Non-coastal Areas Research Articles

Labor Demand Shocks and Housing Prices Across the United States: Does One Size Fit All?

This study examines whether effects of labor demand shocks on housing prices vary across time and space. Using data on 321 U.S. metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs), the authors estimate the medium- and long-run effects of increases in MSA-level employment and total labor income on housing prices. Instrumental variable estimates for different time periods, and also for coastal, noncoastal, large, and small metropolitan statistical areas, are obtained using the shift-share instrument. Results suggest that labor demand shocks have positive effects on housing prices; however, these effects appear to vary across time periods and across different types of MSAs.

Pengaruh Latihan Fisik Terhadap Risiko Kardiometabolik (Trigliserida) pada Wanita Usia Reproduktif

Cardiometabolic or metabolic syndromes are a group of risk factors that are directly related to the occurrence of heart disease, including diabetes and elevated levels of plasma glucose, obesity, cholesterol, triglycerides, and high blood pressure. The research aimed to investigate the effect of the physical exercise on the cardiometabolic risk factor (triglyceride) of reproductive-aged women in the coastal area. The research used the quasi-experimental method with one-group pre-test and post-test design. Samples were taken using the purposive sampling technique. The blood was taken on 117 reproductive age women (61 coastal area samples and 56 non-coastal area samples) before and after the physical exercise to check the blood triglyceride level using the spectrophotometer. The comparison of the triglyceride level between the samples dwelling in the coastal area and the noncoastal area was only carried out before the physical exercise. The type of physical exercise was the aerobics gymnastic which was conducted 3 times a week for 8 weeks with a duration of 60 minutes. The research results indicate that there is no significant difference in the triglyceride level based on the respondents domicile with the value of p = 0.154 that mean is the significant correlation between the triglyceride level category before and after the physical exercise (the normal category from 94 subjects to become 114 subjects, high limit category from 16 subjects to become 3 subjects, high category from 6 subjects to become none, and very high category from 1 subject to become none with the value of p = 0.001). There is a significant decrease on the triglyceride level after the physical exercise (122.83 mg/dL ± 75.99 to become 106.19 mg/dL ± 29.86, p=0.003). Therefore, physical exercise can decrease the triglyceride level, whereas the coastal and noncoastal domiciles do not have an effect on the triglyceride level.

Acute sporadic hepatitis E in the Zhejiang coastal area of China: a 14-year hospital-based surveillance study

BackgroundTo examine the epidemiological trends and changes of hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection and the potential risk factors for severe infection in the Zhejiang eastern coastal area of China.MethodsWe analyzed statutory hepatitis E cases notifications and inpatient data held by the national surveillance and hospital information systems in Wenzhou, Taizhou, Ningbo, and Zhoushan cities of the Zhejiang eastern coastal area of China.ResultsNine thousand four hundred sixteen hepatitis E cases were reported from 2004 to 2017, with an average incidence of 2.94 per 100,000. The overall death rate was 0.06% (6/9416). A gradual decline of hepatitis E cases was found in the coastal areas since 2007, while a rise was identified in the non-coastal areas. Annual incidence in non-coastal cities was much higher than that in coastal cities (4.345 vs. 2.945 per 100,000, relative risk = 1.5, P value < 0.001). The mean age was 52 years old and 50.55 years with a male-to-female ratio of 2.32:1 and 2.21:1 in coastal and noncoastal areas respectively (all P > 0.05). Hepatitis E cases prevalence increased with age, highest among men in their 70s (9.02 vs. 11.33 per 100,000) and women in their 60s (3.94 vs. 4.66 per 100,000) groups for both coastal and noncoastal areas respectively. A clear seasonal pattern was observed, with a peak in March (0.4429 per 100,000) in coastal areas. 202 inpatients were documented, of which 50.50% (102/202) were severe cases. Male individuals with alcohol consumption, alcohol hepatic diseases, and superinfection were the three independent highest risks for severe infections (all with P value < 0.05).ConclusionsThis is to our knowledge the largest epidemiological study of hepatitis E cases in the eastern coastal area of Zhejiang province of China. The patterns of infection across the coastal areas were similar to those of the non-coastal areas, but the incidence was substantially lower and decreased gradually since 2007.

