City Residents Research Articles

Living in urban or rural environments affect the sleep quality of the elderly in Bushehr (Southern Iran): emphasizing the active and inactive of the elderly.

Sleep disorders have a significant negative impact on mental and physical health, especially among the elderly. Various factors can affect the sleep quality of elderly people. The aim of this research to investigate the effect of urban and rural environments on the sleep quality of elderly people with emphasis on physical activity. Four hundred and thirty-nine elderly people (226 city residents and 213 village residents) in urban and rural areas of Bushehr (Southern Iran), volunteered to participate in the present study. Information was collected via the General information questionnaire and Petersburg Sleep Questionnaire. The results showed that active elderly women (p < 0.001), and total active elderly (male + female) (p < 0.001) living in urban areas compared to inactive elderly and also in rural areas active elderly women (p < 0.001), active elderly men (p < 0.001) and total active elderly (male + female) (p < 0.001) had better overall sleep quality in compared to inactive elderly. Also, elderly men (p < 0.001) and the total elderly (male + female) (p < 0.001) living in urban areas had better sleep quality than the elderly in rural areas. Based on the findings, it can be concluded that the way of life (being active) as well as the living environment can affect the sleep quality of elderly people, so that active elderly people and also elderly people living in urban environments had better sleep quality.

The development of the level of environmental awareness among the residents in cities and residential neighborhoods

This research aims to develop and increase the level of environmental awareness regarding climate change and sustainability issues among individuals in cities and residential neighborhoods. The current research methodology is descriptive and analytical, based on a questionnaire tool consisting of (34) questionnaires. It was designed on the basis of (12) axes covering environmental awareness and environmental problems to obtain more accurate results. The research finds that there is a lack of environmental awareness among most individuals for many reasons, such as weak environmental culture and low educational level, in addition to a lack of interest in climate change issues. The research proposes several recommendations that are necessary to enhance the confidence of individuals and the population in technology, and promote environmental participation among all those concerned with environmental awareness, starting with decision-makers, politicians, government agencies, non-profit organizations, the private sector, and the population.

Investigation the Level of Groundwater Pollution with Heavy Metals in Mazar-e-Sharif City

The majority of drinking and consumable water sources for the residents of Mazar-e-Sharif city are supplied from underground water. Climate variations, depletion of underground water, pollution resulting from human activities, agriculture, industrial processes, and urban development have significantly impacted the quality of underground water in this region. In this research, the quality of groundwater in terms of contamination with heavy metals such as manganese, copper, aluminum, iron, cadmium, mercury, lead, and arsenic was investigated. Twenty-four random well samples were collected based on international sampling standards, and temperature and pH parameters were measured on-site. The concentration of heavy metals was measured using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Data analysis was performed using Excel and SPSS software, and GIS software was utilized for mapping the sampled points. Laboratory results indicated that the lead concentration in wells W6, W11, W20, and W22 was 0.014, 0.013, 0.02, and 0.012 milligrams per liter, respectively. The aluminum concentration in wells W5, W16, and W17 was 0.6, 0.5, and 0.4 milligrams per liter, respectively, and the cadmium concentration in well W3 was 0.005 milligrams per liter. The concentrations in these wells exceeded the recommended limits set by the World Health Organization (WHO). In the remaining wells, the concentrations of heavy metals were below the WHO limits. Descriptive statistics results showed that copper had the highest average concentration, and arsenic had the lowest concentration. Since underground water is the sole source of drinking and consumable water for the city's residents, it is recommended to conduct a systematic study of heavy metal concentrations in groundwater sources to reduce the adverse effects of contaminated water in certain wells.

Study of social awareness regarding body donations for scientific and educational purposes.

The basis of teaching anatomy is the understanding of the body's structures using human cadavers. Body donation should be a fully conscious and voluntary act. There is a growing demand for human cadavers in medical universities. To meet these demands, it is necessary to understand the societal awareness regarding body donation. The study utilized a proprietary single-choice questionnaire while maintaining the anonymity of the respondents. The study included 1004 individuals, comprising 700 women and 304 men. The analysis employed the Mann-Whitney test, Pearson's chi-squared test with calculation of the Cramer's V coefficient. Among the respondents, 56.37% consider donating their bodies for scientific and educational purposes. Among the concerns associated with donation, fear of lack of proper respect for the remains by students (18.23%), family opposition (16.24%), and religious reasons (9.16%) were highlighted. Non-religious individuals are more inclined to donate their bodies for scientific and educational purposes than religious individuals (p < 0.001). Residents of rural areas and small towns are less likely to consider donating their bodies for scientific and educational purposes than residents of large cities (p = 0.002). As many as 85.76% of respondents believe that human remains are essential for effective anatomy education. Increasing public awareness of cadaver donation may contribute to increasing the effectiveness of anatomy teaching at medical universities.

