Capital City Research Articles

Assessing heat vulnerability and multidimensional inequity: Lessons from indexing the performance of Australian capital cities

Increased extreme heat, driven by rapid urbanisation and climate change, has caused increasing heat-related deaths, and posed significant threats to vulnerable populations. Studies have proposed many heat vulnerability indices, but most lack comprehensiveness in study design and validation. Furthermore, a significant gap remains for an analysis of inequity in heat vulnerability assessment research, a crucial component for promoting thermal equity. This paper introduces a Comprehensive Heat Vulnerability Index (CHVI) for Australia's capital cities, using socio-demographic, health, and environmental indicators at the finest statistical level, the Statistical Area 1 (SA1) scale, and employs the Gini coefficient to analyse inequity in heat vulnerability. Key findings include: (a) Heat vulnerability exposure decreases from urban to rural areas, with sensitivity exhibiting similar trends but more pronounced regional variations; (b) Adaptive capacity increases as exposure decreases, though this pattern is not consistent in city centres and certain regions; (c) The CHVI effectively measures heat vulnerability, demonstrating strong correlations with Pearson Correlation Coefficients of 0.68 and 0.92; (d) The distribution of heat vulnerability aligns with exposure trends but shows greater regional diversity, and city centres tend to have lower vulnerability levels; (e) Thermal inequity among SA1s is influenced by factors such as the Indigenous population, unemployment rates, English proficiency, and public transportation usage; (f) There is a slight variation in these factors of thermal inequity across each capital city. The findings provide a comprehensive understanding of heat vulnerability and thermal inequity in the Australian capital cities that could aid in informing climate resilience and adaptation strategies and policies for sustainable development.

Comparative Analysis of Machine Learning Algorithms with SMOTE and Boosting Techniques in Accuracy Improvement

This research explores and enhances accuracy in sentiment classification related to Indonesia's Capital City relocation by combining Naive Bayes (NB), Random Forest (RF), SMOTE, and XGBoost. The study addresses challenges of unbalanced data and complexity in social media sentiment analysis. The combination of RF with SMOTE achieved the highest accuracy at 91.25%, demonstrating SMOTE's effectiveness in balancing the dataset and improving minority class detection. While adding XGBoost slightly reduced accuracy (90.92%), it increased the NB model's accuracy from 77.45% to 85.97% when combined with SMOTE. RF alone reached 87.46% and improved to 88.78% with XGBoost. The study underscores the importance of selecting and combining techniques to maximize sentiment prediction accuracy. Future research could explore deep learning or transformer models for even better results, offering deeper insights into public sentiment and aiding effective policy strategy development.

Sickle cell disease awareness and perception among Christian religious leaders in Accra Metropolis: a qualitative study.

Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) is a severe hemoglobin gene mutation disorder inherited from both parents. 2% of Ghanaian newborns are affected by SCD; one in three Ghanaians has the hemoglobin S gene. Christian religious leaders may play a role in the prevention of SCD through the promotion of genetic counseling, genotype screening for premarital couples, and offering counseling to couples on prenatal screening and diagnosis for SCD. However, little is known about the awareness and perception of SCD among Christian religious leaders in Ghana, and this study aims to explore these. This study adopted a qualitative descriptive design to explore the awareness and perception of SCD among Christian religious leaders in the capital city of Ghana. A purposive sampling technique selected 16 participants from churches under the main Christian groups. The participants were chosen based on their roles and responsibilities within their respective churches. Data was collected using a semi-structured interview guide, which included open-ended questions to encourage participants to share their thoughts and experiences. The interviews were conducted in a private setting to ensure confidentiality. The data was then analyzed using a thematic analysis approach, which involved identifying recurring themes and patterns in the participants' responses. The study's findings are crucial. They reveal a high awareness of SCD among Christian religious leaders, but also some misconceptions. Most of the religious leaders knew SCD was a genetic disease, although a few associated SCD with superstitious beliefs, poor dietary intake, and lifestyle. Some also stated that SCD was a disease of the blood group instead of the defective haemoglobin gene. They perceived SCD to be burdensome, disruptive, and draining, and they associated the disease with burnout in Persons Living with SCD (PLWSCD) and their families. The religious leaders had a good social network with PLWSCD, including family, friends, colleagues, and congregants. These findings underscore the need for intense education about SCD, especially among Christian religious leaders. It is crucial to engage all stakeholders to intensify public awareness and education about SCD while improving the management and social support systems available to PLWSCD and families. This includes the religious institution's leadership, PLWSCD and families, the Ministry of Health, Ghana Health Service, and the Ghana Education Service. As active stakeholders, religious leaders can play a vital role in supporting PLWSCD if they are equipped with the necessary knowledge about the condition. .