Program Pemetaan dan Urgensi Penanganan Masalah Sosial Pada Wilayah Bukan Pesisir di Kabupaten Gresik, Jawa Timur

PROGRAM OF MAPPING AND URGENCY OF HANDLING SOCIAL PROBLEMS IN NON-COASTAL AREAS IN GRESIK REGENCY, EAST JAVA. This program aims to determine the geography, demography, psychography, economic, and socio-cultural conditions, as well as the urgency of handling social problems. The study used 100 respondents consisted of 20 respondents for 5 villages. Analysis used Descriptive and SWOT. The results of the study include land altitude between 3-4 meters from sea level, rarely rain, lowland, and hot weather; densely populated with nearly equal female population with men; the community is actively learning and carrying out the religious activities that are followed and the means of worship are good and complete; most of the conditions of the region have not supported the welfare of the population and regional development; village heads have a big influence and high role for society. Each region has the urgency of handling different problems but the main problem to be addressed is inadequate facilities and infrastructure, environment, lack of development of SME.

Corrosion of Steel Reinforcements in Concretes of Non-Coastal Areas - Case Study: Kigali, Rwanda

It is the function of concrete cover to protect reinforcement against corrosion from environmental attack. However, reinforced concrete structures in most cases suffer from corrosion of steel reinforcement and their service lives will be reduced. The steel in concrete is always prone to corrosion attack, and the reason being that concrete cover is porous in nature. Fluids and dissolved ions can impregnate through pore space or through cracks and come in contact with reinforcement. Preventive maintenance is the best corrosion control mitigation measure for reinforced concrete structures. This paper highlights the causes of corrosion in non-coastal areas like Kigali in Rwanda. Condition assessment of two reinforced concrete buildings in Kigali has been made based on structural survey. It was found that Crack width varies up to 2mm in column and beams. It is also suggested that to improve the life span of the columns and beams by retrofitting with advanced materials and the new structures are to be constructed with corrosion monitoring systems.

Determinants of long-acting contraceptives use among reproductive-age couples in Tanjung Karang Public Health Centre Mataram City, West Nusa Tenggara

Background and purpose: The national family planning program prioritises the use of long-acting contraceptives which include intrauterine devices (IUD), tubectomy, vasectomy, and implant. However, the coverage of long-acting contraceptives in Indonesia remains low. This study aims to identify the determinants of long-acting contraceptives uptake among reproductive-age couples in Tanjung Karang Public Health Centre (PHC) Mataram City.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 169 reproductive age couples in Tanjung Karang PHC in 2016. Samples were selected from six sub-villages (dusun) in two villages using systematic random sampling. We selected 85 samples from coastal and 84 samples from non-coastal areas. Data on sociodemographic characteristics, perception, husband support, access to service, and information regarding long-acting contraceptives were collected through home interview. Analysis with logistic regression was applied to determine the factors influencing long-acting contraceptives uptake.Results: The majority of respondents aged 20–35 years-old, and most of them have a lower level of education and knowledge regarding long-acting contraceptives. Among all current users, as many as 37.0% use long-acting contraceptive methods. The respondents refused to use long-acting contraceptives due to prohibited by the husband (92.8%) and desire to have more children (38.7%). Multivariate analysis using logistic regression showed that the uptake of long-acting contraceptives was significantly associated with area of residence (non-coastal) with an adjusted odds ratio (AOR)=2.89 (95%CI; 1.39-6.01), employment status with AOR=0.40 (95%CI; 0.18-0.90), income at minimum wages and above with AOR=2.47 (95%CI; 1.16-5.26), and husband support with AOR=2.19 (95%CI; 1.18-3.41).Conclusions: The use of long-acting contraceptives are associated with husband support, living in non-coastal areas, and having a higher-income. Ongoing support from the husband, especially among those who live in coastal areas and from the lower socioeconomic background, is required to improve the coverage of long-acting contraceptives.

