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This document is a letter to the editor of the Journal of Genetic Psychology discussing an interview with Professor Silvia Koller, a renowned researcher in developmental psychology. The interview emphasizes the importance of creativity and cultural context in research, particularly in Professor Koller's work with street children using the Bioecological Developmental Approach theory. The interview also highlights the significance of diverse perspectives, with Professor Koller emphasizing the role of Global South researchers. Topics such as sexual violence, gender identity, and the importance of family in education are discussed. The letter concludes with Professor Koller's advice for early-career researchers to prioritize foreign publications and challenge mainstream studies. The article titled "Psychology & Sexuality" explores the relationship between psychology and sexuality, discussing aspects such as sexual orientation, gender identity, and sexual behavior. The authors stress the importance of understanding and respecting diverse perspectives to promote inclusivity and well-being. This article provides valuable insights for library patrons researching psychology and sexuality topics. [Extracted from the article]

At a time of increasing concern for poor children, the study of Austrian press records during the late imperial period shows the intensity of street children's presence in Austrian and other European cities as well as particularly harsh aspects of child exploitation at an international level. It reveals the multiple ways in which street children in urban Austria as well as in other European countries were perceived: as victims in need of rescue; as a nuisance in everyday city life; as a threat to social and moral order; and as a threat to "civilized" Austria and Europe in general. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Street children are a global phenomenon affecting urban areas with varying degrees of severity. These vulnerable children face significant challenges, including the lack of basic rights, educational opportunities, and social integration. Substance use compounds their difficulties, often serving as a coping mechanism in their harsh environment. While existing research has predominantly focused on substance use among street children in Asia and Latin America, there is a notable gap in understanding within the African context, particularly in Nigeria. This study aims to address this gap by investigating substance usage patterns among street children in Nigeria. The objective is to inform the development of targeted interventions and policies to support street children better and address the underlying causes of substance use in their communities. METHODS: Accidental sampling was utilized to recruit 384 street children from nine Data Delineated Areas in three selected cities. Data collection involved the administration of interviewer-administered questionnaires, which gathered information on socioeconomic characteristics, substance knowledge, and usage among street children. The collected data underwent analysis using frequency counts, chi-square tests, and binomial logistic regression. FINDINGS: The study found that the predominant substances used by street children were alcohol (60%), nicotine (40%), and cannabis (35%). Although addiction evidence was limited, the prevalence of multiple drug and substance use was notable. The binomial logistic regression results indicated that certain demographic and situational factors were associated with a decreased likelihood of drug use among street children. Specifically, children aged 4 to 10 years (90%, P = 0.000), females (80%, P = 0.000), school attendees (70%, P = 0.000), those spending fewer than 8 hours on the street (60%, P = 0.000), those sleeping at home (70%, P = 0.000), and those from relatively stable families (60%, P = 0.0001) were less likely to engage in drug use. CONCLUSION: The study underscores the importance of adopting a holistic approach to address substance use among street children. By aligning urban and regional planning with general recommendations, policymakers can address the interconnected social, economic, physical planning, and educational factors contributing to substance use. Through targeted interventions and policies, stakeholders can provide effective support to street children and mitigate substance use within their communities, ultimately improving their well-being and prospects for the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scabies is a neglected tropical disease (NTD) with high prevalence rate in resource-limited settings. Though street children are susceptible because of lack of sanitation and contact with vectors, few attempts have been made to identify the lived experience of street children with scabies in the global south. This study explored perceived susceptibility to scabies and related lived experiences of street children in Addis Ababa. Using in-depth interviews, we collected qualitative data from selected children of the street to identify their understanding of the causes of scabies, their experiences of managing the condition, and their health-seeking behavior. Informants were recruited to include maximum variation in terms of age, sex, and experience of infestation. The study showed that scabies was common among street children and that the infestation has physical, psychological and social impacts. Study participants believed that scabies had its origin in their living conditions (including poor environmental sanitation and lack of personal hygiene), with lice playing a significant role as vectors of transmission. The informants reported visiting modern healthcare facilities, traditional healers and self-care in response to infestation. By uncovering the embodied experience of a stigmatized skin NTD in a neglected community in the global south, this study contributes to combating neglect and addressing health disparities. Having identified living conditions as the major factor contributing to susceptibility, efforts need to be exerted to change street children's living situations and other structural conditions through reunification with their families or other communities, reintegration and other exit strategies. Author summary: Evidence indicates that children living in difficult situations are at high risk of scabies infestation. Street children are one of these groups with higher susceptibility to scabies due to their living conditions. Living as a street child in resource-limited areas substantially increases vulnerability to the condition because of lack of access to healthcare services and other resources to maintain personal hygiene. This study employed a qualitative approach to understand the susceptibility of street children in Addis Ababa to scabies and their health seeking behavior. The study revealed that scabies is very common among children of the street in the area. The participants associated susceptibility to their living conditions that include sleeping arrangements, sharing of clothes and other materials. They also reported the use of both traditional and modern medicine to treat scabies. The physical, psychological, and social consequences of scabies infestation have also been identified. Although most believe that scabies relates to poor hygiene practices and attempts to prevent the condition have been reported, lack of resources posed significant challenges. We recommend sustainable reunification and reintegration of the street children to help reduce the burden of scabies among street children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article titled "Accepting the gift of the storyteller, and its lessons for life" by Kitrina Douglas explores the power of storytelling and its impact on personal growth and understanding. The author reflects on their experience of being moved by words and stories, and how storytelling can evoke emotions and memories. The article also discusses the author's teaching experience and their efforts to introduce qualitative research and storytelling to students. Overall, the article emphasizes the importance of connecting with people through stories and the value of incorporating storytelling in research and life. [Extracted from the article]

