Housing Occupancy Research Articles

The Root Causes of Absenteeism in Medical Students: Challenges and Strategies Ahead

Background: Learning by students is the cornerstone of the educational system, as well as the issues associated with this basic axis. One of the foundations of learning is the attendance of students in classes and attention to the instructions. Objectives: The present study aimed to discover the root causes of absenteeism among medical students at Guilan University of Medical Sciences (GUMS). Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted on 127 basic science students at GUMS. Data were collected using a valid questionnaire consisting of 24 items to investigate the four components of the influential factors in absenteeism (S-CVI/Ave = 0.93; CVR ≥ 0.62; α = 91%). Data analysis was performed in SPSS version 21 using descriptive and analytical statistics at the significance level of P ≤ 0.05. Results: Among the four influential factors, professors’ performance (mean score: 18.26 ± 7.12) had the most significant effect and students' personal and family issues (mean score: 14.89 ± 6.76) had the least significant effect on absenteeism. In addition, significant correlations were observed between the status of medical sciences in the community with the variables of age, marital status, and housing occupancy status, as well as students' personal and family issues with marital status, professors' performance with the students' grade point average, and housing occupancy status and personal and family issues with professors' performance. Conclusions: Based on the results, it is recommended that educational planners and policymakers pay more attention to the factors mentioned by students as the most important causes of absenteeism, so that students would become more willing to attend educational environments and the teaching-learning process could be promoted.

PROFILE OF PREGNANT WOMEN COLONIZED BY GROUP B Streptococcus SERVED BY THE UNIQUE HEALTH SYSTEM IN A LABORATORY OF MEDIANEIRA / PARANÁ

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of pregnant colonization by group B Streptococcus (GBS) and to verify whether socioeconomic and demographic conditions are risk factors for colonization by this bacterium. Method: This cross-sectional study included the collection of sociodemographic data through a questionnaire and authorization to access the result of the cultivation of vaginal swabs for the investigation of GBS of 50 women treated at the Unified Health System (SUS) in a laboratory in the municipality of Medianeira, PR, between august and september 2020. Results: The population studied showed a 14% prevalence of colonization by GBS, within national and world standards. Among the factors analyzed, the only significant and protective association was living with fewer people in the same house, up to two people, reducing the risk of developing a positive culture for GBS by more than 5 times (5.54) when compared to pregnant women who live with more than 3 people in the same residence (p <0.1; RR = 0.181, CI 90% 0.04-0.82). There was no association between colonization by GBS with age, skin color, school education, occupation and type of housing, income, fixed partner, parity and gestational symptoms. Conclusion: This study requires greater sampling for statistical strengthening, however it indicates basic data for the creation of GBS disease prevention protocols based on the applied community.

Field-based longitudinal study design for measuring the association between indoor air quality and occupant health status in residential buildings

There has been a growing interest in the association between indoor air quality (IAQ) with an increase in the time spent at home. However, there is still a lack of evidence on the impact of IAQ on occupants' health and well-being in the long term. This study aimed to develop a field-based longitudinal study design to evaluate the IAQ level and daily symptoms of adults and children living in different types of buildings over one year. We proposed vital principles to be considered when recruiting the study participants so that potential confounders, such as age, underlying diseases, and the geographic area would be either removed in advance or matched between different building types. We suggested collecting exposure and outcome data in three categories: lifestyle and housing environment, IAQ measurement, and occupants' health. We presented web-based survey tools for collecting housing and health data, and the frequency of data collection varied from weekly to six-month intervals. We developed two different models using a generalized mixed model for modeling the association between housing environment, IAQ, and human health. The current study design could be applied for future studies on the association between built environment and health, regardless of the type of buildings.•A real-time indoor air quality monitor was used to monitor indoor air parameters every 5 mins over one year.•A simple web-based survey tool was developed to collect data for occupants' daily symptoms in the long term.•A binomial generalized linear mixed model and a Poisson generalized linear mixed model was developed to evaluate the association between indoor air parameters, and building types and daily symptoms.

