Population Density Research Articles

Abstract B140: Further evaluation of social determinants of health including association of neighborhood disadvantage and population density with severity of activity- and mood- related interference in primary brain tumor patients

Abstract Purpose: Growing evidence links living in rural or socioeconomically disadvantaged areas with worse outcomes in cancer patients. Our previous work indicated that growing up in a rural area and experiencing food insecurity in childhood are associated with more severe activity and mood-related interference from symptoms in the primary brain tumor (PBT) population. This study investigates the association of current neighborhood deprivation and population density with activity- and mood-related interference in a cross-sectional cohort of 555 patients with a PBT enrolled in a natural history study (NCT03251989). Methods: National Area Deprivation Index (ADI) and population density were dichotomized into more (>40) and less (<40) disadvantaged and urbanized (>1,000 persons/sq mi) and non-urbanized (<1,000 persons/sq mi). Activity- and mood-related interference was stratified into none/mild (0-1) and moderate/severe (2-10). Logistic regression was used to test univariate and multivariate associations of moderate/severe activity- and mood-related interference with demographic and clinical variables. Bonferroni-Holm was implemented to adjust for multiple comparisons (p < 0.001) in univariate analyses. We used backwards elimination multivariate analyses to fit the final model. Variables were included modeling when univariate p <0.10. Results: The sample included more males (57%), median age 49 (range 18-85), living in more disadvantage neighborhoods (25%), and primarily in urbanized areas (61%). The majority (74%) had high grade tumors, most commonly glioblastoma (39%), with 49% with tumor recurrence, and 21% on active treatment. Univariate analysis showed neither ADI nor population density was significantly associated with activity-related interference (ADI OR=1.35, 95% CI [0.85, 2.13]; population density OR=1.20, 95% CI [0.80, 1.79]) or mood-related interference (ADI OR=0.85, 95% CI [0.52, 1.38]; population density OR=1.19, 95% CI [0.78, 1.81]). In the multivariate analyses tumor diagnosis (OR=0.92 CI [0.53, 1.58]) growing up in a non-urbanized area (OR=1.56 CI [1.02, 2.40]), not having enough to eat when growing up (OR=2.50 CI [1.13, 5.54], and number of surgeries (OR=1.50 CI [1.00, 2.23]) remained associated with moderate/severe activity-related interference with ADI, and similar results were found in the population density model. Tumor recurrence (OR=1.77 CI [1.17, 2.66]) and comorbidities (OR=0.53 CI [0.33, 0.85]) were associated with moderate/severe mood-related interference with ADI and similar results were found in the population density model. Conclusions: Although activity- and mood-related interference were not associated with current ADI or population density, activity-related interference was significantly related to early life social variables including growing up in a rural area and not having enough to eat growing up. This study may be foundational for future study directions exploring other social deprivation factors early life or current that contributes to more interference in the PBT population. Citation Format: Tara S. Davis, Bennett A. McIver, Kimberly Reinhart, Elizabeth Vera, Vivian A. Guedes, Macy L. Stockdill, Orieta Celiku, Terri S. Armstrong, Michelle L. Wright. Further evaluation of social determinants of health including association of neighborhood disadvantage and population density with severity of activity- and mood- related interference in primary brain tumor patients [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 17th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2024 Sep 21-24; Los Angeles, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2024;33(9 Suppl):Abstract nr B140.

Abstract C180: Not all PIRADS 3s are equal; fusion biopsy outcomes by PIRADS score and ethnicity in a diverse population

