Community In Guangzhou Research Articles

Exploring the determinants to accept dementia screening among patients at high risk of dementia based on the theory of planned behavior: A cross-sectional study.

Dementia represents a major public health challenge. Despite numerous initiatives promoting screening for early cognitive impairment to help prevent or delay its onset, participation remains limited. Moreover, there is limited evidence regarding screening intentions and predictors among populations at high risk of dementia. This study used the theory of planned behavior to identify modifiable factors associated with screening participation. This cross-sectional survey was conducted from November 16, 2021, to April 2, 2022, and involved 439 individuals at high risk of dementia selected using convenience sampling from two major regional communities in Guangzhou, China. A validated custom questionnaire based on the theory of planned behavior was used for data collection, and logistic regression and structural equation modeling were applied to identify related predictors. Overall, 62 % of the participants expressed willingness to undergo dementia screening. Behavioral intention was primarily associated with Perceived behavioral control (PBC, path coefficient = 0.36), Subjective norm (path coefficient = 0.16), and Attitude (path coefficient = 0.13). Additionally, PBC was associated with a positive attitude toward dementia screening (path coefficient = 0.39). PBC, subjective norm, and attitudes are associated with dementia screening willingness among high-risk groups. Healthcare professionals and policymakers should focus on enhancing favorable attitudes toward screening, increasing familial encouragement, and reducing perceived barriers to developing effective prevention or intervention strategies.

Investigation of impact of community environment factors on the residents’ visiting rate to outdoor venues in South China

Understanding the activity patterns of urban residents is crucial for urban community design and urban energy forecasting. Predicting the visitation rates of different types of locations is a important issue because urban residents can only be in one place at a time. Achieving accurate predictions of outdoor public space visitation rates is equivalent to predicting the upper limit of the number of visitors to other buildings. Previous similar studies usually rely on survey methods such as questionnaires and GPS positioning. These methods have some drawbacks, such as small sample sizes and inaccurate data. In this paper, we used mobile signaling to investigate the park visit rates of residents in different communities in Guangzhou. In accordance with Chinese tradition, we define a community as a residential community, which consists of multiple residential units and a set of basic service facilities and management structures that are sufficient to meet the daily needs of residents. We found that the park visit rate of a community is closely related to the characteristics of the community itself. The park visit rate is positively correlated with the average LST (land surface temperature) of the communities, the average distance between the community and the large park, and the building coverage rate, while it is negatively correlated with the vegetation coverage rate, the average surface reflection rate, the convenience of transportation, and the per capita green space area. Given the different travel habits of urban residents on weekdays and weekends, we also used multiple linear regression to establish prediction models for community park visitation rates on weekdays and weekends.

How do the elderly perceive their community vitality? Taking old and dilapidated communities (ODCs) in Guangzhou as a case to study

ABSTRACT As urbanisation accelerates and population ageing becomes inevitable, simultaneous ageing of communities and residents becomes prominent. Measuring the vitality of old and dilapidated communities (ODCs) from the perspective of older residents and analysing its influencing factors can help promote ageing-friendly renovation and sustainable urban development. This study used subjective and objective data collected from 53 communities in Guangzhou to measure vitality in three dimensions: population vitality, travel perception and spatial perception. Furthermore, structural equation modelling was applied to analyse the factors influencing the vitality of ODCs from an ageing perspective. The results revealed that spatial service has the most significant positive impact on the vitality of ODCs from the perspective of the elderly, followed by transportation, social behaviour and functional facility, while the basic feature has a less significant impact. Among them, the green landscape ratio, the number of intersections, accessibility, recreation facilities, elevator installation rate, the density of medical institutions and contacts with neighbourhood are influencing factors that have a strong effect on vitality. In addition, the five categories of factors are also influencing each other. This paper concluded by providing suggestions for corresponding vitality enhancement strategies.

