Catchment Area Research Articles

Accessibility Evaluation of a Newly Planned High-Speed Railway Station in a Metropolitan Core Area Based on a Modified Two-Step Floating Catchment Area Method

Accessibility Evaluation of a Newly Planned High-Speed Railway Station in a Metropolitan Core Area Based on a Modified Two-Step Floating Catchment Area Method

Emergency Department Visits Before Cancer Diagnosis Among Women at Mayo Clinic

ObjectiveTo determine associations of incident cancer diagnoses in women with recent emergency department (ED) care. Patients and MethodsA retrospective cohort study analyzing biological females aged 18 years and older, who were diagnosed with an incident primary cancer (12 cancer types studied) from January 1, 2015, to December 31, 2021, from electronic health records. The primary outcome was a cancer diagnosis within 6 months of a preceding ED visit. Secondary outcomes included patient factors associated with a preceding ED visit. ResultsOf 25,736 patients (median age of 62 years, range 18-101) diagnosed with an incident primary cancer, 1938 (7.5%) had an ED visit ≤6 months before a diagnosis. The ED-associated cancer cases were highest in lung cancer (n=514, 14.7%) followed by acute lymphoblastic leukemia (n=22, 13.3%). Patient factors increasing the likelihood of ED evaluation before diagnosis included 18-50 years of age (OR=1.32; 95% CI, 1.09-1.61), Elixhauser score (measure of comorbidities) >4 (OR=17.90; 95% CI, 14.21-22.76), use of Medicaid or other government insurance (OR=2.10; 95% CI, 1.63-2.69), residence within the institutional catchment areas (OR=3.18; 95% CI, 2.78-3.66), non-Hispanic Black race/ethnicity (OR=1.41; 95% CI, 1.04-1.88), and established primary care provider at Mayo Clinic (OR=1.45; 95% CI, 1.28-1.65). The ED visits were more likely in those who died within 6 months of diagnosis (n=327, 37.8%) than those who did not die (n=1611, 6.5%). ConclusionPatient characteristics identified in this study offer opportunities to provide cancer risk assessment and health navigation, particularly among individuals with comorbidities and limited health care access.

A framework and process for community-engaged, mixed-methods cancer needs assessments.

Community health needs assessments are required for most state and local public health agencies and non-profit hospitals. Typically based on community health improvement planning models, these assessments encompass overall community health and multiple diseases to inform program planning. National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated Cancer Centers and community-based cancer-focused programs share the goal of reducing cancer burden in the catchment areas they serve. However, to date, no published models exist to guide cancer-specific needs assessments for a determined geographic area that can inform both public health and research initiatives. The purpose of this article is to outline a cancer needs assessment (CNA) framework and community-engaged, mixed-methods process, along with a case study of how we applied it in Kentucky. We convened a steering committee of key organizational partners to provide input throughout the process. We developed a conceptual framework of multi-level determinants affecting cancer-related outcomes. We incorporated both quantitative and qualitative data gathered through a variety of means, including a novel application of group concept mapping to guide definition of priorities. The resulting CNA has helped guide strategic planning and priorities for Kentucky's Cancer Action Plan, Markey Cancer Center, state agencies, and community-based organizations. This framework and process can be used collaboratively by cancer center Community Outreach and Engagement offices, public health agencies, oncology programs, and community partners to plan impactful cancer control programs and research in their catchment areas. Universities can also use them to inform the planning of community engagement and health equity research efforts.

Integrated impact of urban mixed land use on TOD ridership: A multi-radius comparative analysis

