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Introduction: National data reveal that the age-adjusted prevalence of leisure-time physical inactivity is higher among Blacks and Hispanics compared with Whites. However, these estimates do not consider nonleisure physical activity (PA). Also, race/ethnicity in these findings may by confounded by socioeconomic status disparities in PA. Here, we examine racial/ethnic differences in multiple measures of PA within a lower socioeconomic status sample. Methods: Participants in the current cross-sectional study (n = 1526 adults, aged ≥ 18 y) were recruited from Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-Education classes (nutrition education classes that target low-income people) in Texas. Self-report data were obtained using survey questionnaires in spring and fall 2018. PA outcomes of 4 different intensities were assessed: mean daily time spent walking, engaging in moderate and vigorous PA, and sitting. Additional PA-related measures included use and awareness of community PA resources. Linear regression models examined racial/ethnic differences in the 4 PA outcomes after adjusting for participant gender, age, household composition measures, and various socioeconomic status measures. Results: In this low-income sample, Hispanic and Black participants spent 6 to 9 more minutes per day walking and engaging in moderate and vigorous PA compared with White/other participants (P <.05 for each measure). Conversely, White/other participants reported spending 82 more minutes sitting per day than Black and Hispanic participants (P <.01). Overall, Black participants were most likely to utilize community PA resources and report ease of engaging in exercise. Discussion: Together, these results reveal greater engagement in PA by racial/ethnic minorities in low-income communities compared with Whites. Our results have implications for tailoring PA programming to these communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the potential impact of the increased investment in early childhood education and care (ECEC) in Canada. With a multi-billion-dollar investment committed to making high-quality care accessible, affordable, flexible, and inclusive for all Canadians, this initiative is set to reshape the landscape of child care in Canada. Although increased access to ECEC is important, it is not sufficient on its own. Quality must be the cornerstone, with particular attention given to the needs of low-income families. Strategic incentives for providers and financial support for educators are practical steps that can significantly elevate the effectiveness and reach of ECEC services. The goal is not just more ECEC but better ECEC for all. The article draws on a range of research studies and policy documents to explore the potential benefits and challenges of this ambitious project and to offer recommendations for how stakeholders can work together to ensure its success. Note from the editors: The first volume of Canadian Public Policy/Analyse de politiques was published in 1975, making this the 50th volume. To commemorate, we have organized a series of lectures which are published in this special issue. Professor Dhuey gave this lecture at the meetings of the Canadian Economics Association in Winnipeg in June 2023. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document is a collection of abstracts from various articles in the Journal of Planning Literature. The articles cover a range of topics including planning history, hydromorphological information in historical maps, mapping in conservative media's climate change denial, computational cartographic recognition, more-than-state ontologies of territory, life-course trajectories in local spatial contexts, co-creation in adaptive spatial planning, dissonant memory landscapes in infrastructure development, postdigital territoriality, complexity and responsibility in planning, planning education, and more. Each abstract provides a brief overview of the article's content and key findings. [Extracted from the article]

"Waiting Town: Life in Transit and Mumbai's Other World-Class Histories" by Lisa Björkman is an ethnographic monograph that examines the settlement of Pratiksha Nagar, or Waiting Town, on the outskirts of Mumbai. The book challenges dominant narratives of urban development and infrastructure by highlighting the complexities and contradictions within the city. It explores the role of various actors in shaping the lives of the project-affected people in Pratiksha Nagar and raises questions about accountability and ethical responsibility. The book offers valuable insights into the effects of large-scale infrastructure projects on the urban poor and emphasizes the importance of trust and relationships in determining eligibility for assistance. While some critics argue that the book lacks acknowledgement of other perspectives, it is praised for its interdisciplinary nature and potential to inform urban planning practices. [Extracted from the article]

Federally Qualified Health Centers may increase access to HIV prevention, care, and treatment for at-risk populations. A pooled cross section of ZIP Code Tabulation Areas from cites in the U.S. South with high HIV diagnoses were used to examine Federally Qualified Health Center density and indicators of HIV epidemic control. The explanatory variable was Federally Qualified Health Center density—number of Federally Qualified Health Centers in a ZIP Code Tabulation Areas' Primary Care Service Area per low-income population—high versus medium/low (2019). Outcomes were 5-year (2015–2019 or 2014–2018) (1) number of new HIV diagnoses, (2) percentage late diagnosis, (3) percentage linked to care, and (4) percentage virally suppressed, which was assessed over 1 year (2018 or 2019). Multiple linear regression was used to examine the relationship, including ZIP Code Tabulation Area–level sociodemographic and city-level HIV funding variables, with state-fixed effects, and data analysis was completed in 2022–2023. Sensitivity analyses included (1) examining ZIP Code Tabulation Areas with fewer non–Federally Qualified Health Center primary care providers, (2) controlling for county-level primary care provider density, (3) excluding the highest HIV prevalence ZIP Code Tabulation Areas, and (4) excluding Florida ZIP Code Tabulation Areas. High-density ZIP Code Tabulation Areas had a lower percentage of late diagnosis and virally suppressed, a higher percentage linked to care, and no differences in new HIV diagnoses (p <0.05). In adjusted analysis, high density was associated with a greater number of new diagnoses (number or percentage=5.65; 95% CI=2.81, 8.49), lower percentage of late diagnosis (−3.71%; 95% CI= −5.99, −1.42), higher percentage linked to care (2.13%; 95% CI=0.20, 4.06), and higher percentage virally suppressed (1.87%; 95% CI=0.53, 2.74) than medium/low density. Results suggest that access to Federally Qualified Health Centers may benefit community-level HIV epidemic indicators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Few studies have examined whether neighborhood deprivation is associated with severe maternal morbidity (SMM) in already socioeconomically disadvantaged populations. Little is known about to what extent neighborhood deprivation accounts for Black–White disparities in SMM. This study investigated these questions among a statewide Medicaid-insured population, a low-income population with heightened risk of SMM. Data were from Michigan statewide linked birth records and Medicaid claims between 01/01/2016 and 12/31/2019, and were analyzed between 2022 and 2023. Neighborhood deprivation was measured with the Area Deprivation Index at census block group and categorized as low, medium, or high deprivation. Multilevel logistic models were used to examine the association between neighborhood deprivation and SMM. Fairlie nonlinear decomposition was conducted to quantify the contribution of neighborhood deprivation to SMM racial disparity. People in the most deprived neighborhoods had higher odds of SMM than those in the least deprived neighborhoods (aOR [95% CI]: 1.27 [1.15, 1.40]). Such association was observed in Black (aOR [95% CI]: 1.34 [1.07, 1.67]) and White (aOR [95% CI]: 1.26 [1.12, 1.42]) racial subgroups. Decomposition showed that of 57.5 (cases per 10,000) explained disparity in SMM, neighborhood deprivation accounted for 23.1 (cases per 10,000; 95% CI: 16.3, 30.0) or two-fifths (40.2%) of the Black–White disparity. Analysis on SMM excluding blood transfusion showed consistent but weaker results. Neighborhood deprivation may be used as an effective tool to identify at-risk individuals within a low-income population. Community-engaged interventions aiming at improving neighborhood conditions may be helpful to reduce both SMM prevalence and racial inequity in SMM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Previous research has shown that the use of dental care services has a significant socioeconomic gradient. Lower income groups tend to use dental care services less, and they often have poorer dental health than higher income groups. The purpose of this study is to evaluate how an increase in income affects the use of dental care services among a low-income population. Methods: The study examines the causal effect of increasing cash transfers on the use of dental care services by utilizing unique register-based data from a randomized field experiment conducted in Finland in 2017–2018. The Finnish basic income experiment introduced an exogenous increase in the income of persons who previously received basic unemployment benefits. Register-based data on the study population's use of public and private dental care services were collected both for the treatment group (N = 2,000) and the control group (N = 173,222) of the experiment over a five-year period 2015–2019: two years before, two years during, and one year after the experiment. The experiment's average treatment effect on the use of dental care services was estimated with OLS regressions. Results: The Finnish basic income experiment had no detectable effect on the overall use of dental care services. However, it decreased the probability of visiting public dental care (-2.7% points, -4.7%, p =.017) and increased the average amount of out-of-pocket spending on private care (12.1 euros, 29.8%, p =.032). The results suggest that, even in a country with a universal public dental care coverage, changes in cash transfers do affect the dental care patterns of low-income populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document provides concise summaries of research papers and exhibits related to pediatric radiology. The research papers focus on topics such as the use of machine learning in automating calculations for neuroblastoma patients, the detection of tibial lesions using machine learning, the reduction of radiation dose in pediatric coronary CT angiography, and the automatic detection of pediatric lymphoma on PET/MRI images. The exhibits cover topics such as the diagnosis and treatment of pediatric brain tumors, the diagnosis of pediatric adrenal masses, the management of pediatric chest wall masses, and the evaluation of pediatric musculoskeletal infections. These summaries and exhibits offer valuable insights for library patrons conducting research in the field of pediatric radiology. Additionally, the document includes a list of papers and posters presented at a conference, providing a comprehensive overview of current research in the field. [Extracted from the article]

Representations of Christianity in contemporary Chinese cinema are very limited, making the scholarship of this subject underexplored. Filmmaker Gan Xiao'er has made three feature-length independent films focusing on Christianity in China. These films, The Only Sons (2003), Raised from Dust (2007), and Waiting for God (2012), are used for case studies, with close analyses of their narratives and formal elements. They are also examined in the social and cultural contexts of postsocialist China. This article argues that Gan's religious features are significant in the context of postsocialist Chinese cinema. They not only depict the religious experience of Chinese Christians, which has been under-represented cinematically, but also provide a religious critique rarely seen in Chinese films. On the one hand, these films critically engage with the experience of underprivileged people during the Reform period, when economic development and materialism became dominant, while the socialist political system remained. Gan's religious features provide an alternative perspective that cares for people's spiritual needs. On the other hand, Gan's later films interrogate the local religious institution in China, questioning the arbitrary separation of the 'holy' and the 'unholy', proposing a more inclusive approach to the religious concept of love. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Colorectal cancer screening rates remain suboptimal, particularly among low‐income populations. Our objective was to evaluate the long‐term effects of Medicaid expansion on colorectal cancer screening. Design, Setting, and Participants: This cross‐sectional study analyzed data from 354,384 individuals aged 50–64 with an income below 400% of the federal poverty level (FPL), who participated in the Behavioral Risk Factors Surveillance System from 2010 to 2018. A difference‐in‐difference analysis was employed to estimate the effect of Medicaid expansion on colorectal cancer screening. Subgroup analyses were conducted for individuals with income up to 138% of the FPL and those with income between 139% and 400% of the FPL. The effect of Medicaid expansion on colorectal cancer screening was examined during the early, mid, and late expansion periods. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was the likelihood of receiving colorectal cancer screening for low‐income adults aged 50–64. Results: Medicaid expansion was associated with a significant 1.7 percentage point increase in colorectal cancer screening rates among adults aged 50–64 with income below 400% of the FPL (p < 0.05). A significant 2.9 percentage point increase in colorectal cancer screening was observed for those with income up to 138% the FPL (p < 0.05), while a 1.5 percentage point increase occurred for individuals with income between 139% and 400% of the FPL. The impact of Medicaid expansion on colorectal cancer screening varied based on income levels and displayed a time lag for newly eligible beneficiaries. Conclusions: Medicaid expansion was found to be associated with increased colorectal cancer screening rates among low‐income individuals aged 50–64. The observed variations in impact based on income levels and the time lag for newly eligible beneficiaries receiving colorectal cancer screening highlight the need for further research and precision public health strategies to maximize the benefits of Medicaid expansion on colorectal cancer screening rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article reviews four books that explore the history and experiences of Black, Latino, and Asian suburbanization in the United States. The books highlight the struggles and agency of these communities in gaining access to middle-class suburbia, as well as the challenges they face in maintaining stability and navigating the suburban ideal. The authors also discuss the complexities of suburban integration, emphasizing that it is not solely about Black-White integration but also involves integration within racial and ethnic groups. Overall, these books provide a nuanced understanding of suburban diversity and exclusionary suburbanization in the United States. [Extracted from the article]

This paper explores the motivations and barriers behind the decision of economically disadvantaged Moldovans to refrain from migrating for better economic prospects. Drawing on 30 qualitative interviews with voluntary stayers, it uncovers a range of individual‐level characteristics that impede migration aspirations. These findings highlight the heightened sensitivity of lower‐wage stayers to their perceived social status abroad, their limited adaptability to new cultures and environments and their lower willpower to endure the challenges of long‐term gains. Moreover, this paper sheds light on their contentment with modest material gains and their aversion to migration risks. At the structural level, it emphasizes how social inequalities act as barriers for specific social groups, particularly the economically disadvantaged. These empirical insights challenge prevailing assumptions about the dominance of economic costs and network abroad in migration decision‐making, offering a fresh perspective on the social factors and costs shaping stayers' choices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parachute science, which occurs when scientists or NGOs from developed countries conduct research in developing countries without fully investing in local partnerships or recognizing local expertise, is a significant issue in conservation research. This phenomenon is particularly prevalent in Latin America, where power imbalances and colonial legacies contribute to the marginalization of local researchers. The lack of nuance in the current literature on parachute science limits the potential for research to reflect the interests and goals of the region. To combat this, it is crucial to foster equitable collaboration, leverage ties with Indigenous communities, and prioritize studies led by and requested by local Indigenous groups. By doing so, conservation work in Latin America can become more effective and equitable. [Extracted from the article]

The book "Urban Design Governance: Soft Powers and the European Experience" by Carmona, Gabrieli, and Bento explores the concept of urban governance and its importance in improving urban design quality. The authors analyze the institutional and economic dimensions of urban governance and provide in-depth case studies in the European context. They highlight the significance of financial dimensions in urban design governance and distinguish between regulatory and informal planning instruments. The book also emphasizes the role of soft power in enhancing governance structures and promoting urban design outcomes. However, it does not address the capacity of urban design governance for wealthy and disadvantaged groups, leaving room for further research in this area. Overall, the book provides valuable insights into the role of governance in creating inclusive and habitable urban environments. [Extracted from the article]