Background and Objectives: While much attention has been given to understanding how different social groups have experienced the COVID-19 pandemic, few studies have focused on working children. Therefore, more information is needed about the challenges faced by this vulnerable group. This research aimed to explore the experiences of street-working children during this global health crisis and understand how their way of life, working conditions, and social relationships might have changed. Materials and Methods: This study employed a qualitative research methodology. Data were collected through observation and semi-structured interviews with 12 street-working children in Tehran, Iran, until reaching thematic saturation. The children had all lived and worked through the COVID-19 pandemic and were selected using purposive sampling. The data were analyzed using the thematic analysis. The reliability of the identified themes was corroborated by using the audit technique and analytical comparisons. Results: A total of 114 concepts, 16 subcategories and five main categories, including violation of home quarantine, multiple transformations, disruption of economic order, augmentation, and compounded violence experiences, emerged. On this basis, apart from the rise in the number of working children, unemployment and poverty confined these children to the streets so that they had to endure health risks, disruptions in the market, and multiple changes in their jobs, besides experiencing various forms of violence in their familial, interpersonal, and social interactions. Conclusion: Since the rise in the number of working children and the additional challenges in their living situations cannot be seen as inevitable outcomes of pandemics, state authorities at all levels and non-state players like NGOs need to ensure the necessary social, economic, and livelihood support for street-working children and other underprivileged families with children under 18 during any future pandemics or health crises. This would effectively help to avoid the social harms that come with child labor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drawing on Bourdieu's theory of social fields, this article sought to answer two research questions: (a) what challenges do street children encounter on the streets? and (b) what survival strategies do these street children adopt to cope with street life? Thirty street children constituted the study's sample size. Data were gathered through in‐depth interviews and focus group discussions and were thematically analysed. It was found that street children encountered challenges including abuse, inadequate access to basic needs, stigmatization, and theft. This study also found that some street children resorted to their peer networks and intimate partners for protection, as well as for financial and material support. Additionally, some street children engaged in menial working jobs and in some cases, stealing and prostitution to fend for themselves. While these survival tactics were noted to be crucial in the lives of street children, this article recommends for the intensified implementation of state and non‐state interventions to help alter the unwholesome living conditions of these vulnerable children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines Charles Baudelaire's poem "The Swan" and its portrayal of the urban river, specifically the Seine in Paris, as a symbol of exile and an eerie environment. The poem reflects the effects of industrialization and urbanization on the river, which had become polluted and forgotten. It presents a hazy image of a natural landscape beneath the surface of the city, evoking feelings of nostalgia and alienation. The article also discusses the influence of romantic depictions of the urban river in French poetry, particularly the work of Victor Hugo. [Extracted from the article]

One of the most important steps to improve the quality of life of street-connected children is to gain experiences and assess their needs, with the children themselves being the best source for this information. Therefore, this research aims to identify the experiences and needs of street children using their own insights. The research methodology employed in this study was qualitative, utilizing thematic analysis and semi-in-depth interviews. Maximum variation purposive sampling was employed to capture a range of experiences among street-connected children. Following data collection and analysis, four main themes emerged: 'The street as an entry into a new world', 'The street as a place for experience and love', 'The street as a place for survival', and 'The street as a place for pain and suffering'. This study uncovers the complex realities of street-connected children, revealing the factors driving them onto the streets and challenging misconceptions. Despite facing profound challenges, these children demonstrate resilience and aspirations for a better future. The study underscores the importance of supportive environments, education, healthcare, and inclusive policymaking to address the systemic factors perpetuating their vulnerability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article highlights the early history of Brisbane's first theatre, Mason's Music Hall, and the challenges it faced. It also discusses the struggles of early Brisbane theatre to remain profitable and the factors that contributed to its failure. The article then shifts focus to Frogs Hollow, a neighborhood in Brisbane's central business district, and presents microhistories of three individuals to challenge stereotypes and provide a more nuanced understanding of urban environments. [Extracted from the article]

Street children who are forced onto the streets due to oppressive experiences use a variety of strategies, including nicknaming, to cope with street adversities. Previous studies have not adequately considered street children's nicknames as resilience enablers. This study fills this gap by unpacking identity frames in street children's nicknames as resilience enablers in southwestern Nigeria. Using the unstructured interview method, 65 nicknames of street children in the six southwestern states of Nigeria were sampled and subjected to discourse analysis with insights from social identity theory and the concept of frames. Findings reveal that the sampled names manifest Yorùbá and English with five syntactic patterns. Yorùbá nicknames are characterised by animal metaphors, food/body-parts/virtue-related terms, while the English forms indicate force, weather, and political-related terms, with meanings oriented to street culture. The nicknames configure the identity frames associated with ingroup norms and attributes of self-enhancement. Given the complexity of street life, the children adopt nicknames for discursive functions such as evasive mechanisms, reinforcement of an ingroup affiliation, group management, and bestowal of preferences. This study concludes that full-time street children in southwestern Nigeria use nicknames as adaptations to street culture, routine communication, and psychological strength boosters to withstand the adversities of street culture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Street children are a global phenomenon affecting urban areas with varying degrees of severity. These vulnerable children face significant challenges, including the lack of basic rights, educational opportunities, and social integration. Substance use compounds their difficulties, often serving as a coping mechanism in their harsh environment. While existing research has predominantly focused on substance use among street children in Asia and Latin America, there is a notable gap in understanding within the African context, particularly in Nigeria. This study aims to address this gap by investigating substance usage patterns among street children in Nigeria. The objective is to inform the development of targeted interventions and policies to support street children better and address the underlying causes of substance use in their communities.METHODS: Accidental sampling was utilized to recruit 384 street children from nine Data Delineated Areas in three selected cities. Data collection involved the administration of interviewer-administered questionnaires, which gathered information on socio-economic characteristics, substance knowledge, and usage among street children. The collected data underwent analysis using frequency counts, chi-square tests, and binomial logistic regression.FINDINGS: The study found that the predominant substances used by street children were alcohol (60%), nicotine (40%), and cannabis (35%). Although addiction evidence was limited, the prevalence of multiple drug and substance use was notable. The binomial logistic regression results indicated that certain demographic and situational factors were associated with a decreased likelihood of drug use among street children. Specifically, children aged 4 to 10 years (90%, P = 0.000), females (80%, P = 0.000), school attendees (70%, P = 0.000), those spending fewer than 8 hours on the street (60%, P = 0.000), those sleeping at home (70%, P = 0.000), and those from relatively stable families (60%, P = 0.0001) were less likely to engage in drug use.CONCLUSION: The study underscores the importance of adopting a holistic approach to address substance use among street children. By aligning urban and regional planning with general recommendations, policymakers can address the interconnected social, economic, physical planning, and educational factors contributing to substance use. Through targeted interventions and policies, stakeholders can provide effective support to street children and mitigate substance use within their communities, ultimately improving their well-being and prospects for the future.

