Population Of District Research Articles

FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH LOW PERCEIVED RISK OF DENGUE INFECTION IN SEREMBAN DISTRICT, NEGERI SEMBILAN: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Introduction: Dengue fever is an infection caused by dengue virus that remains as a public health threat. Hence, this study aimed to determine the risk perception level of dengue infection at Seremban district that continues to battle with dengue epidemic. Additionally, we aimed to measure knowledge, attitude, and practice of the Seremban population in relation to their dengue risk perception level. Methods: This is an analytical cross-sectional survey using a validated questionnaire- Risk Perception, Attitude and Practice (RPAP). A pilot test was conducted on 35 samples, and data was analyzed prior to actual study. The subsequent population study was conducted between April 2021 to November 2021. Ethical approval was obtained before commencement, and each respondent’s informed consent was taken prior to study inclusion. Statistical analysis was done using Rasch analysis and multiple logistic regression. Results: A total of 341 respondents were included in the population study. Rasch analysis result for reliability analysis showed a good psychometric property of the tool used. Majority of the respondents have low level of dengue risk perception (82.1%), attitude level (77.7%), and dengue prevention practice level (84.5%). There was no statistical difference upon comparison between those who live in dengue outbreak area and those from non-outbreak area, for all three constructs (RPAP). The bivariable and multivariable analysis done yielded three independent factors that contributed to the low level of dengue risk perception, namely, living in rented house, living in high-rise unit, and family history of dengue infection. Conclusion: The population of Seremban district has a low level of dengue risk perception that may reflect a low level of attitude and dengue preventive action. Hence, a more extensive health promotion and health education activity based on behavioral theory such as Health Belief Model need to be done to reinforce good attitude and good practice of dengue prevention.

Популяційно-генетичний аналіз населення Запорізької області за даними прізвищ

The genetic structure of a population determines its adaptability, which is reflected in the population’s health, cultural, and intellectual potential. This study aimed to determine the indicators that characterize the genetic structure of populations in the Zaporizhzhia oblast. Throughout its centuries, the Zaporizhzhia oblast has been a crossroads of cultures, making it one of the most ethnically and genetically diverse areas. Surname-based indicators were obtained to characterise populations of the Zaporizhzhia oblast at various hierarchical levels to deepen the understanding of the state of the Ukrainian gene pool. The method used was the description of the genetic structure of the population through surnames, as proposed by I. Barrai. The study used a list of surnames of residents of the Zaporizhzhia oblast from 2001 to 2005. Twenty separate district populations, the city of Zaporizhzhia, and the overall regional population were analysed. The results indicate a significant range of variation in the structural organization of district populations. The main indicator, the isonymy index (I), ranges from 3.6 to 19.0 (×10-4). The inbreeding coefficient (FST) varies from 8.9 to 47.6 (×10-5), the migration rate (v) ranges from 213.0 to 1168.6 (10-4), the diversity index (a) ranges from 5.5 to 28.8 (×102), and the entropy index (H) is between 10.1 and 12.9. The surname redundancy (R) also fluctuates significantly from 17.2 to 27.4. In some settlements, individuals with the same surname are clustered, which the founder effect can explain. The indicators of isonymy, inbreeding, and migration in district populations significantly exceed those of the regional population, indicating the specific genetic structure at the local level. The lowest levels of isonymy are observed in districts with high tourist and transit activity, which may indicate the influence of external factors on genetic diversity. This data provides valuable insights for further studies in population genetics and can be used to develop strategies for preserving genetic and cultural diversity in the country.

Population: It’s Spatial Dimensions and Attributes in Ranchi District

Population geography is an important branch of Human Geography that focuses on the study of Human population, its density, growth, composition and distribution. The study of population distribution refers to the statistical characteristics of a population including age, gender, race ethnicity, income, education and geographic location. Analyzing demographic distribution is crucial for understanding the social dynamics, economic trends and public policy implications. This policy can inform businesses, governments and organizations about the need and preferences of different population segments. The spatial distribution of population across geographic areas exhibits certain patterns which are of primary interest to both the demographers and geographers. This paper attempts to analyze the regional disparity of population at block-level in the most populous district of Jharkhand. Ranchi district is contributed by combination of various factors that has developed it into the most populous district of Jharkhand using the concentration index component. Apart from the trends in population growth, various methods have been adopted to gain a better understanding of the spatial dimension of the population.