The global trend toward urbanization has spurred the widespread adoption of transit-oriented development (TOD). While previous research has extensively explored the relationship between land use and TOD ridership, much of it has focused on linear associations at a singular scale. Leveraging recent advancements in nonlinear modeling and the accessibility of open-source data, this study employs a comprehensive two-step methodology. Firstly, K-means clustering algorithm categorizes TOD sites in Shenzhen into three distinct clusters, providing a site-based understanding of their characteristics. Subsequently, a Light Gradient Boosting Machine (LightGBM) classification model, complemented by SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) values for interpretation, quantitatively evaluates the influence of mixed land use on TOD ridership across various catchment areas. As for the findings, we discover that land-use factors have different effects on TOD site patronage at different buffer radii and delve into the intricacies of these effects. Further results reveal non-linear relationships with varying degrees of positivity and negativity. For instance, residents and health sites positively impact patronage across all buffer radii, while certain commercial land uses exhibit a negative influence. The study demonstrates how the importance of different land-use structures varies across these clusters, shedding light on the nuanced impacts of land use on TOD catchment areas. Our research optimizes land-use mixes based on predominant cluster characteristics by offering actionable recommendations for urban managers.

Harnessing the runoff reduction potential of urban bioswales as an adaptation response to climate change

Nature-based solutions (NbS), including China's Sponge City Program (SCP), can address the challenges urban communities face due to surface runoff and flooding. The current capacity of SCP facilities in urban environments falls short of meeting the demands placed on communities by climate change. Bioswales are a form of SCP facility that plays an important role in reducing surface runoff by promoting infiltration. This study assesses the potential of SCP facilities to reduce runoff in urban communities under climate change using the storm water management model. The study site in Ningbo, China, was used to evaluate the potential role of bioswales in reducing runoff risks from climate change. We found that bioswales were most effective in scenarios when rainfall peaks occurred early and were less effective in right-skewed rainfall events. The overall performance of SCP facilities was similar across all climate scenarios. To maintain the current protection level of SCP facilities, bioswales would need to cover at least 4% of the catchment area. These findings from Ningbo provide a useful method for assessing NbS in other regions and indicative values for the increase in the bioswale coverage needed to adapt to climate change.

When Having a Pet Becomes a Luxury You Can No Longer Afford

ABSTRACT Drawing on data from a project examining experiences of accessing support for pets from the UK animal welfare charity Blue Cross, this paper illuminates the impact of financial hardship on pet owners. Twenty service users (15 female, 5 male, aged 29–67 years) took part in individual online semi-structured interviews. Sixteen were receiving free or reduced-cost veterinary care (eligibility is based on certain means-tested benefits and catchment area). Participants were encouraged to talk about their experiences with Blue Cross, with a set of key questions capturing the chronology of events employed as a guide. All participants (even when relatively financially secure) alluded to the expense of having a pet and the rising cost of all aspects of care. The majority had struggled financially in recent years due to changes in circumstances (reduced income or had to stop working due to illness, injury, or carer responsibilities). Others had been on a low income for the long term. Seeking support was often the result of a health issue or emergency with a pet, when unanticipated veterinary costs (operations, transporting animal, scans, treatment) were simply unaffordable. People were faced with the heart-wrenching dilemma of what to do to help their pet, describing these times as the most stressful in their lives, and with most only becoming aware of charitable support for pets via word-of-mouth. Two of our participants’ stories show how when you have limited financial resources, serious health problems, or complicated circumstances, life can spiral out of control and lead to difficult situations with pets. However, it also highlights how resilience and strategies are established in this process, mitigating to some extent the impact of future crises. We highlight the full range of issues experienced as a result of economic vulnerability and consider the implications for organizations providing support to people who are often struggling simultaneously with their finances and mental health.

B.5 Video-based prehospital teletriage for acute stroke: primary results from a regional pilot-study

Background: Only limited data exist on the potential benefit of prehospital video-based teletriage for patients with acute stroke. Methods: During a 6-month period, all patients from a defined geographical catchment area with a 911 call for acute stroke were screened by the paramedic team on site. Those with known symptom onset of <6h underwent video-based teletriage for transfer to either the closest tertiary (for suspected LVO occlusion) or to the closest secondary stroke centers. Patients referred for thrombectomy by same the secondary stroke centers without teletriage during the same period served as control. Results: Overall, 33 patients were teletriaged and 23 (70%) were bypassed to the tertiary center. Of the latter, 13 (median NIHSS 19) underwent thrombectomy (+/- iv thrombolysis). During the same period, 22 patients (median NIHSS 17) were referred for thrombectomy without teletriage. The median time from 911 to thrombectomy was 129 [IQR 51] min after teletriage, as compared to 196 [74] min in controls (p=0.015). The median NIHSS at 24h was 6 in the teletriage group versus 14.5 in controls (p=0.07). Conclusions: Video-based prehospital teletriage for acute stroke is feasible, reliably identifies patients without LVO stroke and significantly improves the delay between stroke alert and thrombectomy in eligible LVO stroke patients.