ВПЛИВ СУЧАСНИХ ТЕНДЕНЦІЇ ВИКОРИСТАННЯ СОНЯЧНОЇ ЕНЕРГЕТИКИ НА ЕСТЕТИЧНІ ЯКОСТІ МІСТА

Energy independence remains a priority task for most European countries. Along with traditional energy sources, more and more attention is being paid to renewable energy usage. The best solution for city residents is the use of solar energy for the local needs of individual households. However, chaotic installation of solar panels on the roofs has a negative impact on the aesthetic qualities of urban environment. Many problems as well arise during installation of panels itself on the roof structure. After all, solar panels have significant weight, which usually was not taken into account when calculating the roof structure. The wind load, which is higher for planar elements, also was not taken into account, which can provoke negative consequences like destruction of an entire structure during exploitation. Key problem is that in most cases panels are being installed on the already existing roof and were not laid in the project. Conducted research has revealed the negative impact of voluntarily installed solar panels on aesthetic qualities of the city. Argued the importance of coordinating the installation of solar energy accumulating elements with the architecture of the building and the environment by selecting an appropriate shape, texture and color. Proved the need to foresee during the design process the use of solar panels in the construction of the roof and walls to partially supply buildings with energy at the local level. Envisaging solar panels at the design stage will avoid duplicating the roof profile, which will reduce the weight of the roof structure and extend its service life. The analysis of main methods for organizing the "solar roof" showed that the most appropriate, from an aesthetic point of view, is the use of solar roof tiles. Based on analysis of available materials for accumulating solar energy, it was found that today there is no manufacturer that provides a complete solar roof with all its elements (gutters, snow retainers, deaerators, ladders, etc.). However, it is possible to choose elements with the corresponding texture and color and combine roof elements from different manufacturers.

Dollar store policy opportunities in Baltimore City: community member and policy maker perspectives.

There are currently over 50 dollar stores in Baltimore City, Maryland. Community perceptions of over-saturation and resulting neighborhood impacts have garnered recent attention. A Maryland State Senate Bill required further study of dollar stores in Baltimore City to inform future policy. Therefore, the over-arching goal of this study was to generate community-informed policy recommendations for the Baltimore City Council. Three methods of data collection were used: (1) in-depth interviews with community members, retail staff/owners, dollar store staff, and policy makers; (2) an online survey of Baltimore City residents; and (3) workshop with community members and one with policy makers. Triangulation across data sources, discussion amongst the research team, and member checking were used to generate the top four policy options: a conditional use ordinance, a community benefits agreements, a dispersal ordinance, and a staple foods ordinance. There was strong support for policies that encourage dollar stores to better align with community priorities (e.g., improving store cleanliness and appearance, increasing availability of healthy foods), as opposed to closing or banning dollar stores entirely. There was also strong support for policies that would empower communities to participate in determining the role of dollar stores in their neighborhoods, for example through a conditional use ordinance or community benefits agreement. Key concerns included policy enforcement, given the additional funding required, and current limited capacity at the city government level. Strategies to address such challenges were generated including implementing business licenses at the city level, linking new ordinances to dollar store leases and permits, and encouraging dollar store participation in federal and local programs to more feasibly stock healthier food items (e.g., fresh produce). Dissatisfaction was expressed regarding a lack of policy options to address the existing dollar stores, not just new dollar stores entering the City. This study is the first of its kind to assess community support for dollar store policies at the local level, and serves to inform policies that improve dollar stores. A report of these findings was provided to Baltimore City Council to inform new, community-supported dollar store policies.