Radiological Evaluation of the Proximal Femoral Geometric Parameters of Adult Bangladeshi Population

Background: The present study is aimed to determine the value of proximal femoral parameters such as Femoral Neck Shaft Angle (FNSA) Femoral Neck Length (FNL) and Femoral Neck Width (FNW) of both sexes and also on both sides for the purpose of adequate planning, preparation and pre-operative selection of prosthetic implants and also stocking of prosthesis implants in hospitals located in developing countries like Bangladesh. Materials and methods: It was a cross sectional observational study and was conducted by Department of Anatomy, Chittagong Medical College from July 2020 to June 2021 among 200 (119 male, 81 female) normal adult Bangladeshi population of Chattogram district. Normal participants, both male and female were recruited from Radiology Department of Chittagong Medical College Hospital (CMCH) as per enrolment criteria. After taking demographic data of all participants plain pelvic X-ray A/P view were taken and reported by an expert radiologist of CMCH. Only normal radiographs were included in the study. All measurements such as FNSA, FNL and FNW of femur were taken from both sides of the X-rays. Data were analyzed by SPSS version–25. Results: In this study, mean FNSA, FNW and FNL were found larger in male than in female. The FNSA, FNW and FNL all were found higher in right side than the left and also statistically significant. Conclusion: The result of the present study provides some baseline information about proximal femoral parameters of adult Bangladeshi population which will help to design the prosthesis for hip replacement. Chatt Maa Shi Hosp Med Coll J; Vol.23 (1); January 2024; Page 9-13

The local effects of the first Golden Age of Globalization: Evidence from American ports, 1870–1900

AbstractThis paper uses digitized US trade flows data at the customs district level from 1870 to 1900 to investigate whether trade shocks had an effect on the size and composition of the population of US ports and on their economic activity. I find that trade increased the population of districts, driven principally by growth in urban populations, and that manufacturing activity also increased. However, these results dissipate rapidly with distance: counties adjacent to ports do not see similar gains from trade booms at nearby ports. My results imply that trade was a contributing factor in the structural transformation of America's economy.

Social and Infrastructural development of Tribal population in Koraput district of Odisha: A Case Study

This paper presents a comprehensive case study examining the social and infrastructural development of tribal populations in the Koraput district of Odisha, India. The study on a development intervention orchestrated through a collaborative framework involving government agencies, civil society organizations, and tribal communities themselves. The primary focus is on elucidating the multifaceted challenges faced by tribal communities in this region, including pervasive poverty, systemic marginalization, and limited access to essential services. However, the research also underscores the immense potential for fostering sustainable development and empowering tribal communities through concerted efforts. Central to this investigation is the recognition of the critical role played by mass media in shaping the lives of tribal communities. By harnessing the power of mass media, specifically through the establishment of community radio stations, CSC and mobile towers, previously unreached and tribal backward areas have witnessed transformational changes. These media platforms have not only facilitated communication within and beyond tribal communities but have also acted as conduits for disseminating critical information about development initiatives, government policies, and available resources.This paper also highlights the challenges faced by tribal communities, including poverty, marginalization, and lack of access to basic services. This paper also emphasizes the importance of cultural sensitivity in the process of development. It underscores the necessity of tailoring interventions to align with the unique cultural norms, traditions, and beliefs of the tribal populations. Moreover, it highlights the imperative of promoting women’s empowerment within these communities, recognizing the pivotal role that women play in the social and economic fabric of tribal life. While the journey towards social and infrastructural development for tribal communities in Koraput district has been marked by significant challenges, this study illuminates the progress made through the collaborative efforts of both governmental and non-governmental organizations. Though there remains a substantial distance to traverse, these initiatives have engendered positive changes and hold the promise of ushering in lasting, sustainable development within these communities. However, various government and non-governmental organizations have undertaken initiatives to address these issues and promote the development of these communities. While there is still a long way to go, these initiatives have brought about positive changes and have the potential to bring about long-term development in these communities.