Abstract Introduction and Objective: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is increasingly utilized in the diagnosis of prostate cancer (PCa). Although PIRADS 3 lesions have been associated with a lower likelihood of detecting clinically significant prostate cancer (csPCa) at the time of targeted fusion biopsy (FB), existing data on multiethnic populations are sparse. We assessed the pathologic concordance of PIRADS 3 vs 4 or 5 lesions in detection of PCa and csPCa in comparison to PSA density in a diverse population. Methods: A retrospective study of all patients who underwent image-guided FB for PIRADS 3-5 lesions from 2016-2022 was conducted. Demographic, clinical, and pathologic data were extracted from electronic medical records. Mixed-effects logistic regression models were used to examine the association of race/ethnicity and PSA density with risks of overall PCa and csPCa. A stratified analysis by PIRADS score (3 vs 4 or 5) was also carried out to explore the associations between detection rates of PCa and race/ethnicity. Results: A total of 565 men with 997 lesions were analyzed, with average age 63.2 years (SD: 7.5) at the time of biopsy. Of the men, 279 (49.4%) were Non-Hispanic Black (NHB), 112 (19.8%) were Non-Hispanic White, and 174 (30.8%) were Hispanic. 520 (52.16%), 310 (31.09%), and 167 (16.75%) individual MRI lesions were PIRADS 3, 4, and 5, respectively with distributions of PIRADS scores being similar across all race/ethnicities. The overall rates of PCa detection were 44.8% in NHB, 37.6% in Hispanics, and 33.0% in NHW. Compared to NHW, NHB has 2.52 higher odds of detecting overall PCa (95% CI 1.10-5.78; p = 0.03), whereas Hispanic men had an OR = 1.18 (p = 0.72). Interestingly, the increase in PCa detection among NHB was only observed for PIRADs 3 lesions (OR = 4.84 95% CI 1.11-21.2, p = 0.04). NHB men also had 2.1-fold higher odds of detecting csPCa (95% CI 0.92-4.77; p = 0.08) in comparison to NHW with a similar trend mimicking association with PRIADS scores, although results were not statistically significant. Conclusions: We report that NHB men have higher odds of detection rates of overall PCa in FB in comparison to NHW and Hispanic men, albeit only at PIRADS 3 scores. These findings may serve to improve risk stratification and assist with shared decision making when discussing triggers for biopsy. Source of funding: None Citation Format: David G. Hanelin, Andrewe Baca, Priya Dave, Rutul Patel, Ilir Agalliu, Alexander Sankin, Ahmed Aboumohamed, Kara Watts. Not all PIRADS 3s are equal; fusion biopsy outcomes by PIRADS score and ethnicity in a diverse population [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 17th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2024 Sep 21-24; Los Angeles, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2024;33(9 Suppl):Abstract nr C180.

Potential Analysis of the Application of Fuzzy Logic in the Optimization of Pak Choi Hydroponic Cultivation: A Literature Study on Plant Growth Support System

The rapid urbanization and increasing population density in Indonesia have led to a reduction in available land for traditional agriculture, particularly in urban centers. In response to this challenge, urban farming, including hydroponic cultivation, has emerged as a viable solution to meet the food needs of urban communities. This study explores the potential application of fuzzy logic in optimizing hydroponic cultivation practices, focusing on the growth of pak choi plants. Pak choi, a popular vegetable in Indonesia, offers numerous health benefits and is well-suited for hydroponic cultivation. By analyzing relevant literature, this research investigates the influence of water pH and temperature on pak choi plant growth and develops a fuzzy expert system based on Mamdani's method. The study prepares data on optimal temperature and pH ranges for pak choi cultivation and establishes fuzzy sets for water temperature, water pH level, and plant height. The findings provide insights into the effects of water pH and temperature on pak choi plant growth and demonstrate the potential of fuzzy logic in optimizing hydroponic cultivation practices. This research contributes to the advancement of agricultural technology and offers practical solutions for sustainable urban farming.