Application of a New CO₂ Prediction Method Within Family House Occupancy Monitoring

The article describes the application of Python for verification of a newly designed method of CO2 prediction from measurements of indoor parameters of temperature and relative humidity within occupancy monitoring in real conditions of a family home. The article describes the implementation of non-electric quantities (indoor CO2 concentration, indoor temperature, indoor relative humidity) measurement in five rooms of a family home (living room, kitchen, children’s room, bathroom, bedroom) using Loxone technology sensors. The IBM IoT (Internet Of Things) was used for storing and subsequent processing of the measured values within the time interval of December 22, 2018, to December 31, 2018. The devised method used radial basis function (artificial neural networks (ANN)) mathematical method (implementation in Python environment) to perform accurate predictions. For further increase of the accuracy and reduction of prediction noise from the obtained course of the predicted signal, multiple variations of the LMS adaptive filter algorithm (Sign, Sign-Sign, Sign-Regressor) were used (implemented in the MATLAB SW tool). The accuracy of the newly proposed CO2 concentration prediction method exceeds 95% in the selected experiments.

INTERDEPENDENCIES BETWEEN PHYSICAL AND SOCIAL VULNERABILITY IN A STORM RISK ASSESSMENT FRAMEWORK APPLIED TO HAMPTON ROADS, VIRGINIA

Risk assessment frameworks such as HAZUS-MH (FEMA, 2010) have been used globally to estimate potential losses like physical damage to structural establishments, economic loss, shelter requirements, displaced households, etc. due to multi-hazards like earthquake, flood and hurricane hazards. However, HAZUS-MH fails to consider interdependencies between physical and social capacities of affected communities. The present study aims to develop a conceptual risk assessment framework for storm hazards in coastal communities that addresses these limitations through an integrated physical and social vulnerability assessment applied to Hampton Roads, Virginia. By including interdependencies, interactions between the physical and social vulnerability will be studied. We hypothesize that changes in housing occupancy status affect the physical damage and changes in population density affect the social vulnerability. Therefore, the integrated physical and social vulnerability will change in response to a current event and therefore make the same region more or less impacted in a subsequent future event.Recorded Presentation from the vICCE (YouTube Link): https://youtu.be/JzCsvurKrxU

Informații din Arhiva Muzeului Etnografic al Transilvaniei referitoare la așezări și case

"Information captured in the documents kept in the archive of the Transylvanian Museum of Ethnography regarding the settlements and houses There are presented some aspects regarding the settlements and houses captured in the documents kept in the archive of the Transylvanian Museum of Ethnography, insisting on geographical position, toponymy, number and occupation of inhabitants, building materials, housing, furniture, cooking and heating appliances, and customs. Keywords: settlements, farmstead, house, roof, customs "

WHAT DOES CHINA’S EARLY RECOVERY FROM THE NOVEL CORONAVIRUS MEAN FOR THE GLOBAL ORDER?

Despite being the official origin of the SARS-CoV-2 global pandemic, China has managed to recuperate with relatively minimal health and economic damages while the United States and other big global players in Europe are still grappling soaring cases and facing immense economic hardships. The current global hegemon—the United States—has suffered the severest damages in terms of human mortality and increased unemployment rates. Such hardships coincided with its gradual withdrawal from numerous international engagements. At the same time, China is deepening and expanding its global presence and visibility through foreign infrastructure investment and diplomatic ties both at multilateral and bilateral levels. Considering such, the paper discusses the likely impact of China’s early recovery on the future of the global order. The discussion demonstrates that China has utilised the pandemic to showcase its ability to become a global protector. The country has played a pivotal role in the supply of pharmaceutical equipment required to slow down the spread of the disease and has played a significant role in providing the information and advice regarding practical methods to prevent the virus from wide spreading. Economically, China has been the first big global player to register positive economic growth since the pandemic’s outbreak and yet did not provide any stimulus packages to support businesses as other big economies have done and are still doing. With such, many commentators suggest that China is likely to replace the United States as the new global economic superpower since the United States is receding from in its global engagements and suffering economic uncertainties. However, the author of this paper believes that, despite the adverse impact of the coronavirus on the world's leading economies, the shrinking US's interest in international affairs, and the global role of China during the coronavirus period—the roots of US's influence on the international scene are too deep to uproot as of now. The US remains robust militarily, economically, and politically abroad. Besides, the country has a chance to turnaround its international reputation should the November 2020 presidential election result in a new white house occupant.
 
