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To explain the duration and dose effects of pollutant exposure on public health and provide scientific data for air pollution prevention and control and disease prevention by examining the influence of PM2.5 concentration and exposure duration on daily outpatient visits among patients with cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, and respiratory diseases in a typical heavy industrial city in China. Daily outpatient data on cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, and respiratory diseases and regional PM2.5 exposure duration and concentration were collected from a provincial hospital in Taiyuan, China, from 2016 to 2021. The correlations of numeric variables were analyzed using the Pearson correlation method. A generalized additive model (GAMs) was also established to investigate the effects of PM2.5 concentration and exposure duration on outpatient visits. Correlation analysis showed that the outpatient visits in Taiyuan was significantly correlated with the PM2.5 concentration and exposure duration. The longer the exposure time of PM2.5 pollution, the stronger the correlation of PM2.5 with outpatient visits showed. Cardiovascular outpatient visits were extremely significant related with medium to long-term exposure of PM2.5 (exposure with more than 30 days) (p < 0.001). In addition, outpatient visits of cerebrovascular and respiratory disease were extremely significant correlated with PM2.5 (exposures within 0–360 days) (p < 0.001). The results of GAMs showed the linear or the nonlinear relationships between outpatient visits and exposure of PM2.5. Among the linear relationships, when average concentration of PM2.5 (exposure within less than 15 days) increased by 1 mg/m3, the cardiovascular outpatient visits increased most dramatically (by about 440 people). For nonlinear relationships, when the average PM2.5 concentration (exposure with over 30 days or more) increased by 1 mg/m3, the most dramatic increase occurred in cardiovascular outpatient visits (with a maximum increase of 7000), followed by cerebrovascular outpatient visits (with a maximum increase of 1200), and respiratory outpatient visits (with a maximum increase of 250). The GAMs also revealed a dose effect in the relationship between outpatient visits and PM2.5 exposure. In moderately polluted air (based on air quality standards of China, GB3095-2012), when the average concentration of PM2.5 increased by 1 mg/m3, the cardiovascular outpatient visits increased the most (by 1200 people), followed by cerebrovascular outpatient visits (by 200 people) and respiratory outpatient visits (by 20 people). We concluded that outpatient visits in cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, and respiratory disease are closely correlated with the concentration and exposure duration of air pollution. There is a linear relationship between short-term air pollution exposure (exposure within less than 15 days) and outpatient visits. As PM2.5 concentration increases, cardiovascular outpatient visits increase gradually, with its growth trend exceeding that of cerebrovascular and respiratory disease. There is a nonlinear relationship between medium and long-term air pollution exposure (exposure with more than 30 days) and outpatient visits, with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular outpatient visits showed a nonlinear but overall upward trend when the atmosphere is moderately polluted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shear‐wave velocity (Vs) structures can reveal the shallow sediment thickness and deep tectonic features of buried faults and geological units. They are important for reducing seismic and geological disasters in urban areas. Based on ambient noise data from the Tongzhou dense array (919 seismographic stations), we obtain a fine shallow‐deep (0–5 km) 3D Vs model, by jointly inverting the phase‐velocity dispersions of Rayleigh waves, including short‐period (0.3–2 s) multimode dispersions using the frequency‐Bessel transform method and the long‐period (2–6 s) fundamental‐mode dispersions using the fast marching method. Our results show that the Vs inhomogeneities agree well with the distribution of geological units. We use the 1 km/s isodepth of Vs as the reference thickness of quaternary sediments. Fengbo sag (FBS) and Dachang sag (DCS), which mainly show low velocity and density, have thick sediment thicknesses (approximately 550–600 and 320–420 m, respectively). The NE high‐velocity belt in Daxing high (DXH) has a thinner sediment thickness (∼230 m). Thus, FBS and DCS have a greater risk of earthquake hazards owing to the strong amplification effects of ground motion. Additionally, Vs distribution in the FBS, DCS, DXH, and Yanshan Fold Belt are spatially related to the medium density and buried faults (Nanyuan‐Tongxian, Daxing, and Xiadian faults). We infer that the Vs structures are associated with the controlling effects of these large normal faults and inhomogeneous strata density. The discontinuity of the NE high‐velocity belt in DXH probably results from the intense tectonic activity of Nankou‐Sunhe fault. Plain Language Summary: Quaternary sediments are usually fertile, and many metropolitan cities with dense populations are built on sedimentary basins. However, some large faults covered by thick quaternary sediments may negatively influence urban safety. S‐wave velocity (Vs) can provide useful information to better understand the sediment thickness and tectonic features of buried faults and geological units. We obtained a fine 3D Vs structure using ambient noise from a dense array (919 seismic stations) in Tongzhou. Our results show that the Fengbo and Dachang sags, mainly characterized by low velocities, have relatively thick sediment thicknesses (approximately 550–600 and 320–420 m, respectively). The Yanshan Fold Belt varies from the high‐velocity feature at 0–0.6 km to the low‐velocity feature at 0.6–5 km. With high velocity, the west portion of Daxing has a thinner sediment thickness (∼230 m). Four normal buried faults and media density probably affected the distribution of the Vs distribution. Key Points: An improved Vs model in Tongzhou is obtained by jointly inverting the dispersions from frequency‐Bessel transform and fast marching methodsFour buried normal faults and medium density in the study area have probably affected the distribution of shear‐wave velocityThe thickness of quaternary sediments revealed by 1 km/s of shear‐wave velocity is closely related to the four normal faults [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Dental health is associated with the growth and development, physical or psychological, of children. Although numerous preventive measures are available, dental caries among primary schoolchildren remains a public health concern in China. Understanding the disparity of children's dental health between rural and urban areas in China could provide further insight into the prevention of caries.