Malaria epidemiology, surveillance and response for elimination in Lao PDR

BackgroundLao PDR has made significant progress in malaria control. The National Strategic Plans outline ambitious targets, aiming for the elimination of Plasmodium falciparum and P. vivax malaria from all northern provinces by 2025 and national elimination by 2030. This article presents an overview of malaria epidemiology, surveillance, and response systems in Lao PDR, emphasizing experiences and achievements in transmission reduction.MethodsData on surveillance, monitoring and evaluation systems, human resources, infrastructure, and community malaria knowledge during 2010–2020 were systematically gathered from the national program and relevant documents. The collected information was synthesized, and discussions on challenges and future prospects were provided.ResultsMalaria control and elimination activities in Lao PDR were implemented at various levels, with a focus on health facility catchment areas. There has been significant progress in reducing malaria transmission throughout the country. Targeted interventions, such as case management, vector control, and community engagement, using stratification of control interventions by catchment areas have contributed to the decline in malaria cases. In elimination areas, active surveillance strategies, including case and foci investigation, are implemented to identify and stop transmission. The surveillance system has facilitated timely detection and response to malaria cases, enabling these targeted interventions in higher-risk areas.ConclusionsThe malaria surveillance and response system in Lao PDR has played a crucial role in reducing transmission and advancing the country towards elimination. Challenges such as importation, drug resistance, and sustaining support require ongoing efforts. Further strengthening surveillance, improving access to services, and addressing transmission determinants are key areas of focus to achieve malaria elimination and enhance population health in Lao PDR.

Practitioner perspectives on working with older patients in opioid agonist treatment (OAT) in Norway: opportunities and challenges

BackgroundNorway has a growing proportion of ageing opioid agonist treatment (OAT) patients, with 42% of the 8300 Norwegian OAT patients aged over 50 in 2022. This study aims to explore practitioners’ views and experiences from treatment of ageing OAT patients.MethodsData were collected as a series of semi-structured interviews with treatment staff (roles interviewed: doctor, psychologist, social worker, nurse, and learning disability nurse). Participants were recruited from three OAT outpatient clinics, one with an urban catchment area and two with a mix of urban and rural. The interviews incorporated questions on patients’ somatic and mental health, strengths and weaknesses of the service for this group, and patients’ quality of life.ResultsOlder patients were perceived to be more often stable in terms of substance use and housing situation, but also experiencing some key challenges in terms of cognitive impairment, loneliness and isolation, and comorbidities. Both the practitioner-patient relationship and healthcare interactions outside OAT had the potential to impact treatment quality positively or negatively depending on how they were managed.ConclusionsTreating older patients in a way that respects and enhances their dignity is important. We argue that this requires better services for those whose functioning is impacted by cognitive impairment/dementia, an age-informed treatment model for this patient group, along with urgent work to improve municipal-level services given practitioners describe them as unacceptable in certain areas.

Epidemiology of soil-transmitted helminthiasis among school-aged children in pastoralist communities of Kenya: A cross-sectional study.

Soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STH) are a major public health problem in Sub-Saharan Africa. In Kenya, the National School Based Deworming Program (NSBDP) was launched in 2012 with a goal of reducing STH prevalence in school-aged children (SAC) to <1%, however monitoring and evaluation results have consistently showed > 20% prevalence in Narok County. We conducted a study to investigate factors associated with STH infections among SAC in Narok County. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 514 SAC from five schools in Trans Mara West sub-county, Narok County. The sub-county was selected because it had participating schools within the NSBDP with a high prevalence of STH infection. Participants were selected using systematic random sampling. Stool samples collected from participants were examined for STH eggs using Kato-Katz technique. An open data kit questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographics, household, and STH knowledge information from 139 of the 514 SAC. Descriptive statistics was used to summarize the data, prevalence and mean intensity of infections were calculated, and logistic regression used to determine factors associated with STH infections. The overall prevalence of any STH infection was 24.6% (95%CI: 21.1-28.6). Trichuris trichiura 14.4% (95%CI: 11.7-17.8), Ascaris lumbricoides 12.5% (95%CI: 9.9-15.7) and hookworm 0%. From multivariable analysis the only factors significantly associated with increased risk of STH infection were, children attending Karda and Nkarano schools with aOR = 5.29 (95%CI: 1.45-19.24); p = 0.011 and aOR = 4.53 (95%CI: 1.29-15.97); p = 0.019 respectively. For A. lumbricoides, children attending Nkarano School were associated with a significant risk of infection with aOR = 7.81 (95%CI: 1.81-33.63); p = 0.006. Despite the ongoing work of NSBDP, the STH prevalence is still ≥ 20% in Trans Mara West sub-county Narok County, among SAC. This underscores the need for continued annual MDA. Additionally, if possible, drug combinations may effectively manage T. trichiura, the region's most common helminth. The study found a correlation between children attending specific schools and STH infection risk, suggesting the importance of health education and improved water, sanitation, and hygiene practices holistically both in schools and associated catchment areas that can act as STH reservoirs to alleviate the burden of STH.

Impact of Land Use on Peat Soil Elemental Content and Carabidae and Plant Species Composition and Abundance

This study, conducted in 2020–2022, was designed to determine the impact of livestock grazing on habitat biodiversity and Carabidae beetles. Two research plots (a meadow and a pasture) were established on a farm in the village of Otapy, located in the agricultural catchment area of the Nurzec River in Eastern Poland. They were located next to each other so that they would possess the same set of atmospheric phenomena and processes shaped by the physical and geographical characteristics of the area. The study showed that the pasture was the richest in terms of the magnesium and calcium contents, while the meadow had significantly higher levels of phosphorus and zinc. The study also showed some differences in the abundance and species composition of plants and animals. The meadow had higher biodiversity, while the pasture was dominated by grasses. A disparity in the abundance of individual species was also presented. The study indicated the preference of individual species for particular forms of land use. Anisodactylus binotatus, Harpalus rufipes and Poecilus cupreus were most abundant in the meadow, while Carabus granulatus and Pterostichus melanarius were mostly represented in the pasture. The number of species, on the other hand, was the same. Our research concluded that proper landscape management through different uses affects plant and beetle diversity and soil element content.

Vegetation of Catchment and Submergence Area under Gosunda Irrigation Project, Chittorgarh (Rajasthan)

The present paper deals with the indigenous vegetation of a part of Chittorgarh district (submergence and catchment area under Gosunda Irrigation Project) and the major plant communities in different habitats, including plants frequently occurring in them. A total number of 276 species belonging to 237 genera and 77 families have been recorded.

Vegetation of Catchment and Submergence Areas under Som Kamala Amba Irrigation Project, Dungarpur, Rajasthan

The present paper deals with the flora and floral composition of catchment and submergence areas under Som Kamila Amba Irrigation Project, Dungarpur. About 192 species, belonging to 156 genera and 67 families inhabit the region forming various associations and' often pure stands in different habitats. No endemic, endangered, vulnerable and threatened taxon grows in this area.

Integrated monitoring and modeling to disentangle the complex spatio-temporal dynamics of urbanized streams under drought stress