Community Asset Density and Past-Year Mental Health Symptoms Among Youths

ImportanceMany youths experience mental health challenges. Identifying which neighborhood and community factors may influence mental health may guide health policy and practice.ObjectiveTo explore associations between community assets (eg, schools, parks, libraries, and barbershops) and past-year mental health symptoms among youths.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsThis cross-sectional study leveraged 3 datasets, which were linked by 26 zip codes: the Western Pennsylvania Regional Data Center, the Child Opportunity Index 2.0 database, and the Allegheny County Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS). The YRBS was administered during the study period in 2018 to youths across 13 high schools in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania; the study dates were from October 15 to October 19, 2018. Dates of analysis were from August 1, 2023, to July 15, 2024.ExposuresAsset density in each zip code across 8 asset categories (transportation, education, parks and recreation, faith-based entities, health services, food resources, personal care services, and social infrastructure) was calculated.Main Outcomes and MeasuresThe main outcomes were mental health measures included in the past 12 months, which comprised feelings of hopelessness (feeing so sad or hopeless that you stopped doing activities), nonsuicidal self-injury (hurt yourself on purpose without wanting to die), and suicidal ideation (seriously considered attempting suicide). All were operationalized to any or none. Data were analyzed using multivariable generalized linear mixed models and were adjusted for age, sex assigned at birth, race and ethnicity, and identification as sexually or gender diverse.ResultsAmong 6306 students who were eligible for the YRBS based on their enrollment in participating high schools, 4487 students completed surveys, and 2162 were included in the analytic sample (mean [SD] age, 15.8 [1.2] years; 1245 [57.6%] were assigned female sex at birth). Over one-third of the participants (811 [37.5%]) reported past-year feelings of hopelessness; 587 (27.2%), past-year nonsuicidal self-injury; and 450 (20.8%), past-year suicidal ideation. High total asset population density (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 0.85 [95% CI, 0.75-0.97]; P = .01), as well as population density of transportation assets (AOR, 0.77 [95% CI, 0.66-0.90]; P < .001), educational resources (AOR, 0.78 [95% CI, 0.67-0.92]; P = .002), and health services (AOR, 0.74 [95% CI, 0.60-0.91]; P = .006), were associated with lower odds of past-year hopelessness after adjusting for covariates. There were no correlations between asset density, Child Opportunity Index, and other mental health measures.Conclusions and RelevanceThe findings of this cross-sectional study suggest that access to certain community assets was associated with lower odds of feelings of hopelessness among youths. Ongoing work is needed to characterize other forms of social and cultural capital, which may mitigate negative mental health outcomes among adolescent youths.

Do counts of radiocarbon-dated archaeological sites reflect human population density? A preliminary empirical validation examining spatial variation across late Holocene California

Do counts of radiocarbon-dated archaeological sites reflect human population density? A preliminary empirical validation examining spatial variation across late Holocene California

A Case Study on Children’s Accessibility in Urban Parks in Changsha City, China: Developing an Improved 2SFCA Method

As countries develop, the challenge of providing access to the outdoors and nature increases. Consequently, recent environmental justice research has focused on measuring children’s access to parks. The results of these analyses better reflect differences in accessibility, but there are discrepancies between different accessibility models. This study aims to explore child-friendly accessibility measures and proposes a supply–demand-improved two-step floating catchment area (2SFCA) method for estimating urban park accessibility based on children’s needs. The application of this improved 2SFCA method in Changsha City successfully identified areas with unequal park accessibility, offering valuable insights for urban planners, that can be used to promote equitable access to green spaces for all residents, especially children. The results demonstrate that park accessibility in Changsha City exhibits significant differences across various areas, with the lowest accessibility in the western part of Furong District, the northwestern part of Yuhua District, and the southern part of Tianxin District; while the highest accessibility is found in Yuelu District. The limited green space in the central business district of Changsha City, coupled with high population density, indicates a tension between green space planning and population density in the city’s central area. The study proposes that the primary challenge in current green space planning in Changsha is the rational allocation of green spaces to meet the needs of high-density populations within limited urban space. It provides a comprehensive and realistic perspective for understanding the accessibility and availability of green spaces for children, which can help urban planners develop effective policies to support children’s outdoor mobility, while considering equity.

Morph-linked variation in female pheromone signalling and male response in a polymorphic moth.