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted to examine the oral health of pupils aged 6-12 years in Pudong District (Shanghai) and Lichuan (Jiangxi Province) in China. A questionnaire survey was performed among children's guardians to identify the potential risk factors for childhood dental caries.Results: A total of 1922 primary schoolchildren were included in this study, with 815 from Pudong and 1107 from Lichuan. The mean age of children from Pudong was 8.57 (SD = 1.61), which was statistically significantly lower than their counterpart from Lichuan (9.36 ± 1.75). The prevalence of caries in Pudong and Lichuan was 63.4% and 75.0%, respectively. Statistically significant differences of demographical and behavioural features were observed between schoolchildren in Pudong and Lichuan. In general, Lichuan children had a higher caries risk compared with their Pudong counterparts (OR = 3.43, 95%CI 2.65-4.28). Moreover, the non-parental caregivers, low family income, low parental educational level, as well as bad dietary habits, were identified as risk factors for caries.Conclusions: Childhood caries in the rural area was far more severe than that in the urban area. This disparity was determined by several factors such as the high proportion of left-behind children in the rural area (e.g. children who remain in rural regions of China while their parents leave to work in urban areas). Our government should put the prevention of caries among rural children at a higher priority in the near future to narrow the gap between rural and urban areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Shear‐wave velocity (Vs) structures can reveal the shallow sediment thickness and deep tectonic features of buried faults and geological units. They are important for reducing seismic and geological disasters in urban areas. Based on ambient noise data from the Tongzhou dense array (919 seismographic stations), we obtain a fine shallow‐deep (0–5 km) 3D Vs model, by jointly inverting the phase‐velocity dispersions of Rayleigh waves, including short‐period (0.3–2 s) multimode dispersions using the frequency‐Bessel transform method and the long‐period (2–6 s) fundamental‐mode dispersions using the fast marching method. Our results show that the Vs inhomogeneities agree well with the distribution of geological units. We use the 1 km/s isodepth of Vs as the reference thickness of quaternary sediments. Fengbo sag (FBS) and Dachang sag (DCS), which mainly show low velocity and density, have thick sediment thicknesses (approximately 550–600 and 320–420 m, respectively). The NE high‐velocity belt in Daxing high (DXH) has a thinner sediment thickness (∼230 m). Thus, FBS and DCS have a greater risk of earthquake hazards owing to the strong amplification effects of ground motion. Additionally, Vs distribution in the FBS, DCS, DXH, and Yanshan Fold Belt are spatially related to the medium density and buried faults (Nanyuan‐Tongxian, Daxing, and Xiadian faults). We infer that the Vs structures are associated with the controlling effects of these large normal faults and inhomogeneous strata density. The discontinuity of the NE high‐velocity belt in DXH probably results from the intense tectonic activity of Nankou‐Sunhe fault.

Toxic element accumulation in the surrounding soils of the advanced industry- and agriculture-oriented areas may lead to severe environmental degradation and harmful impact on inhabitants. This work examined the concentration of some concerned toxic elements (Cr, Pb, Cd, Cu, As, and Ni) in the representative topsoil from 10 industrially contaminated sites in central Bangladesh (Narayanganj district) using an Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer concerning the probable ecological and human health risks. The mean concentrations (mg/kg) of the elements were found in the order of Ni (58.1 ± 11.8) > Pb (34.1 ± 14.3) > Cr (32.1 ± 6.77) > Cu (14.5 ± 3.30) > Cd (2.74 ± 1.08) > As (1.49 ± 0.43). The findings pointed out that diversified manmade events enhanced the intensities of elemental contamination through the studied sites. Source analysis showed that Cr, Pb, As, and Cd may originate from industrial wastewater and agricultural activities, whereas Cu and Ni came from natural sources. The geo-accumulation index level for Cd (1.70–3.39) was determined as grade 3 (moderately to strongly polluted), the enrichment factor score for Cd (13.9) fell in the very severe enhanced category (cluster 5), and the highest contamination factor value was found for Cd (15.7). The contamination degree values for all the tested elements signify a moderate to severe contamination grade; conversely, pollution load index levels depicted the nonexistence of elemental pollution. The assessment revealed serious Cd pollution in agricultural soils and moderate to significant potential ecological risk for the rest of the examined toxic elements. Furthermore, hazard index values exceeded the safe exposure levels, indicating that there was potential non-carcinogenic risk in the soils for children and adults. Ingestion exposure had much higher carcinogenic risk values than inhalation and cutaneous exposure, and children are exposed to considerable carcinogenic hazards. Therefore, it is suggested that the harmful practices that expose this farming soil to contaminants should be stopped immediately and effective environment-friendly techniques of waste management and effluent treatment should be employed in the study area.

