential environments should be proposed. This research assumes that there are links between the attributes of housing layout, space openness, and quality of space in residential areas. This study intends to examine some of the effects of housing layouts on residential open space through a comparative analysis of residential areas in Tehran. The relation between building arrangements, possibility of windows, and spatial openness will be analyzed; subsequently, two new indices—wall perimeter index (WPI) and spatial openness index (SOI)—will be proposed and target districts will be studied to compare different residential areas according to the new indices.

The most challenging processes to be investigated further which are occurring in residential areas, suburbs in the largest Belarusian cities have been determined and systematized in the paper. The paper considers modern processes of transformation and development of residential areas on the studied territories; ongoing changes in the typology of dwellings and inhabitant composition of the suburban zones; problems pertaining to infrastructure development of suburban territories; preservation and improvement of recreational and ecological functions of the suburban zones in the largest cities. The paper presents a hypothesis on the possibility to modernize an urbanized region while using digital technologies and it also provides architectural and artistic characteristics of the residential environment. The main research methods are the following: field surveys; analysis of statistical data, project and regulatory documentation. So it has been revealed that it is necessary to carry out a detailed study of inhabitant composition in the settlements in order to determine their actual requirements in schools, kindergartens, and other facilities of public services. Development of town planning regulations taking into account actual typology of residential buildings and inhabitant composition is required for organization of suburban areas in the largest Belarusian cities. Current transformation processes of traditional settlement in the suburban zones of large cities are in need to have new requirements to their infrastructure development. It is necessary to improve a monitoring system and respond to population requirements and emerging problems. Nowadays there are conditions for formation of active population communities on the suburban territories. It is necessary to execute a coordinated development of all forms and types of suburban zones in the largest cities. The paper recommends to form, develop and preserve landscape and recreational areas in order to ensure an efficient recreational and ecological functions of the suburban zones.

This article proposes an intelligent charge scheduling strategy for electric vehicles (EVs) in residential areas based on real-time guide (RTG) tariffs which are set dynamically according to the load information. The architecture of the system realises the interconnection of information on vehicles and distribution networks. The authors first establish a mathematical model, the objective of which is to accomplish the charging task in an economical way within a given deadline. The authors then introduce dual theory for a distributed computing to the model. EVs obtain an optimised charging plan using the intelligent charge scheduling system, which ensures the safe operation of the distribution transformer. Finally, taking the load curve of a residential area as an example, the Monte–Carlo simulation method is utilised to calculate the charging needs of customers based on actual customer charging behaviour. The distribution transformer load curve and average charge per vehicle are simulated under both uncoordinated and coordinated charging conditions, and the simulation results indicate that the scheduling strategy can reduce the required charge and achieve a smoother load curve, and is suitable for vehicle online scheduling.

In the current paper, the analysis of heavy mineral concentrate (Schlich analysis) was used to study the particles of technogenic origin in the samples of urban surface-deposited sediments (USDS). The USDS samples were collected in the residential areas of 10 Russian cities located in different economic, climatic, and geological zones: Ufa, Perm, Tyumen, Chelyabinsk, Nizhny Tagil, Magnitogorsk, Nizhny Novgorod, Rostov-on-Don, Murmansk, and Ekaterinburg. The number of technogenic particles was determined in the coarse particle size fractions of 0.1–0.25 and 0.25–1 mm. The types of technogenic particle were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis. The amount of technogenic material differed from city to city; the fraction of technogenic particles in the samples varied in the range from 0.01 to 0.43 with an average value of 0.18. The technogenic particles in USDS samples were represented by lithoid and granulated slag, iron and silicate microspheres, fragments of brick, paint, glass, plaster, and other household waste. Various types of technogenic particle differed in morphological characteristics as well as in chemical composition. The novelty and significance of the study comprises the following: it has been shown that technogenic particles are contained in a significant part of the USDS; the quantitative indicators of the accumulation of technogenic particles in the urban landscape have been determined; the contributions of various types of particles to the total amount of technogenic material were estimated for the urban landscape; the trends in the transformation of typomorphic elemental associations in the urban sediments associated with the material of technogenic origin were demonstrated; and the alteration trends in the USDS microelemental content were revealed, taking into account the impurities in the composition of technogenic particles.

In this study, the spoken language elements used by the second stage primary education students in their written expressions were determined and classified in accordance with the spoken language elements stated in the related literature. The use of written language in a clear, understandable way and away from arbitrariness, which will not cause any communication problems, contributes to the improvement of the written skills. It is believed that the determination of the spoken language elements in the students’ written expressions and the elimination of the problems will be effective in the improvement of the written expression skills. The sample of the study comprises 201 students of the 5th and 8th grades from the secondary schools, two of which are located in the center of Kırşehir and three in the villages of the other provincial districts. The study reflects a descriptive situation analysis. Document review technique was used in the determination and analysis of the data. The data was evaluated separately as the 5th and 8th grades in accordance with classroom levels and as the city and village in accordance with the residential area. As a result of the study, it was seen that the elements of the spoken language were frequently used by the students in their written expressions and that these usages showed variety.

This communication compares the previously reported results of the acoustic environment, mainly noise levels at a fixed point, in a quiet residential area in Kobe, Japan, under the declaration of the COVID-19 state of emergency in May 2020 with the results of two follow-up studies in the same area: subsequent follow-up noise measurements in June and July–August 2020, and the present results of measurements in September–October 2020. The results of the comparison among the above three measurements suggest that noise levels were lower during September-October 2020 than during the declaration of the state of emergency in May 2020. In the period from May to October 2020, the noise level was significantly higher in July and August of the same year due to the sound of cicadas, which are common in this area. This suggests that it is difficult to set the target values of the acoustic environment planning by referring to the low noise level at lockdown or similar measures in areas with large seasonal variations in acoustic environment. Although many case studies are necessary to obtain appropriate target values, one case study is presented in this communication to illustrate an example and discuss its difficulty.