We have a poor understanding of how urban drainage and other engineered components interact with more natural hydrological processes in green and blue spaces to generate stream flow. This limits the scientific evidence base for predicting and mitigating the effects of future development of the built environment and climate change on urban water resources and their ecosystem services. Here, we synthesize > 20 years of environmental monitoring data to better understand the hydrological function of the 109-km2 Wuhle catchment, an important tributary of the river Spree in Berlin, Germany. More than half (56%) of the catchment is urbanized, leading to substantial flow path alterations. Young water from storm runoff and rapid subsurface flow provided around 20% of stream flow. However, most of it was generated by older groundwater (several years old), mainly recharged through the rural headwaters and non-urban green spaces. Recent drought years since 2018 showed that this base flow component has reduced in response to decreased recharge, causing deterioration in water quality and sections of the stream network to dry out. Attempts to integrate the understanding of engineered and natural processes in a traditional rainfall-runoff model were only partly successful due to uncertainties over the catchment area, effects of sustainable urban drainage, adjacent groundwater pumping, and limited conceptualization of groundwater storage dynamics. The study highlights the need for more extensive and coordinated monitoring and data collection in complex urban catchments and the use of these data in more advanced models of urban hydrology to enhance management.

A national audit of facilities, human and material resources for the comprehensive management of diabetes in Ghana-A 2023 update.

The human and material resources as well as the systems for managing diabetes in Africa are inadequate. This study or needs assessment, aimed at updating the human and material resources, identifying the gaps and unmet needs for comprehensive diabetes care in Ghana. We conducted a national audit of 122 facilities in all 16 administrative regions of Ghana. Information obtained covered areas on personnel and multidisciplinary teams, access to medications, access to laboratory services, financing, screening services, management of diabetes complications, and availability/use of diabetes guidelines or protocols. Data was analysed using STATA version 16.1. P-values <0.05 were set as significant. Only 85(69.7%) out of the 122 surveyed facilities had a dedicated centre or service for diabetes care. Twenty-eight (23%) had trained diabetes doctors/specialists; and whilst most centres had ophthalmic nurses and dieticians, majority of them did not have trained diabetes educators (nurses), psychologists, ophthalmologists, podiatrists, and foot/vascular surgeons. Also, 13.9% had monofilaments, none could perform urine dipstick for microalbumin; 5 (4.1%) and just over 50% could perform laboratory microalbumin estimation and glycated haemoglobin, respectively. Access to and supply of human insulins was better than analogue insulin in most centres. Nearly 100% of the institutions surveyed had access to metformin and sulphonylurea with good to excellent supply in most cases, whilst access to Sodium Glucose Transporter-2 inhibitors and Glucagon-like peptide-1 analogues were low, and moderate for Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors and thiazolidinediones. Majority of the health facilities (95.1%) offered NHIS as payment mechanism for clients, whilst 68.0% and 30.3% of the patients paid for services using out-of-pocket and private insurance respectively. Fifteen facilities (12.3%) had Diabetes Support Groups in their locality and catchment areas. An urgent multisectoral collaboration, including prioritisation of resources at the facility level, to promote and achieve acceptable comprehensive diabetes care is required.

Performance Evaluation of a National Seven-Day Ensemble Streamflow Forecast Service for Australia

The Australian Bureau of Meteorology offers a national operational 7-day ensemble streamflow forecast service covering regions of high environmental, economic, and social significance. This semi-automated service generates streamflow forecasts every morning and is seamlessly integrated into the Bureau’s Hydrologic Forecasting System (HyFS). Ensemble rainfall forecasts, European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), and Poor Man’s Ensemble (PME), available in the Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) suite, are used to generate these streamflow forecasts. The NWP rainfall undergoes pre-processing using the Catchment Hydrologic Pre-Processer (CHyPP) before being fed into the GR4H rainfall–runoff model, which is embedded in the Short-term Water Information Forecasting Tools (SWIFT) hydrological modelling package. The simulated streamflow is then post-processed using Error Representation and Reduction In Stages (ERRIS). We evaluated the performance of the operational rainfall and streamflow forecasts for 96 catchments using four years of operational data between January 2020 and December 2023. Performance evaluation metrics included the following: CRPS, relative CRPS, CRPSS, and PIT-Alpha for ensemble forecasts; NSE, PCC, MAE, KGE, PBias, and RMSE; and three categorical metrics, CSI, FAR, and POD, for deterministic forecasts. The skill scores, CRPS, relative CRPS, CRPSS, and PIT-Alpha, gradually decreased for both rainfall and streamflow as the forecast horizon increased from Day 1 to Day 7. A similar pattern emerged for NSE, KGE, PCC, MAE, and RMSE as well as for the categorical metrics. Forecast performance also progressively decreased with higher streamflow volumes. Most catchments showed positive performance skills, meaning the ensemble forecast outperformed climatology. Both streamflow and rainfall forecast skills varied spatially across the country—they were generally better in the high-runoff-generating catchments, and poorer in the drier catchments situated in the western part of the Great Dividing Range, South Australia, and the mid-west of Western Australia. We did not find any association between the model forecast skill and the catchment area. Our findings demonstrate that the 7-day ensemble streamflow forecasting service is robust and draws great confidence from agencies that use these forecasts to support decisions around water resource management.