Evaluation of perceived value and behavioral intentions of citizens in Chinese commercially open communities: A case study of Liuyun Community

As urban development shifts from the incremental era to the stock era, urban design is becoming increasingly focused on high-quality living and human needs. However, the opening of traditional communities has been insufficiently examined. This study took Liuyun Community, a typical open community in Guangzhou (China) that has undergone a transformation from residential to commercial use, as its research object. First, more than 300 residents, tourists, and merchants were surveyed via questionnaires administered in field investigations and interviews. Next, the data from the completed questionnaires were used to construct a structural equation model consisting of five dimensions, namely commercial service value, cost value, risk value, perceptual value, and social value. The data were then analyzed to determine the correlations between perceived value and behavioral intention, satisfaction, and other psychological attributes. The following results were obtained: (1) As commercial activities in the community increased, the influence of social value, cost value, and commercial service value on behavioral intention decreased. (2) The open community inevitably had negative impacts on its citizens. However, these negative impacts were mitigated to some extent by high levels of social value. (3) Perceptions of commercial service value varied between groups.

Evaluating Human Needs: A Study on the Spatial Justice of Medical Facility Services in Social Housing Communities in Guangzhou

Mainstream empirical studies on the spatial justice of medical facilities focus on equal accessibility or resource availability based on population scale, overlooking critiques that emphasize the importance of assessing inequality and the multidimensionality of human needs. However, access to medical care, particularly for vulnerable groups in social housing, often demands a higher level of consideration. Evaluating whether people can access the facilities they demand and expect is crucial for improving living standards. This study categorizes medical facilities into primary healthcare and hospital facilities based on their service grade, and integrates survey-based satisfaction into a spatial analysis of cost–distance-based accessibility and gravity-2SFCA-based availability. Analysis reveals that satisfaction primarily correlates with two factors: the distance to primary healthcare and the ease of reaching hospital facilities. While low accessibility to primary healthcare contributes to the evident distribution injustice of medical resources, satisfaction with service quality and scope is more strongly associated with the ease of reaching hospitals. To reduce injustice in social housing, specific remedies are needed to improve the difficult conditions for accessing primary healthcare faced by communities such as Guangdan, Likang, and Jinshazhou. Moreover, improving the easiness of reaching hospital facilities may significantly enhance the resident satisfaction with the level of medical service provided. Findings obtained in this research may not only enlighten Guangzhou’s urban planning, but may also be noteworthy for developing livable cities, which people anticipated.

GIS-based intelligent planning approach of child-friendly pedestrian pathway to promote a child-friendly city.

Pedestrian safety, particularly for children, relies on well-designed pathways. Child-friendly pathways play a crucial role in safeguarding young pedestrians. Shared spaces accommodating both vehicles and walkers can bring benefits to pedestrians. However, active children playing near these pathways are prone to accidents. This research aims to develop an efficient method for planning child-friendly pedestrian pathways, taking into account community development and the specific needs of children. A mixed-methods approach was employed, utilizing the Datang community in Guangzhou, China, as a case study. This approach combined drawing techniques with GIS data analysis. Drawing methods were utilized to identify points of interest for children aged 2-6. The qualitative and quantitative fuzzy analytic hierarchy process assessed factors influencing pathway planning, assigning appropriate weights. The weighted superposition analysis method constructed a comprehensive cost grid, considering various community elements. To streamline the planning process, a GIS tool was developed based on the identified factors, resulting in a practical, child-friendly pedestrian pathway network. Results indicate that this method efficiently creates child-friendly pathways, ensuring optimal connectivity within the planned road network.

Evaluation, Simulation, and Empirical Study of Community Microclimate Comfort

Urban microclimates directly impact the comfort of living environments and human health. This study focuses on a community within a university in Guangzhou and constructs a corresponding index system from the perspectives of regional climate analysis and architectural layout. It summarizes the key spatial elements influencing thermal comfort in living environments. The results indicate: (1) Guangzhou is located in a typical hot-summer and warm-winter region, characterized by a humid climate; (2) Using a university community in Guangzhou, Guangdong, as the research subject, a comprehensive comparison is made between simulated and empirically measured comfort evaluations. A related factor analysis is conducted to identify the key factors affecting wind efficiency. Among these, variables such as daily average temperature at Panyu Station, average wind speed at Panyu Station, and average building height 50 meters from the sampling point are found to have correlations with both simulated and measured thermal comfort indicators; (3) The analysis reveals significant differences between simulated and actual comfort, primarily due to the influences of architectural layouts, spatial arrangements, and real environmental factors.