Understanding the maintenance of genetic variation in reproductive strategies and polymorphisms in the wild requires a comprehensive examination of the complex interactions between genetic basis, behaviour and environmental factors. We tested the association between three colour genotypes and variation in female pheromone signalling and male antennal morphology in the wood tiger moth (Arctia plantaginis). These moths have genetically determined white (WW, Wy) and yellow (yy) hindwings that are linked to mating success and fitness, with heterozygotes (Wy) having an advantage. We hypothesized that attractiveness and reproductive success are correlated, with Wy females being more attractive than the other two genotypes which could contribute to maintaining the polymorphism. Female attractiveness was tested by baiting traps with females of the three colour genotypes both in low- (i.e. field set-up) and in high-population density (i.e. large enclosure set-up). Male's ability to reach females was correlated to their own colour genotype and antennal morphology (length, area and lamellae count). Contrary to our prediction, morph-related reproductive success and attractiveness were not correlated. Heavier Wy females attracted a lower proportion of males compared to WW and yy females. Specifically, an increase in weight corresponded to a decreased Wy but increased yy female attractiveness. yy females were generally more attractive than others likely due to earlier pheromone release. In males, lamellae count and genetic colour morph were linked to the male's ability to locate females. Furthermore, male traits affected their ability to reach females in a context-specific way. Males with denser antennae (i.e. higher lamellae count) and white males reached the females faster than yellows in the enclosure, while yellow males located females faster than whites in the field. Our results indicate that higher yy female attractiveness was likely affected by the combined effect of early pheromone release, female weight and higher population density. Males' searching success was affected by morph-specific behavioural strategies and local population density. Ultimately, the combined effect of genotype-related pheromone signalling strategies of females together with environment-dependent male behaviour affect male response and potentially contribute to maintaining variation in fitness-related traits.

Spatiotemporal variability of the association between greenspace exposure and depression in older adults in South Korea

Abstract Background A number of studies based on young to middle aged adult and child samples have found that exposure to greenspace and bluespace can have a positive impact on mental health and well-being. However, there is limited research among older adults and the extant studies have provided mixed results. The present study was designed to examine how the association between these forms of exposure and depressive symptoms among older adults varies as a function of different spatially and temporally resolved exposure metrics. Methods The sample consisted of 617 individuals (46.19% female) aged ≥ 60 years of age. Depressive symptoms were measured using the 10-item Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). Individuals’ greenspace exposure was quantified using spatially and temporally resolved metrics, including monthly and annual averaged satellite-derived normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) across multiple buffer distances (250 m to 2,000 m) centered at participants’ home address. We also quantified exposure to blue-greenspace from a highly detailed land use and land cover dataset. A multivariable logistic regression model assessed the association between greenspace and blue-greenspace exposure and depressive symptoms, adjusting for age, sex, income, education, marital status, current smoking, alcohol status, medical conditions, temperature, crime rate, population density, and per capita park area. Results We found a significant association between exposures to greenspace and blue-greenspace and depressive symptoms (CES-D cutoff ≥ 4) among older adults. After adjusting for confounding variables, the odds of depressive symptoms were significantly decreased by an IQR increment in residential exposure to greenspace [odds ratio (OR) = 0.67; 95% confidence interval (95% CI), 0.49 ~ 0.91] and blue-greenspace (OR = 0.59; 95% CI, 0.41 ~ 0.84) measured nearby their home address (i.e., as close as 250 m). When stratified by household income level, the association was only significant among low-income individuals. We also found temporal variation in the association between depressive symptoms and monthly NDVI-based greenspace exposure, in which the odds of depressive symptoms were the lowest for greenspace in cold months (i.e., January, February, and March). Conclusions Our findings suggest that neighborhood greenspace may serve as a protective factor against depression among older adults, but the benefits may depend on the spatial and temporal context. More investigation is needed to replicate our findings on the spatial and temporal variations of greenspace exposure metrics and their effects on depressive symptoms.

Species richness of Hymenopteran flower visitors in Brassica campestris var. toria in Assam, India: A comparison of five sampling methods

AbstractWe studied the species richness of flower-visiting Hymenoptera assemblages in two varieties of Brassica campestris var. toria: in variety TS-36 during the normal season grown in the riparian ecosystem and in variety TS-67 during the late season grown in the rice-ecosystem of Assam, India using five sampling methods. We aimed to investigate to what extent (i) the Hymenoptera assemblages in the two ecosystems differed from each other, (ii) the population densities of three dominant Apis spp. differed from each other, and (iii) the effectiveness of the sampling methods used differed from each other. In total, we recorded 64 Hymenoptera species belonging to 42 genera of 9 families in the two toria varieties. We detected the presence of all species in TS-36 grown as normal season crop in the riparian ecosystem, and the presence of 48 species in TS-67 grown in the rice ecosystem as a late season crop. Vespidae had the highest species richness, followed by Apidae, Megachilidae, and Halictidae. These visitors may contribute to the ecological resilience of the toria ecosystem through their service as pollinators as well as because they are natural enemies of the crop-pests. Transect walk methods sampled a higher number of species than observation plot method and colour traps. Apis cerana was the most abundant species, with a relative abundance of 38.5% and 37.9% in normal and late season crops, respectively. The mean abundance of all three Apis species was 11.1% higher in the later variety.