The Effect of Fomo (Fear of Missing Out) and Price Discount on Impulse Buying with Religiosity as a Moderating Variable in Palembang City People Who Shop at E-Commerce Shopee

this research departs from the problem that whether fomo (fear of missing out) and price discount on impluse buying with religiousity as a moderating variable on palembang city communities shopping at shopee e-commerce. The purpose of this study was to know and analyze how much influence fomo (fear of missing out) and price discount on impluse buying with religiousness as a moderating variable on palembang city communities shopping at shopee e-commerce. This research uses quantitative research. The population in this study were consumers who decided to buy or use shopee in Palembang city, without distinguishing gender, the number of which was unknown. The sampling technique used in this study was purposive sampling. There were 100 samples of Palembang City residents. Data collection was carried out online via WhatsApp social media. While the data analysis used in this research is SEM (Structural Equation Modeling) through SmartPLS 4.0 with a moderating analysis model. The results of the analysis show FoMO (Fear of Missing Out) (X1) has a positive and significant effect on Impulse Buying (Y) with a P value of 0.029 or &lt; 0.05, so it can be concluded that there is a significant effect of FoMO (Fear of Missing Out) on Impulse Buying in Palembang City People who shop at Shopee E-Commerce. FoMO (Fear of Missing Out) (X1) has a positive and significant effect on Religiosity (Z) with a P value of 0.014 or &lt; 0.05, so it can be concluded that there is a significant effect of FoMO (Fear of Missing Out) on Religiosity in Palembang City People who Shop at Shopee E-Commerce. Price Discount (X2) has a positive and significant effect on Impulse Buying (Y) with a P value of 0.045 or &lt; 0.05, so it can be concluded that there is a significant effect of Price Discount on Impulse Buying in Palembang City People Shopping at E-Commerce Shopee. Price Discount (X2) has a positive and significant effect on Religiosity (Z) with a P value of 0.000 or &lt; 0.05, so it can be concluded that there is a significant effect of Price Discount on Religiosity in Palembang City People who Shop at Shopee E-Commerce. Religiosity (Z) has a positive and significant effect on Impulse Buying (Y) with a P value of 0.034 or &lt; 0.05, so it can be concluded that there is a significant effect of Religiosity on Impulse Buying in Palembang City People Shopping at E-Commerce Shopee. The effect of FoMO (Fear of Missing Out) on Impulse Buying through Religiosity in Palembang City People Shopping at Shopee ECommerce, indicated by a T-statistic value of 1.435 &lt; 1.96 and a p-value of 0.151&gt; 0.05. this means that hypothesis 6 is not accepted. The effect of Price Discount on Impulse Buying through Religiosity in Palembang City People Shopping at Shopee ECommerce, indicated by a T-statistic value of 2.015 &gt; 1.96 and a p-value of 0.044 &lt; 0.05. this means that hypothesis 7 is accepted.that FoMO (Fear of Missing Out) and Price Discount on Impluse Buying. Then the results of the moderating variable in the form of religiosity have a role in moderating (strengthening and weakening) FoMO (Fear of Missing Out) and Price Discount on Impluse Buying at Shopee.

Implications of Switching Codes among Saudi English Learners in an Interactive EFL Contexts

This research monitored the impact of code switching in several linguistic contexts through qualitative research methodologies. The study interviewed ten Saudi bilinguals who code-switch between English and Arabic. Five of them were males and the other 5 were females. In order to conduct comparative research, six of the respondents were living in large cities and four of them were residents of small cities in Saudi Arabia. The research concluded that bilingual Saudis implement code-switching in professional settings and they claim it is natural and is more likely to be expected. Also, English Saudi bilinguals reported that they identify with English as well as Arabic and they were less likely to believe that communicating in English discard their Saudi identity or distort it. To sum it up, this current study found that it is natural for crowded and big or large cities to expand the importance of repetitive code-switching with the availability of non-Arabic speakers in several linguistic contexts and some professional settings.

Building and Developing Smart Cities in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam - Current Situation and Solutions

Building and developing smart cities is an inevitable trend globally, including in Vietnam. Ho Chi Minh City is one of Vietnam's largest cities, experiencing rapid development and urbanization. Establishing and developing smart cities in Ho Chi Minh City is a necessity in the context of the fourth industrial revolution and the ongoing digital transformation in all sectors, aiming at the ultimate goal of serving and improving the quality of life for the city's residents. This article focuses on clarifying several issues: (1) Analyzing the concept and criteria of the smart city model; (2) Investigating the current situation of building and developing smart cities in Ho Chi Minh City, including both the achievements and existing limitations; (3) Proposing solutions to enhance the effectiveness of building and developing smart cities in Ho Chi Minh City in the current context.

