Local Departments Research Articles

Using the Socioecological Model to Explore Barriers to Health Care Provision in Underserved Communities in the Philippines: Qualitative Study.

The Philippines' primary care is delivered via local health centers called barangay health centers (BHCs). Barangays are the most local government units in the Philippines. Designed to promote and prevent disease via basic health care, these BHCs are staffed mainly by barangay health workers (BHWs). However, there has been limited research on the social and environmental factors affecting underserved communities' access to health care in underserved areas of the Philippines. Given the importance of BHCs in disease prevention and health promotion, it is necessary to identify obstacles to providing their services and initiatives. This study aimed to explore multilevel barriers to accessing and providing basic health care in BHCs. We used a qualitative approach and the socioecological model as a framework to investigate the multilevel barriers affecting basic health care provision. A total of 18 BHWs from 6 BHCs nationwide participated in focus group interviews. Traditional thematic content analysis was used to analyze the focus group data. After that, we conducted individual semistructured interviews with 4 public health nurses who supervised the BHWs to confirm findings from focus groups as a data source triangulation. The final stage of thematic analysis was conducted using the socioecological model as the framework. Findings revealed various barriers at the individual (lack of staff motivation and misperceptions of health care needs), interpersonal (lack of training, unprofessional behaviors, and lack of communication), institutional (lack of human resources for health, lack of accountability of staff, unrealistic expectations, and lack of physical space or supplies), community (lack of community support, lack of availability of appropriate resources, and belief in traditional healers), and policy (lack of uniformity in policies and resources and lack of a functional infrastructure) levels. Examining individual-, interpersonal-, institutional-, community-, and policy-level determinants that affect BHCs can inform community-based health promotion interventions for the country's underserved communities. Given the multidimensional barriers identified, a comprehensive program must be developed and implemented in collaboration with health care providers, community leaders, local and regional health care department representatives, and policy makers.

320 Surgical Site Infections (SSIs)- Are you doing your part to prevent them?

Abstract Aims (1) To evaluate the current literature regarding prevention of surgical site infections (SSIs). (2) To assess our General Surgery department SSI rate. (3) To implement changes within the department that are reflective of current evidence/guidance. (4) To re-audit our SSI rate post implementation of changes. Methods Evaluated and summarised 3 studies published in 2022 relating to the use of surgical care bundles to reduce SSIs. Collected post- operative laparotomy data within 2022; primary outcome SSI prior to discharge. Secondary outcomes: organism grown on wound culture, prolongation of hospital stay and other hospital acquired infections. Trust data and literature review presented a local department meeting. Consultant Surgeon cohort concluded which changes were to be implemented (pre-closure glove change, new closure equipment set, wound irrigation, anti-microbial sutures, use of wound retractors and negative pressure wound therapy). Post-operative laparotomy wound data recollected after changes. Results Clear literature evidence in support of surgical care bundles. Pre-closure glove change, new closure equipment set, wound irrigation, anti-microbial sutures, use of wound retractors and negative pressure wound therapy all found to contribute to a statistically significant reduction in SSIs. Implementation of these changes led to a reduction of SSIs within the department. Conclusions SSIs are the most common surgical complication worldwide. They lead to increase morbidity/mortality, prolonged hospital stays and increase economic burden. Recent literature has highlighted simple measures to reduce SSIs. Implementation of these measures has led to a department wide reduction in SSIs.

A Resident-Led Firearm Curriculum for Pediatrics Residents Improves Safe Storage Counseling