An analysis of patterns of public engagement in China's community micro-rehabilitation projects: A case study of Guangzhou

With the development of inventory planning and the contradiction between land supply and demand, urban renewal development has been gradually replacing reconstruction in China's community redevelopment projects. Such projects need multiple stakeholders' engagement. However, China's patterns of public engagement with top-down governance are different from those in developed countries with bottom-up initiatives. This fact also indicates that such developed patterns are not suitable for the context of China. Meanwhile, research on micro rehabilitation is relatively new and requires further analytical work on development pattern analysis. Therefore, the protagonist status of different stakeholders and allowing them to participate in redevelopment projects are social issues that need to be solved urgently. This paper explores patterns of public engagement in community micro-rehabilitation projects in China. Eleven communities in Guangzhou are taken as cases through participatory observation, document analysis, and interviews. This paper analyses opinions and comments from different stakeholders and summarises their information delivery paths. The findings indicate four present patterns: single-threaded, representative feedback, property involvement, and external party service patterns. Through comparative analysis, the study highlights that the participating stakeholders in the four patterns involved the projects to different degrees. However, they are all still in the "Tokenism" degree, which is in the middle category of the ladder of engagement. Furthermore, an appropriate and sustainable pattern is put forward to provide a reference and research basis for improving public engagement in community micro-rehabilitation projects in China.

Analysis of Social Adaptation and Integration Issues Faced by Foreigners in China -Taking African Business Community in Guangzhou as an Example

In the recent twenty years, with China's gradual opening up to the outside world and continuous improvement of Sino-African trade relations, the number of Africans coming to Guangzhou has shown a rapid growth trend, inevitably leading to a series of related social issues. Among them, the issue of social integration faced by African businessmen in Guangzhou has always been a focus and hotspot in research on African residents in Guangzhou. By analyzing and comparing their social adaptation and integration patterns, it is shown that these two stages are part of one process influenced by economic, community, cultural, and psychological factors, etc., resulting in different behavioral patterns. This study aims to provide a reference value for research on foreigners' social integration into Chinese society.

Exploring the Association between Job Attributes and Housing Rents: A Case Study of Guangzhou

The association between jobs and housing rents has garnered significant attention from scholars. However, the current body of literature only examines a limited number of job-related characteristics when investigating the link between jobs and housing rents, without delving into more comprehensive job attributes. This study utilizes job data sourced from the job search website Zhilian to conduct a comprehensive analysis of how housing rents are associated with job attributes (specifically, job position features, employer features, and distant job accessibility) at various spatial scales. The analysis is based on a sample of 3,850 communities in Guangzhou, China. This study reveals that housing rents are associated with job attributes at varying spatial scales, with the magnitude of impact generally diminishing as the spatial scale expands. When considering job attributes, it is found that employer features hold the highest level of significance, followed by job position features, while distant job accessibility is deemed to be of lesser importance. The aforementioned findings contribute novel insights into the association between specific job characteristics and housing rents. This information can prove valuable for policymakers as they strive to formulate affordable housing strategies that align with prevailing employment conditions.

Evaluation of urban forest spatial distribution characteristics in Guangdong - Hong Kong - Macao Greater Bay Area

To understand the health and ecological benefits of scenic recreational forests, we elucidated their spatial distribution characteristics, which can be used to create guidelines and reveal strategic issues regarding the spatial distribution of tree species. We randomly set up 900 m2 quadrats in scenic recreational forest communities in Guangzhou, Foshan, and Zhuhai, and surveyed each tree using LiDAR. We then calculated the living vegetation volume (LVV) and amount of recreational space on the forest floor (RSFF), and analyzed the differences in spatial distribution characteristics across cities, locations, and forest types. The spatial distribution characteristics of trees differed between different cities, but were similar among different locations and forest types. Urban scenic recreational forest areas are thus configured based on aesthetics, recreational functions, and the spatial distribution characteristics of different tree species. Additionally, the relationship between the tree crown LVV and the RSFF was generally synergistic, yet contradictory. Although an increase in LVV can effectively improve ecological benefits, it may also reduce RSFF and other benefits provided by tree crowns to urban residents.