The future of work around the world centers on preparing youth to navigate globalization, automation, and migration. This preparation typically includes both hard and soft skills centered on the ability to pivot their skillsets and engage in various work, cultural, and social settings in the future workplace. Understanding the limitations of school systems and many family units, this study focused on religious congregations as possible facilitators of youth preparation for the global new reality in both local and national workforces. This exploratory study surveyed clergy and youth leaders (N = 108) in Philadelphia (United States) regarding congregational youth preparation for a seemingly simultaneously globalizing and nationalizing society. The results indicate a gap between the perception of youth's preparation for a global society and congregations' actual programs. We recommend that religious congregations reorganize to help youth navigate and prepare for their future work and involvement in a global society at the local level.

Chinese medicinal herbs (CMHs) have been used for thousands of years because of their significant properties regarding the prevention and treatment of diseases, such as COVID-19. There is an increasingly diminishing supply of wild medicinal resources, and the demand is greater than the supply. Ecological balance and the conservation of natural Chinese medicinal herbs are serious issues in sustainable development, which requires the minimum requirements to be met without compromising the resources of future generations, especially with respect to the maintenance of production and consumption as well as the quality control of CMHs. Hong Kong is an urban business city, busy with work and the fast pace of life. The sustainable development of CMHs is difficult in a huge population situated in an area with very scarce land coverage. The conservation of CMHs in urban horticulture is extremely neglected because people lack living space; for example, Aquilaria Sinensis (the incense tree), also called "pak muk heung" in Cantonese, was an indigenous species that was illegally logged in the past. This led to detrimental effects on the population density and genetic diversity of the species. There is no doubt that Hong Kong is required to set up a management model in community facilities for these emerging modern social configurations, such as building a Chinese herbal garden for the conservation and promotion of a healthy urban environment and giving people a chance to gain more information on CMHs. The current study employed problem analysis and strategic decisions for the sustainable development of 62 kinds of CMHs in a Chinese herbal garden, which converged with some medicinal itineraries of Lingnan herbal medications, and implemented a theoretical framework of management models for ten secondary schools, e.g., the Aroma garden of the L'Occitane at the Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong (THEi) Tsing Yi campus and Land from the Far East Consortium International Limited in Sai Kung Pak Kong. In the present original article, we would like to establish a sustainable management model for Chinese herbal gardens in an urban city. The sustainable development model for the Chinese herbal gardens is based on five major aspects: (1) land resources, (2) manpower planning, (3) economy, (4) education or training, and (5) ecosystem (cultivation). These are the essential factors of management and are implemented in our Chinese herbal gardens. We aim to find a suitable management model for Chinese herbal gardens and to promote it in other urban cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Thermal comfort of tropical unban cities, for outdoor and semi-outdoor conditions, is lacking. • Temperature neutrality was 29.02 °C, and temperature comfortable range was 23.84–30.79 °C. • T o , T mrt , and BMI are significant variables for predicting thermal sensation. • Higher BMI people cannot well handle hot temperatures. The global phenomenon of global warming has intensified thermal discomfort in tropical metropolitan areas, where rising temperatures and the urban heat island significantly impact outdoor and semi-outdoor environments. These effects are particularly pronounced in tropical metropolitan areas, where the hot and humid climate exacerbates thermal stress. Despite the critical need to understand thermal comfort in such settings, existing research remains limited. This study addresses the research gap by examining how global warming affects thermal comfort in outdoor and semi-outdoor urban spaces, providing insights into the unique challenges these environments present. The study sought to assess both objective physical data and subjective Thermal Sensation Votes (TSV) and preferences. The results suggest that the temperature neutrality needed for thermal comfort is 29.02 °C (R2 = 0.95), and a temperature comfortable range of 23.84–30.79 °C (R2 = 0.84) is within the acceptable comfort level. This range surpasses the current averages, emphasizing the importance of environmental enhancements for better thermal comfort. The regression analysis indicates that operational temperature (T o), mean radiant temperature (T mrt), and body mass index (BMI) are significant variables that may accurately predict thermal sensation. Furthermore, results indicate that individuals with a higher BMI often have a reduced ability to withstand elevated temperatures. This study emphasizes the need of considering both environmental and human factors in order to improve the human comfort level and quality of life. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• We conducted a survey using DPC data to clarify differences in SCUs between urban and regional cities and the relationship between the number of SCU beds and neurologists. • The multiple linear regression analysis showed that the presence of an SCU was significantly associated with the number of neurosurgical specialists. • Compared with regional cities, urban cities had a significantly greater proportion of individuals neurology specialists. • The cutoff number of neurosurgical specialists for the presence of an SCU was 8.99/ 100,000 population Stroke care units provide advanced intensive care for unstable patients with acute stroke. We conducted a survey to clarify the differences in stroke care units between urban and regional cities and the relationship between the number of stroke care unit beds and neurologists. This retrospective observational study was conducted in 2,857 and 4,184 hospitals in urban and regional cities in 47 provinces of Japan, respectively, between January 2020 and August 2023. Tokyo and ordinance-designated cities in provinces were defined as urban cities, and those without such cities were defined as regional cities. The primary endpoint was the presence or absence of a stroke care unit. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that the presence of stroke care units was significantly associated with the number of neurosurgical specialists. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was performed to predict the number of personnel required for stroke care unit installation based on the number of neurosurgical specialists. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, Youden index, sensitivity, and specificity were 0.721, 0.483, 0.783, and 0.700, respectively. Our study underscores the indispensability of SCUs in stroke treatment, advocating for a strategic allocation of medical resources, heightened accessibility to neurosurgical specialists, and a concerted effort to address geographic and resource imbalances. The identified cutoff value of 8.99 neurosurgical specialists per 100,000 population serves as a practical benchmark for optimizing SCU establishment, thereby potentially mitigating stroke-related mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background The cesarean section rate in Vietnam has been increasing especially in urban area. However, limited evidence identified regarding socio-demographic factors of the cesarean section birth. The objective of this study was to determine the current cesarean birth rate and the associated socio-demographic factors among mothers in Nha Trang city, south-central Vietnam. Methods A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted between October and November in 2016 as part of a Streptococcus pneumoniae carriage survey conducted in 27 communes of Nha Trang city. From each commune, 120 mothers and their children less than 2 years old were randomly selected. Mothers were asked to answer standardized questions regarding socio-demographic information and mode of birth. Multivariate logistic regression was adopted to examine associations between socio-demographic variables and mode of birth. Results Of 3148 participants, the number of cesarean births was 1396 (44.3 %). Older maternal age (≥ 30 years old), having another child going to school or kindergarten, monthly income more than 644 USD, gestational weeks at birth over 42 weeks, and low (< 2500 g) or high (≥ 3500 g) birth weight were associated with higher likelihood of cesarean births. Conclusion The CS rate obtained in this study was more than twice of what is recommended by the World Health Organization, which is consistent with the previous nation-wide study in Viet Nam. Further monitoring is suggested to examine the non-medical reason for the increased CS rate.

Background: Increasing urbanization in tropical Africa may create new niches for malaria vectors, potentially leading to higher disease transmission rates. Vector control efforts remain largely targeted at ecologically rural bio-complexities with multiple hosts. Understanding mosquito species composition, ecology, host diversity and biting behavior in urban areas is crucial for planning effective control. This study assessed mosquito species diversity, abundance, behavioral patterns, and Plasmodium sporozoite infection rates of Anopheles vectors along an urban-rural transect in Kisumu city, western Kenya., Methods: Indoor and outdoor host-seeking and resting adult mosquitoes were collected using Centers for Disease Control and Prevention miniature light traps (CDC-LT) and mechanical aspirators (Prokopack) along an urban-rural transect. Females Anopheles mosquitoes collected were identified using morphological taxonomic keys to species level. Specimens belonging to the Anopheles gambiae complex and Anopheles funestus group were further processed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to identify members of each complex/group. Subsequently, sporozoite infection rates of the anopheline mosquitoes were determined using a multiplexed real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay., Result: A total of 3,394 female Anopheles mosquitoes were collected and identified. These comprised of An. gambiae s.l. (68%), An. funestus group (19.8%), An. coustani (7.8%), An. pharoensis (2.6%), An. maculipalipis (1.6%), and An. leesoni (0.2%). All six species were found in urban zone, but only three were found in peri-urban and rural sites. Overall, urban collections accounted for the majority of these collections (55.5%) of mosquitoes collected, followed by those from peri-urban (30%) and rural sites (14.5%). Species distribution across the three ecotypes showed Anopheles arabiensis was the dominant species in urban (84.3%) and peri-urban (89%) sites, while An. gambiae s.s. was predominantly found in the rural zone (60.2%) alongside An. arabiensis (39.7%). Anopheles funestus was the predominant species in peri-urban (98.4%) and rural (85.7%) areas, with An. leesoni accounted for 1.6% and 14.3%, respectively. In urban areas, all samples from the An. funestus group were identified as An. funestus s.s.. Majority (55.5%) of Anopheles mosquitoes were collected indoors, while secondary vectors were primarily caught outdoors. Overall, sporozoite rates were higher outdoors 3.5% compared to indoors 1.45% in rural areas. Specifically, sporozoite infectivity rates for An. funestus, An. gambiae s.s and An. arabiensis collected indoors in the rural zone was 2.5%, 1.4% and 1% respectively. Outdoors in rural areas, An. gambiae had a sporozoite rate of 5.3%, while An. arabiensis had a rate of 2.1%. In peri-urban areas An. gambiae had a sporozoite rate of 2.3%. No sporozoites were detected in samples from urban sites., Conclusion: The study highlights a shift of diversity of Anopheles species towards urban areas with increased outdoor activity, and significant outdoor malaria transmission in rural and peri-urban areas, emphasizing the need for tools targeting outdoor-biting mosquitoes. The presence of An. funestus in urban settings is of interest and highlights the critical importance of sustained entomological surveillance to inform integrated vector control and prevent future transmission risks., Competing Interests: Competing interest The authors have declared that no competing interest.