To develop and implement a resident-led firearm safety curriculum, delivered to pediatrics residents, and to evaluate outcomes. A firearm safety curriculum was developed in 2019-2020 at a single academic center, using Kern's framework and cognitive load theory. The curriculum was organized using the "Be SMART" firearm safety model. Sessions were led by resident peers. The content included workshops on firearm safety counseling, advocacy training, and a gun lock program in collaboration with the local police department. Content was integrated into existing residency didactic curriculum. Impact was measured by a pre/posttest knowledge assessment and a systematic chart review. The curriculum was provided to 41/66 (62%) pediatrics residents. Knowledge improved (67% to 77% correct) when comparing pre-intervention with post-intervention. A total of 1477 charts were reviewed. Compared with a historical cohort, participants more often asked about presence of a firearm (27% vs 69%, P<.0001) and counseled on firearm safety (9% vs 25%, P<.0001). In the post-intervention timeframe, 25% of eligible families were provided a gun lock. A firearm safety curriculum designed by pediatrics residents and administered to their peers resulted in a statistically significant improvement in inquiries about firearm ownership and safety counseling in an urban tertiary care continuity clinic. These results demonstrate the promising outcomes of a firearm safety program developed by residents and delivered to peers.

Examining the absorption of post-internship medical officers into the public sector at county-level in devolved Kenya: a qualitative case study

BackgroundAfter Kenya’s decentralization and constitutional changes in 2013, 47 devolved county governments are responsible for workforce planning and recruitment including for doctors/medical officers (MO). Data from the Ministry of Health suggested that less than half of these MOs are being absorbed by the public sector between 2015 and 2018. We aimed to examine how post-internship MOs are absorbed into the public sector at the county-level, as part of a broader project focusing on Kenya’s human resources for health.MethodsWe employed a qualitative case study design informed by a simplified health labour market framework. Data included interviews with 30 MOs who finished their internship after 2018, 10 consultants who have supervised MOs, and 51 county/sub-county-level managers who are involved in MOs’ planning and recruitment. A thematic analysis approach was used to examine recruitment processes, outcomes as well as perceived demand and supply.ResultsWe found that Kenya has a large mismatch between supply and demand for MOs. An increasing number of medical schools are offering training in medicine while the demand for MOs in the county-level public sector has not been increasing at the same pace due to fiscal resource constraints and preference for other workforce cadres. The local Department of Health put in requests and participate in interviews but do not lead the recruitment process and respondents suggested that it can be subject to political interference and corruption. The imbalance of supply and demand is leading to unemployment, underemployment and migration of post-internship MOs with further impacts on MOs’ wages and contract conditions, especially in the private sector.ConclusionThe mismatched supply and demand of MO accompanied by problematic recruitment processes led to many MOs not being absorbed by the public sector and subsequent unemployment and underemployment. Although Kenya has ambitious workforce norms, it may need to take a more pragmatic approach and initiate constructive policy dialogue with stakeholders spanning the education, public and private health sectors to better align MO training, recruitment and management.

К вопросу о социальном обеспечении малолетних, подлежащих снятию с работ, в РСФСР в 1919–1920 гг.

The article analyzes the activities of the Russian state authorities in the 1919–1920s. on the social security of children and adolescents subject to dismissal from enterprises as part of the implementation of the strategy for the elimination of child labor. The main attention is paid to the joint practical activities of representatives of the People’s Commissariats for Labor, Education and Social Security, united in commissions for the removal of young children from work. The examination of the financial situation and the direct removal of minor children from work was entrusted to labor inspectors; accommodation by schools — to local departments of public education. Material support was provided according to the estimates of all three structures, both in kind (supply of food, clothing, footwear; placement in boarding schools) and in the form of cash benefits (NKSO RSFSR). At the same time, if it turned out that a one-time dismissal of all children and adolescents from work could affect the performance of an enterprise of national importance, their removal from work occurred gradually and, if possible, painlessly for the enterprise. As a result, the author concluded that the task in question was not completely solved in the studied period of time.