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The role of built and social environmental factors in Covid-19 transmission: A look at America’s capital city

The goal of this research was to investigate the multifaceted interrelationships between the built and social environments and the impact of this relationship on population-level health in the context of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). More specifically, this study assessed the relationship between several social determinants of health, including housing quality, living condition, travel pattern, race/ethnicity, household income, and COVID-19 outcomes in Washington, D.C (DC). Using built environment and social environment data extracted from the DC energy benchmarking and American Community Survey databases, more than 130,000 housing units were analyzed against COVID-19 case counts, death counts, mortality rate, age adjusted incidence rate and fatality rate data for DC wards. The results demonstrated that housing quality, living condition, race and occupation were strongly correlated with COVID-19 death count. The potential hot spots within DC were also identified based the regression model using currently available data. It can be concluded that based on the current available COVID-19 information, the identified combined built and social environment variables are the strongest and most significant predicators of COVID-19 death counts. And among those variables, crowding ratio has most significant influence, followed by work commute time and Black American Ratio.

Socio-Economic Factors Related to Drinking Water Source and Sanitation in Malaysia.

Access to improved water and sanitation is essential. We describe these practices in Malaysia using data from a nationwide community survey and used logistic regression to assess the determinants. Of the 7978 living quarters (LQs), 58.3% were in urban areas. About 2.4%, 0.5% and 27.4% of LQs had non-improved water sources, non-improved toilet types and improper domestic waste disposal, respectively. Open burning was practiced by 26.1%. Water source was a problem for long houses (10.5%), squatters (8.5%) and shared houses (4.0%). Non-improved toilet types were 11.9% for squatters and 4.8% for shared houses. Improper domestic waste disposal practices were higher for occupants of village houses (64.2%), long houses (54.4%), single houses (45.8%) and squatters (35.6%). An increase in education or income level was associated with a decrease in improper domestic waste disposal methods. House type significantly affected water and sanitation after adjusting for the effects of other variables. Lower household income was associated with non-improved toilet types and improper domestic waste disposal. Lower education and rural location influenced domestic waste disposal. The water and toilet facilities in Malaysia were generally good, while domestic waste management practices could be improved. There remain pockets of communities with environmental challenges for the nation.

Associations between ventilation, indoor air quality, and health in residential buildings

Background: While there is an increasing interest in zero-energy buildings, limited evidence is available on how building characteristics affect the level of indoor air quality and occupants’ health status. This study aimed to compare the indoor air quality between the zero-energy building and general apartment in Nowon-gu, Seoul, South Korea and to investigate the relationship between occupants’ behavior, indoor air quality, and level of symptoms.Methods: We recruited twenty-five households for case (zero-energy house) and control group (general apartment) respectively. Self-reported questionnaires were conducted on demographic profiles, general housing conditions, occupants’ behaviors and disease history at the baseline. The severity of symptoms including headache, cough, and allergic symptoms, and subjective stress level were asked using a Likert scale on a weekly basis through a web survey tool. Exposure variables including particulate matter (PM), Carbon dioxide (CO2), and Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were measured using a real-time monitor (Airguard K) on every minute. Regression analysis and a generalized additive model (GAM) will be used to estimate the relative risk for each subgroup.Results: Case and control group showed difference in building age, residence period (23.2 vs. 48.3 months, p < 0.001) and the housing size (55.0 vs. 81.8m2, p < 0.001). Nearly half (48% vs. 40%) of occupants responded they ventilate the house every day. A majority of occupants (64%) used kitchen ventilator while cooking. Hourly mean levels of PM10, PM2.5, CO2 and VOCs between November to February were significantly low in zero-energy building (p <0.001). Frequency of self-reported symptoms were not significantly different between two groups.Conclusions: The results of this study would contribute to finding physical housing conditions and occupants’ behaviors that are associated with occupants’ health and quality of life. It will also provide guidelines for the management of indoor air quality at home.