Performance analysis of natural draft power plant cooling tower: Mathematical modeling of cross-flow type, application in capital cities of Iranian provinces

Cooling towers are heat exchangers that reduce the hot water temperature produced by process equipment through heat and mass transfer between water and air stream. This study investigates the performance of cross-flow cooling towers under various geometrical, physical, and environmental conditions. For this purpose, thermodynamic modeling of the cross-flow cooling tower was conducted, and the governing equations were numerically solved using the finite difference method. Unlike previous studies, the effects of water droplet deformation into an elliptical shape during its fall along the cooling tower were also considered. This deformation, which influences the drag coefficient, Reynolds number of the water droplets, droplet surface area, and its cross-section area, along with the incorporation of buoyancy force in the droplet momentum equation, led to an improvement in the results. Consequently, the maximum computational error in this case was reduced to 1.97 %, compared to the scenario where droplet deformation and buoyancy force were neglected. The change in geometrical parameters of the tower in Tehran and Rasht was investigated, revealing that increasing the outlet radius of the tower from 20 m to 22.5 m decreased the outlet water temperature by 1.21 °C and 0.67 °C and increased the thermal efficiency of the tower by 4.94 % and 2.88 % respectively, while increasing the tower height from 100 m to 120 m, only decreased the outlet water temperature by 0.47 °C and 0.26 °C, and increased the thermal efficiency of the tower by 1.89 % and 1.09 % respectively. Additionally, the cooling tower performance was assessed in the centers of different provinces .of Iran. Results showed that with an initial droplet radius of 1 mm and an inlet water temperature of 50 °C, the maximum and minimum temperature reductions occurred in Shahrekord by 20.16 °C and Bandarabbas by 12.37 °C, respectively.

Defining pediatric neurosurgery in low-income countries: a cross-sectional study in Ethiopia.

Pediatric neurosurgical practice is prevalent in most low- and lower-middle-income countries but lacks comprehensive documentation of practice patterns, demographics, and case variety. This study aimed to present the current state of pediatric neurosurgery in Ethiopia, including workforce characterization, case variety, and relevant procedures. A survey was developed and distributed to all Ethiopian fully trained neurosurgeons (n = 50). Survey questions assessed sociodemographic variables, level of training, case variety, and neurosurgical practice. Statistical analysis was conducted to describe the current practice of pediatric neurosurgery. A total of 45 neurosurgeons responded (90%). Three respondents (7%) were women. There was only 1 fellowship-trained pediatric neurosurgeon, while most neurosurgeons were general neurosurgeons who served a pediatric patient population. Most neurosurgeons (56%) worked in the capital city, Addis Ababa, while another 13% worked in other urban settings. The top three indications for a pediatric neurosurgical procedure were neural tube defects (NTDs) (96%), hydrocephalus (93%), and trauma (60%). NTD-associated hydrocephalus was the most common hydrocephalus type seen (71%). The most common procedure for hydrocephalus was shunt insertion (96%). A prenatal diagnosis of NTD was made in < 10% of cases, as reported by 84% of respondents. The study highlights Ethiopia's need for more pediatric neurosurgeons. Suggested strategies to facilitate subspecialty training include the establishment of a fellowship program facilitated by the implementation of a nationwide pediatric neurosurgery registry. Promoting efforts for early diagnosis and treatment of pediatric conditions coupled with NTD prevention initiatives could improve pediatric neurosurgical care in Ethiopia.