Abstract The study analyzed the impact of landuse types on surface water quality in an emerging urban city. The objectives were to classify the existing landuse types, examine the variation in water quality across different landuse types, examine the quality of surface water using the water quality index, and compare the water quality parameters with the World Health Organization (WHO) standards. Samples drawn from surface waters were analyzed based on in situ and ex situ analysis according to standard methods. Three landuse types were identified namely residential, vegetated and commercial. The vegetated landuse accounted for the highest landuse type with 74% of land coverage. One-way analysis of variance was used to determine the variation in water quality parameters within each landuse type. There was a significant variation in total solids (F = 8.677, P

Research on trading and consumer perspective on handicrafts consumption has not been focused much in India. Studies have targeted urbanization and globalization but not as a means to examine the complex patterns of sale of these artefacts so local and ethnic to their place of origin. The present study was conducted on the urban customers of New Delhi, India to understand their knowledge and attitudes towards handicraft consumption and their usage in urban scenario. An on-site survey, along with FGDs and interviews, have been used for data collection. A systematic random sample was chosen using every third woman who visited one of our targeted haats buying the handicrafts. Qualitative data from the four focus groups of 6 women each and the eight indepth interviews were analyzed mainly using content analysis. Content analysis revealed that the urban young are not attracted by these handicrafts as much as the older counterparts who attach a cultural value to the system. The paper concludes with concise suggestions to improve consumption of handicrafts for development of these old yet cultural antiquities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Computer models that evaluate the formulas of these indices together with environmental factors and human characteristics have been created. Physiological equivalent temperature index and classification summer calculation model used for bioclimatic comfort calculations by obtaining monthly data of General Directorate of State Metrology Stations between 1972 and 2018 in Mersin city center. The results, comfortable monthly intervals, were determined and necessary suggestions were made for the people of Mersin city center in a month. In the calculations, the meteorological parameters such as surface-and-air temperature, wind speed, and relative humidity were taken into consideration. Monthly results show the bioclimatically comfortable area in September and May. There are conditions in Mersin that lead to comfortable perceptions in summer. During the cold period, different levels appear and warm and comfortable thermal conditions are observed. GIS analysis was used to determine the development of thermal perceptions over time. It was calculated between 1972 and 2018. According to these coefficients, there is a tendency to increase in PET values in the regions close to the water in Mersin and to decrease in Mersin, which is the station in rural areas, as a city station. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

India is one among the Asia's newly industrialized countries, in which urban centres generate large amount of municipal solid wastes due to the rapid urbanization. To demonstrate urban waste potentials for biogas production by anaerobic digestion, a comprehensive analysis on the availability of organic waste hotspots and its biogas potential for the exemplary case of Chennai, India, was undertaken. The identified hotspots and their biogas potential were plotted with Geographical Information System as thematic maps. The results of biogas potential tests revealed strong variations in the biogas potentials of individual waste streams from 240.2 to 514.2 mLN/g oDM (organic dry matter) with oDM reduction in the range of 36.4–61.5 wt.-%. Major waste generation hotspots were identified from the surveyed urban bio-reserves and the biogas potentials within an effective area of 5 km radius surrounding the hotspot were estimated. It was found that the biogas potential of individual hotspots ranged between 38.0–5938.7 m3/day. Further results revealed that the biogas potential during anaerobic co-digestion, by considering nearby bio-reserves in the effective areas of major hotspots, with and without residential organic waste, ranged between 4110.4–18–106.1 m3/day and 253.2–5969.5 m3/day, originating from 144.0–620.0 tons and 3.1–170.5 tons, respectively. Despite variations in the composition of the wastes, the Carbon/Nitrogen ratio, oDM reduction, biogas production and substrate availability were improved during co-digestion of nearby bio-reserves within the major hotspots, thereby improving the prevailing barriers in substrate management during anaerobic digestion of wastes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The cesarean section rate in Vietnam has been increasing especially in urban area. However, limited evidence identified regarding socio-demographic factors of the cesarean section birth. The objective of this study was to determine the current cesarean birth rate and the associated socio-demographic factors among mothers in Nha Trang city, south-central Vietnam. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted between October and November in 2016 as part of a Streptococcus pneumoniae carriage survey conducted in 27 communes of Nha Trang city. From each commune, 120 mothers and their children less than 2 years old were randomly selected. Mothers were asked to answer standardized questions regarding socio-demographic information and mode of birth. Multivariate logistic regression was adopted to examine associations between socio-demographic variables and mode of birth. Results: Of 3148 participants, the number of cesarean births was 1396 (44.3 %). Older maternal age (≥ 30 years old), having another child going to school or kindergarten, monthly income more than 644 USD, gestational weeks at birth over 42 weeks, and low (< 2500 g) or high (≥ 3500 g) birth weight were associated with higher likelihood of cesarean births. Conclusion: The CS rate obtained in this study was more than twice of what is recommended by the World Health Organization, which is consistent with the previous nation-wide study in Viet Nam. Further monitoring is suggested to examine the non-medical reason for the increased CS rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the impacts that open-trench drains make on the accuracy of radio propagation prediction in an urban city environment. Compared with conventional prediction styles that assume the ground to be flat, in this paper, we have considered for the first time the real scenario in many Asian cities to make open-trench drains inclusive in radio propagation modeling. The aims of this paper are twofold. First, to scrutinize one narrow L-shaped structure, modeled after an open-trench drain, by means of comparing ray-tracing simulation results with the actual field measurement results at 2.4 and 5.8 GHz. Second, to compare one city model built without and with the inclusion of open-trench drains for running ray-tracing simulation in yielding radio propagation prediction results. The findings from this paper are especially beneficial to the improvement of mobile communications in extraordinary environments such as open-trench drains, caves, coal mines, underground passageway, and others. Besides, they provide a unique insight into how the presence of the open-trench drains may affect radio wave propagation in an urban city environment.

Sedentary behavior and lack of physical activity are key modifiable behavioral risk factors for chronic health problems, such as obesity and diabetes. Little is known about how sedentary behavior and physical activity among adolescents spatially cluster. The objective was to detect spatial clustering of sedentary behavior and physical activity among Boston adolescents. Data were used from the 2008 Boston Youth Survey Geospatial Dataset, a sample of public high school students who responded to a sedentary behavior and physical activity questionnaire. Four binary variables were created: (1) TV watching (>2 h/day), (2) video games (>2 h/day), (3) total screen time (>2 h/day); and (4) 20 min/day of physical activity (≥5 days/week). A spatial scan statistic was utilized to detect clustering of sedentary behavior and physical activity. One statistically significant cluster of TV watching emerged among Boston adolescents in the unadjusted model. Students inside the cluster were more than twice as likely to report >2 h/day of TV watching compared to respondents outside the cluster. No significant clusters of sedentary behavior and physical activity emerged. Findings suggest that TV watching is spatially clustered among Boston adolescents. Such findings may serve to inform public health policy-makers by identifying specific locations in Boston that could provide opportunities for policy intervention. Future research should examine what is linked to the clusters, such as neighborhood environments and network effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concept of smart city has become more and more important and "useful" in recent years because of the negative effects on the environment and human health. Thus, researchers have sought to find solutions to improve housing in increasingly urbanized cities. This article brings to the reader a certain structure in terms of analyzing the concept of smart city, as well as the dissemination of the most important factors to consider when a city moves from its original state to a sustainable and intelligent governance of the city. Smart City Governance aims to create new forms of human collaboration by using ICTs to achieve better results and more open government processes. This article highlights the fact that public administration and intelligent governance is a matter of complex processes of institutional change and we should recognize the political nature of the visions of socio-technological governance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Today, air pollution is a great issue, and the transport sector is an important emission source. In this study, we present an integrated land use, transport, and environment model in which transport-related pollutants are assumed to influence people's housing location choices, and a continuum modeling approach is applied. The pollutants generated by the transport sector are dispersed by the wind and they affect air quality. The air quality changes people's housing choices, which in turn changes their travel behavior. We assume that the road users are continuously distributed over the city, that the road network is relatively dense, and that this network can be approximated as a continuum. The total demand is categorized into several classes, and the modeled region contains several subdistricts. People who live in different subdistricts or who belong to different classes of commuters are assumed to have different perceptions of travel time, air quality, and the housing provision–demand relationship. The finite element method and the Newton–Raphson algorithm are adopted to solve this problem, and a numerical valuation is given to illustrate the effectiveness and efficiency of the proposed model. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Due to the increasing initiatives for urbanization and the development of smart cities, waste generation, segregation, and its management have become fundamental tasks. To provide efficient planning for waste management and its processes, such as collection, sorting, recycling, and disposal, recently, machine learning (ML) approaches have been utilized to assist the authorities. However, the identification of the best ML approach for the prediction of waste is a challenging effort. Finding adequate waste litter measurement is necessary for the ecological characteristics to improve over time. The waste from the trash may divide into organic and recycling types. In this paper, the optimized hybrid deep learning model has been developed for waste classification. This proposed work takes advantage of (i) data collection and preprocessing (ii) feature extraction using CNN (AlexNet) (iii) waste prediction from the urban cities' wastes using DBN, and (iv) hyperparameter optimization using Optuna. This model obtained an R2 score of 0.94, MPE 0.02 than other state-of-the-art