Comparative Area Studies Research Articles

Concentration, pathogenic composition, and exposure risks of bioaerosol in large indoor public environments: A comparative study of urban and suburban areas

Biological contamination in larger indoor environments can lead to the outbreak of various infectious diseases. This study aimed to compare the pollution profiles and associated health risks of airborne microorganisms in different indoor settings between urban and suburban areas by culturing, sequencing, and toxicological evaluation. The results indicated that the average level of culturable bacteria was higher in urban areas (955 ± 259 CFU/m3) compared to suburban areas (850 ± 85 CFU/m3), with the highest concentrations found in the market (2170 ± 798 CFU/m3) and gymnasium (2010 ± 300 CFU/m3). Conversely, the total number of airborne bacteria was higher in classroom (2.09 × 105) and laboratory (1.95 × 105 copies/m3), likely due to the presence of viable but non-culturable cells. Additionally, the concentrations of 0.5–2.0 μm total particles were higher in the market and cafeteria. Dominant airborne genera included Acinetobacter and Pseudomonas for bacteria, Cladosporium and Aspergillus for fungi, as well as Geneviridae and Herpesviridae for viruses. Bacterial and viral diversity and richness were significantly higher in suburban areas compared to urban areas, with distinct viral communities observed in hospital. Cytotoxicity assays revealed lower viability of cells in response to bioaerosols from the library (52.3 %) and laboratory (54.5 %); while lower proliferation rates were found for the cells exposed to bioaerosol from gymnasium (5.4 %) and market (6.0 %), suggesting higher toxicity of these environments. Additionally, bioaerosol exposure may impair cellular innate immunity by increasing the expression of IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, IFN-γ. Our findings provide valuable information for assessing and controlling bioaerosol-related health risks in indoor environments.

Quantitative Analysis of the Evolution of Production–Living–Ecological Space in Traditional Villages: A Comparative Study of Rural Areas in Tibet

Since the introduction of the rural revitalization strategy by the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China in 2017, there have been significant transformations in the production–living–ecological space (PLES) within villages. Evaluating and enhancing villages’ PLES are crucial for fostering sustainable development. Therefore, this study utilized a multi-scale environmental assessment model and mathematical approach to conduct horizontal and vertical nested correlation analyses of indicators at different levels through a path analysis, a Spearman correlation analysis, a variance analysis, the entropy weight method, data simulation, and other methods to establish a “three-dimensional” comprehensive evaluation system for traditional village PLES. The findings indicate the following: (1) The ecological space of traditional villages in Tibet significantly impacts the overall environment of the PLES, with the components’ impact ranked as follows: ecological space > production space > living space. Furthermore, industry and tourism resources show a significant positive correlation with traditional villages’ PLES; (2) There are no significant differences in natural environmental factors, such as air relative humidity, temperature, humidity index, and wind efficiency index among traditional villages in neighboring cities in Tibet. However, they all possess profound ecological and cultural heritage; (3) There are notable disparities in living space between traditional villages in Lhasa and Nyingchi, indicating unbalanced development. It is evident that traditional village construction should not only focus on the development of certain PLES but also pay attention to the balanced development of the overall spatial environment. This study holds great significance for enhancing the living environment of traditional villages in Tibet and promoting sustainable development through protection efforts in these villages.