Determinants of long-acting contraceptives use among reproductive-age couples in Tanjung Karang Public Health Centre Mataram City, West Nusa Tenggara

Background and purpose: The national family planning program prioritises the use of long-acting contraceptives which include intrauterine devices (IUD), tubectomy, vasectomy, and implant. However, the coverage of long-acting contraceptives in Indonesia remains low. This study aims to identify the determinants of long-acting contraceptives uptake among reproductive-age couples in Tanjung Karang Public Health Centre (PHC) Mataram City.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 169 reproductive age couples in Tanjung Karang PHC in 2016. Samples were selected from six sub-villages (dusun) in two villages using systematic random sampling. We selected 85 samples from coastal and 84 samples from non-coastal areas. Data on sociodemographic characteristics, perception, husband support, access to service, and information regarding long-acting contraceptives were collected through home interview. Analysis with logistic regression was applied to determine the factors influencing long-acting contraceptives uptake.Results: The majority of respondents aged 20–35 years-old, and most of them have a lower level of education and knowledge regarding long-acting contraceptives. Among all current users, as many as 37.0% use long-acting contraceptive methods. The respondents refused to use long-acting contraceptives due to prohibited by the husband (92.8%) and desire to have more children (38.7%). Multivariate analysis using logistic regression showed that the uptake of long-acting contraceptives was significantly associated with area of residence (non-coastal) with an adjusted odds ratio (AOR)=2.89 (95%CI; 1.39-6.01), employment status with AOR=0.40 (95%CI; 0.18-0.90), income at minimum wages and above with AOR=2.47 (95%CI; 1.16-5.26), and husband support with AOR=2.19 (95%CI; 1.18-3.41).Conclusions: The use of long-acting contraceptives are associated with husband support, living in non-coastal areas, and having a higher-income. Ongoing support from the husband, especially among those who live in coastal areas and from the lower socioeconomic background, is required to improve the coverage of long-acting contraceptives.

The number of deaths by suicide after the Great East Japan Earthquake based on demographic statistics in the coastal and non-coastal areas of Iwate, Miyagi, and Fukushima prefectures

Objective The number of deaths by suicide after the Great East Japan Earthquake was surveyed based on demographic statistics. In particular, this study examined whether or not there were excessive deaths due to suicide (excluding people who were injured in the earthquake) after the Great East Japan Earthquake disaster. This examination surveyed municipalities in coastal and non-coastal areas of Iwate, Miyagi, and Fukushima prefectures (referred to below as the "three prefectures").Methods The demographic statistics questionnaire survey information supplied by Article 33 of the Statistics Act (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare's published statistics Vol. 0925 No.4, September 25th, 2014) were used as the basic data with particular reference to the information on the deaths from January 1st, 2010 to March 31st, 2013. The information obtained included the date of death, the municipality where the address of the deceased was registered, the gender of the deceased, age at the time of death, and cause of death codes (International Classification of Disease Codes 10th revision: ICD-10). Additionally, information was gathered about the population based on the resident register from 2009 to 2013 and the 2010 National Census; the number of deaths by suicide was then totalled by period and area. The areas were classified as municipalities within three prefectures and those located elsewhere using the municipality where the address of the deceased was registered.Results The SMR for suicides did not show a tendency to increase for coastal or non-coastal areas throughout the two-year period after the earthquake disaster (from March 2011 to February 2013). The SMR for the three prefectures 0-1 years after the disaster compared with the year before the disaster was 0.92 and for 1-2 years after the disaster was 0.93. Both these values were significantly low. Looking at both the non-coastal and coastal areas from each of the three prefectures, the SMR for suicides for 0-1 and 1-2 years after the disaster compared with the year before the disaster ranged from 0.73 to 1.07. None were significantly high.Conclusion The above results indicate that there was no increase in deaths by suicide in these three prefectures in the two years following the earthquake disaster.