Extant studies have deployed variable-centered methods to examine predictors of children's nutritional status, and few focus on the double burden of malnutrition among young Chinese children. This paper adopts a person-centered approach and leverages data from large samples of Chinese families (the China Health and Nutrition Survey, CHNS 2004–2015, and China Family Panel Studies, CFPS 2010–2018) to examine trends in the prevalence of stunting, overweight, and stuntingoverweight in early childhood. We developed a hierarchical structure of socioeconomic indicators, including region (Eastern-Central-Western), urbanicity (urban-rural), and family socioeconomic status gradient (four quartiles). We assessed relative risks for malnutrition for 24 subgroups of children from varying socioeconomic strata. Results indicate that the prevalence of stunting decreased consistently while the prevalence of being overweight increased first, followed by a decreasing trend. Moreover, a small group of stuntedoverweight children (4.7%) was identified. Data from the CHNS indicated that children from affluent families in the Central region were prone to being overweight. Data from the CFPS indicate that underprivileged groups (children from poor rural families living in Western China) were at higher risk for both undernutrition and overnutrition than their more advantaged peers. The findings suggest that children in poor, rural areas in Western China should be targeted for malnutrition alleviation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

From June to August 2022, the financial barrier to public transport use almost completely disappeared in Germany due to the 9-Euro-Ticket. It enabled anyone with access to public transport infrastructure across Germany to use public transport for 9 euros per person per month. As this completely changed the conditions for public transport use, especially for low-income households with children, the following research questions arise: (1) what effect does the 9-Euro-Ticket have on the travel practices and social participation of low-income households with children? (2) how and by what were the travel practices shaped by the 9-Euro-Ticket? and (3) what happened to the interviewees' travel practices after the measure expired? To answer these questions, twelve qualitative interviews were conducted with low-income households with children in the Hanover region. This study found that the 9-Euro-Ticket removed the financial constraint of public transport use, changed the travel practices of most interviewees and had a wide range of positive meanings. The respondents associate the 9-Euro-Ticket with freedom, joy at being able to offer their children something, along with financial and psychological relief. Additionally, the 9-Euro-Ticket enabled the interviewees to engage in leisure activities, to visit relatives, contributed to integration, had an empowering effect, especially for women and children, and thus represents a measure to increase social participation. After the three months of the 9-Euro-Ticket, financing public transport use challenges low-income households again and financial constraints prevent them from reaching certain places and engaging in out-of-home activities. • Investigates the effect of a nearly fare-free public transport ticket. • In-depth analysis of the 9-Euro-Ticket using qualitative empirical research. • Low-income people's mobility and social participation benefits from affordable PT. • This study reveals six main findings of interest for policy and practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water Cool(ing) Island (WCI) literature has paid little attention to smaller waterscapes in developed areas that are most vulnerable to the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect. To fill this gap, this study investigated participants' changes in body temperature and stress level associated with the visual, auditory, and thermal properties of small waterscapes. The results of this study demonstrated that smaller waterscapes can provide effective cooling for predominantly hardscaped urban settings prone to the effects of UHI. This approach offers low-income residents without air-conditioning outdoor alternatives to indoor cooling centres in a post-pandemic era with more frequent and severe heat waves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The poverty rate among the Palestinian-Arab minority in Israel is two to three times higher than in the Jewish majority. While Arab schools in Israel have been studied from an unequal national and cultural rights perspective, they have rarely been studied from an unequal economic and social rights perspective, which highlights the role of education in social mobility. Objective: Our study aims to add the perspective of social class to previous research. In this qualitative-phenomenological exploratory case study of an elementary school serving working-class Arab Israelis, we sought to identify and describe what, according to members of the school community, may promote or impede students' learning experiences. Methods: We conducted 45 interviews with school staff, parents, and regional administrators and 26 observations of classes and school surroundings. These were analysed using a phenomenological method. Results: Findings indicated that the school environment was complex, with different groups having unique needs and interests which sometimes clashed. Despite an impoverished, diverse, and challenging student population and a stressful working environment, many improvements were mentioned over time in students' achievements and attendance and relationships between staff members and parents, among others. A policy of student-centred teaching was emphasised at the school, including many extra-curricular enrichment activities. However, many teachers reported burnout and a sense that their needs were not appropriately met. Conclusions: An enriching child-centred school environment, parent involvement, and collaboration among staff may not be enough to contribute to significant changes in students' learning environment without addressing poverty on a governmental level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Adults infected with Plasmodium spp. in endemic areas need to be re-evaluated in light of global malaria elimination goals. They potentially undermine malaria interventions but remain an overlooked aspect of public health strategies. Methods: This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of Plasmodium spp. infections, to identify underlying parasite species, and to assess