Individuals with poor mental health often find themselves vulnerable to a myriad of factors such as poverty, social disadvantage, lower level of education, abuse, and personal vulnerability. For these reasons, they struggle to secure stable housing, which leads to a cycle of persistent poverty. In this background, we present a series of three adolescents who succumbed to homelessness due to their mental illnesses and subsequent social situations. The three adolescent girls were rescued by child welfare committees with the help of police and brought to the hospital. The challenges faced by the treating team included a lack of caregivers, difficulty in ruling out any sexual abuse, dealing with different jurisdictions, financial limitations of parents to travel long distances, COVID restrictions across states, and mental illness of patient impairing capacity. This also delayed their rehabilitation and prolonged hospital stay. We can conclude that clinicians should focus on stopping the vicious cycle at the earliest so that the long‐term consequences of mental illness, as well as homelessness, can be avoided. The current imperative is to establish a secure setting for children while also facilitating early detection and intervention for mental health issues, with a particular focus on homeless children.

Although a significant focal point of research has been dedicated to the role of sport in the lives of youth, few articles have explored sporting experiences among incarcerated youth. Often overlooked, this population is highly disenfranchised and overrepresented by youth of color. Nonetheless, emerging research has proposed sport as an important developmental tool in the rehabilitation of juvenile offenders. Informed by critical race theory, the current study included semistructured interviews with nine incarcerated Black males, exploring the meaning of sport in their lives. Results included themes around family induction into sport, sport versus street life, sport teaching life skills, and sport as a distraction. Findings offer insight into how youth of color in the juvenile justice system conceptualize the role of sport and consequently, how sport may be harnessed for positive youth outcomes in correctional settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Involvement of children in street trading is inimical, contrary to the Rights of the Child, and threatens holistic child development. Objective: To describe the sociodemographic characteristics of child street vendors in Nnewi. Method: A cross-sectional questionnaire survey of children selling wares on the streets of Nnewi, southeast Nigeria. Results: 147 children (90 boys and 57 girls) aged 8 – 19 years were interviewed: 57 (38.8%) lived with their parents, 63 (42.9%) with relations and friends, while 27 (18.3%) lived alone. Also, 27 (18.4%) were Anambra state indigenes, others hailing from surrounding states. The parents of all the subjects were of low socioeconomic status. Trading was taking place during school hours for financial gains of the family. As many as 42.9% of the subjects had completed primary education: 89 (60.5%) had completely dropped out of school for varying periods. Nine girls (6.1%) had been sexually abused and 46 children (32.7%) had at sometime lost their earnings to robbers. Majority (79.6%) aspired to higher education if given the opportunity. Conclusion: Many parents in the low socioeconomic groups still keep their children out of school to work and help boost the family income. It is recommended that legislation be made against children trading during school hours.

Afghan refugees child labourers face many challenges as they are labelled as refugees. In an attempt to explore these challenges, the present study was conducted in Tehran with a qualitative approach. The present qualitative research was conducted using a conventional content analysis approach with 25 Afghan child labourers in 2022 in Tehran. Child labourers were selected through purposive and snowball sampling and interviewed in a semi-in-depth interview. The data were analysed based on Granheim and Lundman's criteria, as well as those of Guba and Lincoln, to further enrich the findings. A total of 3 categories, 13 sub-categories, and 183 initial codes were extracted from the data analysis, including: "psychological challenges" (history of harassment and abuse, negative effects, high-risk behaviours, and family detachment); "health challenges" (physical problems, inappropriate accommodation, medical/therapeutic problems, and health threats); and "social challenges" (neglected childhood, dual identity, educational limitations, inadequate social support, social isolation, and social humiliation). At the individual level, it is possible to meet the child labourers' health needs and make them aware of the hazards of working in the streets through physical examination at certain intervals and holding training workshops on harassment prevention, anger control, prevention of high-risk behaviours, prevention of infectious diseases such as hepatitis, and strengthening self-confidence to improve health. Also, the Afghan child labourers' work could be intervened at the social and familial level by providing accommodation in more suitable neighbourhoods, providing health insurance for child labourers, creating the chances of studying in schools, preventing dropouts, and strengthening social relations in order to improve children's health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban street trees offer cities critical environmental and social benefits. In New York City (NYC), a decadal census of every street tree is conducted to help understand and manage the urban forest. However, it has previously been impossible to analyze growth of an individual tree because of uncertainty in tree location. This study overcomes this limitation using a three-step alignment process for identifying individual trees with ZIP Codes, address, and species instead of map coordinates. We estimated individual growth rates for 126,362 street trees (59 species and 19% of 2015 trees) using the difference between diameter at breast height (DBH) from the 2005 and 2015 tree censuses. The tree identification method was verified by locating and measuring the DBH of select trees and measuring a set of trees annually for over 5 years. We examined determinants of tree growth rates and explored their spatial distribution. In our newly created NYC tree growth database, fourteen species have over 1000 unique trees. The three most abundant tree species vary in growth rates; London Planetree (n = 32,056, 0.163 in/yr) grew the slowest compared to Honeylocust (n = 15,967, 0.356 in/yr), and Callery Pear (n = 15,902, 0.334 in/yr). Overall, Silver Linden was the fastest growing species (n = 1,149, 0.510 in/yr). Ordinary least squares regression that incorporated biological factors including size and the local urban form indicated that species was the major factor controlling growth rates, and tree stewardship had only a small effect. Furthermore, tree measurements by volunteer community scientists were as accurate as those made by NYC staff. Examining city wide patterns of tree growth indicates that areas with a higher Social Vulnerability Index have higher than expected growth rates. Continued efforts in street tree planting should utilize known growth rates while incorporating community voices to better provide long-term ecosystem services across NYC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The characteristics of street children are a subject of contention among researchers. While some researchers affirm that the backgrounds of street children, despite some differences, are remarkably similar, others opine that the characteristics of children are diverse, changing by location, context and over time. Consequently, emerging research attention has shifted to focusing on and developing a deeper understanding of their