Ultrasound-Based Grading of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A Comparative Study of Cross-Sectional Area and Shear Wave Elastography at Different Wrist Joint Angles.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is a prevalent neuropathy where accurate diagnosis is crucial for effective treatment planning. This study introduces a novel approach for CTS grading using ultrasound, specifically through the analysis of the cross-sectional area (CSA) and shear wave elastography (SWE) of the median nerve in various wrist positions. Our research involved subjects from outpatient clinics, diagnosed with CTS through Nerve Conduction Studies (NCS), and a control group of healthy individuals. High-frequency ultrasound and SWE measurements were conducted in three wrist positions: straight, 45° extension, and 45° flexion. The key findings revealed significant differences in median nerve CSA and SWE values between the CTS and control groups across all wrist positions, with notable variances in SWE values correlating with wrist positioning. SWE demonstrated enhanced sensitivity and specificity in distinguishing between mild, moderate, and severe CTS, especially at 45° wrist flexion. In contrast, CSA measurements were limited in differentiating between the varying severity stages of CTS. The study concludes that SWE, particularly at 45° wrist flexion, provides a more precise diagnostic benchmark for CTS severity grading than CSA. This advancement in non-invasive diagnostic methodology not only aids in accurate CTS grading but also has significant implications in formulating tailored treatment strategies, potentially reducing the reliance on more invasive diagnostic methods like NCS. This study marks a significant advancement in the ultrasound diagnosis of CTS. It particularly highlights the importance of applying SWE technology across various wrist joint angles, offering a new diagnostic benchmark. This discovery provides data support and additional insights for achieving an early consensus on ultrasound-based grading diagnosis of CTS.

International education hubs: A comparative study of China's Greater Bay Area and established hubs

International education hubs: A comparative study of China's Greater Bay Area and established hubs

The Impact of Pension Insurance on The Mental Health of Elderly Populations--A Comparative Study of Urban and Rural Areas

The Impact of Pension Insurance on The Mental Health of Elderly Populations--A Comparative Study of Urban and Rural Areas

Hydrological and vegetation changes in North Africa over the past 23 000 years: a comparative study of watershed areas of the Nile River using remote sensing and compound‐specific δ2H and δ13C from the Eastern Mediterranean Sea

ABSTRACTHydroclimate variation and vegetation changes of the Nile River watershed area in northeast Africa since the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) were reconstructed based on n‐alkanes, their carbon isotope ratios (δ13Cn‐alkanes), and their hydrogen isotope ratios (δ2Hn‐alkanes) in sediments from ODP Site 967 in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea. The results were compared with the present vegetation cover in the watershed areas using ArcGIS. The average proportion of current grassland in the Equatorial Lake and Ethiopian Highland Plateaus watershed areas was 45.8 and 64.7%, respectively. δ2Hn‐alkanes ranged from −199 to −127‰ and co‐varied with insolation change response to orbital forcing. Depleted δ2Hn‐alkanes were found from deglaciation to the middle Holocene, suggesting increased precipitation during the African Humid Period (AHP) from 15 to 5 ka caused by northward migration of the Intertropical Convergence Zone. However, lower precipitation was inferred by enriched δ2Hn‐alkanes during the LGM and late Holocene. δ13Cn‐alkanes at Site 967 did not show a trend in harmony with δ2Hn‐alkanes and instead exhibited millennial‐scale variations ranging from –25.9 to –33.2‰. These δ13Cn‐alkanes values consistently indicated a C4 grass‐dominated environment in the watershed areas of the River Nile since the LGM, persisting through the AHP and into the present. Reconstructions demonstrated orbital and abrupt forcing of hydroclimate variability while maintaining generally grass‐dominated vegetation with weak precipitation feedback over the late Quaternary.

The Relationship between Motivation and Incentives on the Performance of Integrated Service Post Cadres in Transmigration and Non-Transmigration Areas in the Lambale Community Health Center Work Area, North Buton Regency