Multi-Objective Analysis of Visual, Thermal, and Energy Performance in Coordination with the Outdoor Thermal Environment of Productive Façades of Residential Communities in Guangzhou, China

Population growth and urban expansion have led to increased demand for buildings. Optimizing the building façade design, using integrated photovoltaic (PV) shading and vertical farming (VF) can reduce building energy consumption while ensuring a partial food supply. However, the importance and prevalence of productive façades have not received significant attention. Furthermore, few studies have focused on the impact of productive façades on both indoor and outdoor environmental qualities. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the potential of integrating productive façades with residential façades in high-density cities. A typical community in Guangzhou, China was investigated. Thermal comfort, light comfort, electricity production, and crop yield were considered, and the optimal façade configuration was chosen from the established 146-model library. The integrated module can effectively improve the indoor lighting and thermal comfort of residential buildings. The module also mitigates the outdoor thermal environment to a certain extent, meeting 6.3–10.3% and 7.6–9.6% of the annual electricity and vegetable demands, respectively, in residential communities. This study can guide other densely populated cities with subtropical climates to advance the research and construction of productive façades, improving occupant comfort, reducing energy consumption, and mitigating food security and urban climate change issues.

Longitudinal changes of parafoveal vessel density in diabetic patients without clinical retinopathy using optical coherence tomography angiography

Purpose The purpose of this study was to identify the rate of parafoveal vessel density (VD) changes associated with the progression from non-diabetic retinopathy (NDR) to early stages of DR over a year. Methods This longitudinal cohort study enrolled diabetic patients from the Guangzhou community in China. The patients with NDR at baseline were included and underwent comprehensive examinations at baseline and after 1 year. A commercial OCTA device (Triton Plus, Topcon, Tokyo, Japan) was employed to quantify the foveal VD in the superficial and deep capillary plexuses. The rates of change in parafoveal VD over time in the incident DR and NDR groups were compared after a year. Results A total of 448 NDR patients were included in the study. Among them, 382 (83.2%) were stable and 66 (14.4%) developed incident DR during the 1-year follow-up. The average parafoveal VD in the superficial capillary plexus (SCP) reduced significantly more quickly in the incident DR group than in the NDR group (-1.95 ± 0.45%/year vs. -0.45 ± 0.19/year, P= 0.002). The VD reduction rate for the deep capillary plexus was not significantly different for the groups (P = 0.156). Conclusions The incident DR group experienced a significantly faster reduction in parafoveal VD in the SCP compared with the stable group. Our findings further provide supporting evidence that parafoveal VD in the SCP may be used as an early indicator of the pre-clinical stages of DR.

Environmental pollutant pre- and polyfluoroalkyl substances are associated with electrocardiogram parameters disorder in adults

Environmental pollutants exposure might disrupt cardiac function, but evidence about the associations of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) exposure and cardiac conduction system remains sparse. To explore the associations between serum PFASs exposure and electrocardiogram (ECG) parameters changes in adults, we recruited 1229 participants (mean age: 55.1 years) from communities of Guangzhou, China. 13 serum PFASs with detection rate > 85% were analyzed finally. We selected 6 ECG parameters [heart rate (HR), PR interval, QRS duration, Bazett heart rate-corrected QT interval (QTc), QRS electric axis and RV5 + SV1 voltage] as outcomes. Generalized linear models (GLMs) and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) model were conducted to explore the associations of individual and joint PFASs exposure and ECG parameters changes, respectively. We detected significant associations of PFASs exposure with decreased HR, QRS duration, but with increased PR interval. For example, at the 95th percentile of 6:2 Cl-PFESA, HR and QRS duration were − 6.98 [95% confidence interval (CI): − 9.07, − 4.90] and − 6.54(95% CI: −9.05, −4.03) lower, but PR interval was 7.35 (95% CI: 3.52, 11.17) longer than those at the 25th percentile. Similarly, significant joint associations were observed in HR, PR interval and QRS duration when analyzed by BKMR model.

Influence of Serum Uric Acid on Macular Choroidal Thickness and Ganglion Cell Inner Plexiform Layer Thickness.