Optimization Approach to Designing Water Supply Systems in Non-Coastal Areas Suffering from Water Scarcity

This article presents a novel optimization approach to designing water supply systems in non-coastal areas with water scarcity. In such areas, high water demand caused by population increases and economic development can only be satisfied with seawater supply. Furthermore, most of the non-coastal users are located at long distances and sometimes at altitudes very diverse from the coastline, meaning long pipelines and several pumping stations will be required to effectively supply water. The proposed optimization approach based on a mixed integer nonlinear programming model offers optimal designs of water supply systems from an economic and technical perspective. It determines the location and size of desalination plants and the design of the water transport network including pipelines of specified length and diameter and pumping stations that minimize capital and operational costs of the whole system. A case study in a hyper-arid region of Chile was used to validate the applicability of the proposed model and the results show its aptitude for determining global optimal solutions to real-scale problems.

Labor Demand Shocks and Housing Prices Across the Us: Does One Size Fit All?

This paper examines whether effects of labor demand shocks on housing prices vary across time and space. Using data on 321 US metropolitan statistical areas, we estimate the medium- and long-run effects of increases in metropolitan statistical area-level employment and total labor income on housing prices. Instrumental variable estimates for different time periods, and also for coastal, non-coastal, large, and small metropolitan statistical areas are obtained using the shift-share instrument. Results suggest that labor demand shocks have positive effects on housing prices. However, these effects appear to vary across time periods and across different types of metropolitan statistical areas.

Typology of Fisheries Sector and Income Disparities at Cirebon Regency

Development is directedactions to obtain a better quality of life. Development policy is intended to provide equity in the part of development, but the disparities between regions are still occur. The actual disparities are caused by potential distinct of Natural Resources (SDA) and demographic conditions which in the development process lead to uneven distribution of income per capita. This study aims to analyze the major disparities of coastal and non-coastal income in Cirebon Regency and analyze the position of the fishery sector as the economic base in Cirebon Regency in year 2011-2015. This research was conducted by survey method, the sampling technique by purposive sampling method. Data collection technique by recording directly on time series data sheets from 2011-2015 and filling questionnaires by coastal and non-coastal communities, the Department of Marine and Fisheries, Planning Agency Regional Development, as well as the Central Bureau of Statistics of Cirebon Regency. The results showed that income disparities in non-coastal areas were higher than coastal areas with an average value of the Williamson Index of 0.20 for coastal areas and 0.29 for non-coastal areas, while through economic base analysis showed that fishery sub-sector in Kabupaten Cirebon is the economic base sector with some superior commodities such as tiger shrimp, shellfish, octopus and crab.

Changes in the US hurricane disaster landscape: the relationship between risk and exposure

This research appraises how residential built environment growth influences coastal exposure and how this component of societal vulnerability contributes to tropical cyclone impact and disaster potential. Historical housing unit data and future demographic projections from a high-resolution, spatial allocation model illustrate that the area within 50 km of the US Atlantic and Gulf Coastlines has the greatest housing unit density of any physiographic region in the USA, with residential development in this region outpacing non-coastal areas. Tropical cyclone exposure for six at-risk metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) along the US Atlantic and Gulf Coasts are assessed. All six MSAs evaluated are distinct in their development character, yet all experienced significant growth from 1940 through the contemporary period; projections from the model under various socioeconomic pathways reveal that this growth is anticipated to continue during the twenty-first century. Using a worst-case scenario framework, the historical and future residential data for the six MSAs are intersected with synthetic hurricane wind swaths generated from contemporary landfalling events. The New York City MSA contains the greatest residential built environment exposure, but Miami is the most rapidly changing MSA and has the greatest potential for hurricane disaster occurrence based on the juxtaposition of climatological risk and exposure. A disaster potential metric illustrates that all six MSAs will experience significant increases in disaster probability during the twenty-first century. This analysis facilitates a detailed spatiotemporal assessment of US coastal region vulnerability, providing decision makers with information that may be used to evaluate the potential for tropical cyclone disasters, mitigate tropical cyclone hazard impacts, and build community resilience for these and other hazards in the face of environmental and societal change.