FEATURES OF COPING STRATEGIES IN CONDITIONS OF UNCERTAINTY OF WARTIME

Relevance. The purpose of this article is to empirically investigate the discrepancies in the selection of coping strategies among groups of people during war under various conditions of uncertainty. Methodology. The sample consists of 186 residents of Ukrainian cities who live under various conditions of uncertainty. Methods: author’s questionnaire, methods: «Test for psychological diagnostics of coping mechanisms (E. Heim)», «The Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale (IUS-12) (N. Carleton, adaptation by H. Gromova)»; mathematical methods for processing empirical data using the IBM SPSS Statistics 26 package. Results. Respondent groups, based on their location relative to the front line, show statistically significant discrepancies in cognitive and behavioral coping strategies. The empirical study’s analysis showed that individuals living in the front and near-front zones often compare their problems with others and downplay their difficulties more frequently (41,94%) than those living further from the front line (21.94%). Furthermore, individuals closer to the front line show a higher tendency to employ the adaptive coping strategy «altruism» (19.35%), that is, they offer help to others in overcoming difficulties more often than those living further from the front line (6.45%). Both groups predominantly employ relatively adaptive coping strategies. However, a divergence in problem-solving approaches exists: individuals in the front and near-front zones typically avoid problem-solving by engaging in a favorite activity, whereas the other group tends to evade problem-solving by resorting to alcohol, medicines, sedatives, or indulging in tasty food. The study did not identify statistically significant differences between groups regarding intolerance to uncertainty.

Towards the Drying of Hatay Amik Lake in History and Its Traces on Society

As a result of Turkey’s agricultural policy that has developed since the 1950s, lakes in different provinces have been dried within the scope of expanding agricultural areas. Amik is one of the lakes that were dried in this context. Amik Lake, which was once an important water source for Antakya, which has hosted different cultures from the past to the present, has an important place in the history of the city. Since the lake used to cause floods since the past, the idea of drying was on the agenda during the Ottoman period, the French mandate administration and the administration of the Hatay state. These attempts continued after the annexation of Hatay to Turkey. In this context, a number of researches were carried out and reports were prepared by experts from abroad.The gradual drying of the lake in the 1970s in the Republican period has brought many discussions on the city agenda from the past to the present. This study is part of a scientific research project focusing on the economic aspects of drying Amik Lake. A detailed literature study was carried out within the scope of the project, and the works of wanderers traveled around Antakya in the past were also examined. Within the scope of field research, 19 people from Arpahan, Küçükdalyan, Paşaköy, Bakras, Muratpaşa, Torun, Büyükdalyan, Serinyol and Topboğazı villages around the old lake mirror, two people ran the lake commercially and two people from the institutions and key actors in the city were interviewed. In line with the information obtained from the in-depth interviews and the literature, the economy of the lake, the local and international dimension of fish and bird hunting, the process leading to drying, the land sharing after drying, and the ideas and memories of the city residents about the drying of the lake today were brought together. In line with the written and oral information obtained, it is understood that the lake was dried with motives such as drying the swamp areas in accordance with the spirit of the period, preventing malaria, expanding the agricultural areas and providing land to the farmers. By the help of the acquired field study data, it is aimed to assess the effects of drying operation on local people. Although a period of approximately 50 years has passed since the drying of the lake, agricultural areas remain under water due to heavy rains even today. This keeps the criticisms and narratives about the drying of the lake alive.