The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of serum uric acid (UA) on macular choroidal and ganglion cell inner plexiform layer (GC-IPL) thickness. This cross-sectional study enrolled adult individuals in communities in Guangzhou, China. All participants underwent a comprehensive ophthalmologic examination. They were divided into four groups according to UA quartiles. The choroidal and GC-IPL thickness was measured by swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT). A total of 719 subjects (1389 eyes) were included in the study. The average UA was 348.50 ± 86.16 mmol/L. The average choroidal and GC-IPL thickness decreased with UA quartiles (P < 0.001). Multivariate linear regression analyses showed that UA was negatively associated with average choroidal (β = -0.073, 95% confidence interval [CI] = -0.117 to -0.028, P = 0.001) and GC-IPL thickness (β = -0.006, 95% CI = -0.009 to -0.002, P = 0.001). After adjusting for confounding factors, the average choroidal thickness was decreased in quartile 4 as compared with quartile 1 by -14.737 µm (95% CI = -24.460 to -5.015, P = 0.003). The average GC-IPL thickness was decreased in quartile 4 versus quartile 1 by -1.028 (95% CI = -1.873 to -0.290, P = 0.007). Higher UA levels were independently associated with macular choroid and GC-IPL thinning. These contribute to a better understanding of ocular pathological mechanisms. The associated UA with choroidal and GC-IPL thickness helps to understand the ocular pathological and retinal neurodegenerative mechanism.

Examining the relationship between social context and community attachment through the daily social context averaging effect

ABSTRACT This study advances the measurement of community social context by introducing the daily dynamic perspective to promote a better understanding of the relationship between community social context and community attachment. It measured the social context averaging or polarization (SCAP) effect of communities every 3 h using census and cell phone data and investigated residents’ community attachment in 71 communities in Guangzhou, China. There are three findings. First, the social contexts of many communities varied during the day, either moving toward the mean of the whole city or away from the mean. Distinct patterns exist during work hours, evening hours, and night hours. Second, considering variations in social contexts during the evening hours significantly enhances the explanation of the heterogeneity in residents’ community attachment. Third, variations in social contexts are more likely to influence residents’ attachment in old blocks and migrant communities, and communities that may have gated sub-units are less likely to be influenced. The study advocates that context dynamics be taken as a new dimension of community indicators in place perception studies. The study is also instructive in targeting space and time that deserve special attention in community governance practice.

Low-Carbon Community Regeneration in China: A Case Study in Dadong

Low carbon sustainability has been addressed in China’s sustainable urbanism strategies as a response the impact of climate change. This study empirically examines the relationship between household factors and carbon emissions in the context of community regeneration through the use of correlational and regression analysis. The participants were drawn from the Dadong community in Guangzhou, China, who has been participating in low-carbon community regeneration. In total, 102 valid questionnaires were obtained from homeowners and the data were analyzed with SPSS and STATA software with an OLS estimate method, checking for BLUE to identify and decide upon the degree of correlation among the variables. The results reveal that family carbon emissions were primarily impacted by house area and income. This study found that larger houses tended to have higher carbon emissions, emphasizing the importance of using low-carbon materials and facilities in community regeneration. Additionally, households with higher incomes tended to have more household appliances, which can contribute to higher carbon emissions and potentially lead to conflicts between different actors involved in low-carbon community regeneration. To reduce household carbon emissions, low-carbon community regeneration develops through interactions and transformations among different actors. However, there has been a lack of research examining the mechanisms underlying the process of low-carbon community regeneration involving the various stakeholders. Using the reference of the actor–network theory (ANT), this research innovatively reveals the mechanisms related to key actors (community government) and multivocal obligatory passage points (OPP) with a synchronous process (problematization, interessement, enrollment, mobilization) through interactions and transformations made by different actors. Finally, the study highlights the need for further research on the low-carbon community or urban regeneration with innovative technological and self-regulation strategies.