Temporality and delayed models as dynamic characteristics of happiness

The subject of the study is the dynamic characteristics of happiness. The theoretical aspects of highlighting the context of temporality in happiness research are highlighted. The importance of time perspective for understanding happiness as a sociocultural phenomenon, as well as subjective well-being, is considered. The characteristics of delayed models of happiness are highlighted, influencing the perception of current life as an approach to a happier future. The empirical basis of the study is the results of a sociological study of Russian residents aged 18-60 years (n=1170) using an online survey conducted in September 2024 in capital cities (Moscow, St. Petersburg), the regional center (Ekaterinburg) and cities of the Sverdlovsk region. The novelty of the study lies in the identification and comparison of subjective assessments of happiness in a time perspective, past – present – future, which made it possible to identify an inclined trajectory of assessment of subjective well-being. The assessment of life satisfaction as a whole is shown to shift to lower levels in comparison with the assessment of current happiness. A contradiction has been revealed between the expectation of a better future and the uncertainty in its implementation. The use of a generational approach made it possible to fix temporality in the context of the influence of age and life experience on the perception of happiness, generational inequality of happiness and the convergence of assessments of chronic and current happiness with increasing age. Prospects for research on the topic are identified related to the insufficiency of quantitative measurement of the dynamic characteristics of happiness and the possibilities of identifying narratives in describing the temporality of the life experience of happiness, including its deferred models.

Study on the potential development of nuscale small modular reactor (smr) nuclear power plant to support the energy needs in the capital city of nusantara

Abstract In facing the dependence on unsustainable energy sources such as fossil fuels, diversifying the energy supply becomes crucial. As Indonesia’s new capital city, Nusantara significantly requires new and renewable energy sources as it can enhance energy security by reducing dependence on energy imports while also providing economic stimulus and creating new job opportunities. The potential development of new and renewable energy sources.in Nusantara is a solution to Indonesia’s dependence on fossil energy, which negatively impacts the environment and public health. One of these energy sources is the NuScale SMR type of nuclear power plant. The research method employed is a literature study based on various relevant sources related to the research topic. The results of the literature study indicate that the NuScale SMR is a nuclear reactor that possesses advantages in terms of size, high safety, reliability, resource efficiency, support for renewable energy, as well as affordable modularity and scalability, making it a prime choice to fulfil the energy needs in Nusantara. By utilising new and renewable energy sources from smaller and modular nuclear technology, Indonesia can reduce its dependence on fossil energy and promote a transition towards cleaner and more sustainable energy sources.

Projection of Electric Ships as Sustainable Transportation in the Capital City of Indonesia “Nusantara”

Abstract Nusantara is Indonesia’s new capital or knows as Ibu Kota Nusantara (IKN) for implementing the sustainable city concept. Waters separate the area around IKN with a total area of 68,188 ha. Therefore, people living in IKN, namely in Penajam and its surroundings, have become accustomed to using water transportation to travel between regions. Ship transportation that the community has often used has also been developed with electric ships to support sustainable cities and zero emissions at IKN. However, in implementing electric ships, problems arise, namely how to project the development of electric ship technology based on policy documents and development planning in the Nusantara Capital City. The objective to be achieved is to see the planning and policy document for developing environmentally friendly water transportation using electric power. The method used in this study is qualitative, with a synthesis approach. Data collection was carried out by document study from policies and regulations. The data was then analyzed descriptively to obtain important information about the problem. For the result, the projection of the of electric ships in IKN must be carefully planned so that it can be realized to support Sustainable City and zero emission in IKN later.