Evaluating the spatial accessibility and spatial layout optimization of HIV/AIDS healthcare services in Shandong Province, China

Improving access to HIV/AIDS healthcare services is of great concern to government and policymakers striving to strengthen overall public health. How to reasonably allocate HIV/AIDS healthcare resources and maximize the equality of access to healthcare services across subdistrict areas has become an urgent problem to be solved. However, there is limited research on this topic in China. It is necessary to evaluate spatial accessibility to improve the accessibility and equity of HIV/AIDS healthcare services. In this study, the improved multi-modal two-step floating catchment area (2SFCA) and inverted 2SFCA (i2SFCA) methods are used to measure the spatial accessibility of HIV/AIDS healthcare services and the crowdedness of the healthcare sites in Shandong Province, China. Then, the theoretical supply and the optimal spatial distribution of resources are calculated and visualized by minimizing the accessibility gaps between demand locations. This study showed that the spatial accessibility of HIV/AIDS service resources in Shandong Province was concentrated and unevenly distributed, and the accessibility scores in the marginal areas of prefecture-level cities were significantly lower than those in other areas. Regions with a large number of doctors had significantly higher levels of spatial accessibility. The ART accessibility scores in the southwest of Shandong Province were higher than those in other regions. As the travel friction coefficient increased, the accessibility scores formed an approximately circular cluster distribution centered on the healthcare sites in geographical distribution. More ART drugs needed to be supplied in marginal areas and more doctors were needed to work on HIV/AIDS in urban areas to address the spatial distribution imbalance of HIV/AIDS healthcare services. This study profoundly analyzed the spatial accessibility of HIV/AIDS healthcare services and provided essential references for decision-makers. In addition, it gives a significant exploration for achieving the goal of equal access to HIV/AIDS healthcare services in the future.

Decentralized Colorectal Cancer Care: Benefit or Burden in the Pandemic? – An International Comparative Study in two Health Care Systems (DCCC Study)

Abstract Background Beneficial effects of centralization could be shown. During SARS-CoV2 pandemic however, the centralization in the UK healthcare system led to cessation of screening colonoscopies and oncological resections. In the decentralized healthcare system of Switzerland, a high frequency of colonoscopies could be maintained. Aims The aim of this international study is to evaluate if a decentralized health care systems can prevent the threatening unmet needs of colorectal cancer patients under pandemic conditions. Methods This observational trial was performed in the south-east of Scotland and in the extended northwest of Switzerland with a catchment area of 1.5 Mio. inhabitants each. Patients with colorectal cancer diagnosed during January 2019 and December 2022 were included. Results Six thousand six hundred and eighty patients were included in this preliminary analysis (4059 in the NHS group and 2621 in the Swiss group). In Scotland the median number of diagnosed patients per quarter was 258 pre-pandemics, 218 during lockdown and 258 after lockdown (p=0.56). There was no significant alteration of the median diagnosed patients per quarter during different phases in Switzerland (165 pre-pandemic vs. 187 during lockdown vs. 162 post-lockdown, p=0.56). In Scotland the median number of all performed tumor treatments per quarter were lower during lockdown (83 pre-pandemic vs. 75 during lockdown vs. 93 post-lockdown, p&amp;lt;0.01). In Switzerland the median treatment numbers per quarter didn´t differ during different phases (56 pre-pandemic vs. 62 during lockdown vs. 60 post-lockdown, p=0.51). The number of patients diagnosed with a T4 tumor during pandemic was higher in Scotland than in Switzerland (28% vs. 19%, p&amp;lt;0.01). The 30-day mortality under pandemic condition was 7.5% (65 of 859) in Scotland compared to 3.7% (14 of 374) in Switzerland (p=0.01). Conclusion SARS-CoV2 pandemic led to a reduction in performed cancer treatments in Scotland. In Switzerland's decentralized healthcare system, cancer treatments were maintained during pandemic.