Effects of private education fever on tenure and occupancy choices in Seoul, South Korea

This study investigates how private education fever affects tenure and occupancy choices in Seoul, South Korea. We used a bivariate probit model to control for sample selection bias that could be caused by sample selectivity from a chain of tenure and occupancy choices. This study found that households with school-age children seem to utilise housing occupancy choice through location choice. Moreover, opportunity for private education is more important to households with school-age children than for households without school-age children, and households with school-age children are more likely to choose a housing occupancy and residential location offering better chances for private education. The study’s main contributions, limitations, and policy implications are described.

Do socioeconomic factors determine household multidimensional energy poverty? Empirical evidence from South Asia

This paper examines the socioeconomic factors of energy poverty at the household level using a dataset of 674,834 households from six South Asian countries. An adjusted multidimensional energy poverty index (MEPI) is used to measure the extent and depth of energy poverty, and a Tobit model is employed to examine the significance of socioeconomic status for multidimensional energy poverty. An ordinary least squares (OLS) regression model is compared with the results of the Tobit model, using the combined dataset and the datasets for each country separately. House size, household wealth, education, occupation (clerical, sales, or agricultural), and gender of the head of the households are significant negative socioeconomic determinants of household multidimensional energy poverty. Place of residence, house ownership status, family size, and the age of the primary breadwinner play a significant positive role in multidimensional energy poverty. These results suggest that effective policy measures for improving the socioeconomic status of households will mitigate multidimensional energy poverty. With implications for the design and implementation of policy, the evidence-based results of this study will contribute to reducing the detrimental impacts of multidimensional energy poverty nationally, regionally, and globally.

Metagenomic Characterization of Indoor Dust Bacterial and Fungal Microbiota in Homes of Asthma and Non-asthma Patients Using Next Generation Sequencing.

BackgroundThe exposure of house occupants to indoor air pollutants has increased in recent decades. Among microbiological contaminants, bacterial and fungal aerosols remain poorly studied and the debate on the impact of these aerosols on respiratory health is still open. This study aimed to assess the diversity of indoor microbial communities in relationship with the health of occupants.MethodsMeasurements were taken from dwellings of 2 cohorts in Brittany (France), one with children without any pathology and the other with children and adults with asthma. Thirty dust samples were analyzed by next generation sequencing with a 16S and 18S targeted metagenomics approach. Analysis of sequencing data was performed using qiime 2, and univariate and multivariate statistical analysis using R software and phyloseq package.ResultsA total of 2,637 prokaryotic (589 at genus level) and 2,153 eukaryotic taxa were identified (856 fungal taxa (39%) and 573 metazoa (26%)). The four main bacterial phyla were identified: Proteobacteria (53%), Firmicutes (27%), Actinobacteria (11%), Bacteroidetes (8%). Among Fungi, only 136 taxa were identified at genus level. Three main fungal phyla were identified: Ascomycota (84%), Basidiomycota (12%) and Mucoromycota (3%). No bacterial nor fungal phyla were significantly associated with asthma versus control group. A significant over representation in control group versus asthma was observed for Christensenellaceae family (p-value = 0.0015, adj. p-value = 0.033). Besides, a trend for over representation in control group was observed with Dermabacteraceae family (p-value = 0.0002, adj. p-value = 0.815).ConclusionsOur findings provide evidence that dust samples harbor a high diversity of human-associated bacteria and fungi. Molecular methods such as next generation sequencing are reliable tools for identifying and tracking the bacterial and fungal diversity in dust samples, a less easy strategy for the detection of eukaryotes at least using18S metagenomics approach. This study showed that the detection of some bacteria might be associated to indoor air of asthmatic patients. Regarding fungi, a higher number of samples and sequencing with more depth could allow reaching significant signatures.