The EAT-Lancet diet associated cardiovascular health parameters: evidence from a Brazilian study

BackgroundThe EAT-Lancet diet is a diet aimed at promoting population and planetary health from the perspective of sustainable diets in terms of environmental and health aspects. This study aimed to assess the association between adherence to the EAT-Lancet diet and cardiometabolic risk factors among adults and elderly individuals in a capital city in the northeastern region of Brazil.MethodsThis is an analytical cross-sectional observational study from a population-based sample conducted between 2019 and 2020, involving 398 non-institutionalized adults and elderly people, of both sexes from “Brazilian Usual Consumption Assessment” study (Brazuca-Natal). There was a 38% response rate due to the suspension of data collection due to the covid-19 pandemic, but According to the comparative analysis of socioeconomic and demographic variables between the surveyed and non-surveyed sectors, losses were found to be random (p = 0.135, Little’s MCAR test). Socioeconomic and lifestyle data, anthropometric measurements, and dietary consumption were collected. We used the Planetary Health Diet Index (PHDI) and the Cardiovascular Health Diet Index (CHDI) for cardiovascular health to assess adherence to the diet’s sustainability. The evaluated cardiometabolic parameters included fasting blood glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol, HDL-C, LDL-C, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure measurements. We also assessed the presence of type 2 diabetes mellitus, arterial hypertension, and dyslipidemia. For the data analyses, sample weights and the effect of the study design were taken into account. Pearson’s chi-square test was used to evaluate the statistical significance of frequencies. Multiple linear regression models assessed the associations between PHDI and CHDI and its components and the cardiometabolic parameters.ResultsThe mean PHDI was 29.4 (95% CI 28.04:30.81), on a total score ranging from 0 to 150 points and the mean CHDI was 32.63 (95% CI 31.50:33.78), on a total score ranging from 0 to 110 points. PHDI showed a significant positive association with the final CHDI score and components of fruits, vegetables, and legumes, and a negative association with Ultra-processed Food (UPF) (p < 0.05). Notably, among the most consumed UPF, the following stand out: “packaged snacks, shoestring potatoes, and crackers” (16.94%), followed by margarine (14.14%). The PHDI exhibited a significant association with diabetes and dyslipidemia, as well as with systolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, and LDL-C.ConclusionsThe results suggest that adopting the EAT-Lancet diet is associated with the improvement of key cardiovascular health indicators.

Online News: Media Framing On Indonesia’s Capital City Relocation Policy

Objectives: The research aims to describe the position of the media in Indonesia in constructing an event using framing analysis. Methods: One of the framing analysis forms existing in communications research is that by Zhongdang Pan and Gerald M. Kosicki, which involves four major structures, namely, syntactic structures, script structures, thematic structures, and rhetorical structures. Framing analysis is a form of qualitative research. It particularly has relevance to the phenomenon of capital city relocation news reporting. Data were collected from online news reports by four media outlets, namely, Metro TV, CNN Indonesia, CNBC Indonesia, and Kompas TV. The news reports analyzed were set within the time frame between April of 2019 and January of 2022. All the online news reports pertaining to the capital city relocation were compared between the four media outlets to draw a conclusion as to how the media outlets positioned themselves in constructing the event under investigation. Results: The findings indicated that each television media outlet presented news on the capital city relocation policy in their respective fashions: Metro TV showed approval, CNBC Indonesia and CNN Indonesia did an inclination towards disapproval, and Kompas TV did a neutral view regarding the capital city relocation policy. Conclusions: The four media that were the object of research show that each media has a different agenda regarding events that occurred in Indonesia, especially the relocation of the capital city. These differences come from differences in motives, vision and mission, ideology, political affiliation and goals.

Silent De-Sovietization and Urban Renewal in Dushanbe

In the past decade, large-scale urban reconstruction has been ongoing in Dushanbe, Tajikistan’s capital city. In this process, the city’s Soviet architecture is being demolished and replaced by Dubai-inspired high-rises. This transformation of public space is a manifestation of the process of silent de-Sovietization that has taken place in Tajikistan. Unlike what has been seen in other post-Soviet countries, this form of de-Sovietization does not result from rethinking the country’s Soviet past and deliberately departing from it. Rather, it is a casual by-product of Tajikistan’s capitalist transformation.

