Municipal Environment Research Articles

Condições de uso e níveis de acesso domiciliar à água em comunidades rurais na Amazônia

This work sought to analyze the health and environment in the Brazilian municipalities that make up the Frontier Strip (FS), considering the unique challenges of managing these in such territory. For this purpose, the association between them was studied by collecting and analyzing secondary data, using descriptive statistics, mapping, and cluster analysis. The main results demonstrated the lack of public policies, particularly for environmental and health issues in activities of municipal border governments, and the discussions that incorporate intersectionality in planning are even more limited. Of the 94.7% of municipalities analyzed, 53.6% presented an average performance on the environmental issue, and 81.3% a low or very low one on health, probably due to the fact that environmental aspects have gained more attention in the context of Brazilian FS compared to health ones. Finally, the study points out the implications of these results, which can subsidize public policies.

A System Approach to Big Data-Driven Smart Municipality Response Mode

With the development of computer technology, data and database structure and information systems have become widespread. For a distributed and dynamic environment, it is essential to realize the requirements of daily life in a short time. This study proposes the response model of the municipal system based on big data. It enables how significant sources of information, especially those containing uncertain and incomplete data, are evaluated and analyzed for fast and efficient decision-making with a cloud computing-based reference model. In this study, all data types in the municipal activities environment are assessed and analyzed in the reference model, including data management with sub-modules.

Study of the quality of the municipal environment for the development of pedagogical personnel: qualimetric approach

In modern conditions of modernization of educational processes improvement of the quality of education, the requirements for ensuring the conditions for the development of human resources in the field of education are significantly increasing. This task is especially relevant for municipal territories that have different opportunities and conditions to support and accompany teaching staff. To analyze the potential of such territories, the classification of educational systems proposed by L.V. Rezinkina was used. An essential link has been established between the comprehensive capabilities and potential of existing educational systems (centers, methodological services, branches of institutes, etc.) and their effectiveness in the organization of continuing education of teachers. One of the mechanisms for evaluating this effectiveness is the implementation of the qualimetric approach in the system of assessing the quality of the municipal environment of teacher’s development. The article shows that the qualimetric approach as the leading direction of building scientific knowledge and practice of organizing evaluation activities is based on the identification of criteria, indicators and levels of development of a specific pedagogical system. Designing a system of continuing education of teachers based on the results of the qualimetric approach allows identifying gaps in the structure of municipal education, strengthening or introducing new components, and foreseeing possible risks.

Inclusion of Renewable Energy Sources in Municipal Environmental Policy—The Case Study of Kraków, Poland

This article reviews the evolution of local environmental policy in the context of energy transition and particularly the implementation of RES. The study concerns Kraków, whose policy has been compared with other cities and metropolises and was analysed in a timespan of about 30 years. It was hypothesised that, until recently, RES were treated in the city with reserve concerning their feasibility in local environmental and economic conditions, but since RES have been appreciated as a viable means to effectively combat low-stack emissions, the local air quality targets have been integrated with global decarbonisation goals. This launched a dedicated subsidy stream for RES installations and contributed to the sharp increase in the number of installations. Trend analysis techniques have been used to study environmental indicators in relation to the evolution of municipal policies, the expenditures, and their effects. The review confirms that the implementation of RES had not been a priority for Kraków but a complementary measure to those aimed at improving air quality. The recent integration of the environmental and RES policies has been the next step that is now helping to pursue both the city’s strategic goals: further air quality improvement and climate neutrality by 2050. Kraków may serve as an example of a city that has treated RES in a manner adequate to local conditions and capabilities, thus achieving the intended goals.

Conflicts between humans and crocodilians in urban areas across Brazil: a new approach to support management and conservation

Crocodilian-human conflicts, caused especially by urban expansion and habitat destruction, have been considered one of the main threats to the conservation of these species worldwide. In Brazil, such conflicts have been documented with crocodilian species all over the country. This study identified 400 conflict events between humans and caimans within Brazilian cities between 2016 and 2021. Caiman latirostris (57.4%) was the most common species found in large urban centers in the Northeastern and Southeastern regions. Most of the encounters (N = 250) were registered in the rainy season and the rescues were mainly carried out by the environmental military police and fire brigades. The management protocols in the presence of crocodilians in urban areas have been outlined, to be carried out by the Municipal Environmental Secretariats to minimize animal stress and the risk of accidents in urban areas. The increasingly common interaction between humans and caimans in urban environments is an important alert to envisage best conducts for the coexistence between humans and crocodilians and shows the need to invest in public policies to mitigate the effects of cities on wildlife.

Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Data Collection at US Health Centers: Impact of City-Level Structural Stigma in 2018.

Objectives. To examine the relationship between city-level structural stigma pertaining to sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) and completeness of patient SOGI data collection at US federally qualified health centers (FQHCs). Methods. We used the Human Rights Campaign's Municipal Equality Index to quantify city-level structural stigma against sexual and gender minority people in 506 US cities across 49 states. We ascertained the completeness of SOGI data collection at FQHCs from the 2018 Uniform Data System, which describes FQHC patient demographics and service utilization. We included FQHCs in cities captured by the structural stigma index in multinomial generalized linear mixed models to examine the relationship between city-level structural stigma and SOGI data completeness. Results. FQHCs in cities with more protective sexual orientation nondiscrimination policies reported more complete patient sexual orientation data (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.6; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.2, 2.1). This association was also found for gender identity nondiscrimination policies and gender identity data collection (AOR = 1.7; 95% CI = 1.3, 2.2). Conclusions. Municipal sexual and gender minority nondiscrimination laws are associated with social and municipal environments that facilitate patient SOGI data collection.(Am J Public Health. 2021;111(11):2059-2063. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2021.306414).

Risk of Cardiovascular Hospital Admission After Exposure to Fine Particulate Pollution

BackgroundHeavy fine particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter ≤2.5 μm (PM2.5) pollution events continue to occur frequently in developing countries. ObjectivesThe authors conducted a case-crossover study aimed at exploring the association between heavy PM2.5 pollution events and hospital admission for cardiovascular diseases. MethodsHospital admissions for cardiovascular diseases were observed by Beijing Municipal Commission of Health and Family Planning Information Center from 2013 to 2017. Air pollution data were collected from the Beijing Municipal Environmental Monitoring Center. Distinct definitions were used to identify heavy and extremely heavy fine particulate pollution events. A conditional logistic regression model was used. The hospital admission burdens for cardiovascular disease were also estimated. ResultsA total of 2,202,244 hospital admissions for cardiovascular diseases and 222 days of extremely heavy PM2.5 pollution events (PM2.5 concentration ≥150 μg/m3) were observed. The ORs associated with extremely heavy PM2.5 pollution events lasting for 3 days or more for total cardiovascular disease, angina, myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, and heart failure were 1.085 (95% CI: 1.077-1.093), 1.112 (95% CI: 1.095-1.130), 1.068 (95% CI: 1.037-1.100), 1.071 (95% CI: 1.053-1.090), and 1.060 (95% CI: 1.021-1.101), respectively. The numbers and days of cardiovascular disease hospital admission annually related to extremely heavy PM2.5 pollution events lasting for 1 day or more were 3,311 (95% CI: 2,969-3,655) and 37,020 (95% CI: 33,196-40,866), respectively. ConclusionsHeavy and extremely heavy PM2.5 pollution events resulted in substantial increased hospital admission risk for cardiovascular disease. With higher PM2.5 concentration and longer duration of heavy PM2.5 pollution events, a greater risk of cardiovascular hospital admission was observed.

Attribute Recognition of Buried Pipes Based on Multi-Trace Phase Features Using K-means Clustering for GPR Data Interpretation

Accurate location and depth determination of underground pipes, especially the attribute recognition, are of great importance yet remake a challenging issue in municipal environments. Single-trace phase difference analysis remains a bottleneck due to its inherent and strong randomness in object identification. This paper developed a multi-trace phase difference analysis framework for ground-penetrating radar (GPR) data based on K-means cluster analysis technique and the theory of region of interest (ROI), which could serve as a new criterion for successful pipe attribute recognition. After improving signal-to-noise ratio of GPR data by using the preprocessing techniques, the connected components algorithms (CCA) based on image segmentation and morphological operation is performed to delineate the ROI. The K-means cluster analysis technique is further employed to efficiently extract the multi-trace phase statistical features for comprehensively evaluating the attributes of ROI. We verify this proposed framework by simulated GPR signals, laboratory data and field datasets. Results demonstrate that the proposed method can not only facilitate the attribute recognition of pipes, but also reduce the interpretation ambiguity of the pipe material even in the field site environment. Specifically, if the phase difference of pipe turns out to be even multiples of π, the target can be automatically identified as metallic-category pipes, whereas odd multiples of π, point to non-metallic-category pipes with a lower permittivity than that of the background. This criterion presents promising applicability in subsurface pipeline identification and attributes recognition, especially in constructing a more appropriate initial model of GPR full waveform inversion for survey in pipes.