Comparing three stages of addiction recovery: long-term recovery and its relation to housing problems, crime, occupation situation, and substance use

Many studies on addiction recovery focus on recovery initiation and short-term outcomes for alcohol addictions. In this study, we examine associations between three recovery stages and recovery markers for persons in drug addiction recovery. Data were collected for a multi-country study (REC-PATH) among 722 individuals living in the UK, the Netherlands, and Belgium, who consider themselves in addiction recovery for a period of three months or more. We focus on typical life domains that characterize recovery: housing, crime, work or education, and substance use. The relation with time in recovery was examined for three recovery stages: early (<1 year), sustained (1–5 years), and stable (>5 years). Using the Life in Recovery survey, cross-sectional analyses reveal that participants in later recovery stages have lower odds of having housing problems, being involved in crime, and using illicit hard drugs and higher odds of having work or education, when compared to participants in the early recovery stage. This study provides further empirical support for defining drug addiction recovery as a gradual, long-term process that is associated with various life domains beyond abstinence. The findings suggest that drug policy, treatment and research need to be oriented towards long-term objectives and recovery goals that cover multiple life domains in order to support stable recovery.

Increase in asthma prevalence in adults in temporary housing after the Great East Japan earthquake

It is unknown whether disasters such as earthquakes and tsunamis affect asthma development or exacerbation in adults. Here, we investigated whether asthma prevalence increased in those aged ≥15 years living in temporary housing after the Great East Japan Earthquake. We diagnosed asthma according to GINA guidelines in residents aged ≥15 years who were living, or had lived, in temporary housing in the city of Ishinomaki. We analyzed serum antigen-specific anti-immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibody levels to Dermatophagoides farinae (Der f), Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus glaucus, Aspergillus amstelodami, and Aspergillus restrictus. The average age of the 337 inhabitants was 61.3 ± 15.8 years (men, 37.7%). The asthma prevalence was 24.9% according to respiratory specialist diagnosis. The antigen-specific IgE antibody titer against Der f, but none of the other test antigens, was significantly higher in the asthma group than in the no-asthma group (P < 0.01). Time of asthma onset was before the earthquake in 44.6%; in shelters, 9.5%, and after moving into temporary housing, 45.9%. In 71.4% of asthmatics there was exacerbation of asthma after temporary housing occupancy. Logistic regression revealed that the risk factors for developing asthma after moving into temporary housing were allergic rhinitis or allergic conjunctivitis (P < 0.05), family asthma history (P < 0.05), never having smoked (P < 0.01), and peripheral airways disorder (low % V50) (P < 0.05) but not depression. The earthquake and tsunami disasters increased mite allergen sensitization and exacerbation or development of asthma in temporary housing residents aged ≥15 years.

Juggling the formal and the informal: The regulatory environment of the illegal access to public housing in Naples

This paper focuses on the informal occupation of public housing in Naples (Italy), analysing a specific mechanism, the fraudulent takeover, which is an alternative to ‘ordinary squatting’ (i.e. breaking into vacant dwellings) in terms of accessing a housing unit illegally. This mechanism proliferates symbiotically with the formal system regulating the inheritance of public housing units, which creates the space of possibility within which fraudulent takeover was born and spread. A complex regulatory environment emerges as the background of this informal practice, within which the actors of the illegal city can exploit legal loopholes and juggle formality and informality in order to satisfy their housing needs. By reading this case study through some analytical tools offered by both Southern urban theory and Northern legal studies, this paper contributes primarily to the international debate on the nexus between urban informality and the State: it shows the fundamental, multifaceted role of various public institutions in shaping the illegal city, both actively – through (selective or rough) labelling and (mediated or failed) implementation – and passively – through their mere existence.

The Fed’s Municipal Liquidity Facility: Present &amp; Future Possibilities &amp; Necessities