Organization of otolaryngological care in Ukraine: current challenges and directions of response

Annotation. Diseases of the ear, throat, and nose remain an urgent public health problem. The aim of the study was to conduct a theoretical study of the organization of otolaryngological care for the population of Ukraine; identify current problems and areas of response. Content analysis of legislative and regulatory acts, analysis of reference materials, industry statistical data and generalization of results was carried out. It was established that until 2023, otolaryngological care to the population was traditionally provided in primary care institutions by general practitioners-family doctors, as well as in multidisciplinary inpatient and outpatient healthcare institutions. In order to ensure the ability of the network of health care facilities to function not only in peacetime, but also in wartime conditions, from 2023 specialized medical care will be provided in designated facilities of hospital districts, in particular, otolaryngological care is available to the population in primary care facilities, cluster and supracluster health care institutions. From 2012 to 2022, the number of otolaryngologists in Ukraine decreased from 4.033 to 2.580 (0.63 per 10 000 population), and the supply of general practitioners-family doctors remained insufficient (3.44 per 10 000 population). As a result, the volumes of primary medical care are low (40.0-60.0% of the total number of outpatient visits), which increases the burden on specialized care facilities, including those where otolaryngological care is provided. One of the problematic issues in primary care institutions is the lack of medical equipment to help patients with ear, throat, and nose diseases. The professional level of medical workers in specialized offices of outpatient facilities needs to be increased, and it is necessary to ensure strict adherence by doctors to the standards of otolaryngological care. Thus the identified shortcomings require justification for improving the organization of otolaryngological care for the population of the hospital district in order to ensure its availability and quality, which are the prospects for further research.

Pelayanan Prima Pada Pengurusan Kartu Tanda Penduduk Elektronik (E-Ktp) Melalui Website Plavon (Studi Kasus Di Mal Pelayanan Publik Kabupaten Sidoarjo)

The government implements the idea of e-government in order to meet the demands of its people for excellent service. The Sidoarjo District Population and Civil Registration Office has endeavored to improve excellent service in the field of population administration through a website called Service Via Online (PLAVON) as a form of e-government implementation. One of the types of population documents that can be submitted is the Electronic Identity Card (E-KTP). This study aims to describe the application of excellent service in the processing of Electronic Identity Cards (E-KTP) through the PLAVON website at the Sidoarjo Regency Public Service Mall (MPP) and uses descriptive research with a qualitative approach. The focus of the research uses the theory of e-government service quality (E-Govqual) according to Ari et al. (2021). The results showed: (1) efficiency, the PLAVON website is easy to access and uses language that is easy to understand; (2) reliability, services are completed on time; (3) trust, the PLAVON website has a guaranteed security system; (4) community support, the attitude of employees who can help applicants who have difficulties when making applications; (5) system quality, the website can function properly and does not error. A number of obstacles were also found such as the lack of up-to-date information on the flow of service procedures, uncomfortable waiting room conditions, limited number of employees, and unattractive website display.

ANALYSIS OF THE INFLUENCE OF EXTERNAL TEMPERATURE ON THE SPECIFIC GAS CONSUMPTION OF HEAT SOURCES

The article examines the impact of outdoor temperature on the specific consumption of gas from heat sources, taking into account tariffs for district heating in the regions of Ukraine. The study is aimed at identifying patterns between external climatic conditions and gas consumption for heating, which allows optimizing energy consumption and increasing the efficiency of energy use. Data on district heating tariffs, population and area of Ukrainian regions were analyzed. The cluster analysis and hierarchical classification of regions were performed, which allowed us to identify groups with similar characteristics of gas consumption and heating tariffs. The ratio of population to area of regions and its impact on gas consumption and tariff policy is investigated.

Spatial patterns of colorectal cancer survival rates in Malaysia, 2013-2018.