Joint effects of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance alternatives and heavy metals on renal health: A community-based population study in China

BackgroundPrevious studies have indicated that chlorinated polyfluorinated ether sulfonic acids (Cl-PFESAs), when used as an alternative to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), result in kidney toxicity. However, their co-exposure with heavy metals, has not yet been described. ObjectivesTo explore the joint effects of Cl-PFESAs and heavy metal exposure on renal health in Chinese adults, and identify specific pollutants driving the associations. MethodsOur sample consists of 1312 adults from a cross-sectional survey of general communities in Guangzhou, China. We measured Cl-PFESAs, legacy PFASs (perfluorooctanoic acid [PFOA] and perfluorooctane sulfonated [PFOS]), and heavy metals (arsenic, cadmium, and lead). The relationship between single pollutant and glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and the odds ratio (OR) of chronic kidney disease (CKD) was studied using Generalized additive models (GAMs). Bayesian Kernel Machine Regression (BKMR) models were applied to assess joint effects of Cl-PFESAs and heavy metals. Additionally, we conducted a sex-specific analysis to determine the modification effect of this variable. ResultsIn single pollutant models, CI-PFESAs, PFOA, PFOS and arsenic were negatively associated with eGFR. Additionally, PFOA and heavy metals were positively correlated with the OR of CKD. For example, the estimated change with 95% confidence intervals (CI) of eGFR at from the highest quantile of 6:2 Cl-PFESA versus the lowest quantile was −5.65 ng/mL (95% CI: −8.21, −3.10). Sex played a role in modifying the association between 8:2 Cl-PFESA, PFOS and eGFR. In BKMR models, pollutant mixtures had a negative joint association with eGFR and a positive joint effect on CKD, especially in women. Arsenic appeared to be the primary contributing pollutant. ConclusionWe provide epidemiological evidence that Cl-PFESAs independently and jointly with heavy metals impaired kidney health. More population-based human and animal studies are needed to confirm our results.

Key Points in Planning and Design of Residential Communities Based on All-age Communities

Based on the trend of ageing in China and the social background that more and more families have inter-generational parenting, researchers have found that the original community planning and design can hardly meet the needs of people of all ages, especially the old and young, so the concept of all-age communities has been proposed. However, the concept of all-age community is a new and big concept, and there is still a lack of unified perception. Using three residential communities in Guangzhou as objects, this paper investigates the physical and mental characteristics, behavioral characteristics, behavioral needs, spatial location and design of existing communities for the elderly and children through literature research, field surveys, interviews and behavioral observation to explore design strategies for all-age communities, which are important for improving the quality of life of the elderly and children and meeting the needs of people of different ages. It is important to explore the design strategies of all-age communities to improve the quality of life of the elderly and children and to meet the needs of different age groups.

Association of Body Mass Index and Waist-to-Hip Ratio With Retinal Microvasculature in Healthy Chinese Adults: An Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography Study

To investigate the association of body mass index (BMI) and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) with macular vessel density (VD) and foveal avascular zone (FAZ), using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA), in healthy Chinese adults. Cross-sectional study. A total of 1555 Chinese adults aged ≥ 50 years with no history of ocular disease were recruited from communities in Guangzhou, China. The OCTA was performed with a 6×6 mm macular angiography model. The FAZ of the superficial capillary plexus (SCP), and VD of SCP and deep capillary plexus (DCP) were calculated. Univariable and multivariable linear regression analyses were used to evaluate the effect of BMI and WHR on VD and FAZ. The VD of the SCP increased as BMI increased, with average measurements of 39.30 ± 2.14 for normal, 39.52 ± 2.07 for overweight, and 39.76 ± 2.03 for obesity (P=.001). The VD of the DCP also increased with increasing BMI (P=.009). Multiple regression models confirmed a positive association between generalized obesity and superficial VD in the whole image (β=0.350, P=.008), inner circle (β=0.431, P=.032), and outer circle (β=0.368, P=.005). After adjusting for confounders, tertile 3 of the WHR level was positively associated with superficial VD (β=0.472, P=.033) and deep VD (β=0.422, P=.034) only in the inner circle. Generalized obesity was associated with increased superficial VD, while abdominal obesity was associated with increased superficial and deep VD only in the inner circle. Different manifestations of the retinal microvasculature may reflect distinct roles of body composition on macular vessel alterations and disease occurrence.