Integration of disaster risk reductionand climate change adaptation in Aceh: Progress and challenges after 20 Years of Indian Ocean Tsunamis

The Indian Ocean Tsunami (IOT) of 2004, which tragically claimed 168,000 lives and displaced about half a million people in the Aceh region of Indonesia, established Aceh's reputation as one of the most geologically volatile areas in Southeast Asia. Unfortunately, the 2004 IOT also altered some geomorphological changes, particularly land subsidence in the coastal areas of South, Southwest, and West Aceh, making these regions more susceptible to coastal floods and inundation over the last 20 years. The 2004 tsunamigenic earthquakes had been compounded by hydroclimatic hazards (and required to reduce risk beyond geological disasters) that continued to cause loss and damage, compromise communities' well-being, and reproduce vulnerabilities. This article examines the progress and challenges for integrating disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate change adaptation (CCA) in Aceh, with a focus on the capital city, Banda Aceh using in-depth stakeholder interviews and document reviews. Anticipating gaps in meeting Sendai Framework 2030 target, as also observed elsewhere in Indonesia and Southeast Asia, the findings suggest various key challenges for the integration, including (1) fragmented DRR and CCA policies leading shaped the gap in coordination and collaboration among actors; (2) nurturing political commitment remains a challenge at local level; (3) lack of fiscal capacity and lack of earmarked allocation hampers the potential integration; (4) and deficits in community participation delayed adaptation and integration. The study offers recommendations for policy insights and consideration.

Churchgoing in Edinburgh and Leith, 1836–2016: The Statistical Record

In the ongoing scholarly debate about the secularisation of Scottish (and British) society, churchgoing is one of the few metrics for which longitudinal data exist, albeit fragmentarily. This article assembles and analyses the evidence about levels of church attendance in Scotland’s capital (and second largest) city during the nineteenth to early twenty-first centuries. It draws upon quantitative data (nine religious censuses, with varying methodologies, in 1836, 1851, 1882 and between 1980 and 2016) and qualitative sources (chiefly local newspapers). Relative to population, churchgoing in Edinburgh and Leith appears to have declined continuously since the mid-nineteenth century, in-person attendance standing at an estimated 3.59% of the city’s residents on an average Sunday in 2022–3, somewhat lower than in Glasgow. Possible explanations for this decrease are briefly explored.

Smart Environment Implementation Study in Samarinda

Abstract Samarinda, as a buffer for the Indonesian Capital City (IKN), needs to carry out development transformation to suit developments in science and technology and needs. The aim is to overcome environmental problems that cause increased flooding, traffic jams and under resourced neighbourhoods, making Samarinda City an uncomfortable place to live. To overcome this, it is necessary to apply the smart environment concept. This research examines the implementation of a smart environment, and the obstacles faced in its implementation in Samarinda City. Research analysis uses SWOT by determining the IFAS and EFAS for implementing the smart environment. The results of the SWOT analysis are in quadrant I (x, y = 1.71; 1.10), meaning that the implementation of a smart environment in Samarinda City needs to be carried out with a growth strategy (intensifying existing resources). The obstacles to implementing a smart environment in Samarinda City in the environmental protection program are not yet using IoT to monitor pollution, the high volume of waste that has not been handled, the absence of regional regulations regarding the use of renewable energy and energy efficient building design. For this reason, support and cooperation from the government, private sector and society is needed.