Large geographical variations in colorectal cancer (CRC) survival rates have been reported across regions. Poorer survival rates were mainly found in socioeconomically deprived areas, highly dense areas, and areas lacking healthcare accessibility. The objective of this study was to identify, compare, and contrast the spatial patterns of 5-year CRC-specific survival rates and identify high-priority areas by districts in Malaysia. This retrospective cohort study utilized secondary data from the National Cancer Registry. CRC patients (ICD10 C18-21) diagnosed between 2013 and 2018 were selected. Patient addresses were geocoded into districts and states via geospatial data from the National Geospatial Centre, whereas district population density data were gathered from the Population Census of Malaysia. Kaplan‒Meier survival analysis and log-rank test were conducted to determine and compare the 5-year CRC-specific survival rates, and the spatial distribution of CRC survival by district was determined via ArcGIS software. A total of 18,513 CRC patients were registered from 143 districts, with 10,819 deaths occurring during follow-up. The national 5-year CRC-specific survival rate was 42%, with median survival time of 36months (95% CI: 34.46, 37.54). The eastern region (Kelantan, Terengganu, and Pahang) had the lowest survival (38.0%). Among the 143 districts, eighty-one (56.6%) reported survival rates below the national average while thirty-six (25.2%) were identified as high-priority districts. The differences in CRC survival rates were evident according to geographical location. Area-based targeted interventions to improve CRC detection, management, and access to healthcare are imperative to address cancer survival disparities and help effectively allocate resources.

Inequalities in tuberculosis control in Ethiopia: A district-level distributional modelling analysis.

Implementation studies indicate that the addition of tuberculosis diagnosis and treatment services into the community health extension workers' tasks-that is 'task-shifting'-improved case detection and treatment outcomes in Ethiopia. Given resource and operational constraints, only a limited number of areas can be targeted by an expanded task-shifting program. Therefore, we mapped the distributional disparities in tuberculosis services across regions and districts and modelled the equity pathways towards optimising national scale-up of this task-shifting intervention in Ethiopia. We used data from various sources including District Health Information Software 2; demographic, geospatial and topographic data; and previously published implementation study findings. We developed methods to integrate these datasets and to calculate the proportion of health facilities with tuberculosis services, the district population to health centre ratio, and the proportion of district population living within 2h walking distance from a health centre. Equity and disparities were then measured in terms of: tuberculosis services coverage; health centre adequacy, that is the district population served by health centres; and spatial access adequacy, that is the district population with health centre access within a two-hour walking distance. Subsequently, districts were ranked according to these measures to allow prioritisation of the health extension worker task-shifting intervention. Tuberculosis services coverage varied from 54% in Afar region to 100% in Harari region, and health centre inadequacy ranged from 10% of districts in Benishangul-Gumuz to 87% in Sidama. After spatial access adjustment, health centre inadequacy ranged from 7% of districts in Sidama to 91% in Somali; and tuberculosis services inadequacy from 7% of districts in Sidama to 97% in Afar. Task-shifting implemented in inadequate districts (55% of all districts) could raise national case detection rate from 66% (currently) to 88% and treatment success rate from 93% to 99%; Benishangul-Gumuz achieving the largest increase of all regions. Access to effective tuberculosis services presents substantial disparities across districts in Ethiopia, due to both health system and tuberculosis-specific factors. Jointly considering both types of factors would enable prioritisation of districts where health extension workers would be most impactful.

A comprehensive voice dataset for Hindko digit recognition.

Hindko is a language primarily spoken in Northwestern areas of Pakistan. Approximately eight million people speak the Hindko language. According to its native speakers, it is 7th largest language of Pakistan and 2nd largest language of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The Hazara region is the cultural hub of Hindko language. About 80% of the population in districts like Haripur, Abbotabad and Mansehra speak Hindko. The spoken content of Hindko covers a wide range of subjects, including religion, education, poetry, politics, theater, and more. Despite all this, Hindko lacks a voice recognition system that could enhance accessibility, preserve the language, and promote digital inclusion for its speakers. This paper presents a voice recognition dataset that consists of 17,597 voice samples, and is accessible to the public for academic and research purposes. The dataset consists of 20 Hindko digits ranging from 1 to 20 and all the voice samples are taken from the students and staff and faculty of Pak-Austria Fachhochschule Institute of Applied Science and Technology.

Trends in Incidence of Head and Neck Cancers in Dibrugarh District, Assam, India; During the Period 2003-2016.