Introduction: Initial observations carried out in the Lambale Community Health Center working area, North Buton Regency showed that from interviews with 10 posyandu cadres in transmigration and non-transmigration areas, the average result was that cadres who were inactive were caused by several things, including being busy with other jobs such as housewives and There are still cadres who do not understand their duties in integrated service posts. Method: This type of research is quantitative research with a cross sectional approach. Using a comparative study of transmigration and non-transmigration areas in the Lambale Health Center area, North Buton Regency, looking at the motivation and incentives principles of posyandu cadres. The population was 85 cadres and a sample of 39 used the Lemeshow formula with simple random sampling technique. Result: Based on the results of statistical tests using the Chi Square test, the results obtained were 0.005<α 0.05, H0 was rejected and Ha was accepted, indicating that there is a relationship between cadre motivation and the performance of Posyandu cadres in the Lambale Community Health Center working area, North Buton Regency. Based on the results of statistical tests using the Chi Square test, the results obtained were 0.000<α 0.05, H0 was rejected and Ha was accepted, indicating that there is a relationship between cadre incentives and the performance of Posyandu. Conclusion: There is a relationship between cadre motivation and incentives on the performance of posyandu cadres in the Lambale Health Center work area, North Buton Regency.

The epidemiology and associated factors of non-exclusive breastfeeding: a comparative cross-sectional study of livelihood-secure and insecure areas.

Regardless of national commitment, non-exclusive breastfeeding (NEBF) is a public health problem that worsens over time. It can be associated with sociodemographic, economic, and environmental factors and may vary depending on livelihood security. Hence, this study aimed to determine the magnitude of NEBF and identify its associated factors by considering two areas with varied degrees of livelihood security. This study represented a comparative cross-sectional survey of 1,060 under 6 months (u6m) infant-mother pairs. Both descriptive and analytic statistics were evaluated using STATA version 17 packages. A binary logistic regression was used to identify associated factors of NEBF. The odds ratio (OR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) was used to measure the significance of the association at a p-value of <0.05. The pooled magnitude of 51% of NEBF mothers (95% CI: 48.0, 54.0) was 53.1% (95% CI: 49.2, 57.0) and 48.1% (95% CI: 43.4, 52.8) in livelihood-secure and livelihood-insecure areas, respectively. The lack of recollecting the infant's birth date by mothers (AOR = 2.4; 95% CI = 1.15-4.40) had the highest odds of NEBF while household heads with tertiary education (AOR = 0.14; 95% CI = 0.01-0.54) and the poorest households (AOR = 0.43; 95%CI = 0.20-0.82) had the lowest odds of NEBF in livelihood-secure areas but not in livelihood-insecure areas. Moreover, mothers with male infants (AOR = 1.9; 95% CI = 1.18-2.92) had high odds of NEBF in livelihood-insecure areas but not in livelihood-secure areas. Infants of 2 to less than 4-month-old (AOR = 8.5; 95% CI = 3.47-18.63) and 4 to less than 6-month-old (AOR = 22.2; 95% CI = 8.02-51.97) in livelihood-secure areas and infants of 2 to less than 4-month-old (AOR = 4.3; 95% CI = 1.29-11.67) and 4 to less than 6-month-old (AOR = 8.3; 95% CI = 2.44-22.39) in livelihood-insecure areas had high odds of NEBF. Over half of the mothers were practicing NEBF, which represents a failure to meet national and international targets. Area vulnerability to livelihood security modifies factors of NEBF. Male infants in insecure areas, infants of unknown age in secure areas, and infants aged 2 months or older, regardless of setting, were more vulnerable to NEBF. However, households with the lowest wealth and higher household head educational status in livelihood-secure areas were less vulnerable to NEBF. Hence, livelihood-based interventions targeting mothers of 2 to less than 6-month-old infants, with emphasis on these factors, may help address and reduce NEBF.

A Cross-Language Comparative Study of English and German Vowel Space Area in Swiss German L1 Speakers

It is conventional to examine vowel systems by their acoustic correlates, specifically formants. In the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) vowel chart, vowels are placed according to their relative positions determined by the first two formant values. This two-dimensional plane makes possible the calculation of the articulatory working space of vowels. Variations in the size and shape of the vowel space exist across gender, dialects, and languages. The present study focuses on comparing the vowel space area (VSA) in English and German produced by native Swiss German speakers, attempting to shed light on whether VSAs differ significantly with different calculation methods cross-linguistically. Given the fact that absolute formant values vary tremendously across gender, Hertz values are converted to z-scores, allowing for more direct and meaningful comparisons. While vowel normalization mitigates gender-related differences within specific languages to a large extent, there remains a significant cross-linguistic gender difference. The results reveal that for 3- and 4-vowel space there is no significant effect in language but an effect is observed in gender and vowel combination on VSA, specifically in terms of individual area and overlapping ratio. This suggests that Swiss German speakers tend to utilize the same amount of vowel space in both languages, with the only difference being the expansion of English VSA in higher F2 dimension and lower F1 dimension, as observed across all calculation methods.