Prevalence and Risk Factors Associated with Depressive Symptoms Among Healthcare Professionals at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Mogadishu, Somalia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Depression, a prevalent mental health issue, can significantly impact healthcare workers (HCWs), leading to decreased productivity, increased turnover, and high medical errors. However, there is a dearth of information regarding depression among healthcare professionals in Somalia. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the magnitude and risk factors associated with depressive symptoms among healthcare professionals in Mogadishu, Somalia. A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among HCWs at Erdogan Hospital, in the capital city of Somalia. Data was collected using questionnaires on socio demographic, work-related characteristics and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify variables associated with depressive symptoms. A p-values of 0.05 as a cutoff for a significant association. The prevalence of depressive symptoms among healthcare professionals was 48.9% (95% CI: 45.4-56.9%). In multivariable analysis, being female (AOR = 2.05; 95% CI: 1.17-3.60), being a nurse (AOR = 3.11; 95% CI: 1.14-8.48), unmarried (AOR = 1.83; 95% CI: 1.04-3.21), having insufficient sleep (AOR = 2.61; 95% CI: 1.45-4.70), a family history of mental illness (AOR = 3.31; 95% CI: 1.49-7.36), lack of physical activity (AOR = 2.59; 95% CI: 1.19-5.62), and having low social support (AOR = 3.06; 95% CI: 1.17-7.98) were all associated with increased odds of experiencing depressive symptoms. The study showed that nearly half of healthcare professionals experienced depressive symptoms. The study underscores the importance of efficient screening methods for identifying psychological symptoms in healthcare professionals, which is essential for enhancing their mental health and patient care. Therefore, we recommend that healthcare institutions and policymakers develop and implement screening measures to identify and improve the mental health well-being of HCWs, as well as provide high-quality patient care.

Heavy metal contamination in Lebanese lettuce: Quantification and health risk assessment

Heavy metals (HM) contamination in food products is a major risk to public health. Lebanon is constantly suffering from unresolved environmental pollution issues, which have led to an increase in atmospheric deposition of contaminants in water and soil. This study aims to investigates the levels of HM in Lettuce products collected from different market regions in Lebanon. We also estimated the potential human exposure to HM through ingestion of lettuce. We used the Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry to determine HM levels in the collected samples. Furthermore, we calculated the Metal Pollution Index (MPI) and the Hazard Quotient (HQ) to determine the expectance of adverse health effects in comparison to other countries. The results showed that Lead (Pb), Arsenic (As) and Chromium [Cr (III)] levels in the capital city exceeded the maximum allowable values set by FAO/WHO, whereas Palladium (Pd) was above the safety limit in all collected samples. The MPIs fluctuated over all investigated regions but remained below the critical value (of 1). However, the maximum As HQ exceeded the permissible limit by 186 % and the maximum Pb HQ value was higher than that of industrialized countries including China, Brazil, and Egypt. These findings prove that regular testing and monitoring are highly required to investigate the importance of human exposure to HM in Lebanon and any associated health impacts.

The potential of coal mine voids for clean water sources in Nusantara Capital City

PT. Singlurus Pratama operates four mining blocks: Sungai Merdeka, Argosari, Margomulyo, and Mutiara. he Sungai Merdeka block has three voids with significant potential as a source of clean water for Nusantara Capital City (IKN), given its location within the city's development area. Surface water flows from the southern ridge to the north, accumulating in the voids of the Sungai Merdeka block, with a total inflow of 449,218,750 m³ per day. This volume can meet the needs of 1,796,875 to 4,492,187 people. One of the geological formations of the Sungai Merdeka block is the Balikpapan Formation, composed of alternating sandstone and clay with intercalations of shale and limestone, which is likely an aquifer. The water quality in voids 1 and 2 falls into the fairly good category (WQI = 70.07 and 70.77), while void 3 has moderate quality (WQI = 64.76). Thus, the water from the Sungai Merdeka voids can be used for personal and household hygiene, as well as raw water for drinking. Additionally, it can be utilized for recreational water facilities, freshwater aquaculture, livestock, and irrigation. However, the void water in the Sungai Merdeka block is indicated to have formed acid mine drainage, as the exposed void walls are contaminated with oxygen and leached by water. This leads to increased acidity, as indicated by the low pH values of the water. The increased acidity also results in higher concentrations of dissolved metals within the voids, necessitating careful management and treatment to ensure the water’s safety and usability for various applications.