Head and neck cancers are considered to be the most common cancers in developing countries, especially in Southeast Asia. In India, it accounts for one-fourth of male cancers and one-tenth of female cancers. An attempt was made to study head and neck cancer trends in the Dibrugarh district of Assam, North-East India, India. All sites viz., oral cavity and mobile tongue, oropharynx, hypopharynx, larynx, nasopharynx and others were considered separately for both the sexes to carry out the present analysis. Using the data from the Population-Based Cancer Registry, Upper Assam, Dibrugarh, annual crude incidence rate and age-specific rate were calculated for the period from 2003 to 2016. Mann-Kendall and Sen's Slope non-parametric analysis were applied to examine the trend in the percentages of Head and Neck cancers. The most frequent incidence site for HN cancers was the hypopharynx (33.50%). The disease was common among the males (78.87%) compared to the female (21.13%) population in Dibrugarh district. HN cancers are more prone to the age group 50-70years (60.93%) compared to the individuals with less than 50years (26.51%). Combining all the sites of HN cancers in male showed a significant decrease in incidence, whereas in female increasing trend was noted over a period of time. A slight decline in the percentage of head and neck cancer was documented in Dibrugarh when we combined both sexes. The results obtained from the current investigation will laid the scientific framework for proper planning and organization of prevention, diagnosis and treatment of HN cancers in Dibrugarh district, Assam.

Leveraging Faith Community Investments to Accelerate COVID-19 Testing and Vaccination within Community Hot Spots

Abstract: This paper demonstrates the use of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to accelerate our ability to implement and maintain mobilization of community partner networks. To provide equity-centric severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2 virus [COVID-19]) testing and vaccination to historically medically underserved areas in a densely populated metropolitan district, Cobb & Douglas Public Health (Georgia) partnered with Wellstar Health System (Wellstar) through an MOU. Wellstar activated its Congregational Health Network to target COVID-19 testing and vaccination sites, identified by review of local COVID-19 transmission data. The MOU enabled rapid deployment of public health and health care resources, which grew into a consortium that held 141 local events that provided more than 3,000 tests and 10,000 vaccinations. Health care organizations can use an MOU structure to establish partnerships and increase equity-centric COVID-19 testing and vaccination accessibility for disparate communities.

Frontal Horn of Lateral Ventricle of Brain and Its Relation with Age, Gender and Side: Morphometric Study by Computed Tomography among Bangladeshi Population

Background: Knowledge of the baseline reference value of frontal horn size is necessary for the initial and precise analysis of ventriculomegaly. The purpose of this study was to determine the size of frontal horn of lateral ventricle and its relation with age, gender and side among adult Bangladeshi population of Chattogram district. Materials and methods: This cross-sectional analytical study was conducted during the period from July 2022 to June 2023 in the Department of Anatomy, Chittagong Medical College, Chattogram, upon 150 respondents of 20-60 years who had normal Computed Tomography (CT) scans as reported by an expert radiologist. For statistical analysis, Mann-Whitney U test, Wilcoxon signed rank test and ANOVA test were done. p-value was considered significant if it was <0.05 at 95% level of confidence. Results: The mean right and left frontal horn length was 25.50 (±3.95) mm and 25.28 (±4.04) mm respectively. The length of the frontal horn of both right and left sided lateral ventricle were significantly higher in male than that of female (p<0.01). Spearman's correlation coefficient indicated positive linear correlation of length of frontal horn (Right and left side) with age, insignificant in right side (p=0.061) but significant in left side (p=0.046). Conclusion: Morphometric analysis of the frontal horn of the lateral ventricles among the Bangladeshi population produced a number of significant results that may help with the early diagnosis and treatment of neurological diseases that are particular to gender and age. These findings can be validated and expanded upon in future research using bigger sample sizes and cutting-edge imaging methods. IAHS Medical Journal Vol 7(1), June 2024; 54-59

Social aspects of rehabilitation of the Bryansk region settlements affected by the Chernobyl NPP accident