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Purpose: This article aims to identify the main tendencies and features of public-private partnerships in the environmental sphere regarding developing environmental and economic security in Ukraine. Theoretical framework: Business cost savings when implementing the latest technologies in pursuit of economic results are accompanied by a deterioration of the environmental situation at the regional and national levels, increased risks of negative impact on population health, and reduced labor productivity, which, accordingly, causes a potential increase in public healthcare costs. As a result, the search for forms and methods to ensure effective cooperation between the state and business in solving natural resources management problems is intensifying. Design/methodology/approach: The study used analytical and bibliographic methods to study the scientific literature on implementing the ecological and economic security doctrine and the features of various types of public-private partnerships related to it, as well as induction, deduction, analysis, synthesis of information, systemic and structural, comparative, logical, and linguistic methods, abstraction, idealization for studying and processing data, and a questionnaire survey conducted by the research authors online to clarify the most critical issues related to this issue practically. Findings: The study identified the principal and most important theoretical aspects of public-private partnership issues in the environmental sector. Research, Practical &amp; Social implications: Also, it examined the opinion of representatives of public environmental organizations and executives of local government departments on the critical aspects of the problem. Originality/value: One of the most effective forms of combining the efforts of all stakeholders is a public-private partnership, which in a market economy allows directing limited resources of business and the state to solve the most pressing problems of both certain regions and the country as a whole through the mechanism of joint implementation of socially significant projects.

Public-Private Partnerships in Natural Resource Management as a Basis for the Implementation of the Ecological and Economic Security Doctrine of Ukraine's Development

Purpose: This article aims to identify the main tendencies and features of public-private partnerships in the environmental sphere regarding developing environmental and economic security in Ukraine.&#x0D; &#x0D; Theoretical framework: Business cost savings when implementing the latest technologies in pursuit of economic results are accompanied by a deterioration of the environmental situation at the regional and national levels, increased risks of negative impact on population health, and reduced labor productivity, which, accordingly, causes a potential increase in public healthcare costs. As a result, the search for forms and methods to ensure effective cooperation between the state and business in solving natural resources management problems is intensifying.&#x0D; &#x0D; Design/methodology/approach: The study used analytical and bibliographic methods to study the scientific literature on implementing the ecological and economic security doctrine and the features of various types of public-private partnerships related to it, as well as induction, deduction, analysis, synthesis of information, systemic and structural, comparative, logical, and linguistic methods, abstraction, idealization for studying and processing data, and a questionnaire survey conducted by the research authors online to clarify the most critical issues related to this issue practically.&#x0D; &#x0D; Findings: The study identified the principal and most important theoretical aspects of public-private partnership issues in the environmental sector.&#x0D; &#x0D; Research, Practical &amp; Social implications: Also, it examined the opinion of representatives of public environmental organizations and executives of local government departments on the critical aspects of the problem.&#x0D; &#x0D; Originality/value: One of the most effective forms of combining the efforts of all stakeholders is a public-private partnership, which in a market economy allows directing limited resources of business and the state to solve the most pressing problems of both certain regions and the country as a whole through the mechanism of joint implementation of socially significant projects.

Non-Grain Production of Cultivated Land in Hilly and Mountainous Areas at the Village Scale: A Case Study in Le’an Country, China

Non-grain production of cultivated land (NGPCL) is an essential factor that affects food security and sustainable agricultural development. Due to the large population and limited land area present in China, cultivated land resources are more extensive and valuable in hilly and mountainous areas, though the expansion of NGPCL threatens food security and is detrimental to the sustainable use of cultivated land resources. To better understand the problem of NGPCL in hilly and mountainous areas, this paper initially classifies NGPCL into four distinct types, namely unplanted cultivated land (UCL), planted non-grain crops (PNGC), engineering recoverable (ENR), and immediately recoverable (IMR), based on their planting types and attributes. Subsequently, we analyzed the spatial patterns and differentiation characteristics of these NGPCL types in Le’an County at the village scale through exploratory spatial data analysis and studied their driving factors using the geographical detector model. The findings show that the NGPCL rate in Le’an County was 18.53%, with ENR occupying the largest area, followed by PNGC and UCL, while IMR had the smallest area. The spatial distribution of NGPCL in Le’an County suggests that there are correlations with all four types of NGPCL, which exhibit spatial clustering, except for IMR, which displays spatial heterogeneity. We attribute the phenomenon of NGPCL in Le’an County to natural, social, and economic factors, with the driving forces having varying degrees of influence. Specifically, slope, altitude, and cultivated land protection intensity play significant roles in the overall NGPCL. This paper is of crucial significance to the local agricultural management department’s efforts to prevent and control the non-grain production of cultivated land and the Chinese Government’s efforts to ensure food security.