Nitrate formation mechanisms causing high concentration of PM2.5 in a residential city with low anthropogenic emissions during cold season

During the cold season in South Korea, NO3− concentrations are known to significantly increase, often causing PM2.5 to exceed air quality standards. This study investigated the formation mechanisms of NO3− in a suburban area with low anthropogenic emissions. The average PM2.5 was 25.3 μg m−3, with NO3− identified as the largest contributor. Ammonium-rich conditions prevailed throughout the study period, coupled with low atmospheric temperature facilitating the transfer of gaseous HNO3 into the particulate phase. This result indicates that the formation of HNO3 played a crucial role in determining particulate NO3− concentration. Nocturnal increases in NO3− were observed alongside increasing ozone (O3) and relative humidity (RH), emphasizing the significance of heterogeneous reactions involving N2O5. NO3− concentrations at the study site were notably higher than in Seoul, the upwind metropolitan area, during a high concentration episode. This difference could potentially attributed to lower local NO concentrations, which enhanced the reaction between O3 and NO2, to produce NO3 radicals. High concentrations of Cl− and dust were also identified as contributors to the elevated NO3− concentrations.

Implementation of AZD7442 (Tixagevimab/Cilgavimab) COVID-19 Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) in the Largest Health Maintenance Organization in Israel: Real-world Uptake and Sociodemographic and Clinical Characteristics Across Immunocompromised Patient Groups.

AZD7442 is a combination of two neutralizing antibodies (tixagevimab/cilgavimab) with demonstrated efficacy in reducing the risk of symptomatic coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) among individuals at high risk of severe COVID-19 ≤ 6months after administration. On February 15, 2022, the Israeli Ministry of Health (IMoH) authorized the administration of 300mg AZD7442 as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2infection among immunocompromised individuals aged ≥ 12years. This study describes the real-world uptake of AZD7442 in Israel. This descriptive, observational study analyzed data from Israel's largest health maintenance organization, Clalit Health Services (CHS). Individuals were assessed for AZD7442 eligibility between February 13 and December 11, 2022, and were included if they were aged ≥ 12years, had ≥ 1year of continuous CHS membership, had≥ 1 moderate or severe immunocompromising condition, and were eligible for AZD7442 per IMoH recommendations during this time frame. Overall, 19,161 AZD7442-eligible individuals with immunocompromising conditions were identified during the study period; 2829 (14.8%) received AZD7442. A higher proportion of individuals receiving AZD7442 were older (aged ≥ 65years), male, not current smokers and residents in large cities; required more physician visits (> 50 visits); and had ≥ 1 COVID-19 hospitalization over 12months, while uptake was lowest among ultra-orthodox Jewish individuals. AZD7442 uptake was also higher among individuals with multiple comorbidities (Charlson Comorbidity Index ≥ 5), including hypertension, diabetes and chronic kidney disease. In specific immunocompromised types, AZD7442 uptake was highest among individuals with lung transplantation (41%), primary immunodeficiency (32%), bone marrow transplantation (29%) and multiple myeloma (25%) or those receiving anti-CD20 therapy (26%) and was lowest in individuals with lymphoma (8%). These results show AZD7442 uptake among the eligible population of Israel in 2022 was relatively low, at 14.8%. Uptake was generally higher among immunocompromised individuals who may be perceived to be frail or at highest risk of COVID-19 infection and complications, although at 25-41%, further improvements in uptake would be more impactful. These results also indicate there is opportunity to expand AZD7442 uptake across immunocompromised groups and ensure more equitable uptake among some other sociodemographic groups. Overall, this study will help inform and reassess future implementation strategies for vulnerable populations.

Awareness and Practice on Prevention and Control of Dengue among Community People of Lalitpur Metropolitan City

Background: Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral disease that has rapidly spread in many countries worldwide in recent years. Dengue is a major public health problem in many countries. Dengue is a rapidly emerging disease in Nepal that is endemic across most provinces. The incidence of dengue has increased in recent years due to the expansion of the Aedes aegypti vector. The increasing outbreak of dengue in Nepal is becoming a major concern for the public health. Objective: The objective of the study was to assess awareness level and practice on prevention and control of dengue among community people in Lalitpur metropolitan city. Method: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from January to June 2023 at ten different wards in Lalitpur metropolitan city. Sample populations of 368 residents of Lalitpur metropolitan city above the age of 18 years were selected for the study. Simple random probability sampling technique used for the sample selection. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) 16 version used to analyze the data. Result: Majority (98.1%) of respondents knew about dengue fever. Most of the respondents (47.1%) answered that dengue is caused by aedes mosquito. Majority (71.4%) of respondents stated that dirty water was breeding sites of dengue mosquito. Primary preventive measures used were cleanliness 34.1 percent followed by use of mosquito net/coil 31.4 percent. The community people had good awareness (79.3%) of dengue, but poor practice (56.79%) in prevention and control of dengue. According to this study, socio-demographic factors such as age, sex, and education level were significantly linked to the knowledge level of the participants. Conclusion: According to this study, the community people had a good awareness level of dengue (79.3%). However, their practice of prevention and control of dengue was found to be poor (56.79%).