EVOLUTION OF FACTORS AFFECTING PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING IN THE MUNICIPAL WORK ENVIRONMENT

Employees’ wellbeing and health are very broad concepts, but different kinds of stressors are influencing them. The aim of this research is to identify the risk factors in the municipal work environment of Latgale region and to find solutions for risk reduction. The need for such research is justified by recent research in various countries, which shows that the psychosocial problems adversely affect wellbeing, productivity and health. In addition, forthcoming administrative-territorial reform in 2021 may intensify tensions. 123 employees were surveyed and surveys data were analyzed. It has been found that tension at work is caused by uncertainty about the future career prospects, overload and competition. Sometimes there is a lack of emotional intelligence, insufficient effective communication skills with colleagues and clients, and reassessment of one's affective abilities.

COVID-19 Exposure Tracking Within Public Health & Safety Enterprises: Findings to Date & Opportunity for Further Research.

We aggregated data from four (4) different EMS documentation systems across twelve (12) states using the MEDIVIEW BEACON Prehospital Health Information Exchange. We then outputted lists of charts containing critical ICD-10 values that had been identified by the WHO, the CDC, and the Los Angeles County Fire Deptartment's EMS Bureau as inclusion criteria for possible signs, symptoms, and clinical impressions of COVID-19 infection. Three important results emerged from this study: (1) a demonstration of frequent exposure to possible COVID-19 infection among Mobile Medical (EMS & Fire) care providers in the states whose data were included; (2) a demonstration of the nervousness of the general population, given that calls for help due to possible COVID-19 based on symptomology exceeded the number of responses with a correlating "provider impression" after an informed clinical assessment; and (3) the fact that this study was empowered by a public-private partnerships between a technology startup and numerous public health and public safety agencies, offers a template for success in rapidly implementing research and development collaborations. This study incorporates data from only (a) twelve (12) states, and (b) four (4) Mobile Medical documentation systems. We sought to combat these limitations by ensuring that our sample crosses agencies types, geographies, population demographics, and municipal environments (i.e., rural vs. urban). Other studies have noted that EMS agencies are tasked with transporting the "sickest of the sick." We found that PPE is particularly essential where the frequency of encounters between potentially-or actually-infected patients is high, because from Los Angeles County to rural Texas, without sufficient protection, public health and public safety agencies have become microcosms of the communities they are meant to protect. Indeed, data from the first six months of the declared pandemic in the U.S.A. show that intra-departmental spread is one of (if not the) riskiest sources of infection among Mobile Medical professionals.

A Diverse Organizational Culture and Its Impact on Innovative Work Behavior of Municipal Employees

Representatives of municipalities and their management are invited to develop new managerial skills in order to implement modern approaches to management. Diversity management means using the diverse potential of employees to meet the innovation and development goals of the offices. The aim of our research is to examine the context of beliefs, values, and rules of diverse organizational culture (DOC) and innovative work behavior (IWB) through the mediation effect of teamwork climate, transmitting and moderating this direct effect in the environment of Slovak municipalities. A mediation model was applied using the Sobel test for the mediation effect. A series of regression analyses were used to identify the proposed hypotheses. The mediation effect was correctly estimated. The direct effect of the beliefs, values, and rules of DOC has enhanced IWB. However, a certain part of them that leads through teamwork climate slightly dampens IWB.

ATTITUDE OF THE COMMUNITY TOWARDS COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL POLICIES

This study was conducted to determine the attitude of the community of Baliuag, Bulacan, Philippines in terms of the environmental policies implemented by the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO). Respondents were selected based on their availability. During the conduct of this study, three programs were being implemented namely, No Segregation, No Collection Policy, Weekly Clean-up Drive, and Waste for Cellphone Load. Each information about these programs was disseminated via discussions and lectures, IEC materials distribution, and social media utilization. And based on the results, the respondents agreed that the most effective communication strategy used by the MENRO Baliuag in implementing these policies is the IEC material dissemination obtaining the highest means for every program.