Evaluation of Green Agricultural Development and Its Influencing Factors under the Framework of Sustainable Development Goals: Case Study of Lincang City, an Underdeveloped Mountainous Region of China

This study aims to assess the current status of green agricultural development and its influencing factors in Lincang City, a national innovation demonstration zone for sustainable development; it also seeks to enhance the potential and competitiveness of green agricultural development in underdeveloped border areas. To achieve this, an evaluation index system is constructed encompassing six dimensions. Using a coupled coordination and obstacle degree approach, this study explores the spatiotemporal differences in the level of green agricultural and sustainable development, as well as the power, coupled coordination degree, and factors that negatively impact green agricultural development in Lincang City from 2010 to 2019. The Liang-Kleeman information flow method is applied to uncover the key information flow factors that influence the coupled coordination degree in each county and district of Lincang City. The results reveal several insights: First, the comprehensive score of sustainable green agricultural development increased from 0.4405 to 0.5975 during the study period. Second, the coupling coordination degree of green agricultural development was relatively low, fluctuating between 0.1821 and 0.2816. Overall, the development has shifted from severe imbalance to mild imbalance. Third, the obstacle degree increased by 3.75%. From a systemic perspective, the “resource conservation” layer had the highest barrier level, with the maximum value being observed in Yun County at 25.5%. Further analysis of the indicators reveals that the use of outdated water-saving irrigation techniques has resulted in low irrigation efficiency and excessive water resource waste. This is the main cause of the high barrier levels in terms of water-saving irrigation intensity and effective irrigation area. Moreover, the excessive use of chemical pesticides to enhance vegetable production has contributed to high barrier levels for achieving yields of pollution-free vegetable production per unit area. Finally, the information flow values of the factors influencing the coordinated and harmonious development of green agriculture exhibit significant regional heterogeneity among counties and districts. The highest information flow value for the area of drought- and flood-resistant crop cultivation is in Zhengkang County at 1.86. Based on these results, local government departments and decision-makers should focus on promoting comprehensive improvements in the level of green agricultural development. It is crucial to tailor measures to the specific needs of each county to address the shortcomings in green agricultural development. Additionally, efforts should be made to strengthen the innovation-driven chain of green agricultural development, including production, processing and sales. Enhancing the green agricultural development system is essential for long-term progress.

Examining the link between social artifacts, solvability factors and case outcomes

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to contribute to the growing body of research literature on case clearance levels. Through a social artifact framework, the authors seek to understand the role that documentation of key solvability factors in investigative reports plays in shaping case clearance outcomes.Design/methodology/approachFor this study, 166 non-fatal shooting investigative case files were obtained from a local mid-sized urban police department and coded to assess whether investigators identified key solvability characteristics for non-fatal shooting incidents. Using a logistic regression, the authors assessed the extent that investigative characteristics mentioned in case files were associated with the odds that the case was cleared by arrest.FindingsThe findings from this study indicate that investigative case files as a data source are exceedingly unreliable. Investigators do not consistently document investigative practices and intelligence. And those that are consistently documented are a part of institutionalized practices that are unique to their corresponding police department.Originality/valueThis study is original in that it uses a social artifact framework to sharpen the focus on the role that the effective documentation of critical evidence plays in leading to arrests in gun violence cases.

Sozdanie moskovskogo otdela Obshchestva revnitelej russkogo istoricheskogo prosveshcheniya (po pis'mam I.F. Tyutcheva k S.D. Sheremetevu)

The article discusses the creation of a local department in Moscow of the Society of Zealots of Russian Historical Enlightenment in memory of Emperor Alexander III. For the first time, the materials of personal correspondence of the chairman of the Society, Count S.D. Sheremetev and I.F. Tyutchev, who was to form a local department, were involved. The Moscow department was given paramount importance. The initiative was supported at the level of the Moscow administration. However, to implement this initiative promptly it didn't work out.