Relevance. Currently, in the south-west of the Bryansk region, the settlements most affected by the Chernobyl NPP accident show the radiation exposure of about 30 % of the natural level without causing any negative impact on health. However, the settlements are still facing severe social challenges. Throughout the timespan after the Chernobyl accident, significant population decline has been observed in these settlements. Over the past 20 years, the number of residential settlements in the south-west districts of the Bryansk region has decreased by 22 % and the number of residents by 16%. Considering the long-lasting consequences of the Chernobyl disaster, social protection of the accident affected population and the development of radioactively contaminated areas remains relevant so far.The objective is to assess the current demographic situation in the Bryansk region southwestern settlements, most affected by the Chernobyl NPP accident, as well as to justify the shortage of social infrastructure required to ensure the settlements return back to normal conditions.Methods. The study analyses current social problems, including demographics and infrastructure in the five southwestern districts of the Bryansk region, most affected by the Chernobyl NPP accident.Results and discussion. In 2023, the southwestern districts of the Bryansk region included 72 residential settlements (71 rural and the town of Novozybkov) with an average annual effective radiation dose of population exposure above 1 mSv. The total registered population of the settlements is 63,869 people. The share of rural and urban population is 39 and 61 %, respectively. A difficult demographic situation was noted in the populated areas of the Chernobyl accident zone. Thus, the share of persons under working age (0–15 years) does not exceed 17 % of the total population. Social infrastructure demands were assessed to ensure wellbeing of the population in the Bryansk region districts, most affected by the Chernobyl NPP accident.Conclusion. In the rural settlements where the population is exposed to an average annual effective radiation dose above 1 mS, assessment and audit of the existing social infrastructure is required with follow-up efforts to eliminate the shortages, if any, to comply with modern norms and standards.

Value Chain Analysis of Cattle Feed Market in Banaskantha District, India

India has vast resources of livestock and poultry, which play a vital role in improving the socio-economic conditions of rural masses. Livestock sector contributed 4.90 per cent of total GVA in 2020-21. Birthal and Jha [1] has found feed scarcity as the main limiting factor to improving livestock productivity. Therefore, to increase the productivity potential of milch animals the use of commercial compound feed is inevitable as supply of feed & fodder is shortening due to shrinking pasture land in the country. The Indian feed industry is about 57 years old. India is deficient in fodder and its availability is shrinking day by day due to decrease in cultivable area and increased share in food crop production so more thrust should be directed towards compound feeds by identifying the constraints and removing them.This study focused on the effectiveness of the feed industry and the performance of the value chain when mapping the cattle feed value chain in the Banaskantha district of Gujarat state. Total of ten feed manufacturing units and 120 farmers were selected for the study. The study was based on primary data and secondary data, the primary data were collected through personal interviews with the help of a structured survey schedule. Secondary data on livestock population were collected through the livestock census, Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture, Govt. of India. A multi stage random sampling method was adopted as an appropriate sampling procedure for the study. Banaskantha district was purposely selected for the study as Banaskantha district has highest livestock population in overall Gujarat State. Four talukas from Banaskantha district were selected randomly and feed manufacturing units were selected by snowball sampling method. From each taluka, five villages were selected randomly. From each village, six farmers were selected randomly. The study focused on buying behavior of farmers regarding cattle feed purchase and to estimate demand for concentrated feed requirements for the future in Banaskantha district. The study found that among the eight explanatory (independent) variables, five variables viz., livestock population, farm size, feed price, income from livestock, total feed fed per day were found to be significantly associated with expenditure of cattle feed price per animal per month and other variables such as average age of the animal, technology adoption and distance from buying location were statistically non-significant. The required feed demand for future livestock populations in Banaskantha district are 3651480 metric tonnes, 4487461 metric tonnes, 5514543 metric tonnes, 6774097 metric tonnes and 8315523 metric tonnes for the year 2024, 2029,2034, 2039 and 2044 respectively.

Optimization of bus stop layout considering multiple factors including passenger flow direction.