PUBLIC AWARENESS AND COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL POLICIES

This study was conducted to assess the awareness level of the residents of Baliwag, Bulacan, Philippines in terms of the environmental policies implemented by the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO). Respondents were selected based on their availability. During the conduct of this study, three programs were being implemented namely, No Segregation, No Collection Policy, Weekly Clean-up Drive, and Exchange for Waste /Cellphone Load for Waste. Each information about these programs was disseminated via discussions and lectures, IEC materials distribution, and social media utilization. And based on the results, the most effective communication strategy used by the MENRO in implementing these policies is the IEC material dissemination obtaining the highest means for every program. The respondents were extremely aware” of the policy Waste for Cellphone Load .The socio-demographic profile of the respondents such as age, gender, and monthly income has no significant relationship to their awareness level. A significant relationship was observed between the respondent's level of awareness and the MENRO's communication strategy in implementing the policies. As the communication strategies become more effective, the awareness of the respondents also increases.

Implementing New Working Practices Through a Structured Support Model for Systematic Work Environment Management: A Qualitative Study From Swedish Municipalities.

To describe factors that facilitate and hinder implementation of a structured support model focusing on psychosocial work environment in Swedish municipalities. This qualitative study was conducted in six Swedish municipalities. In total, 63 semi-structured interviews and focus groups were conducted with key stakeholders in the municipalities during a 2-year period. The consolidated framework for implementation research (CFIR) was used for data analysis. Findings suggest that the support model needs to have an easy enough structure to understand and use, and it must be immediately applicable for work groups and employees. An important factor for facilitating implementation was the support from first-line managers and upper management. Upper management need to be committed to the model and communicate clearly to lower levels of the implementing organization on the purpose and objectives of the model.

Critical air pollution events analysis in Itabira – Minas Gerais, Brazil

The rates of atmospheric pollution are increasing in world over the years, which makes this topic more and more concerning. Weather conditions, associated with anthropogenic factors, play a fundamental role in modifying the air quality. In this context, this article aims to analyze the influence of meteorological factors during critical episodes of air pollution in the city of Itabira – Minas Gerais. Hourly air quality and meteorological data, provided by the Municipal Environment Secretariat (SMMA) of the Itabira City Hall, were used in this analysis. A selection of the critical events was made and, after that, the composites and daily anomalies for each event were calculated. The results obtained showed that in the critical days of pollution negative anomalies of precipitation, atmospheric pressure, relative humidity and wind speed were observed. For temperature, solar radiation and wind direction the anomalies are positive during critical days. In terms of emitting sources, there has been an increase in the vehicle fleet since 2014, presenting a positive trend of 1.151 vehicles per year. In addition, a number of 111 fire outbreaks were observed on the most critical day of all events. It is important to highlight the role of air quality control and monitoring, together with the analysis of meteorological conditions, as, currently, the maximum values established by legislation do not include changes in weather conditions, that can worsen air quality and harm the health of the population.

Towards Municipal Environmental Development: Environmental Management Systems for Local Formal Education Establishments

Educational institutions create certain environmental impacts in their operation – these impacts can be grouped into the sectors of waste, water, energy, transport and others. There is a need for educational institutions to adopt effective environmental management systems in order to reduce these impacts, as well as those of the whole municipality. The Eco-Schools programme is one of the most comprehensive and popular models of environmental education and management in the world. In recent years, the Eco-Schools programme has proved its effectiveness in numerous evaluations in several countries. The programme aims to raise awareness about environmental issues. Therefore, this programme encourages environmentally responsible behaviour involving not only members of specific schools but also reaching out to the local community. The aim of the present study was to evaluate an environmental management model of the Eco-Schools programme in Latvia. Moreover, the author assessed the country’s potential to develop environmental management systems in schools, improve environmental education and create pro-environmental attitudes and values. For research, qualitative and quantitative research methods were used: analysis of documents and a survey. The conducted survey helped to evaluate the experience of the Eco-Schools programme and prepare recommendations for policy proposals about the Eco-Schools programme as an environmental management instrument in Latvia. Also, the role of the Eco-Schools programme in promoting sustainable development was assessed. As a result, the benefits and drawbacks of the programme were identified to plan further development and, therefore, to promote efficient environmental management in educational institutions and local communities.