Moving Forward to a World Free of Nuclear Weapons (?): How Regional Issues Shape Global Non-proliferation and Disarmament Politics

This special issue contributes to the global dialogue on a nuclear weapons ban by evaluating how regional politics enable or hinder a global ban on nuclear weapons. The insights of 17 contributions offer a nuanced and diverse account of the landscape of nuclear disarmament, arguing that understanding the diversity of regional perspectives, lenses, and approaches is crucial for advancing toward a global nuclear weapons ban. This introduction sets the stage for a detailed exploration of common themes, aiming to shed light on the structural elements that characterize regional and global nuclear politics. For that, we employ a Comparative Area Studies Approach to explore venues and patterns across different regions, offering a comprehensive analysis that underscores the importance of considering local, regional, and global dimensions in tandem. We delineate three key elements that either facilitate or impede the implementation of a nuclear weapons ban: (1) Inclusivity: How key actors participate and are included in the policy-making process at the global, regional, and local levels; (2) Inequalities: how power inequalities shape social processes that enable or hinder the continuity of nuclear weapons; (3) Institutions: how networks and institutions are organized and structured between each other.

Area Studies в системе общественных наук

In the last decades, area studies have been subject to substantial criticism by the most mainstream social sciences. Area specialists are perceived as lacking the knowledge of modern research methodology and rather following the interests of humanities than social sciences. At the same time, studying individual regions and countries certainly requires the accumulation of specific knowledge, which would most likely be lost without area studies research. This paper discusses the main directions of criticism of area studies and possible suggestions towards modernization of this research tradition. The criticism towards area studies can be linked to three issues: the excessive dominance of the humanities in most area studies communities; insufficient consideration of modern theoretical and empirical approaches; and implicit normativity, i.e., the substitution of scientific analysis with value assertions. The modernization of area studies as an academic field is related to the application of alternative approaches to regional and country studies within three research projects: Comparative Area Studies (CAS), Transregional Studies, and regional specialization within individual disciplines

Analyzing Near-Miss Incidents and Risky Riding Behavior in Thailand: A Comparative Study of Urban and Rural Areas

Preventing near-miss incidents is considered a proactive measure, as it aims to prevent events that have a risk of resulting in accidents. This is regarded as a vital component of building a sustainable and secure society within communities. In the present day, low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) often experience the highest fatality rates from motorcycle accidents, which frequently involve mixed traffic scenarios with other vehicles. The distinct physical characteristics and environmental conditions of roads in urban and rural areas significantly contribute to different riding behaviors. Therefore, the objective of this study is to develop a behavioral model related to near-miss incidents among motorcycle riders in both urban and rural regions using multi-group structural equation modeling (SEM). Data collected from six Thai regions via adapted MRBQ assessed control errors, violations, and safety equipment use in a sample of 2002 riders (1066 urban, 936 rural). Through parameter invariance testing, differences in factor loadings, intercepts, and structural paths were identified between urban and rural areas. All three of these factors significantly influenced near-miss incidents among motorcycle riders in both urban and rural areas. The policy recommendations resulting from this study can contribute to enhancing safety measures for motorcycle riders.