A study based on high-density data examines the current status and evolution laws of heavy metal environmental capacity in the Bardawu area of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

As the first ladder of China, the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau has always been known as the “roof of the world”. Its environmental carrying capacity can be estimated more accurately than other regions because of its harsh natural environment, low population density, limited industrial and agricultural development, and low human activities. However, the current ecological risks of Co and threshold research are limited, and there is a lack of awareness of W’s environmental risks. Hence, this study assessed the ecological support potential of the Bardawu region within Dulan County, Qinghai Province, using 7373 soil specimens, determined regional soil baseline measures, and applied the substance equilibrium linear technique along with the ecological aggregate indicator technique to examine the heavy metal content of the soil. A comprehensive evaluation of the environmental capacity and health risks was conducted to provide a reference for pastoral planning. The findings indicated that the cumulative static ecological capacity of the six trace heavy elements in the soil was ranked as follows: Cr > Li > Ni > Cu > W > Co, with W and Co positioned as the final pair. The remaining areas with a high environmental capacity were predominantly found in the study zone. The central sector exhibited diminished environmental capacity in the southwest and northeast and presented a contamination hazard. Land use, soil type, and geological type considerably affected the six elements in the study area at the p < 0.05. The Bardawu region’s mean comprehensive index of soil environmental capacity was 0.98, indicating an intermediate level of environmental capacity and a moderate health risk. This study focuses on the geological context and influence of pastoral activities on the soil, augments the distribution of various elements across the Tibetan Plateau, and suggests preliminary soil governance strategies. The findings of this study lay the groundwork for soil environmental conservation and remediation efforts in highland regions.

Flash Floods Hazard to the Settlement Network versus Land Use Planning (Lublin Upland, East Poland)

There has been an increase in the frequency of hazards associated with meteorological and hydrological phenomena. One of them is flash floods occurring episodically in areas of concentrated runoff—valleys without permanent drainage. In the opinion of residents and local authorities, these are potentially safe areas—they are not threatened by floods and are therefore often occupied by buildings. The importance of addressing flash floods in land use planning is essential for sustainable development and disaster risk reduction. The objective of this research was to assess the level of the hazard and to evaluate its presence in land use planning activities. This manuscript fills a research gap, as to date flash flood threats have not been analyzed for individual buildings located in catchments of dry valleys in temperate climates. More than 12,000 first-order catchments were analyzed. The study covered an upland area located in East Poland, which is characterized by high population density and dispersed rural settlement. Within the 10 municipalities, buildings located on potential episodic runoff lines were identified. Qualitative assessment was applied to ascertain the susceptibility of catchments to flash floods. Such criteria as slopes, size, shape of the catchment area, and land cover, among others, were used. Between 10 and 20% of the buildings were located on episodic runoff lines, and about 900 sub-catchments were highly or very highly susceptible to flash floods. The way to reduce the negative effects of these phenomena is to undertake proper land use planning based on knowledge of geohazards, including flash floods. However, an analysis of available planning documents shows that phenomena of this type are not completely taken into account in spatial management processes.

Constitutive innate immune defenses in relation to urbanization and population density in an urban bird, the feral pigeon Columba livia domestica.