Implementing Smoking Cessation Telehealth Technologies Within the VHA: Lessons Learned.

Health care systems need to reach patients who are smokers and connect them to evidence-based resources that can help them quit. Telehealth, such as an interactive voice response (IVR) system, may be one solution, but there is no roadmap to develop or implement an IVR system within the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). We describe the development and implemention of IVR at the VA Portland Health Care System in Oregon to proactively reach veterans who use tobacco and connect them with cessation resources. We coordinated with local departments to verify the necessary processes and strategies that are important. We recommend several questions to ask the IVR vendor and be prepared to answer before contract finalization. The Patient Engagement, Tracking, and Long-term Support (PETALS) initiative may be an excellent place to start for VA IVR-related questions and can be used for IVR initiation within the VA, but other vendors will be needed for nonresearch purposes. Finally, we describe the process timeline and steps to help potential users. IVR systems, once they are developed and implemented, can be efficient, low-cost, resource-nonintensive solutions that can effectively connect patients with needed health care services. Developing an IVR system within the VA was challenging for our research team. We experienced a large learning curve during implementation and hope that our experience and lessons will help VA personnel in the future.

Disaster Preparedness Resources Management in the Era of Post-COVID 19 in China

This study aims to present the problems and improvement measures in the efficient operation of emergency resources in the event of a disaster in China. We suggested the following improvements. First, increase attention to disaster preparedness resources through local governments and improve the construction of facilities for regional disaster preparedness resource stockpiles. Second, long-term analysis and research on various types of risk factors at home and abroad should be carried out to expand the existing disaster preparedness resource management list and raise awareness of zonal crises. Third, local government emergency management departments should divide and set up small-scale disaster preparedness material stockpiles to improve the ability of cooperation and mutual assistance between residents and residents in emergency situations, and strengthen the community's resistance to disasters and hazards. Fourth, in the management of disaster preparedness materials, we should emphasize the optimization of the resource reserve inspection mechanism. Fifth, improve the professional skills of disaster preparedness resource stockpiling and management personnel to avoid mistakes and work errors in the work process. Sixth, a stockpile accountability system should be established to prevent problems such as poor management of local disaster preparedness resources.

Assessment &amp; Monitoring of Agricultural Drought Indices Using Remote Sensing Techniques and their Inter-Comparison

Agricultural drought is nothing but the decline in the productivity of crops due to irregularities in the rainfall as well as decrease in the soil moisture, which in turn affects the economy of the nation. As the Indian agriculture is largely dependent on the Monsoon, a slight change in it affects the production as well as the crop yield drastically. The agricultural drought monitoring, assessment as well as management can be done more accurately with the help of geospatial techniques like Remote Sensing. In present study agriculture drought is estimated in vadodara district. The purpose of the study is to analyze the vegetation stress in the Vadodara district with the calculation of NDVI, NDWI, MNDWI, WRI, NDBI and NDSI indices values. The results of NDVI values shows agricultural fields more susceptible to drought. Similarly, decreasing trend was observed in NDWI index which is 22.12% to 19.3% from 2013 to 2018.The builtup index (NDBI) is increasing by 1.85% in last 5 years. The Water ratio index is also showing decreasing trend in study area by 22.35% to 14.29%. The intercomparisions of NDVI and all other indices with rainfall data provides very useful information for agricultural drought monitoring and early warning system for the farmers. The findings of this research will be of interest to local agriculture authorities, like plantation and meteorology departments to understand drier areas in the state to evaluate water deficits severity and cloud seeding points during drought.

Zibo Barbecue, Why It Rose to Fame?

In March 2023, the short videos of "Zibo Barbecue" were widely disseminated on social media, stimulating the rapid development of local and surrounding industries such as service and tourism, as well as the related capital markets. At the same time, it also posed serious challenges to the local government and management departments. The Zibo Municipal Government has laid out the regional development blueprint in advance, coordinated with various functional management departments, led the people to create a "Zibo Barbecue" catering culture IP, and provided tourists with sincere, enthusiastic, meticulous and considerate services in an all-round way. Short videos helped build a positive urban image in Zibo, and "rushing to Zibo for barbecue" was given holiday significance, and the public showed great emotional identification.