Use of Realism as Social Commentary on Specific Subject Matter in Painting: An Analysis of the Realist Paintings of Zephania Lukamba, Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya

The creation of any work of art often has a purpose or an intent. In this regard, artists endeavour to create pieces of artwork that bear or propagate certain meanings or points of view and also express some social phenomena that are unique to a particular environment or what has often been referred to as a catchment area. This is usually an important artistic undertaking because artists have the innate responsibility to observe certain social peculiarities and visually record them for all their worth. Some of these peculiarities are a reflection of society and its circumstantial behavioural tendencies often brought about by various factors; such as social-economic malaise and bad governance that precipitates social decay. When an artist embarks on such an artistic depiction of his or her own social environment, then there is a need to give it due artistic attention. This study featured 22 paintings based on the subject matter of the overloading of vehicles. Although the paintings appeared generally alike in terms of layout and execution, it is the depiction of the paradox of the repeated occurrence of the same phenomenon which in reality reflects a tendency that is both widespread and bizarre. In this regard, each painting depicts a scene that in reality is in itself a specific curious occurrence. This, in retrospect, can be seen as a type of popular culture of defiance and of the absurd. Since the overloading of any vehicle is ordinarily not only unwarranted and dangerous, but also blatantly illegal, the artist, in his observations which constituted this study, depicts a societal problem that has degenerated into impunity. This study, therefore, sought to find out how effective such focused paintings were as an avenue for social commentary. The artist over a period of time observed incidents of overloading as they manifested themselves in real-life occurrences and made the necessary sketches that were later developed into paintings in the studio. The paintings were examined using formal analysis to delve into their composition and use of elements and principles as well as descriptive analysis to explore their meaning or what the artist intended to convey. The study posits that the essence of such focused paintings in this study is that they become a visual pointer to the wider debate about the debilitating effect of such social malaise upon the psyche of society. The ordinary citizenry subsequently becomes spectators in their own space that degenerates into such recklessness and disregard for individual and collective safety as well as the rule of law

Assessment of the surface water quality and primary health risk in urban wastewater and its receiving river Kathajodi, Cuttack of eastern India.

Kathajodi, the principal southern distributary of the Mahanadi River, is the vital source of irrigation and domestic water use for densely populated Cuttack city which receives anthropogenic wastes abundantly. This study assesses the contamination level and primary health status of urban wastewater, and its receiving river Kathajodi based on the physicochemical quality indices employing inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy and aligning with guidelines from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and WHO. The high WQI, HPI, and HEI in the catchment area (KJ2, KJ3, and KJ4) indicate poor water quality due to the influx of domestic waste through the primary drainage system and effluents of healthcare units. A high BOD (4.33-19.66mg L-1) in the catchment indicates high organic matter, animal waste, bacteriological contamination, and low DO, resulting in deterioration of water quality. CR values beyond limits (1.00E - 06 to 1.00E - 04) in three locations of catchment due to higher Cd, Pb, and As indicate significant carcinogenic risk, while high Mn, Cu, and Al content is responsible for several non-carcinogenic ailments and arsenic-induced physiological disorders. The elevated heavy metals Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, and Zn, in Kathajodi, could be due to heavy coal combustion, vehicle exhaust, and industrial waste. On the other hand, Cu, Fe, K, and Al could be from agricultural practices, weathered rocks, and crustal materials. Positive significant (p ≤ 0.05) Pearson correlations between physicochemical parameters indicate their common anthropogenic origin and similar chemical characteristics. A strong correlation of PCA between elements and physiological parameters indicates their role in water quality deterioration. Assessing the surface water quality and heavy metal contents from this study will offer critical data to policymakers for monitoring and managing public health concerns.