An empirical analysis of cultural ecosystem values in coastal landscapes

Coastal areas are especially important to human well-being with half the world's population living within 60 km of the sea and three-quarters of all large cities located in the coastal zone. Supporting and regulatory ecosystem services in coastal areas have received considerable research attention given human vulnerability to climate change, but cultural ecosystem services in the coastal zone are less understood. This study describes and analyzes the distribution of cultural ecosystem values found in coastal areas in multiple countries (n = 5) and compares the results with non-coastal areas. Mapped cultural ecosystem values were collected from public participation GIS (PPGIS) processes in the U.S., Australia, New Zealand, Norway, and Malaysia and analyzed to identify the type and intensity of ecosystem values located in coastal areas. Mapped ecosystem values were significantly more abundant in all coastal zones, regardless of ecosystem value category, country, population, or dominant land use. Compared to cultural ecosystem values, biological and life-sustaining values were mapped less frequently in the coastal zone. Economic and social values were significantly associated with developed (built) coastal zones, while aesthetic and recreation values were more strongly associated with natural coastal zones. Coastal access, especially by road, influences the mix of perceived values from nature-based values to anthropocentric values. Coastal zones will continue to be the principle location for potential future land use conflict given their high social and cultural value relative to other ecological values. Understanding trade-offs in coastal zone planning and management requires a systematic inventory of the full range of ecosystem services, including cultural services.

PENGARUH PENGGUNAAN GARAM BERIODIUM STANDAR TERHADAP STATUS IODIUM ANAK SEKOLAH DASAR YANG MENGONSUMSI MAKANAN SUMBER IODIUM TINGGI DI DAERAH NON ENDEMIK

Background. IDD survey results indicate the high incidence of hyperthyroidism atschoolchildren in most areas, including Semarang (42.0%). Households that consumeiodized salt with >= 30 ppm (above minimal requirement) in the region is already high(80.0%). Because people living in non-endemic coastal areas assumed to consumehigher iodine from food sources, the role of iodine in salt for causing hyperthyroidsymptoms need to be investigated. Objective. Examining the effects of iodizedsalt (SNI >=30 ppm) consumption for the adequacy of iodine in elementary schoolchildren who consume high iodine foods sources in non endemic regions coastalarea. Method. Study design was quasi experimental. The intervention materials werestandardized iodized salt (>=30 ppm KIO3). The study was conducted in SemarangCity and Magelang District for 9 months. Samples were 160 grade 4-6 elementaryschool children Research variables were urinary iodine excretion (24-hours urinesamples); consumption of iodine food sources, nutritional status, iodized salt, andnutrients intake. Results. Pretest result in group I (coastal area) showed that themedian value of urinary iodine excretion (UIE) in subject was 191 ug/day (normal).The proportion of subjects with iodine deficiency and excess were 10.4 and 23.4%.Pretest result in group II (non-coastal area) showed the median value of UIE insubjects was 96 ug/day (deficience). The proportion of subjects with iodine deficiencyand excess were 51.8 and 1.2 percents. After 9 months intervention, group I showedthe median value of UIE in subject was 148 ug/day (normal category). The proportionof subjects with iodine deficiency and excess were 28.6 and 13 percents. In groupII, after 9 months intervention, the median value of UIE in subjects was 83 ug/day(deficience). The proportion of subjects with iodine deficiency and excess were 60.2and 2.4 percents. Conclusion. After 9 months standardized iodized salt (>=30 ppmKIO3) intervention, school children in the coastal area (with high iodine food sourcesconsumption), still had normal range in the median value of UIE. Keywords: food sources of iodine, iodized salt, school children, urinary iodineexcretion.

Feasibility of wind power integration in weak grids in non-coastal areas of sub-saharan Africa: the case of Mali

Installed wind capacity in Africa has grown rapidly the last few years, and by late 2016 had reached about 4.8 GW. However, so far few investments have been made in inland localities due to the generally lower wind potential. This paper therefore explores if and to what extent it is possible to establish economically feasible wind-power plants in countries with lower wind potential. To address this question, the paper provides a combined wind resource mapping and a pre-feasibility study for grid integration of wind power at four specific sites in Mali. The study finds that Mali has generally poor wind conditions, with average wind speeds of below 5 m/s at 50 m above ground level in the south, while there are larger areas in the northern part with average wind speeds of above 7 m/s at 50 m above ground level. Overall the research shows that in countries with generally poor wind conditions, such as in the southern part of Mali, it is possible to identify a limited number of sites with local speed-up effects situated close to the existing grid, at which there are options for undertaking medium-size wind-power projects that would be economically feasible at current crude oil prices of 50 USD/barrel.