Complications of Transcatheter Arterial Chemoembolization for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Case Report of Bronchobiliary Fistula Development in a 68-Year-Old Man.

BACKGROUND Bronchobiliary fistulas (BBFs) are abnormal communications between the biliary tract and bronchial tree. Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) is a widely employed treatment for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). While TACE is generally considered safe, there have been reports of severe complications. This case report is about a 68-year-old man who developed a BBF 6 months after undergoing TACE for HCC. CASE REPORT A 68-year-old man was diagnosed with HCC and underwent TACE at a local medical department. Two months after TACE, he presented with a liver abscess, which was drained and catheterized. Subsequently, the patient was transferred to our hospital. Initial MRI revealed abscesses in the right hepatic lobe extending into the lung cavity. Intrahepatic catheter replacement was performed. Six months after TACE, the patient developed cough and yellow sputum. Subsequent MRI confirmed smaller lung and liver abscesses, along with a BBF. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and percutaneous catheter replacement were conducted, closing the BBF with a covered stent. Despite drainage, antibiotics, and nutritional support, the patient's condition deteriorated. Transition to hospice care was initiated, and the patient died due to sepsis and multiple organ failure. CONCLUSIONS This case highlights the importance of obtaining a comprehensive patient history when a patient has bile in the sputum, and discusses the rare but previously reported BBF as a complication of TACE for HCC. The presence of bile collections in the lungs and liver can result in tissue necrosis, potentially leading to chronic infection, emphasizing the need for early diagnosis and management.

Birds of Kanetiya area - inventory, notable sightings, and overview of seasonal changes in reporting frequency of bird species in an unprotected area of Himachal Pradesh, India

Biodiversity of unprotected areas in the western Himalayan region is under threat. Despite this, it is poorly studied and documented. The citizen science platform eBird was used to record bird species of the unprotected Kanetiya area (Darbhog panchayat), Shimla, Himachal Pradesh from August 2019–2020. Reporting frequency using this data was calculated to represent an index of species abundance. This was calculated independently for each species across three seasons and reported as a metric that can be tracked over time. One-hundred-and-twenty-four (20% of the species from Himachal Pradesh) species of birds belonging to 13 orders and 43 families were recorded. Of these, 37 (30%) were recorded year-round and the remaining 87% (80%) were migratory. The checklist consisted of five species of high conservation concern and 22 species of moderate conservation concern. This checklist also provides insights into the distributions of some species whose ranges within India are not yet well defined (Northern Long-eared Owl Asio otus, Aberrant Bush Warbler Horornis flavolivaceus, Himalayan Owl Strix nivicolum) and into migration through this part of the Himalaya (Black Stork Ciconia nigra). Locals can be educated to upload short checklists for monitoring since they have helped the local forest department’s conservation efforts.

Clinical outcome of open ankle fractures in patients above 70 years of age.

Open fractures of the ankle are complex injuries requiring multidisciplinary input and are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. However, data on the clinical outcomes of open ankle fracture management in patients older than 70 is minimal. To evaluate the clinical outcomes following open ankle fracture management in patients older than 70. Our secondary aim is to look at predictors of poor outcomes. Following local research and audit department registration, 22 years of prospectively collated data from an electronic database in a district general hospital were assessed. All patients older than 70 years of age with an open ankle fracture requiring surgical intervention were identified. Demographic information, the nature, and the number of surgical interventions were collated. Complications, including surgical site infection (SSI), venous thromboembolic events (VTEs) during hospital stay, and mortality rate, were reviewed. A total of 37 patients were identified (median age: 84 years, range: 70-98); n = 30 females median age: 84 years, range: 70-97); n = 7 males median age: 74 years, range: 71-98)) who underwent surgical intervention after an open ankle fracture. Sixteen patients developed SSIs (43%). Superficial SSIs (n = 8) were managed without surgical intervention and treated with antibiotics and regular dressing changes. Deep SSIs (n = 8; 20%) required a median of 3 (range: 2-9) surgical interventions, with four patients requiring multiple washouts and one patient having metalwork removed. VTE incidence was 5% during the hospital stay. Eight patients died within 30 d, and mortality at one year was 19%. The 10-year mortality rate was 57%. The presence of a history of stroke, cancer, or prolonged inpatient stay was found to be predictive of lower survivorship in this population (log-rank test: cancer P = 0.008, stroke P = 0.001, length of stay > 33 d P = 0.015). The presence of a cardiac history was predictive of wound complications (logistic regression, P = 0.045). Age, number of operations, and diabetic history were found to be predictive of an increase in the length of stay (general linear model; age P < 0.001, number of operations P < 0.001, diabetes P = 0.041). An open ankle fracture in a patient older than 70 years has at least a 20% chance of requiring repeated surgical intervention due to deep SSIs. The presence of a cardiac history appears to be the main predictor for wound complications.