predicaments and daily experiences on the street. To have a nuanced account of street children in Nigerian cities, the study recruited 788 from Ibadan, Osogbo and Akure, using convenience sampling approach. The participants include 532 (67.5%) street boys and 256 (32.5%) girls. The sampled street children were disaggregated by their variety of experiences, predicaments and aspirations using their age and gender. The findings show that street children’s schooling status, risks of violence/abuse, drug use and career aspirations, among others, vary considerably between street boys and street girls. Therefore, it is recommended that the intervention programmes for street children be sensitive to the diversity of their involvement with the street and that the formulation of intervention policies be cognizant of the differences in age and gender among street children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Historical city centers are one of the reasons that give cities their identity, memory, and sense of belonging. The commercial areas within these centers are particularly important, as they contribute significantly to the vitality of the urban environment. However, due to rapid developments in recent times, many of these historic commercial streets have lost their significance and fallen victim to informal usage, resulting in the erosion of their historic identity. Consequently, it becomes imperative to renovate these historic commercial streets to preserve the community's identity. The proposed methodology aims to foster local culture by revitalizing these streets and emphasizing the principles and criteria of heritage preservation that not only preserve the community's identity but also serve as vibrant and inclusive spaces for residents and visitors alike to fulfill the concept of vitality and livability. In this context, the focus is on protecting historical areas and ensuring their ongoing relevance and benefits, extending not only to street users but also to the entire community. To achieve this, a series of steps are suggested for the renovation of historic commercial streets within city centers, accompanied by a reliable set of criteria that preserve their visual identity rooted in history. To demonstrate the application of these criteria, a case study was conducted for the proposed renovation of Mahmud Al-Banna Street, a historic commercial street in downtown Tanta, Egypt. The objective of the study was to develop strategies that would effectively address various aspects, including urban, visual, environmental, and economic issues. As a result, the research concluded that the proposed regeneration strategies, if implemented, could enhance the vitality and livability of the historic commercial districts for other urban environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Half of the world's children experience violence every year, but the meaning of violence is not universally agreed. We may therefore risk failing to measure, and address, the acts that matter most to children and adolescents. In this paper, we describe and synthesise evidence on how children and adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa conceptualise different behavioural acts which are deemed violence in childhood under WHO and UN CRC definitions. Methods and findings: We conducted a systematic review of qualitative studies. We searched PsychINFO, CINAHL, Embase, Global Health, Medline and ERIC for all publications released prior to March 2023. 30 papers met inclusion criteria. We synthesised primary data from children and adolescents and drew upon theoretical and contextual interpretations of authors of included studies. Only 12 of more than 45 sub-Saharan African countries were represented with relevant research. Of the 30 included papers, 25 came from three countries: South Africa, Uganda and Ghana. Only 10 of 30 papers reported data from young children (pre-adolescence), and 18 of 30 papers primarily focused on sexual violence. 14 studies used child friendly and/or participatory methods. From this limited evidence, we identified six overarching themes in how children and adolescents conceptualised their experiences of acts internationally recognised as violence: 1) adults abusing or neglecting responsibility; 2) sexual violence from peers, family and community members; 3) violence in established intimate relationships; 4) emotional violence surrounding sex from peers and community members; 5) fighting and beating between peers; 6) street and community dangers. No studies meeting our inclusion criteria specifically examined children or adolescents' conceptualisations of homophobic or transphobic violence; violence against children with disabilities; boys' experiences of sexual violence from male perpetrators; trafficking, modern slavery or conflict; child labour; or female genital mutilation. We found that three dimensions were important in how children and adolescents constructed conceptualisations of violence: their age, relationship to the perpetrator, and the physical location of acts they had experienced. These dimensions were interrelated and gendered. Conclusion: The current limited evidence base suggests children and adolescents' conceptualisations of violence overlapped with, but were also distinct from, the WHO and UNCRC definitions of violence. Currently international survey tools focus on measuring types and frequencies of particular acts and neglect to focus on children's understandings of those acts. Relationship to perpetrator, age of child, physical location are all important in how children conceptualise their experiences of acts internationally recognised as violence, and therefore might be important for their health and social outcomes. Those developing measures should account for these dimensions when developing items for testing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a dearth of theoretical and empirical work examining street-level land administration officials (SLAOs) in post-conflict peri-urban communities in sub-Saharan Africa. This article investigates how SLAOs deliver land administration services under a hybrid governance regime in a localised post-conflict environment, and how they balance strict adherence to the rule of law and a flexible application of rules and regulations. The study is based on a case study in Mombasa. The theory argues that, in Waitiki, SLAOs evaluate their situation and formulate a range of strategies to deliver services and deal with poor governance challenges like corruption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of [i2]: Research & Innovation in Architecture / Investigación e Innovación en Arquitectura y Territorio is the property of Universitat D'Alacant and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The station–city integration development strategy, guided by the Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) model, has enhanced the coupling relationship between rail transit stations and urban areas. Walking, as a core mode of low-carbon urban transport, plays a significant role in the connectivity between stations and urban areas and in the rate of passenger flow dispersal. During peak periods, large volumes of passengers flood the streets, forming complex and diverse walking paths that penetrate urban neighborhoods. Route choice is a complex decision-making process influenced by both subjective and objective factors. Previous studies on pathfinding activities have often focused on either subjective or objective factors in isolation, with limited research on their interaction. This paper establishes a comparative analysis framework based on the translation of subjective and objective information and behavioral feedback mechanisms. Using Lvcuo Station, a transit station on Xiamen's Metro Line 1 in Fujian Province, China, as a case study, we collected walking data from 410 passengers through field surveys. We used the Kappa