predicting factors among adults residing in an endemic area from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). A community-based cross-sectional survey in subjects aged 18 years and above was therefore carried out. Study participants were interviewed using a standard questionnaire and tested for Plasmodium spp. using a rapid diagnostic test and a nested polymerase chain reaction assay. Logistic regression models were fitted to assess the effect of potential predictive factors for infections with different Plasmodium spp. Results: Overall, 420 adults with an estimated prevalence of Plasmodium spp. infections of 60.2% [95% CI 55.5; 64.8] were included. Non-falciparum species infected 26.2% [95% CI 22.2; 30.5] of the study population. Among infected participants, three parasite species were identified, including Plasmodium falciparum (88.5%), Plasmodium malariae (39.9%), and Plasmodium ovale (7.5%) but no Plasmodium vivax. Mixed species accounted for 42.3% of infections while single-species infections predominated with P. falciparum (56.5%) among infected participants. All infected participants were asymptomatic at the time of the survey. Adults belonging to the "most economically disadvantaged" households had increased risks of infections with any Plasmodium spp. (adjusted odds ratio, aOR = 2.87 [95% CI 1.66, 20.07]; p < 0.001), compared to those from the "less economically disadvantaged" households. Conversely, each 1 year increase in age reduced the risk of infections with any Plasmodium spp. (aOR = 0.99 [95% CI 0.97, 0.99]; p = 0.048). Specifically for non-falciparum spp., males had increased risks of infection than females (aOR = 1.83 [95% CI 1.13, 2.96]; p = 0.014). Conclusion: Adults infected with malaria constitute a potentially important latent reservoir for the transmission of the disease in the study setting. They should specifically be taken into account in public health measures and translational research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Frugal innovation (FI) is a recent topic in the scientific literature and it was introduced in relation to management studies. According to scholars, FI is a promising way to serve low-income people who cannot afford conventional products, especially those in developing countries, and to address the urgent need to rethink how resources can be used effectively to operate a sustainable business in the emerging global scenario. This systematic literature review article investigates how the use of qualitative research in studies on FI can contribute to the theory and applicability of FI in society. Searches were conducted in the Scopus, ScienceDirect, SpringerLink and Web of Science databases. After surveying and sorting the documents found, 61 research articles dealing with the various aspects and concepts of FI and addressing the use of qualitative research were selected for this literature review. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Various pro-cycling policies emerged around the world with the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic. France experimented with a €50 bike repair subsidy. Our questionnaire survey (n = 7343) focuses on beneficiaries' sociological profiles. Despite its success in quantitative terms, the repair subsidy benefited more regular cyclists—who cycle daily—and people who are confident cycling in urban areas. Women were more likely to benefit than men, and people in low-income households more than those in high-income households. Because these populations are usually underrepresented among cyclists in France, the scheme may appear to have reduced inequities in cycling. However, the scheme could have reached out more to the low-income population who were largely unaware of it. This selectivity is partly explained by awareness of the subsidy, which is lower among the younger and the less educated part of the population. Our survey shows that the scheme is selective primarily because of its design. It would have been necessary to accompany it with measures specifically designed for vulnerable groups. • Bike repair subsidy has been successful in quantitative terms. • Bike repair subsidy mainly benefited regular, confident, and women cyclists. • Low-income cyclists benefited the most although they were poorly informed. • Access to information about subsidies is itself socially selective. • Although the scheme is based on equal treatment, it can hardly be considered fair. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojna (AB-PMJAY) as a financial risk protection scheme intends to reduce catastrophic health expenditure (CHE), especially among poor. The current study was carried out to assess the utility of AB-PMJAY in terms of reduction in CHE from before and after admission in a tertiary hospital in the northern state of India. Methodology: It was a hospital-based cross-sectional study carried out from August 2020 to October 2021 at a public tertiary hospital of Himachal Pradesh, India. Data were collected from surgery- and medicine-allied (SA and MA) specialties. Along with socio-demographic details, information for total monthly family expenditure (TMFE), out-of-pocket expenditure (OOPE), and indirect illness-related expenditure (IIE) was recorded before and after hospital admission. CHE was considered as more than 10.0% OOPE of THFE and more than 40.0% of capacity to pay (CTP). Results: A total of 336 participants with a mean age of 46 years were recruited (MA: 54.6%). The majority (-93.0%) of participants had illness of fewer than 6 months. The mean TMFE was observed to be INR 4213.1 (standard deviation: 2483.7) and found to be similar across specialties. The OOPE share of TMFE declined from 76.1% (before admission) to 30.0% (after admission). Before admission, CHE was found among 65.5% (10.0% of THFE) and 54.2% (40.0% of CTP) participants. It reduced to about 29.0% (based on both THE and CTP) after admission to hospital. Conclusion: AB-PMJAY scheme found to be useful in reducing CHE in a tertiary hospital. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article titled "Cultural Zoning as Reparations: Providing Power to Asian American Communities" explores the concept of reparations for Asian American communities. It discusses the historical injustices faced by Asian Americans, including violence and discrimination, and argues that reparations are necessary to address these harms. The article proposes the idea of cultural zoning as a form of reparations, which would grant Asian American communities the power to create cultural zones to protect their interests and preserve their unique identity. It also examines a case study of the Two Bridges neighborhood in New York City to illustrate the potential benefits of cultural zoning. The article discusses the potential benefits of granting Asian American enclaves the power to implement cultural zoning as a form of reparations. The article focuses on the case study of the Two Bridges area in Manhattan, where luxury high-rise apartments are being constructed despite opposition from advocacy groups and residents. The Chinatown Working Group has proposed the Two Bridges Community Plan as an alternative zoning plan that prioritizes affordable housing and protects the neighborhood's character. The article argues that granting cultural zoning power to minority communities would empower them to protect their neighborhoods and counteract the harms of gentrification and cultural appropriation. [Extracted from the article]

This article is a conversation with Judith Butler, a professor at the University of California, Berkeley, about their experience in Brazil in 2017. Butler attended a conference on democracy and authoritarianism but faced backlash from an ultraconservative group who organized a social media campaign against them. They were met with large crowds outside the venue who burned effigies and called them the devil. Despite the threats, Butler continued to speak about democracy and free speech. The article discusses the misconceptions and fears surrounding gender studies, emphasizing its role in critical thinking and open inquiry. Butler calls for alliances to fight against the anti-gender ideology movement and to continue questioning established narratives. The text also highlights the need to understand global discourses and practices of freedom and justice, as well as the dangers of internecine fighting within feminism. It emphasizes the importance of addressing patriarchal and heteronormative systems as sources of destruction in the world. [Extracted from the article]

Urban communities in environmentally sensitive areas face escalating challenges due to climate change and inadequate infrastructural support, particularly in underserved regions like southside Norfolk, Virginia. This area, characterized by its vulnerability to flooding and a predominantly low-income population, lacks equitable inclusion in broader urban flood protection plans. This research focuses on the development of community-centered resilience strategies through active engagement and collaboration with local residents. The methodology centered around building trust and understanding within the community through a series of interactions and events. This approach facilitated a two-way exchange of information, enabling the research team to gather crucial insights on community-valued assets, prevalent flooding issues, and preferred flood mitigation solutions. The engagement revealed a significant increase in community knowledge regarding climate change, sea level rise, and stormwater management. Residents expressed a strong preference for green infrastructure solutions, including rain gardens, permeable pavements, and living shorelines, alongside concerns about pollution and the need for infrastructure redesign. The outcomes of this community engagement have initiated plans to develop tailored, nature-based flooding solutions. These results are set to inform future urban planning and policy, offering insights to the City of Norfolk and the United States Army Corps of Engineers for potential redesigns of flood intervention strategies that are more inclusive and effective. A template for participatory research to inform coastal hazard management includes cross-sector collaboration, a long-term engagement commitment, and education and surveying opportunities to align solutions to lived, local experiences. This template allows for community trust building, which is especially important in environmental justice communities. The study highlights the importance of community involvement in urban resilience planning, demonstrating that local engagement is essential in shaping community-centric solutions and equitable environmental policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An improved algorithm based on tent chaotic map and difference mechanism is proposed to address the problem of poor population diversity and easily falling into local optimum in the lion swarm optimization algorithm. At first, an improved tent chaotic map is introduced to initialize the population position to increase diversity and ergodicity, thereby improving the global search capability. Second, a perturbation factor combined with a differential evolution mechanism is introduced to realize the adaptive positioning of the lioness and improve its ability to jump out of the local optimum. Following that, the proposed algorithm's superiority is tested on 10 multi-type benchmark functions and compared to six swarm intelligence algorithms. Finally, the improved algorithm is applied to optimize the initial weights and thresholds of BP neural networks. Then a new model is proposed and applied to the study of house price prediction. Experiments are conducted on two standard datasets, and results show that the proposed model's convergence speed, accuracy, and stability are better than the other three methods. On the Boston dataset, the mean square error of the training set and test set is 0.0016 and 0.0052, respectively, and the absolute error of more than 98% of the data is within 3%. On the Californian dataset, the mean square error of the training set and test set is 0.0149 and 0.0151, respectively, with more than 92.3% of the data within 5% absolute error, further validating the effectiveness, higher accuracy, and convergence performance of the proposed model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