Effects of outdoor air pollution on hospital admissions from cardiovascular diseases in the capital city of Mongolia

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are one of the primary causes of morbidity worldwide, while ambient air pollution (AAP) is a major contributor to CVD. This study is the first study that aimed to compare the differences in AAP concentrations and acute effects on the risk of admissions from CVD, ischaemic heart diseases (IHD), and stroke before and after introducing the new type of coal briquette in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. We collected daily hospital admission records, air quality and meteorology data between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2022. The relative risks (RRs) of cause-specific hospitalisations associated with daily concentrations of AAP were estimated by a time-stratified case-crossover analysis with conditional Poisson distributed lag models. Overall, acute exposure to the pollutants, except for O3, was positively associated with an increased risk of all admissions. For each interquartile range (IQR) increase in PM2.5, PM10, SO2, NO2 and CO, the risk of CVD admissions increased by 0.5% (RR=1.005; 95% CI: 0.998, 1.012) at lag0, 2.9% (RR=1.029; 95% CI: 1.014, 1.044), 2.5% (RR=1.025; 95% CI: 1.010, 1.040), 4.1% (RR=1.041; 95% CI: 1.016, 1.068) and 0.3% (RR=1.003; 95% CI: 0.995, 1.012) at lag01, respectively. Subgroup analyses showed greater risks of CVD admissions for women and people aged <65 years, in the cold season, and after the raw coal ban period. During the cold winter season, Ulaanbaatar’s AAP levels remained higher than the World Health Organization’s guidelines, regardless of consuming the new coal briquettes. Adopting alternative efficient methods to improve air quality and associated health outcomes is necessary.

Solid waste characterization in the slum areas of Bagmati River—A case of Kathmandu, Nepal

Solid waste management (SWM) is a challenging environmental issue globally, with developing nations experiencing considerable difficulties in its efficient and effective implementation. Urban slum areas within these regions, particularly, have been reported to face unique challenges in SWM due to a combination of factors, including the low socio-economic status of residents, high population density, inadequate infrastructure, and a thriving informal economy. Despite these critical concerns, most SWM research in Nepal has concentrated on major cities and tourist hotspots. As a result, the condition of SWM in urban slum areas, typically found along the banks of major rivers in Nepal, remains a critical yet neglected aspect in research and policy discussions. This study, therefore, aims to evaluate SWM in the densely populated urban slum areas situated along the Bagmati River, a key river system in Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal. Four major slum locations within the central metropolitan area of Kathmandu—Sinamangal, Thapathali, Teku, and Balkhu—were selected for the study, and systematic random sampling and characterization of household solid waste was conducted. The results reveal that the average household solid waste generation rates in the four study sites were 155.32 g capita−1 d−1, 124.69 g capita−1 d−1, 149.9 g capita−1 d−1, and 218.44 g capita−1 d−1, respectively. Organic wastes was the most prevalent type, comprising 63.34% of the total waste, followed by paper and paper products (13.72%), plastics (12.15%), dirt and construction debris (5.57%), glass (4.31%), and other wastes (0.91%). Qualitative data from the survey revealed that although municipal waste management programs exist, awareness and participation among residents were limited. As a result, many households ended up managing their waste on their own, often in an unscientific manner polluting the river water in the vicinity. The study offers critical insights for policymakers, operators, and regulators in addressing the growing challenges of SWM. Findings are expected to aid in the sustainable management of solid waste along the river basin in central urban regions of the capital city. Under Nepal's new federal governance system, provincial and local governments are recommended to collaborate with all stakeholders, including households, to develop comprehensive, multimodal SWM strategies that also address the needs of slum areas.

Are private hospital emergency departments in Australia distributed to serve the wealthy community?

This study investigates the geographical distribution of private hospitals in Australian capital cities in relation to the Index of Relative Socioeconomic Disadvantage. Using Geographic Information System analysis, the study examined how private hospitals are distributed across different socioeconomic quartiles, providing a comprehensive visualisation of health care accessibility. The results indicate an unequal distribution with a substantial concentration of private hospitals within the vicinity of communities classified in the highest socioeconomic classification. This raises significant concerns about health care equity, particularly in light of the increased strain on health care systems before, during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. This study underscores the need for targeted policy interventions to enhance the resilience and accessibility of the private health care sector, specifically targeting disadvantaged communities. It suggests that comprehensive, geographically-informed data is crucial for policymakers to make informed decisions that promote health equity in the postpandemic landscape.