Research on Summer Indoor Air Conditioning Design Parameters in Haikou City: A Field Study of Indoor Thermal Perception and Comfort

Escalating global climate change and the intensification of urban heatwaves have led to an increase in summer air conditioning cooling energy consumption. This phenomenon is particularly critical in tropical regions, as it may trigger an energy crisis. The rational setting of indoor thermal design parameters can help conserve energy to the maximum extent while ensuring thermal comfort for occupants. This study selected Haikou City, a unique tropical city in China, as the research location. Indoor environment measurements and a questionnaire survey were conducted with participants, and the outdoor thermal environment sensitivity, population attributes and differences in thermal sensation, thermal neutral temperature, and comfort range were calculated and analyzed. The following results were obtained. Based on the overall population, long-term residence, and temporary residence classification, the indoor thermal comfort needs of residents in tropical cities in Haikou were effectively identified. The actual thermal neutral temperature of the overall population is 25.7 °C, and 90% of the acceptable thermal comfort temperature range is 23.2 °C–28.0 °C. The actual thermal neutral temperature of the regular residents is 27.3 °C, and 90% of the acceptable thermal comfort temperature range is 23.3 °C–31.4 °C. The actual thermal neutral temperature of the temporary population is 25.5 °C, and 90% of the acceptable thermal comfort temperature range is 23.0 °C–28.0 °C. These research results have an important reference value for improving the setting of the temperature of air conditioning in tropical areas in summer and further reducing energy consumption, which is conducive to sustainable development.

Modelling Consumers’ Preferences for Time-Slot Based Home Delivery of Goods Bought Online: An Empirical Study in Christchurch

Due to the remarkable growth in online retail sales in New Zealand, a large number of parcels are needed to be delivered to consumers’ doorsteps. Home deliveries in major New Zealand cities (e.g., Christchurch) typically occur between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. on weekdays, when many home delivery attempts fail. This leads to adverse effects, such as vehicular traffic in residential areas and greater air pollution per parcel delivered. However, home deliveries outside of typical business hours (i.e., before 9 a.m. and after 5 p.m.) might be worthwhile to help subside the above issues. Therefore, this study investigated consumers’ preferences for receiving home deliveries during various times, such as early morning, morning, afternoon, late afternoon, and evening. The data used in this study were obtained via an online survey of 355 residents of Christchurch city. Non-parametric tests, namely the Friedman test, Wilcoxon signed-rank test, and ordinal logistic regression, were carried out to examine consumer preferences for the above time slots. The results showed that consumers preferred the late afternoon (3 p.m. to 6 p.m.) time slot the most for receiving home deliveries. It appeared that the off-peak delivery option is less likely to draw the desired consumer patronage and is thus less likely to assist in lowering the number of unsuccessful home deliveries, the transportation costs incurred by service providers, traffic congestion, and pollution in urban areas.

Evaluation of Public Gardens in Terms of the Relationship Between Climate and Design

National gardens are an important element of green spaces in today's cities, meeting the needs of the community for recreation, sports and interaction. However, environmental and social challenges facing cities are leading to changes in the design and function of these gardens. The concept of resilient cities refers to the resilience of cities against natural disasters, climate change and other risks. National gardens can be designed as an important part of becoming resilient cities. Equipping these gardens with structures resistant to various natural disasters and adopting sustainable practices such as water management can increase the overall resilience of the city. Sustainable city and eco-city concepts are also important elements to consider in the design of community gardens. These concepts include principles such as environmental sustainability, energy efficiency and strengthening green infrastructure. National gardens can be equipped with sustainable practices such as rainwater recycling systems, the use of local plant species and waste management. Nation gardens designed in this way not only provide recreation and relaxation for city residents, but also contribute to the environmental and social sustainability of the city. In addition, these gardens encourage community cohesion and solidarity. As a result, community gardens are important elements of resilient, sustainable and ecologically balanced cities. Adopting the principles of resilient city, sustainable city and eco-city in the design and management of these gardens can help cities meet future challenges and improve their livability.