Comparative study of the urban areas of Bandar Mahshahr from the perspective of creative city indicators

Comparative study of the urban areas of Bandar Mahshahr from the perspective of creative city indicators

Slums Evolution and Sustainable Urban Growth: A Comparative Study of Makoko and Badia-East Areas in Lagos City

This research addresses the evolution of slums in two specific areas of Lagos City, a consequence of rapid urbanization in developing economies. The study aims to analyze the key characteristics of slums’ evolution while analyzing mathematical spatial changes within the Badia-East and Makoko slum areas in two decades, focusing on promoting sustainable urban growth. The integration of Remote Sensing (RS) technology and Geographic Information System (GIS) tools has dramatically facilitated the monitoring of Land Use Land Cover (LULC) changes over two decades. This research used Landsat imagery acquired in 2000, 2010, and 2020 to meet our research aims. The research applied supervised classification and the Normalized Difference Built-up Index (NDBI) for image mapping and mathematical-based analysis. Research created a spatial framework using grid-cell maps, performed change detection, and generated detailed maps to support our analysis. A comparative analysis was also performed in the selected areas with a different history in slum management systems. The findings reveal that both Makoko and Badia-East exhibit slum-like characteristics. Makoko witnessed a significant increase in informal built-up expansion of 27.6% and 7.7% between 2000 and 2010 and between 2010 and 2020, respectively. These changes converted 34.65 hectares of non-built-up land in Makoko into built-up areas. Conversely, Badia-East reported an increase in built-up areas only between 2000 and 2010, which amounted to 8.5%. However, the government’s intervention caused a decrease of 12.7% in built-up areas of Badia-East between 2010 and 2020. The study underscores the urgent need for slum clearance and upgrading initiatives in Makoko, like those implemented in Badia-East between 2013 and 2017. The conclusion drawn from the study of Makoko’s informal built-up areas is that it is causing adverse effects on human life and the environment. The expansion has resulted in an increase in air and water pollution, which is having adverse effects. Therefore, the study recommends upgrading and clearing out Makoko and suggests taking lessons from the successful experience in Badia-East. The study also highlights the importance of prioritizing community needs and voices to ensure efficient resource utilization while safeguarding the well-being of future generations.

The problem of urban villages in urban planning: historical legacy and future development--Based on a comparative study of the old urban areas of Beijing and Hong Kong

This paper presents a comparative study of two different urban development models and urban planning concepts between the Mainland and the Special Administrative Region, based on an analysis of the historical process of urbanisation in Beijing and Hong Kong. This paper presents a multidimensional observation of the urban village problem in each of the two cities from four perspectives: land use, economic development, urban governance and urban culture. The finding shows that there are significant differences in the urban development patterns and urban planning philosophies of the two cities, Beijing and Hong Kong, influenced by different historical legacy factors, which have caused different manifestations and solutions of the urban village problem in the two cities. The purpose of this paper is to draw historical lessons from the analysis of the historical process and to provide a pathway solution for urban planning in other regions and for the solution of the urban village problem. This paper presents a comprehensive study on the issue of "urban villages" in two distinctive Chinese cities at the same level of development under the "one country, two systems" policy. The aim is to identify and analyze the social and demographic problems on the basis of an accurate picture of the urban development process, and to provide scientific strategies and suggestions for urban planning and management.

In Vitro Experimental Study on Hemodynamics of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement

The patient-specific aortic silicone model was established based on CTA data. The digital particle image velocimetry (DPIV) test method in the modified ViVitro pulsatile flow system was used to investigate the aortic hemodynamic performance and flow field characteristics before and after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). The results showed that the hemodynamic parameters were consistent with the clinical data, which verified the accuracy of the model. From the comparative study of preoperative and postoperative effective orifice area (0.33 cm2 and 1.78 cm2), mean pressure difference (58 mmHg and 9 mmHg), percentage of regurgitation (52% and 8%), peak flow velocity (4.60 m/s and 1.81 m/s) and flow field distribution (eccentric jet and uniform jet), the immediate efficacy after TAVR is good. From the perspective of viscous shear stress and Reynolds shear stress, the risk of hemolysis and thrombotic problems was low in preoperative and postoperative patient-specific models. This study provides a set of reliable DPIV testing methods for aortic flow field, and provides biomechanical basis for the immediate and long-term effectiveness of TAVR from the perspective of hemodynamics and flow field characteristics. It has important application value in clinical diagnosis, surgical treatment and long-term evaluation.