Urbanization processes modulate the immunological challenges faced by animals. Urban habitat transformations reshape pathogen diversity and abundance, while high population density-common in urban exploiter species-promotes disease transmission. Responses to urbanization may include adaptive adjustments of constitutive innate immune defenses (e.g. complement system and natural antibodies [NAbs]), which serve as first-line protection against infections. Here, we investigated associations of habitat urbanization and host population density with complement and NAbs in an urban bird, the feral pigeon Columba livia domestica. To do so, we employed the hemolysis-hemagglutination assay to analyze nearly 200 plasma samples collected across urbanization and pigeon population density gradients in five major cities in Poland. We found a negative association between urbanization score and hemagglutination (i.e. NAbs activity), but not hemolysis (i.e. complement activity), indicating either immunosuppression or adaptive downregulation of this immune defense in highly transformed urban landscape. Population density was not significantly related to either immune parameter, providing no evidence for density-dependent modulation of immune defenses. At the same time, there was a negative association of hemolysis with condition (scaled mass index), suggesting resource allocation trade-offs or contrasting effects of the urban environment on immune defenses and body condition. The results demonstrate that habitat structure can be an important factor shaping the immune defenses of the feral pigeon, although these associations were not mediated by variation in population density. Our study highlights the complexity of the links between immune defenses in wildlife and urbanization and reinforces the need for comprehensive ecoimmunological studies on urban animals.

The Slithering Dead: Does locomotor performance affect post-capture death feigning in dice snakes (Natrix tessellata, Laurenti 1768)?

Abstract Functional constraints between different types of antipredator behavior should be common, especially if they are on the opposite sides of the behavioral spectrum such as flight and post-capture immobility. We examined a potential compromise between post-capture immobility displays and sprint speed in dice snakes (Natrix tessellata), using a field-based approach. We sampled snakes (N=238) from two populations: from a dense island population free of mammal predators, and from a less dense mainland population, preyed upon by both bird and mammal predators. We explored the effects of sexual maturity, temperature, body size, presence of palpable food in the gut and injuries on the occurrence and duration of post-capture immobility as well as sprint speed. Our results confirm the existence of functional constraints between locomotor performance and post-capture immobility in dice snakes. Faster dice snakes start escaping promptly after release, while slower individuals utilize more passive antipredator behaviors such as death feigning. Local adaptations seem to have great influence on behavioral compromise, since the mammal-free island population exhibited a higher incidence of post-capture immobility and a significantly lower sprint speed, compared to the less dense mainland population. Additionally, immature individuals tended to avoid death feigning and their post-capture immobility lasted shorter compared to adult individuals. It remains to be seen how individuals adjust their behavior to accomodate locomotor constraints, and in which specific phases of the predator-prey interaction these adjustments occur.

Quantifying future carbon emissions uncertainties under stochastic modeling and Monte Carlo simulation: Insights for environmental policy consideration for the Belt and Road Initiative Region

This study critically examines future carbon (CO2) emissions in the Belt & Road Initiative (BRI) region, considering factors such as energy consumption, economic growth, population growth, and population density. The objective of this study is to identify critical areas of higher emissions, which require policy intervention capable of strengthening sustainability in the BRI compact. A combined approach of stochastic modeling and Monte Carlo simulations was employed, utilizing panel data from 45 countries in the BRI region from 1990 to 2021. Results confirm that emissions are higher in all scenarios in direct proportion to electric power consumption, population growth, and Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth. In scenarios with high emissions, a continuous and significant upward trend in CO2 emissions was observe. The medium emissions scenario exhibited a more moderated rise in emissions, suggesting a balance between economic development and environmental considerations. Critical areas for future environmental policy-making resides in electric power consumption, population growth, and GDP growth. The study strongly recommends for a shift from the current focus on road and railway infrastructure to renewable energy infrastructure, green innovations and efficient technology transfer to member countries. Without this, the BRI region is likely to face increased emissions, posing significant challenges to future sustainable development and global environmental sustainability.