Extreme precipitation events and increased risk of campylobacteriosis in Maryland, U.S.A

Consumption of contaminated poultry, raw milk and water are significant risk factors for Campylobacter infection. Previous studies also have investigated the association between weather (temperature and precipitation) and increased risk of campylobacteriosis, but limited information exists regarding the impacts of extreme heat and precipitation events on campylobacteriosis risk, and how such risk may differentially impact coastal communities. We obtained Campylobacter case data 2002–2012; n=4804) from the Maryland Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network (FoodNet). We identified extreme heat and extreme precipitation events during this time (2002–2012) using location and calendar day specific thresholds (95th percentile for extreme heat and 90th percentile for extreme precipitation) that were computed based on a 30-year baseline (1960–1989). We linked these datasets using GIS and used negative binomial generalized estimating equations adjusted for demographic confounders to calculate the association between exposure to extreme events and risk of campylobacteriosis in Maryland. We observed that a one-day increase in exposure to extreme precipitation events was associated with a 3% increase in risk of campylobacteriosis in coastal areas of Maryland (Incidence Rate Ratio (IRR): 1.03, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.01, 1.05), but such an association was not observed in noncoastal areas. Furthermore, the risk associated with extreme precipitation events was considerably higher during La Niña periods (IRR: 1.09, 95% CI: 1.05, 1.13), while there was no evidence of elevated risk during El Niño or ENSO Neutral periods. Exposure to extreme heat events was not associated with an increased risk of campylobacteriosis, except during La Niña periods (IRR: 1.04, 95% CI: 1.01, 1.08). Extreme precipitation events could result in flooding within coastal areas that may bring water contaminated with bacterial pathogens (originating from sources such as septic systems, municipal wastewater treatment plants and concentrated animal feeding operations) into close proximity with individuals, where frequency of contact may be higher.

Raising Awareness about Tuberculosis among Women Living in Rural Communities on the Atlantic Coastline of Nigeria

Background: The disease Tuberculosis (TB) is a contagious illness which is rampant in Nigeria. Setting: The rural coastline of Atlantic Ocean in Lagos State, Nigeria. Respondents: Women of child-bearing age (WCBA), 15-49 years’ old. Intervention: A prospective, questionnaire-based study to evaluate perception of TB in a coastal geographical setting. Main outcome measures: Moderately low awareness of TB among WCBA on the coastal area of Lagos. Considerable proportion of women had not heard of TB and a high proportion did not know its cause and did not know how someone may contact the disease. Results: A total of 818 women of child-bearing age were involved in the study. About half of them were 25-34 years old while majority were married, of the Yoruba ethnicity and traders. Among the respondents, 330 (40.3%) have never heard of the disease known as tuberculosis, especially those aged 25-34 years (172, 52.1%), married (259, 78.5%) and those who had achieved senior secondary level of education (192, 58.2%). Only 56 (6.8%) of the participants, mostly those aged 15-24 years (45, 80.4%) and those with senior secondary education (25, 46.3%), correctly identified bacteria and germs as the cause of TB. About half (400, 48.9%) of the respondents did not know that TB could be contacted from personto- person while 466 (57%) were unaware that it could be contacted through the air when a person with tuberculosis coughs. Approximately 35%, 19% and 16% of the respondents agreed that coughing up blood, weight loss and chest pain are signs and symptoms of TB. In all, about 70% of respondents regarded orthodox medical treatment as the best treatment for tuberculosis although only 51% regarded the disease as treatable while 47% did not know whether it is treatable or not. Common sources of information of TB were health facilities (27%), friends and colleagues (17%) as well as schools and educational institutions (13%). Regression analysis showed that educational level and age group explained a significant 85.0% of the variation in the perception of TB (r2=0.850, P-value<0.005) and also that age group was significantly (r=0.40, t=30.53, P-value<0.005, 95% CI=0.38, 0.43) correlated with awareness of TB. Conclusion: The study has demonstrated that awareness of tuberculosis as a disease is relatively low among women living on the geographical coastline of Atlantic Ocean in Lagos, Nigeria. There was also some misinformation about this disease that needs urgent attention and correction. Data from this study may also be used to design penetrating health education on tuberculosis in rural coastal and non-coastal areas. Recommendations: Appropriate authorities and agencies should strengthen or develop effective surveillance system in which cases can be quickly identified. There should also be a spread out of DOTS to riverine and coastal areas. A continuous educational program for rural dwellers on infectious diseases and how to control them is desirable. Secondary schools’ curriculum should include further education on how to recognize, and report infectious diseases such as TB.