Madrid immigrants’ perceptions of urban food environments and their dietary behaviours

Large cities are home to several groups of immigrants who undergo important changes in their environmental conditions and lifestyles that significantly modify their risk of chronic diseases. Quantitative evidence indicates that both their health and diet worsen over time; much less is known about the qualitative mechanisms that cause these changes. The aim of this article is to understand how immigrants in the city of Madrid perceive the relation between the urban food environment and dietary behaviour. Based on a Social Ecological Framework, we conducted a secondary qualitative analysis derived from data from 41 immigrant residents, collected in eight focus groups (FGs), conducted in two neighbourhoods in the city of Madrid. We identified the following main categories: 1) Transnational identity and dietary behaviour in the neighbourhood; 2) Transitions in dietary behaviour; and 3) Societal/structural factors determining dietary behaviour in the neighbourhood. The participants in the FGs mentioned that they try to maintain traditional dietary customs and perceive that the taste of their typical dishes is better than those of Spanish dishes. Contradictorily, some participants considered their traditional dietary patterns to be less healthy than Mediterranean ones (consuming olive oil, vegetables, fish). Some participants acknowledged having adapted to the latter voluntarily or through dietary negotiations with their children. Immigrant families with two working parents have difficulties cooking homemade food and resort to less healthy options, such as eating fast food or ready-made meals. Due to their low purchasing power, they buy both ethnic products and other products, as well as considering the prices and offers in supermarkets. Our study highlights several structural mechanisms connecting the physical and social urban food environment with dietary behaviours among immigrant residents of a large city.

Distributional Characteristics Analysis of Allergens in Patients with Allergic Rhinitis in Southern Fujian Province, China.

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the nasal mucosa. However, few studies focus on the distributional characteristics of allergens in AR patients in Southern Fujian Province, China. A skin prick test (SPT) was performed and eight common allergens including Dermatophagoides farinae (Df), Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Dpt), weeds, animal dander, molds, cockroaches, and mangoes were chosen. The positive reactions rate to the allergens was 65.79% in 6689 patients in Southern Fujian Province. Positive reactions to Df and Dpt had a negative association with age, whereas positive reactions to cockroach and weed had a positive association with age. A linear trend analysis demonstrated a significant positive relationship between positive reactions to various allergens from 2016 to 2019. Positive reactions to Df and Dpt were both correlated with the season. Positive reactions to Df, Dpt, cockroach and weed were related to disease duration and positive reactions to cockroach were correlated with city residence. Multivariate analysis revealed that male positive reactions gradually decreased with age (≤ 60), in contrast to female (≤ 60) positive reactions. Statistical difference was observed between the genders with regard to AR incidence from 2016 to 2019. The positive rate of skin tests was highest in summer in men, whereas in women it was lowest in summer. The gender composition ratios of positive cases in Xiamen, Zhangzhou, and Quanzhou cities differed significantly. The proportion of patients with positive reactions to the allergens in the three cities decreased with age. The highest proportions of patients with positive reactions all occurred during summer in the three cities. Furthermore, there were statistically significant differences in the age composition ratios across the seasons. This study analyzed the distributional characteristics of AR allergens in Southern Fujian Province, China. These findings will inform specific immunotherapy for AR patients.

Modeling Residents’ Mega Sport Event Social Value: Integrating Social and Economic Mechanisms

Social value is the difference between monetized social impacts and related economic investments. Stimulating positive social value is a leading concern and focus for sport event stakeholders. However, insights on this socioeconomic phenomenon have concentrated on social or economic mechanisms, not both, and are siloed to host city residents, largely overlooking nonhost city residents central to events. Thus, we integrated social and economic mechanisms to examine host city and nonhost city residents’ mega sport event social value. Data from 1,880 Canadians revealed varying social values (Vancouver and Provincial = negative; Venue-City = neutral; National = positive). Applying a reverse contingent valuation method, findings confirmed the need to integrate (monetized) social and economic mechanisms to calculate social value. Testing an augmented social exchange theory model, findings highlight residents’ perceptual ambivalence to social impacts and the importance of income to estimate social value. Stakeholders should effectively leverage events for social impacts and reconsider event public funding allocation policies.