Bus stop layout typically requires consideration of urban population distribution, traffic conditions, and passenger flow demand to establish an efficient foundation for the bus system's operation. Based on the above key factors, this paper introduces a strategic method to optimize the bus stop layout from a macro perspective in order to save passengers' travel time and improve the attractiveness of the bus system. This approach accounts for the matching degree between the Origin-Destination (OD) direction of passengers and their walking direction heading to bus stops. Initially, we take into account factors such as the population and area of traffic districts, and urban road conditions. Utilizing the hypernetwork multidimensional data clustering method along with GIS technology, we construct an alternative set of bus stops based on the hypernetwork framework. This set serves as a reference for the positioning of newly built and moved bus stops. Subsequently, we develop a two-stage model for bus stop layout decision-making. The first stage focuses on determining the bus stop layout at the traffic district level, taking into account multi-factors including the passenger flow matching degree. The second stage is designed to mitigate the negative impact of bus stop optimization on the overall service level of the urban bus system. A case study conducted in XT city demonstrates the effectiveness of our approach. Post-optimization, there is a 15.83% increase in the alignment between passenger flow direction and bus stop layout. Additionally, the average travel time for passengers is reduced by 7.55 minutes.

Monitoring of pyrethroid resistance in Aedes aegypti: first report of double and triple kdr mutations in Buenos Aires Province

BackgroundDengue is an emerging disease in Argentina due to the colonization of Aedes aegypti, the mosquito vector. Buenos Aires Province is the biggest and most populated district in Argentina, suffering dengue outbreaks of growing magnitude. During epidemic periods, pyrethroid insecticides are used in this country to control adult mosquitoes. Pyrethroid resistance in dengue vectors has been reported worldwide, making it necessary to implement resistance management strategies. The voltage-gated sodium channel is the target site of pyrethroids. Mutations in the gene encoding this protein, called kdr mutations, are usually the molecular cause of pyrethroid resistance in insects. In Ae. aegypti from the Americas, three kdr substitutions were described: V410L, V1016I, and F1534C. The diagnostic of kdr mutations is recommended for the early detection of pyrethroid resistance as well as the consequent planning of evidence-based control policies.MethodsWe distributed ovitraps across 16 localities in Buenos Aires Province, collecting 22,123 eggs. A total of 522 mosquitoes were genotyped in positions 1016 and 1534 of voltage-gated channel using multiplex high-resolution melting and/or TaqMan probe methods. A subset of 449 samples was also genotyped by a singleplex high-resolution melting method developed ad hoc and/or Sanger sequencing.ResultsWe have documented, for the first time to our knowledge in the central region of Argentina, the presence of the 1016Ikdr + 1534Ckdr allele. Additionally, our study reports the first identification of the V410L mutation in central Argentina. These results underscore a growing trend of pyrethroid resistance in Ae. aegypti, fueled by the widespread use of these insecticides.ConclusionsWe detected 1016Ikdr + 1534Ckdr and 410Lkdr mutations in central Argentina for the first time and improved the processivity and accuracy of kdr genotyping methods. The results are both a tool for resistance monitoring and a sign of alarm to direct efforts towards finding sustainable methods for vector control to complement or replace pyrethroids. Joint efforts between academia and authorities to develop and implement public policies for vector control are a productive way to transfer scientific results for their application in public health.Graphical

Psychological health declined during the post-monsoon season in communities impacted by sea-level rise in Bangladesh

Sea level rise affects the long-term psychological health of coastal communities. However, research on long-term and seasonal impacts on vulnerable communities’ psychological health is limited. Here, we explore the effect of sea-level rise on the psychological health of the coastal population in Satkhira and Khulna districts of southwest Bangladesh across two seasons: before monsoon (March to April) and post-monsoon months (October to November) in 2021. We leveraged the longitudinal research that involved 1144 participants. We collected data on psychological health using established scales for distress, depression, anxiety, and stress and also measured environmental factors and resource losses. Results indicate that psychological health, particularly distress, depression, anxiety, and stress, increased during the post-monsoon months in communities more vulnerable to sea-level rise. Highly vulnerable communities showed increased psychological distress post-monsoon. Environmental stressors and resource loss escalated during the post-monsoon period, especially in moderate and highly vulnerable communities. Our findings emphasize the urgent need for targeted support and resilience-building interventions in affected communities to alleviate the psychological health impacts of sea-level rise.