Prediction of cadmium contents in rice grains from Quaternary sediment-distributed farmland using field investigations and machine learning

The Quaternary sediment-distributed regions of South China are suitable for rice cultivation, which is crucial for ensuring food security. Spatial correlations between soil cadmium (Cd) and rice Cd contents are generally poor, making the evaluation of rice quality and associated health risks challenging. In this study, we developed machine learning algorithms for predicting rice Cd contents using 654 data pairs of soil-rice samples collected in Guangxi province, China. After a comprehensive comparison, our results showed that the random forest (RF) had the better performance than artificial neural network (ANN) based on all the data (RMSEtesting 0.066 vs. 0.099 and R2testing 0.860 vs. 0.688). The feature importance analysis showed that soil CaO, Cd, elevation, and rainfall were the four most important features affecting the rice Cd contents in the study area. Using the established RF-predicated model, the rice Cd contents were predicted at the provincial level with an additional dataset of 1176 paddy soil samples. The prediction result revealed about 23 % of farmland cultivated rice with Cd content over 0.2 mg kg−1 in the study area. Therefore, it is recommended to implement strict measures by local agricultural departments to reduce rice Cd contents and ensure food safety in these areas. Our study provides valuable insights into the prediction of rice Cd contents, thus contributing to ensuring food safety and preventing Cd exposure-associated health risks.

Microsimulation Modelling and Scenario Analysis of a Congested Abu Dhabi Highway

Today’s roadways are subject to traffic congestion, the deterioration of surface-assets (often due to the overreliance on private vehicle traffic), increasing vehicle-operation and fuel costs, and pollutant emissions. In Abu Dhabi, private car traffic forms the major share on urban highways, as the infrastructure was built to a high quality and the public transport network needs expansion, resulting in traffic congestion on major highways. These issues are arguably addressable by appropriate decisions at the planning stage. Microsimulation modeling of driving behavior in Abu Dhabi is presented for empirical assessment of traffic management scenarios. This paper presents a technique for developing, calibrating, validating, and the scenario analysis of a detailed VISSIM-based microsimulation model of a 3.5 km section of a 5-lane divided highway in Abu Dhabi. Traffic-count data collected from two sources, i.e., the local transport department (year 2007) and municipality (2007 and 2015–2016) were used. Gaps in traffic-counts between ramps and the highway mainline were noted, which is a common occurrence in real-world data situations. A composite dataset for a representative week in 2015 was constructed, and the model was calibrated and validated with a 15% (&lt;100 vehicles per hour) margin of error. Scenario analysis of a potential public bus transport service operating at 15 min headway and 40% capacity was assessed against the base case, for a 2015–2020 projected period. The results showed a significant capacity enhancement and improvement in the traffic flow. A reduction in the variation between vehicle travel times was observed for the bus-based scenario, as less bottlenecking and congestion were noted for automobiles in the mainline segments. The developed model could be used for further scenario analyses, to find optimized traffic management strategies over the highway’s lifecycle, whereas it could also be used for similar evaluations of other major roads in Abu Dhabi post-calibration.