approaches. Compared to the individual learners model, this proposed optimized hybrid deep learning model boosts the performance to predict waste generation and classify it with increased accuracy. • ML is used for efficient waste management planning, including collection, sorting, recycling, and disposal. • The optimized hybrid deep learning model has been developed for waste classification. • Proposed hybrid deep learning model enhances waste prediction and classification accuracy. • Model achieved R2 score of 0.94, 0.02 higher than other state-of-the-art approaches in MPE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Toxic element accumulation in the surrounding soils of the advanced industry- and agriculture-oriented areas may lead to severe environmental degradation and harmful impact on inhabitants. This work examined the concentration of some concerned toxic elements (Cr, Pb, Cd, Cu, As, and Ni) in the representative topsoil from 10 industrially contaminated sites in central Bangladesh (Narayanganj district) using an Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer concerning the probable ecological and human health risks. The mean concentrations (mg/kg) of the elements were found in the order of Ni (58.1 ± 11.8) > Pb (34.1 ± 14.3) > Cr (32.1 ± 6.77) > Cu (14.5 ± 3.30) > Cd (2.74 ± 1.08) > As (1.49 ± 0.43). The findings pointed out that diversified manmade events enhanced the intensities of elemental contamination through the studied sites. Source analysis showed that Cr, Pb, As, and Cd may originate from industrial wastewater and agricultural activities, whereas Cu and Ni came from natural sources. The geo-accumulation index level for Cd (1.70-3.39) was determined as grade 3 (moderately to strongly polluted), the enrichment factor score for Cd (13.9) fell in the very severe enhanced category (cluster 5), and the highest contamination factor value was found for Cd (15.7). The contamination degree values for all the tested elements signify a moderate to severe contamination grade; conversely, pollution load index levels depicted the nonexistence of elemental pollution. The assessment revealed serious Cd pollution in agricultural soils and moderate to significant potential ecological risk for the rest of the examined toxic elements. Furthermore, hazard index values exceeded the safe exposure levels, indicating that there was potential non-carcinogenic risk in the soils for children and adults. Ingestion exposure had much higher carcinogenic risk values than inhalation and cutaneous exposure, and children are exposed to considerable carcinogenic hazards. Therefore, it is suggested that the harmful practices that expose this farming soil to contaminants should be stopped immediately and effective environment-friendly techniques of waste management and effluent treatment should be employed in the study area., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2023 The Authors.)

This paper explains the importance of barrack objects and campuses and their role in forming the urban structure of the city. Military have always been an inseparable part of human history. Nowadays we are aware of a number of warfare, which determined and formed the journey of our civilization. But only few people realize, how big was the influence caused by the army interventions on the civil population in the peacetime, which was also one of the key factors of subsequent city development. In 18th century, during the process of demolition of city fortifications that previously functioned as a military accommodation, army focused their building activity on construction of several military schools, command buildings, military hospitals or barracks. Army barracks, first as single objects, subsequently as spacious campuses, were located in various positions of urban structure, many times occupying the most significant parts of the city. At close quarters, soldiers took another void spaces for marching and military parades. Army contracts for food, clothes, arms and other supplies attracted to garrison towns craft men and industry, which repeatedly led to further urban growth and created a plenty of new job opportunities. Furthermore, bigger cities could subsequently offer more development, supply and cultural possibilities for army. But how exactly looked these “military cities”, situated in civil cities, strictly protected from public? We discovered, that their architecture has its own specifics, which meets the connection of universal design and clear system of space composition, with exact amount of void space between the buildings. Each building function it's projected in its specific shape. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives To clarify the factors associated with risk for assisted living among community-dwelling older people, we conducted a large-scale survey in an urban city in Japan. Design Population-based cross-sectional study. Setting A mid-sized urban city in western Japan with a population of approximately 410,000. Participants Nondisabled and nondemented community-dwelling older people (≥65 years). Measurements A self-administered postal questionnaire, including a health checklist for the screening of older people at high risk for assisted living, as well as demographic/sociodemographic questions on sex, age, present illness, living alone, duration of residence within the current city, community participation, and employment status, was distributed. Results There were 41,796 returned questionnaires (response rate: 73.8%, average age: 72.0). Participants who were at high risk for assisted living accounted for 25.2%. The independent factors associated with risk for men and women were higher age, present illness, lack of community participation, unemployment, and <20 years of residence. Living alone was a significant factor for men, whereas it was insignificant among women. The types of illnesses among people at risk were different between men and women. Conclusion Higher age, present illness, and several social factors were independently associated with high-risk status for assisted living in the large-scale whole community survey, and there was a sex difference. Our results may provide basic information for the further application of effective preventive intervention in the community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microplastics