The Fed's new Community QE Facility, which is unprecedented in Fed history, will function as a literal lifeline to States and their Subdivisions. But it remains, precisely because of its novelty, unfamiliar and possibly even off-putting or intimidating to many State and City financial officers, not to mention Mayors, Governors, City Councils and State Legislatures. It also continues to fall short of what will be required if our States, our Cities, and our federal polity itself, which the present White House occupancy is doing virtually nothing to assist, are to survive the present pandemic. Continuing unfamiliarity on the part of State and City officials with Community QE raises the danger that those in serious need of funding to address the present pandemic will not seek or receive it. It also diminishes the likelihood that City and State officials will press the Fed to do a further easing of terms – and this form of pressure will be critical if the Facility is to do all that it’s meant to do. This Memorandum is meant to solve those two problems. It first briefly summarizes what the newly eased MLF enables now. It then addresses what the new Facility probably will, and, at least as importantly, must enable in future. The Memorandum then closes with an updated three-phase ‘Game Plan’ for States and Cities to put into operation the moment the Fed makes clear that the MLF is not a mere ‘virtue signal,’ but a sincere offer of badly needed funding – by actually beginning to provide funding.

HERITAGE IDENTITY CONSERVATION OF THE WOODCARVING PLACEMENT AND DESIGN COMPOSITION TYPOLOGIES ON JOHOR MALAY HOUSES

Woodcarving is a distinct heritage that can promote the identity of a region. However, current practices of using the design composition and woodcarving placement which do not belong to the local region pose a threat to the identity and authenticity of the original heritage. If such practices continue and the identity of the local heritage is not preserved and recorded, the traditional designs and local identity will eventually be lost. The objective of this paper is to identify the placements of woodcarving and the typology of design compositions of woodcarving which form the identity of the Johor Malay houses. Site visits were conducted to Limas Johor in which the wood carvings of 50 houses were examined, photographed and documented. Interviews were also conducted with the house owners or occupants, and the wood carvers. The samples were analyzed and the results were verified by experts. A total of 10 woodcarving placements and 23 typologies were discovered, drawn and coded. The findings of this research suggest that the typology combination of JT2-P5+KT7 of woodcarving represents the identity of Limas Johor houses. It is hoped that this study can bring recognition to Johor woodcarvings, contribute valuable guides for woodcarvers to apply these typologies into their future works to sustain and cherish the Johor local identity.

Housing Design for Urban Poor in Kuala Lumpur: A Literature Review

Adequate comfortable shelter is a significant human rights and needs. In Kuala Lumpur, high demand of affordable quality housing for urban poor has yet to be fulfilled. In order to meet demand for adequate affordable housing for low-income households, the government has introduced numerous housing programs. However, anecdotal evidences suggest that most of this typical type of affordable housing may have design deficiency that could affect occupants’ housing satisfaction. This paper critically reviews on housing policy, typology and design issues for low-income housing in the context of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. This paper argues that there is a direct relationship between housing design and occupants’ satisfaction. Based on the review, it can be recommended that housing design for low-income people should consider factors such as safety, local climate, privacy, sufficient space, layout planning, culture and social integration. Implications for the design of future housing for low income people are raised and the need for the improvement of the ongoing research is identified.

A situational study on sustainable housing features in Johor

Sustainable housing brings an innovation in Malaysia housing industry scene. The trend has witnessed a surge in the demand for this offering by house buyers which in return has encouraged housing developers to incorporate it’s features in their products. The features offered by the housing developers varies while customers are encouraged by the noble causes that their purchased will make. As demand for the products increase, errant and irresponsible developers are unreasonably taking the advantage by charging exorbitantly for the product that they market. In this instance, the words “Eco” and “Green” have been used as the gimmick for marketing purposes while there are no evidences that show whether the features have been truly incorporated in the housing products sold to the customers. The situation thus called for a situational study to be carried out, which aim to clarify the situation happening in the housing industry. Accordingly, the objectives of the study are: (1) To identify the sustainable housing features provided by developers to the buyers; and (2) To identify the house occupant’s satisfaction with the sustainable features available to them. The research is an exploratory research which seeks to provide data in respond to the situation facing the industry. Therefore, both quantitative and qualitative research strategies will be employed by way of a checklist together with a satisfaction survey focusing on housing projects in Johor. Data for the study will be analyzed by employing descriptive analysis as well as thematic coding analysis. A comprehensive discussion will be offered as the possible outcome of the study. This includes the contentment of house buyers towards the sustainable features that are offered by housing developer and how it can be classified as sustainable housing in virtue of the three pillars of sustainable development.