consistency coefficient test method to analyze the performance of the interaction between the objective environment and subjective environmental cognitive factors when pedestrians exit the rail transit station and walk to their destinations. We also used multinomial logistic regression (MLR) to analyze the correlation between subjective perception variables and objective built environment variables and to consider the influence of individual pedestrian characteristics and attributes on path selection. The results revealed the following: (1) Overall, there is a significant deviation effect of subjective and objective factors on passengers' pathfinding behavior, with some spatial correlation with the built environment of the streets. (2) The consistency of influences on walking activities varies significantly across different travel periods, distances, and purposes. (3) Visual elements, urban life with a bustling atmosphere, street permeability, and route connectivity positively correlate with subjective perception while "supporting walking facilities" and "meeting consumption needs along the way" negatively correlate with subjective perception. These findings underscore the need to enhance the understanding of the built environment in the street spaces within rail transit station areas from the perspectives of pedestrians to improve the walkability of these streets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the aspirational Complete Streets movement sweeps North America with multimodal transportation policies and plans, communities need practice-ready tools that reinforce social inclusion and sustainable development through the movement's implementation. Here we present two such tools: (1) gender analysis, which considers gendered experiences and roles in the context of Complete Streets so as to benefit diverse travelers with improved safety, transportation choices, support for caregivers, and more; and (2) an approach called SDG 360 Thinking, a holistic analysis of Complete Streets policy co-benefits, unintended harms, and trade-offs using the UN Sustainable Development Goals. We piloted these tools in workshops with community members and technical experts. Workshop participants gained new insights, made connections across sectors, took more inclusive and diverse perspectives, and made recommendations about Complete Streets policies. These tools are practical, easy to understand, and could be broadly impactful for communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Abant Social Sciences / Abant Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi is the property of Journal of Abant Social Sciences and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

AbstractThe late Bay Area Hip Hop legend Shock G stated that Tupac Shakur “rhymed from this pit of his stomach,” asserting that Tupac’s greatness was in the potency and relevance of his message more than the technical skill of his lyricism. Tattooed across the stomach that Tupac rhymed from was the acronym “T.H.U.G.L.I.F.E.” Tupac proclaimed that it stood for “The Hate You Gave Little Infants, Fucks Everyone,” a statement that reflected his worldview and echoed sentiments of those like Frantz Fanon, James Baldwin and Huey P. Newton who viewed youth as the centerpiece of the struggle for Black Liberation. Though Tupac was murdered in 1996, his lyrics and interviews resurfaced in the aftermath of the police killing of Oscar Grant in 2009 and introduced a generation born after his death to his thug persona and T.H.U.G.L.I.F.E. ideology as relavent, and accessible symbols of Black Rebellion. This article explores how Pac Babies, Black youth born after Tupac’s death, have adopted his Persona and Ideology to inform their entry into the Post Racial, social media era of the Black Freedom Struggle. I offer that, by providing T.H.U.G.L.I.F.E. as an alternative to the politics of respectability of the Civil Rights Movement and being resurrected as mythical super hero battling police violence, Tupac influenced both the street protests and social media engagement during the protest phase of "Black Lives Matter!". [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Worldwide, many children live in the street; equally so in the East of the Democratic Republic of Congo, where this phenomenon is seemingly connected to recurring armed conflicts. Yet, the role of war in children's motives to join the street remains unknown. A total of 102 youths (12–18 years) were interviewed in Bunia by community researchers (i.e. former street children). Motives related to armed conflicts (e.g. rebel attacks) played an important role in children's decisions to join the street, next to non-war-related motives (e.g. poverty, familial changes). Most children indicated a chronological chain of multiple motives, mostly starting with war-related motives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Over 99% of 7- and 8-year-old children reached adult street-crossing competency after training in a virtual reality pedestrian environment. • On average, children required ten 30-minute training sessions to master competency, and the extent of training required varied widely across children. • In univariate analyses, male gender, higher scores on visual memory, visual perception, processing speed, and working memory tasks, and fewer externalizing symptoms were all positively associated with faster mastery of pedestrian skills. • In a multivariable model, only child age significantly predicted speed of mastery, with older children learning quicker. • Implementation of child pedestrian safety training in virtual reality is recommended, but must be conducted cautiously to ensure children are adequately trained. Introduction : Pedestrian injuries represent a leading cause of child death globally. One prevention strategy is teaching children street-crossing skills. Virtual reality (VR) has emerged as a strategy to offer repeated street-crossing practice and overcome ethical barriers of training children in live traffic. This study addressed two questions pertinent to implementation of child pedestrian safety training within VR: (a) how much training do children require to achieve adult street-crossing competency, and (b) what individual differences might facilitate children to acquire that competency more efficiently? Methods: Five hundred 7- and 8-year-olds were recruited. Children completed pedestrian safety training within VR for up to 25 thirty-minute training sessions until they achieved adult levels of mastery. At baseline, four cognitive-perceptual skills (visual memory, visual perception, processing speed, working memory) and parent-reported externalizing symptomatology were assessed. Results: On average, children achieved adult pedestrian safety competency after 10.0 training sessions (SD = 4.8). Just one child (<1%) failed to achieve adult pedestrian functioning after 25 training sessions. In univariate analyses, boys took slightly longer than girls to achieve adult functioning, and visual memory, visual perception, processing speed, working memory, and fewer externalizing symptoms were all positively associated with shorter time to mastery. In a multivariable model, only child age was a statistically significant predictor. Conclusion: Almost all participants achieved adult street-crossing skills competency through VR training, although they required about 10 sessions on average. Analysis of predictor variables confirmed that nearly all 7- and 8-year-olds are trainable. Practical Application: Implementation of VR pedestrian safety training is recommended, but must be conducted cautiously to ensure children are not permitted to engage independently in traffic until they are assessed and demonstrate sufficient skills. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The triple threats of climate change, habitat loss, and environmental pollution have stimulated discussion on how urban areas can be modified to mitigate heat increases and provide habitat for wildlife such as insects. The strategy of using trees to reduce temperatures has been adopted by numerous cities. However, the majority of street trees planted around the world are non-native. Studies conducted in non-urban areas have demonstrated in comparison to native plants, non-native plants are less likely to support native insect diversity. Here, we use a database approach to quantify the number of native Lepidoptera species associated with 76 of the most common street tree species planted in Vancouver, Canada. We tested the prediction that compared to non-native trees, native street trees will support a higher diversity and unique community of native Lepidoptera. As predicted, native street trees were associated with five times as many native Lepidoptera species, and the Lepidoptera communities supported by native versus non-native street trees were distinct. There was no difference in native Lepidoptera associations between broadleaf versus coniferous street trees. These results are consistent with studies that have used active sampling techniques to investigate insect richness on a smaller subset of native and non-native tree species. Collectively, these data provide good evidence that planting native instead of non-native trees will help stem the loss of insect diversity in urban areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The objective of this study is to investigate how lifestyle changes affect the emergency department (ED) presentations of pediatric patients with acute traumatic injuries during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Methods: This retrospective cohort study was conducted in the ED of Akdeniz University Hospital. We analyzed the medical records of pediatric patients who presented to our ED with acute traumatic injury during the 52‐week period after March 16, 2020, which marks the official date when in‐person education was suspended in Turkey due to COVID‐19. These records were compared with those from the 52‐week period prior to March 16, 2020 (pre‐COVID). Patients with nontraumatic presentations or follow‐up visits (e.g., dressing, suture removal, injection, etc.) were excluded from the study. The data was obtained through the Hospital Information System. Results: The total number of ED pediatric trauma visits declined by 46%. The overall presentation rates of patients between the ages of 1 and 4 years, home injuries, falls, burns, hospitalizations, and costs per patient increased during COVID‐19. In contrast, the rate of motor vehicle accidents, sports injuries, and injuries that occurred at schools and playgrounds decreased. Conclusions: It should be expected that the decrease in the number of acute trauma presentations due to the implementation of distance education and lockdown restrictions will increase after the pandemic. As a result, it is necessary to pay attention to the safety of children in streets, playgrounds, and schools as the pandemic ends, as much as it will continue to be important to create safe environments for children at home. In order to reduce mortality and morbidity due to pediatric traumatic injuries, all authorized people, including the relevant ministries, should take precautions to protect children from injuries, and pediatric trauma should be addressed as a preventable public health problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To evaluate whether child pedestrian safety training in a smartphone-based virtual reality (VR) environment is not inferior to training in a large, semi-immersive VR environment with demonstrated effectiveness. Methods Five hundred 7- and 8-year-old children participated; 479 were randomized to one of two conditions: Learning to cross streets in a smartphone-based VR or learning in a semi-immersive kiosk VR. The systems used identical virtual environments and scenarios. At baseline, children's pedestrian skills were assessed in both VR systems and through a vehicle approach estimation task (judging speed/distance of oncoming traffic on monitor). Training in both conditions comprised at least six 30-min sessions in the randomly assigned VR platform and continued for up to 25 visits until adult-level proficiency was obtained. Following training and again 6 months later, children completed pedestrian safety assessments identical to baseline. Three outcomes were considered from assessments in each VR platform: Unsafe crossings (collisions plus close calls), time to contact (shortest time between child and oncoming simulated traffic), and missed opportunities (unselected safe opportunities to cross). Results Participants achieved adult-level street-crossing skill through VR training. Training in a smartphone-based VR system was generally not inferior to training in a large semi-immersive VR system. There were no adverse effects. Conclusions Seven- and 8-year-old children can learn pedestrian safety through VR-based training, including training in a smartphone-based VR system. Combined with recent meta-analytic results, the present findings support broad implementation and dissemination of child pedestrian safety training through VR, including smartphone-based VR systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This qualitative study adopts a phenomenological and symbolic interactionist approach to comprehensively explore substance abuse among street children in Lilongwe, Malawi. The research aims to uncover the complex sociocultural, economic, and environmental determinants influencing substance abuse within this marginalized cohort. Through in-depth semi-structured interviews, the study engages with street children to understand their subjective experiences, perceptions, and interpretations of substance abuse within their community context. Employing convenience, purposive, and snowball sampling strategies, the research collected data from street children, acknowledging their transient nature and societal challenges. Thematic analysis was conducted on interview transcripts to derive comprehensive insights. Results revealed five key thematic areas: familial absence and emotional void, societal normalization and peer pressure, economic hardships, coping mechanisms, environmental accessibility, and peer influence and belongingness. These themes highlighted the intricate interplay between personal experiences, socio-environmental factors, and peer dynamics, shaping the prevalence and persistence of substance abuse among street children. This study's implications for practice underscore the need for tailored interventions and support mechanisms addressing substance abuse within this demographic. It emphasizes the urgency for context-specific strategies and policy formulations aimed at ameliorating the challenges faced by street children dealing with substance abuse in Malawi. Ultimately, this research contributes to a deeper understanding of substance abuse among marginalized street children, advocating for compassionate and contextually sensitive interventions within this overlooked drug abusers' population subset. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global warming and the urban heat island effect has aroused the attention of research on the outdoor thermal environment. As outdoor spaces often used by citizens, streets play an important role in improving the thermal environment. In this study, six factors relating to street geometries and tree configurations in Busan are measured and quantified to form 32 typical scenarios. The degree of importance of these six factors is evaluated based on ENVI-met simulation results, and GeoDetector is introduced to evaluate the interactions between the factors and their impacts on the outdoor thermal environment. This study confirms the significantly higher impact of street geometry factors on the air temperature and physiological equivalent temperature compared to tree configuration factors. Particularly, Hb/Ws shows the most significant impact during the research period. The impact of interactions between any two factors of street geometry is much higher than that of interactions between the geometry and tree configuration factors and that of interactions between the tree configuration factors. We recommend dynamically adjusting the relationship between street geometry and tree configurations in different situations to improve the outdoor thermal environment, especially at noon and in the afternoon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A comprehensive review of existing literature on child pedestrian behavior and safety on roads. • Identification of parameters considered, data analysis techniques, and models used in the analysis of child pedestrian behavior and safety. • Discussion of the limited evidence available on child pedestrian behavior and safety in the Indian context and the need for further studies. Children are regarded as the most liable road users as pedestrians because of their specific traffic behaviours, which demand close investigation. The present study conducts a comprehensive systematic review aiming to draw attention to the need for a thorough understanding of child pedestrian safety, especially in the Indian context, and to provide insights that can guide the implementation of evidence-based initiatives to safeguard children on roads. Using PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines, the study searched Google Scholar, Semantic Scholar and Scopus for relevant literature. Finally, 78 research papers and 8 reports were examined and reviewed. The review analysed the literature on the basis of study locations, methods of data collection, parameters affecting child pedestrian behaviour and safety, and existing techniques and models for analysing child pedestrian behaviour and safety. Additionally, worldwide strategies adopted to improve child pedestrian safety were reviewed. The findings across the literature revealed a significant contribution of studies from China, with limited representation from India. Numerous studies have employed questionnaire surveys as a means of data collection and regression analysis to model the behaviour and safety of child pedestrians. The findings of the study sheds light onto the parameters influencing child pedestrian behaviour and safety, with special emphasis on socio-demographic characteristics, peer influence, adult supervision, distractions, disabilities, socio-economic factors, and human factors. The study establishes a foundation for targeted interventions that can reduce pedestrian risks and create a safe environment so that children can navigate independently. The study also discusses limitations and the scope for further research on child pedestrians' behaviour and safety on streets, especially in Indian context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a computational framework for modeling land parcels and streets. In the real world, parcels and streets are highly coupled with each other since a street network connects all the parcels in a certain area. However, existing works model parcels and streets separately to simplify the problem, resulting in urban layouts with irregular parcels and/or suboptimal streets. In this paper, we propose a hierarchical approach to co‐generate parcels and streets from a user‐specified polygonal land shape, guided by a set of fundamental urban design requirements. At each hierarchical level, new parcels are generated based on binary splitting of existing parcels, and new streets are subsequently generated by leveraging efficient graph search tools to ensure that each new parcel has a street access. At the end, we optimize the geometry of the generated parcels and streets to further improve their geometric quality. Our computational framework outputs an urban layout with a desired number of regular parcels that are reachable via a connected street network, for which users are allowed to control the modeling process both locally and globally. Quantitative comparisons with state‐of‐the‐art approaches show that our framework is able to generate parcels and streets that are superior in some aspects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This book review discusses "Transforming Infantile Trauma in Analytic Work with Children and Adults: The Clinical Writings of Alessandra Cavalli," a collection of papers by Alessandra Cavalli, a Jungian-trained analyst. The book explores Cavalli's work with severely traumatized children and adults, focusing on the impact of early infantile trauma on the developing self. The review highlights Cavalli's dedication to establishing meaningful emotional connections with her patients and her persistence in trying to communicate with highly defended children. It also mentions Cavalli's exploration of intergenerational trauma and her consultancy work with a staff team at a home for street children in Mexico. The reviewer recommends the book to child and adult psychotherapists. [Extracted from the article]

Introductions: Childhood maltreatment is any form of violence or neglect that occurs against children under the age of 18. Street children are a group that is vulnerable to violence because their activities, for which they spend a lot of time on the streets, make it easier for them to experience violence from both adults and fellow students. One of the impacts can cause mental health disorders, one of which is depression. Objective: Analyze the relationship between childhood maltreatment and levels of depression in street children in Surabaya. Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted on 43 street children from Surabaya City, East Java, Indonesia. Subjects were selected through two stages, namely using the Children’s Depression Inventory (CDI) and the International Child Abuse Screening Tool for Children (ICAST-C) to assess depression and childhood maltreatment. Data analysis using chi-square. Results: The results of the study showed that of the 43 respondents, 18 children experienced childhood maltreatment and 31 children experienced moderate depression. The results of the analysis of the relationship between childhood maltreatment and depression levels showed a p-value of 0.481. Conclusion: Childhood maltreatment is not related to the level of depression in street children in Surabaya. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research on LGBTQI + people has increased in recent years in several areas. In geography and sociology, they were interpreted as producers and modifiers of urban space. In tourism literature, efforts are concentrated on diversified consumption practices. Queer geography has noticed that LGBTQI + people have developed practices that have transformed former ghettos into notable gayborhoods in a process called gaytrification which has changed the way we enjoy cities. The literature review on gayborhoods proposes a possible end for these neighborhoods, as sexual identities gained greater acceptability. Research in queer geography reveals contributions to tourism studies, indicating that the intersections between sexuality and space contribute to the development of tourist destinations. This can be observed in an increase in tourist flow in a post-Covid-19 period, there has been an increase in tourist flow in the Reguliersdwarsstraat, the main street of leisure and entertainment aimed at the LGBTQI + people in Amsterdam. Representing a trend of reviving these neighborhoods as queer spaces after periods of lockdown. The corpus of analysis, consisting of 3955 photographs, shared between 2019 and 2022, provides answers to the following question: Can a tourism promotional strategy using social media delay the end of queer spaces and gayborhoods? The analysis states that visitors perform queerness practices that consolidate an urban queer tourist precinct, with a high tourist flow, mainly at night and in the summer months prevent its heterosexualization. Thus, it is possible to affirm that the tourist gaytrification of gay neighborhoods and streets preserves the historical and cultural legacy of LGBTQI + people, and that the construction of queers precincts diversifies the tourist offer of cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