Road traffic is among the main sources of atmospheric pollution in cities. Maps of pollutants are based on geostatistical models using a digital model of the city along with traffic parameters allowing for ongoing analyses and prediction of the condition of the environment. The aim of the work was to determine the size of areas at risk of carbon monoxide pollution derived from road traffic along with determining the number of inhabitants exposed to excessive CO levels using geostatistical modeling on the example of the city of Bydgoszcz, a city in the northern part of Poland. The COPERT STREET LEVEL program was used to calculate CO emissions. Next, based on geostatistical modelling, a prediction map of CO pollution (kg/year) was generated, along with determining the level of CO concentration (mg/m3/year). The studies accounted for the variability of road sources as well as the spatial structure of the terrain. The results are presented for the city as well as divided into individual housing estates. The level of total carbon monoxide concentration for the city was 5.18 mg/m3/year, indicating good air quality. Detailed calculation analyses showed that the level of air pollution with CO varies in the individual housing estates, ranging from 0.08 to 35.70 mg/m3/year. Out of the 51 studied residential estates, the limit value was exceeded in 10, with 45% of the population at risk of poor air quality. The obtained results indicate that only detailed monitoring of the level of pollution can provide us with reliable information on air quality. The results also show in what way geostatistical tools can be used to map the spatial variability of air pollution in a city. The obtained spatial details can be used to improve estimated concentration based on interpolation between direct observation and prediction models.

Shared parking schemes are not commonly implemented in residential areas due to the uncertainty and conflicts associated with the benefits of such schemes for stakeholders, namely, parking suppliers, parking managers, and the public. To evaluate the economic and social impacts of shared parking in residential areas on its stakeholders, the risk and benefit factors were determined through influential analysis and a questionnaire. A risk–benefit model was established to quantify the risks and benefits for stakeholders. The social return on investment and sensitivity analysis were applied to estimate the economic feasibility of shared parking in residential areas. The methodology combined the use of qualitative, quantitative, and financial information gathered and analyzed to estimate the “value” of shared parking, including its risks, benefits, management pressure, and social benefit. The model was calibrated using the survey data collected from the city of Ningbo in China. The results showed that: (1) The net present value was negative, indicating that the benefits of shared parking were lower than the risks, and thus this scheme would not be economically feasible in residential areas. (2) The cost of purchasing new equipment and rebuilding parking lots had the greatest impact on the benefits of shared parking in residential areas, with a sensitivity coefficient of 4.396, followed by the income from shared parking charges (3.885), and the salary of parking managers (3.619). (3) If the income from parking charges and the salary of parking managers were more than 69,408.5 and 31,091.1 yuan per month, respectively, and the cost of improving parking infrastructure was less than 14,003.2 yuan per month, residential areas could obtain additional benefits due to the acceptance of a shared parking scheme. This study provides theoretical support for the reasonable determination of the costs, risks, and benefits associated with participating in a shared parking scheme in a residential area.

Most studies on light pollution are based on light intensity retrieved from nighttime light (NTL) remote sensing with less consideration of the population factors. Furthermore, the coarse spatial resolution of traditional NTL remote sensing data limits the refined applications in current smart city studies. In order to analyze the influence of light pollution on populated areas, this study proposes an index named population exposure to light pollution (PELP) and conducts a street-scale analysis to illustrate spatial variation of PELP among residential areas in cites. By taking Shenzhen city as a case, multi-source data were combined including high resolution NTL remote sensing data from the Luojia 1-01 satellite sensor, high-precision mobile big data for visualizing human activities and population distribution as well as point of interest (POI) data. Results show that the main influenced areas of light pollution are concentrated in the downtown and core areas of newly expanded areas with obvious deviation corrected like traditional serious light polluted regions (e.g., ports). In comparison, commercial–residential mixed areas and village-in-city show a high level of PELP. The proposed method better presents the extent of population exposure to light pollution at a fine-grid scale and the regional difference between different types of residential areas in a city.

Objectives The five-year survival rate of head and neck cancer (HNC) after radiotherapy (RT) varies widely from 35% to 89%. Many studies have addressed the effect of socioeconomic status and urban dwelling on the survival of HNC, but a limited number of studies have focused on the survival rate of HNC patients after RT. Materials and methods During the period of 2000–2013, 40,985 working age individuals (20 medium income group > low income group and northern > central > southern > eastern Taiwan. Patients with moderate income levels had a 36.9% higher risk of mortality as compared with patients with high income levels (hazard ratio (HR) = 1.369; p

Bullying constitutes major problems in the schools in Turkey as well it does all around the world. One of the complex reasons for bullying is considered to be living in rural or urban areas. For this study, data were collected from the Çankırı province as the rural area and the Ankara province as the urban area. The study was conducted with participants from regular high schools, between ages of 14 and 18. The study included 246 participants of which are 145 female and 101 male students. Participants were asked to complete the Demographic Information Form, The Bully/ Victim Questionnaire, The Self-esteem Scale, and The Parenting Style Inventory, in this order. The data obtained were then evaluated by comparative statistical analyses (t-test and ANOVA). The behavior of the bully or the victim did not significantly differ for rural and urban areas. However, four different parenting styles are demonstrated to have a significant effect on other variables. The limitations and implications of the study were discussed