Investigation of Characteristics landfill leachate using Large Scale Lysimeter under Anaerobic Conditions

Landfill behavior is dependent on the composition and characteristics of the region’s municipal solid waste (MSW) and environment conditions. In landfills that are difficult to understand, MSW undergoes several complex mechanisms such as physical, chemical, thermal and biological processes throughout its lifespan. In the present research, by setting up an anaerobic reactor, an attempt was made to understand such complex processes. The reactor was monitored for a total of 270 days under laboratory conditions, and the results obtained from the experimental program are presented and discussed in this paper. The program involves the monitoring by laboratory experiments of moisture content, pH, temperature, as well as physic-chemical characteristics of the leachate samples. The pH values observed were in the 5.8-7.9 range and indicate the achievement of the optimal condition for MSW degradation. MSW’s average volumetric moisture content and temperature were 53.03% percent and 30.7 Crespectively, indicating favorable conditions for microorganism growth. The results described in this paper could potentially be used in landfills to predict MSW behavior. The research also allows planners and engineers to consider the complex mechanisms for planning and running landfills efficiently for sustainable waste management.

Vulnerability evaluation method of inland waterway revetment project subjected to wave and current

The flood damage of inland waterway revetment project has become one of the most serious disasters that affect the water transportation, municipal environment, human life and property safety. Scientific and reasonable evaluation of the vulnerability of waterway revetment eProject subjected to wave and current can effectively prevent and reduce disaster losses. According to the characteristics of multi factors and fuzziness in the vulnerability evaluation of waterway revetment project subjected to wave and current, a two-level fuzzy comprehensive evaluation mathematical model for vulnerability assessment is established by using fuzzy mathematics method. Based on the field investigation and observation data of the waterway revetment project in the middle and upper reaches of the Yangtze River and the relevant measurement of laboratory experiments, four main factors affecting the stability of the waterway revetment project, including design and construction, protective measures, wave-current characteristics and river waterway factors, are selected based on the establishment of vulnerability evaluation index system. Analytic hierarchy process (AHP) is used to determine the weight of evaluation factors and their sub factors, which improves the objectivity and scientificity of vulnerability assessment of waterway revetment project subjected to wave and current.

Perceptions, experiences and perspectives on school health and the School Health Program: the teachers’ viewpoint on the municipal health network of Belem-PA

Abstract Health at school is the subject of relevant discussions on health promotion. This study aims to understand the reach of the actions resulting from the School Health Program in municipal public schools in Belem-PA, from the perspective of teachers. It is a descriptive-observational study, with analysis of interviews with 22 teachers of municipal public basic education. Field research took place from April to June 2018. A content analysis was carried out, proposed by Bardin, generating four thematic units. Of those interviewed, 50% were unaware of the referred program or the operation of it. It was possible to perceive different modes of interaction between the program's actuators, from the most punctual and inefficient to the most contextualized and integrative. The study of social health determinants is necessary to better understand the processes and needs of these actions in the municipal school environment, with emphasis on issues of basic sanitation, food insecurity, violence and drugs. There is a need for self-recognition of the teacher as a health educator, in order to make them intrinsic health promoters in their pedagogical practices. The school's articulation with the school community can serve as an input for greater integration and stimulation of social control practices.

Self-Perception and General Perception of the Safety Impact of Autonomous Vehicles on Pedestrians, Bicyclists, and People with Ambulatory Disability

For autonomous vehicles (AVs) to receive general acceptance, society must have a positive perception about their safety impact on vulnerable road users. Using data from a statewide random-digit-dialing telephone survey of 1001 adults, this paper examines how New Jersey residents perceive the safety impact of AVs on pedestrians, bicyclists, and people with ambulatory disability. It uses a combination of confirmatory factor analysis and ordered probit models. Confirmatory factor analysis is used to create latent variables on socioeconomic status and built environment. Three ordered probit models are used to examine people’s perception of AV safety impact on each of the three population groups. The models also examine how frequent walkers, bicyclists, and people with ambulatory disability perceive their own safety as well as the safety of the other two groups. All three models examine the effect of familiarity with AV, gender, age, income, education, race, ethnicity, number of vehicles in household, political party affiliation, as well as built environment and socioeconomic status of the municipalities where the survey respondents live. The analysis showed that men, people with familiarity with the AV concept, Democrats, bicyclists, and people with high household income generally have a positive perception about the safety impact of AVs. While frequent walkers are ambivalent about their own safety as pedestrians, bicyclists have a positive perception about their own safety and the safety of pedestrians, whereas people with ambulatory disability have a strong negative perception about their own safety. The models did not show statistically significant effects of socioeconomic status or built environment of municipalities on AV safety perception.