Analyzing the Progress and Disparities in Access to Clean Energy Technologies: A Comparative Study of Rural and Urban Areas of India

This research paper examines the access to clean fuels and technologies for cooking and electricity in India. The study focuses on the years 2010 to 2020 and analyzes the data to identify trends and disparities in rural and urban areas. The research utilizes a descriptive analysis approach to provide an overview of the situation and shed light on the progress made in achieving universal access to clean energy sources. The findings reveal that while access to clean fuels and technologies for cooking has improved over the years, significant gaps persist, particularly in rural areas. The data shows a steady increase in access to clean cooking fuels and technologies for both the total population and urban population, but the progress in rural areas has been relatively slower. The study also highlights the disparities between rural and urban areas in terms of access to electricity, with urban areas consistently outperforming rural areas. The research paper further discusses the implications of these findings for sustainable development, energy poverty alleviation, and the achievement of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals. It emphasizes the need for targeted interventions and policies to address the challenges faced by rural populations in accessing clean cooking fuels and technologies, as well as reliable electricity. Overall, this research contributes to the understanding of the current state of access to clean fuels and technologies for cooking and electricity in India. It underscores the importance of addressing the disparities between rural and urban areas to ensure equitable and sustainable energy access for all. The findings provide valuable insights for policymakers, development agencies, and stakeholders working towards promoting clean energy solutions and improving energy access in India.

Built form and function as determinants of urban energy performance: An integrated agent-based modeling approach and case study

The pursuit of urban energy sustainability is driving growing efforts and pledges to achieve low-energy or net-zero energy performance at urban scales. However, studies covering urban energy performance and renewables integration often lack a systematic consideration of the urban built context (form and function) and its resulting effects on energy demand and supply dynamics. This paper presents a holistic and scalable agent-based modeling framework that incorporates contextual factors in the energy demand and supply evaluation of urban areas using multi-dimensional performance metrics. It leverages the local climate zone (LCZ) classification of typical urban built types, which is commonly used in urban planning or transportation applications (as opposed to energy planning). The framework is demonstrated through a comparative case study of compact high-rise and low-rise urban areas with different proportions of lodging and office buildings equipped with rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. Results show that the average energy self-sufficiency of the compact low-rise area exceeded 25%. In contrast, the self-sufficiency of the compact high-rise area remained below 5% despite achieving a self-consumption ratio of 99% from locally generated solar energy. The uncovered trends are critical to inform context-sensitive urban energy solutions and policies.

Comparative Study of Exchange Traded Energy Products Worldwide and Potential Areas in India

The globalization of trade in Indian economy and relatively free movement of financial assets, risk management through derivatives products has become a necessity in India. Until the 1970s, the price of oil was relatively stable with production largely controlled by the biggest oil companies. The 1970s transformed the industry forever. Two oil price shocks meant that price volatility became a fundamental feature of the market, short-term physical markets rapidly evolved, and the need to hedge emerged. India is one of the non-OPEC countries much dependent on its imports to fulfill the domestic consumption demand as it has a much lower level of production. India is a developing country and the requirement for the oil as a primary energy constituent from the industries in the country is at its peak. By systematically examining and analyzing both information collected through this research in major countries with key figures of the oil prices in trading exchange, and a wide range of information that is in the public domain, this paper foresees trends in exchange traded energy products, prices, and presents actions that India should initiate.

Land cover effects on soil water and thermal dynamics in arid environments: a comparative study of oasis and desert areas

Land cover effects on soil water and thermal dynamics in arid environments: a comparative study of oasis and desert areas