"The Decorated Tenement: How Immigrant Builders and Architects Transformed the Slum in the Gilded Age" by Zachary J. Violette and "How the Working-Class Home Became Modern" by Thomas C. Hubka are two books that provide insight into the lives of ordinary people in the late 19th and early 20th centuries in the United States. These books challenge the dominant narrative that focuses on the wealthy and their lavish homes, instead exploring the housing conditions and changes experienced by the working class and poor. Violette's book specifically examines the tenements in New York City, highlighting how immigrant builders and architects adapted these structures to meet the needs and desires of the new American residents. The books also discuss the tensions between housing reformers and tenants, with reformers often imposing their values on lower-class immigrants who were satisfied with their homes. The text mentions that Violette criticizes reformer Jacob Riis for his views on tenements, while Hubka focuses on the middle 60% of the income distribution and their housing improvements. It notes that Hubka's book lacks a racial analysis, but praises Violette for addressing the anti-Semitism faced by Jewish immigrants. Both books demonstrate the improvement in living standards for working-class people during this time period, with Hubka's book specifically examining the modernization of homes and its impact on people's lives. [Extracted from the article]

To assess the rate of visual impairment (VI) from uncorrected refractive error (URE) and associations with demographic and socioeconomic factors among low-income patients presenting to the Michigan Screening and Intervention for Glaucoma and Eye Health through Telemedicine (MI-SIGHT) program. Cross-sectional study. Adults ≥ 18 years without acute ocular symptoms. MI-SIGHT program participants received a telemedicine-based eye disease screening and ordered glasses through an online optical store. Participants were categorized based on refractive error (RE) status: VI from URE (presenting visual acuity [PVA], ≤ 20/50; best-corrected visual acuity [BCVA], ≥ 20/40), URE without VI (PVA, ≥ 20/40; ≥ 2-line improvement to BCVA), and no or adequately corrected RE (PVA, ≥ 20/40; < 2-line improvement to BCVA). Patient demographics, self-reported visual function, and satisfaction with glasses obtained through the program were compared among groups using analysis of variance, Kruskal–Wallis, chi-square, and Fisher exact testing. PVA, BCVA, and presence of VI (defined as PVA ≤ 20/50). Of 1171 participants enrolled in the MI-SIGHT program during the first year, average age was 55.1 years (SD = 14.5), 37.7% were male, 54.1% identified as Black, and 1166 (99.6%) had both PVA and BCVA measured. VI was observed in 120 participants (10.3%); 96 had VI from URE (8.2%), 168 participants (14.4%) had URE without VI, and 878 (75.3%) had no or adequately corrected RE. A smaller percentage of participants with VI resulting from URE reported having a college degree, and a larger percentage reported income < $10 000 compared with participants with no or adequately corrected RE (3.2% vs. 14.2% [ P = 0.02]; 45.5% vs. 21.6% [ P < 0.0001], respectively). Visual function was lowest among participants with VI from URE, followed by those with URE without VI, and then those with no or adequately corrected RE (9-item National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire composite score, 67.3 ± 19.6 vs. 77.0 ± 14.4 vs. 82.2 ± 13.3, respectively; P < 0.0001). In total, 71.2% (n = 830) ordered glasses for an average cost of $36.80 ± $32.60; 97.7% were satisfied with their glasses. URE was the main cause of VI at 2 clinics serving low-income communities and was associated with reduced vision-related quality of life. An online optical store with lower prices made eyeglasses accessible to low-income patients. Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found in the Footnotes and Disclosures at the end of this article. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article provides an overview of the Chinese Social Credit System, which was developed to address the issue of debt chains and default rates on bank loans in China. The system collects personal data, rewards sincerity, and disciplines dishonesty in order to reinforce financial regulation. The article also discusses the Western interest in the Chinese model and its potential implications. It highlights the arguments made by Professor Zhai Xuewei in his book, which advocates for an indigenous approach to understanding the social credit crisis in China. The article concludes by discussing the impact of urbanization and marketization on issues of dishonesty in Chinese society. While the Social Credit System is seen as addressing some of these issues, the author criticizes the book's reliance on outdated theoretical frameworks and suggests a more future-oriented approach. [Extracted from the article]

Background and Aims: Impoverished people who inject drugs (PWID) are at the epicenter of US drug‐related epidemics. Medicaid expansion is designed to reduce cost‐related barriers to care by expanding Medicaid coverage to all US adults living at or below 138% of the federal poverty line. This study aimed to measure whether Medicaid expansion is (1) positively associated with the probability that participants are currently insured; (2) inversely related to the probability of reporting unmet need for medical care due to cost in the past year; and (3) positively associated with the probability that they report receiving substance use disorder (SUD) treatment in the past year, among PWID subsisting at ≤ 138% of the federal poverty line. Design: A two‐way fixed‐effects model was used to analyze serial cross‐sectional observational data. Setting: Seventeen metro areas in 13 US states took part in the study. Participants: Participants were PWID who took part in any of the three waves (2012, 2015, 2018) of data gathered in the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's National HIV Behavioral Surveillance (NHBS), were aged ≤ 64 years and had incomes ≤ 138% of the federal poverty line. For SUD treatment analyses, the sample was further limited to PWID who used drugs daily, a proxy for SUD. Measurements State‐level Medicaid expansion was measured using Kaiser Family Foundation data. Individual‐level self‐report measures were drawn from the NHBS surveys (e.g. health insurance coverage, unmet need for medical care because of its cost, SUD treatment program participation). Findings The sample for the insurance and unmet need analyses consisted of 19 946 impoverished PWID across 13 US states and 3 years. Approximately two‐thirds were unhoused in the past year; 41.6% reported annual household incomes < $5000. In multivariable models, expansion was associated with a 19.0 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 9.0, 30.0] percentage‐point increase in the probability of insurance coverage, and a 9.0 (95% CI = −15.0, −0.2) percentage‐point reduction in the probability of unmet need. Expansion was unrelated to SUD treatment among PWID who used daily (n = 17 584). Conclusions: US Medicaid expansion may curb drug‐related epidemics among impoverished people who inject drugs by increasing health insurance coverage and reducing unmet need for care. Persisting non‐financial barriers may undermine expansion's impact upon substance use disorder treatment in this sample. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Underprivileged people in many parts of Asia, Africa, Europe, and Latin America use earthen dwellings because of environmental and economic advantages. However, such non-engineered structures often encounter unacceptable risks from various natural calamities such as earthquakes, floods, etc. The 3rd January 2017 moderate earthquake in Tripura (NE India) is prime evidence of severe damage to earthen houses in rural Tripura. The present research focuses on enhancing the seismic strength of traditional earthen houses through mechanical stabilization with locally available low-cost sustainable natural fibers (i.e., jute and straw) and stabilizing materials (i.e., clay and lime), respectively. Primarily, the shear and flexural strength of both stabilized and unstabilized model rammed earthen wallettes are investigated experimentally. Thereafter, a 3D finite element (FE) numerical model is developed to verify the sanctity of the experimental findings. The study reveals that fiber-reinforced earthen wallettes, especially jute fiber-reinforced wallettes, exhibited significant improvement in shear and flexural strength including ductility behaviour whereas, clay and lime-stabilized wallettes offered improvement in strength exhibiting brittle failure. Finally, the seismic response of a prototype fiber-reinforced rammed earth wall is evaluated through 3D FE-based numerical modelling considering the input motion of the 2017 Tripura earthquake which also indicated significant improvement compared to the unimproved one. However, from the viewpoint of sustainability, it is concluded that carbon emissions of approx. 38% may be reduced in the case of natural fibers such as jute and straw compared to synthetic stabilizing agents (i.e., lime). Hence, the study promotes the use of low-cost sustainable fibers with a lower carbon footprint and minimum energy consumption in earthen houses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: We aimed to estimate the prevalence of physical inactivity in all districts of Iran and the disparities between subgroups defined by various measures. Methods: Small area estimation method was employed to estimate the prevalence of physical inactivity in districts based on the remaining districts in which data on the level of physical inactivity were available. Various comparisons on the estimations were done based on socioeconomic, sex, and geographical stratifications to determine the disparities of physical inactivity among districts of Iran. Results: All districts of Iran had a higher prevalence of physical inactivity compared with the world average. The estimated prevalence of physical inactivity among all men in all districts was 46.8% (95% uncertainty interval, 45.9%–47.7%). The highest and lowest estimated disparity ratio of physical inactivity were 1.95 and 1.14 in males, and 2.25 and 1.09 in females, respectively. Females significantly had a higher prevalence of 63.5% (62.7%–64.3%). Among both sexes, the poor population and urban residents significantly had higher prevalence of physical inactivity than rich population and rural residents, respectively. Conclusions: The high prevalence of physical inactivity among Iranian adult population suggests the urgent need to adopt population-wide action plans and policies to handle this major public health problem and avert the probable burden. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Who was Robert Moses? In this article, we want to cast a bright light on Robert Moses as a visionary urban planner, which included the comprehensive planning of the outdoor and indoor aquatic infrastructure for New York City. Second, we want to highlight some of his administration's significant accomplishments and challenges in providing aquatics opportunities for diverse populations, including people of color. Finally, we aspire to illustrate what happens when officials with power and authority in local government are permitted to operate without scrutiny and are unbeholden to a meaningful series of checks and balances. Robert Moses' tenure as a 40-year-plus appointed public official highlighted the need for accountability in public service. During his expansive career, Moses held more than 12 bureaucratic appointments, sometimes concurrently, allowing him to drive his infrastructure development agenda funded by the WPA mercurially. His herculean list of accomplishments included parks, highways, 11 large swimming pools, civic centers, sports stadiums, 13 bridges, 658 playgrounds, 416 miles of parkway, 150,000 units of public housing, and the 1964-65 World's Fair, which cost in today's economy approximately $150 billion (Adiv, 2015). One of the central jewels in the crown of his accomplishments was the planning, design, and construction of the outdoor and indoor swimming infrastructure of New York City. Unfortunately, many of Moses' achievements were overshadowed by allegations of racial politics, a lack of accountability for his decisions and policy actions, and reports of his disdain for blacks, Puerto Ricans, and low-income people. He was also called dictatorial, power-hungry, and vindictive during his long tenure in public service. Moses was rebuked for his lack of inclusion in planning processes and making resource allocation decisions based on the racial composition of a community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]