are ubiquitously in various environments from the equator to the poles. Coastal agglomerations act as both a source and sink connecting the global microplastic cycles of oceans and continents. While the problem of microplastics is particularly severe and complex in the coastal zones, where both inland and marine pollution are concentrated, the present study aimed to provide hot topics and trends of coastal urban microplastic studies and to review the researches on microplastic pollution in the atmosphere and water bodies in coastal agglomerations in terms of characteristics, behavior, and health threat of microplastics. The results of the bibliometric analysis showed an increase in the annual output of microplastic research. Research hot topics and clusters were analyzed using the VOSviewer. Characteristics of microplastics varied in abundance, size, and polymer type in different environments and countries. Furthermore, coastal cities are taken as a system to sort out the input, output, and internal transmission pathways of microplastics. The health threat of microplastics to urban residents was briefly reviewed and the exposure and health risks of microplastics to infants and young children were of particular concern. Detailed and comprehensive studies on intervention and reduction in the transmission of microplastics between the atmosphere and water bodies, whether microplastics are harmful to infants and young children, and measures to reduce the risk of microplastic exposure are needed.

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This article aims to examine spatio-literary intermediality in the contemporary Indian graphic novel, especially Sarnath Banerjee's Corridor and Amruta Patil's Kari. Drawing on the figure of the flâneur, and referring to theorizations and works by Baudelaire, Walter Benjamin, Gilles Deleuze, Michel De Certeau and Michel Foucault, this paper situates the argument pro intermedial encounters in a multiplicity of ways, for instance by engaging on the theorization heterosubjectivity vis-à-vis the contemporary Indian graphic novel; by referring to intermediality between form and content, where the act of seeing occurs not only in a physical space such as the city, but also within the pages of the graphic novel; by means of the way in which the graphic novel uses this heterosubjectivity as encoded within the urban city mediated through the figure of the Baudelairean/ Benjaminian flâneur and, finally, by charting these intermedialities in two contemporary Indian graphic novels, Sarnath Banerjee's Corridor (2004) and Amruta Patil's Kari (2008), set in New Delhi and Bombay respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the cinematic representation of urban spaces in early films of East Asia and South Africa. It aims at demonstrating that early actuality films are an invaluable record of the economic, social, and cultural life of distant cities in the late Victorian and Edwardian eras, but also that the spatial organization of the cities, and of the films’ representations of them, were decisively shaped by the ideology and activity of imperialism. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

• Urban residential soundscape are generally dominated by biophonic and traffic sounds. • Landscape features have a main effect on overall sound quality of soundscape. • Traffic types have a main effect on overall sound quality of soundscape. • A model of overall sound quality using multiple linear regression is created. • Results suggest a tolerance to light traffic in urban residential environment. In dense urban cities with high-rise estates where large population of residents live in close proximity, the increasing noise exposure in soundscapes due to traffic noise, construction and other undesirable anthropophony in urban lived environments may cause adverse effects on the wellbeing of residents. In this study, soundscapes around such urban spaces are investigated using Singapore as a case study. This study aims to discover the current conditions of soundscapes around such spaces and whether traffic and landscape features have a sizeable effect on soundscape perception, as well as to develop a predictive model using soundscape indicators based on acoustics, psychoacoustics, and audio features. The results show that the soundscapes in the selected urban city's heartlands are generally dominated by traffic (40%) and biophonic (36%) sources. This study identifies the significant effects of both traffic conditions and landscape features that affect soundscape perception. A predictive model is developed based on identified objective indicators and an alternate method to derive the total mask duration of positive sound events. The visibility of roadways and vehicles correlates negatively with soundscape perception and reaffirms the effects of road visibility on noise annoyance. However, light traffic conditions do not adversely affect the soundscape perception as compared to heavy traffic, suggesting tolerance for light traffic by the participants in residential settings. Thus, the present study recommends that urban planners should take into consideration the type of traffic infrastructure when planning residential developments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rise of community participation is premised on perceived benefits that participation brings to community programs in terms of added efficiency, sustainability, and the collective community power. It is critical for social service professionals to gain the knowledge and skills to mobilize community members to join together and move from personal social concerns to collective concerns via organized community actions. However, the type of people who are likely to become involved in community mobilization efforts, and the motives for such participation, vary by country and culture. The purpose of this article is to present an urban community in Beijing and to identify factors that have affected community mobilization in urban China. Why might community mobilization factors in urban China be of interest to Western community practitioners and scholars? What is the appropriate theoretical framework within which to consider them? This article discusses these questions and raises questions for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]