US studies of street culture note that acting 'crazy' can provide status on the street, but rarely elaborate on this phenomenon. Based on several years of participant observation in the street culture of a disadvantaged part of Copenhagen, this article provides an in-depth analysis of the phenomenon of 'craziness'. It reveals that it is a nuanced and multifaceted phenomenon and that street actors can strategically act crazy to gain several advantages. It further explains how 'craziness' has to be tempered with other amiable characteristics to be beneficial in street culture, and how it can also be advantageous in dealings with state institutions, as well as a disadvantage in mainstream society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The benefits of urban trees are very well known, but they can fall and cause damage, putting people's lives at risk. There are few studies on the vulnerability of species to falling. In Lisbon (Portugal), fallen trees have been recorded since 1990 without, however, the identification of the species, knowledge of which is fundamental for improving their management. This study aimed to identify the tree species most vulnerable to falling in Lisbon through a proximity-based approach of known species, since the city has 47,713 inventoried trees, of which only 26,595 (55.7%) were identified. Four criteria were designed to presume the species: (i) the tree must be within 15 m from the street median axis; (ii) at least three individuals within 30 m from the occurrence must belong to the same species; (iii) the surrounding species must be representative in the street (>50%); and (iv) visual identification of avenue medians. Through this approach, considering 3767 fallen trees, it was possible to identify 736 cases, representing 19.5% of all occurrences throughout the studied time and representing 43 different species. Species like Morus nigra L., Tipuana tipu (Benth.) Kuntze, Liriodendron tulipifera L., Prunus cerasifera Ehrh., and Koelreuteria paniculata Laxm. were most vulnerable. Additionally, in 57.7% of cases (425 fallen trees), the wind speed 12-h before the occurrence was greater than 7 m s−1. This research will provide important data for urban planners seeking to maximize the ecosystem services of urban trees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Technological implementation and innovation represent essential pillars of contemporary society and are fundamental to its progress and evolution. In the urban development field, the concept of "smart city" rethinks the way of planning and managing cities by integrating emergent digital technologies that bring improvements in citizens’ way of life, while also increasing their efficiency, sustainability, and resilience. This paper aims to review a brief history of cities from ancient times until today, and the significant developments that determined the need for smart approach integration. For recent period, international and national trends and initiatives that impact smart city developments in Romania will be investigated. In addition, the innovative solutions promoted at the level of public administration will be highlighted by following the strategies and implementations in the phase of pilot projects, started or already used as prototypes, and private initiatives, as well as the impact of these smart approaches. For this purpose, an exploratory analysis is used at the level of multiple sources—town halls, county councils, various publications, specialized articles, magazines, companies, and non-governmental associations—following the mode in which the projects are framed on the thematics globally applied—people, economy, environment, governance, living, and mobility. Following the study, 1001 smart projects at the public level were identified in recent statistics, carried out by small, medium, and large cities in different stages of implementation. In addition, up-to-date private initiatives that led to urban transformation through the implementation of innovative solutions were pursued. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) concentrations in the leaves and 1-year-old branches of three common tree species growing in a middle-sized city located in a moderate climate zone were estimated. For this purpose, PAH phytoaccumulation in Platanus × acerifolia, Celtis australis, and Tilia grandifolia species from highly urbanized, traffic congested, and highly PAH-contaminated streets was compared with trees from non-contaminated parks in the same urban core. The gathered data was used to define 17 PAH profiles, identify the main PAH pollution emission sources, and determine the organ and species specificity of PAHs accumulation. Due to the direct absorption of polluted air via stomata, the leaves accumulated up to 30% more PAHs compared to the 1-year-old branches. As expected, PAH concentrations were much higher in street trees, while heavy weight PAHs (with five and six rings) were accumulated in the highest concentrations. The highest foliar Σ17 PAH concentrations were detected in street-grown C. australis, followed by P. acerifolia and T. grandifolia (502.68, 488.45, and 339.47 ng g−1 dry weight (DW), respectively). The same pattern was noted for Σ17 PAHs in branches (414.89, 327.58, and 342.99 ng g−1 DW, respectively). Thus, T. grandifolia emerged as the least effective PAH sink as it accumulated up to ~ 40% less PAHs than P. acerifolia and C. australis leaves/branches. Among the 17 tracked PAHs, benzo[a]anthracene, benzo[a]pyrene, dibenzo[a,h]anthracene, and pyrene were found to have accumulated in the highest concentrations in all analyzed species irrespective of the site, and accounted for more than 50% of the total detected PAHs. Finally, a "black box" about species and organ specificity, as well as specific drivers that limit PAHs uptake capacity by trees, was opened, while this work provides insights into further PAH phytoremediation strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerous children experience vulnerability due to their families' profound economic and socio-economic hardships. Among this demographic, females face heightened susceptibility, particularly those engaged in child labor. Dhaka, the capital city of Bangladesh, hosts a substantial population of female child laborers, compounding their precarious circumstances. Hence this study utilizes a qualitative phenomenological approach to investigate the vulnerabilities affecting these female child laborers thoroughly. A total of 25 in-depth interviews were conducted with female child laborers in Dhaka city, following a semi-structured format. NVivo 14 software was instrumental in the systematic coding and analysis of the extensive text data, enhancing the reliability and validity of the findings. This study, therefore, explores various vulnerabilities faced by female child laborers in Dhaka city, including risky health behavior, abusive behavior, sexual harassment, school dropout, unhygienic dietary habits, hazardous work conditions, and substandard living environments. Their socio-economic conditions make them susceptible to physical and mental setbacks, exploitation, and loss of dignity. The study emphasizes the necessity for comprehensive support and breaking the cycle through educational, health, and social initiatives. It offers a detailed portrayal of the living conditions of female child laborers in Dhaka city, providing valuable insights and evidence-based policy prescriptions for policymakers and Non-Government Organizations to formulate effective policies and measures to safeguard this vulnerable community.