Effects of the Coastal Environment on Well-being

In this study, we evaluated whether coastal zones influence well-being and we examined differences based on gender and age. We selected a residential housing area in Hyogo Prefecture as the survey site, and administered questionnaires to 518 respondents from two groups: those with ocean views from their homes, and those without. The findings showed that: (1) Compared to residents who lived inland, those who lived by the seaside showed higher positive psychological effects and had lower negative psychological effects. (2) Coastal environments exerted significant influence on both males and females; however, the positive effects were stronger for females than males. At the same time, the negative impacts were weaker for females than males. (3) The younger, middle-aged, and elderly groups living on the coast experienced more positive effects than those living in non-coastal areas. The positive consequences of exposure to the ocean were strongest for the elderly group. These results suggest that coastal zones positively affect individual well-being.

Understanding corrosion in steel reinforced concrete structures: A limited study using TOF-SIMS

It is presumed that reinforced concrete (RCC) structures have a life of more than hundred years. However, abnormal large scale degradation was observed in RCC in certain non-coastal areas. Hence an investigation was required. Here the issues involved in degradation of RCC around Delhi, India were analyzed on sample cross sections using TOF-SIMS and compared with known cases of degradation of other materials. Presence of nitrides, halides and other corrosive ions were detected. They were correlated to the ground water usage during construction. Thereafter the enhanced scope for work in understanding degradation of reinforced concrete across the length and breadth of India is stated in brief, in view of vast differences in dissolved salts in ground water and other impurities across different regions in India.

Climate change, extreme events and increased risk of salmonellosis in Maryland, USA: Evidence for coastal vulnerability

BackgroundSalmonella is a leading cause of acute gastroenteritis worldwide. Patterns of salmonellosis have been linked to weather events. However, there is a dearth of data regarding the association between extreme events and risk of salmonellosis, and how this risk may disproportionately impact coastal communities. MethodsWe obtained Salmonella case data from the Maryland Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network (2002–2012), and weather data from the National Climatic Data Center (1960–2012). We developed exposure metrics related to extreme temperature and precipitation events using a 30year baseline (1960–1989) and linked them with county-level salmonellosis data. Data were analyzed using negative binomial Generalized Estimating Equations. ResultsWe observed a 4.1% increase in salmonellosis risk associated with a 1unit increase in extreme temperature events (incidence rate ratio (IRR):1.041; 95% confidence interval (CI):1.013–1.069). This increase in risk was more pronounced in coastal versus non-coastal areas (5.1% vs 1.5%). Likewise, we observed a 5.6% increase in salmonellosis risk (IRR:1.056; CI:1.035–1.078) associated with a 1unit increase in extreme precipitation events, with the impact disproportionately felt in coastal areas (7.1% vs 3.6%). ConclusionsTo our knowledge, this is the first empirical evidence showing that extreme temperature/precipitation events—that are expected to be more frequent and intense in coming decades—are disproportionately impacting coastal communities with regard to salmonellosis. Adaptation strategies need to account for this differential burden, particularly in light of ever increasing coastal populations.