Risk Assessment of Community-Scale High-Temperature and Rainstorm Waterlogging Disasters: A Case Study of the Dongsi Community in Beijing

With the advancement of urbanization and acceleration of global warming, extreme weather and climate events are becoming increasingly frequent and severe, and climate risk continues to rise. Each community is irreplaceable and important in coping with extreme climate risk and improving urban resilience. In this study, the Dongsi Community in the functional core area of Beijing was explored, and the risk assessment of high temperatures and rainstorm waterlogging was implemented at the community scale. Local navigation observations were integrated into a theoretical framework for traditional disaster risk assessment. The risk assessment indicator system for community-scale high-temperature and rainstorm waterlogging disasters was established and improved from a microscopic perspective (a total of 22 indicators were selected from the three dimensions of hazard, exposure, and vulnerability). Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology was used to integrate geographic information, meteorological, planning, municipal, socioeconomic and other multisource information layers, thus enabling more detailed spatial distribution characteristics of the hazard, exposure, vulnerability, and risk levels of community-scale high temperatures and rainstorm waterlogging to be obtained. The results revealed that the high-risk area and slightly high-risk area of high-temperature disasters accounted for 13.5% and 15.1%, respectively. The high-risk area and slightly high-risk area of rainstorm waterlogging disasters accounted for 9.8% and 31.6%, respectively. The high-risk areas common to high temperatures and waterlogging accounted for 3.9%. In general, the risk of high-temperature and rainstorm waterlogging disasters at the community scale showed obvious spatial imbalances; that is, the risk in the area around the middle section of Dongsi Santiao was the lowest, while a degree of high temperatures or rainstorm waterlogging was found in other areas. In particular, the risk of high-temperature and rainstorm waterlogging disasters along Dongsi North Street, the surrounding areas of Dongsi Liutiao, and some areas along the Dongsi Jiutiao route was relatively high. These spatial differences were affected to a greater extent by land cover (buildings, vegetation, etc.) and population density within the community. This study is a useful exploration of climate risk research for resilient community construction, and provides scientific support for the planning of climate-adaptive communities, as well as the proposal of overall adaptation goals, action frameworks, and specific planning strategies at the community level.

General vs. specific: How location information control drives performance in peer-to-peer accommodation

Unlike traditional hotels that explicitly specify their geographical locations, hosts on peer-to-peer accommodation platforms can partially conceal their properties' location information, showcasing only a general area in public searches for potential guests. However, the impact of this information control has been underexplored. Drawing upon the communication privacy management theory and leveraging a unique Airbnb panel dataset from multiple sources, this study investigates the effect of partial location information concealment on property sales performance. Findings show that partially concealing location information leads to an 18.4% increase in occupancy rates compared to disclosing specific location details. Additionally, the effect of location concealment is contingent upon co-owner responsibility boundaries (i.e., host identity verification, guest screening), as well as environmental density boundaries (i.e., population density, listing density). Furthermore, a scenario-based experiment confirms the main effect, and reveals that guests’ sense of control and perceived risks serve as the underlying mechanisms driving this direct effect.

Assessing Environmental Sustainability in the Transnational Basin of the Tumen River Based on Remote Sensing Data and a Geographical Detector

Evaluating environmental sustainability in the transnational basin of the Tumen River (TBTR) is of great significance for promoting sustainable development in Northeast Asia. However, past research has mostly concentrated on a particular environmental element, making it impossible to thoroughly and effectively show the environmental sustainability dynamics in this transnational area. In this study, we attempted to reveal environmental sustainability trends in the TBTR from 2000 to 2021 using the Environmental Degradation Index (EDI) and analyze the driving forces using a geographical detector. It was found that the TBTR’s environmental sustainability decreased significantly, with a degraded region (13,174.75 km2) accounting for 31.01% of the whole area from 2000 to 2021. The dynamics of environmental sustainability on the three sides of China, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), and Russia have shown significant differences, with the most significantly improved in environmental sustainability being the subregion of China. On the Chinese side, the area that significantly improved in environmental sustainability accounted for 26.19% of the area on the Chinese side, which was 1.17 times higher than that of the DPRK’s side and 1.24 times higher than that of the Russian side. Land use intensity (LUI), land use and land cover (LULC), and population density (PD) were the most dominant driving forces for environmental sustainability dynamics on the three sides of China, the DPRK, and Russia. China, the DPRK, and Russia can improve international environmental cooperation to promote sustainable development in the TBTR and Northeast Asia.

Geochemical Modeling and Quality Assessment of the Surface Waters from the Mouhoun River System, Burkina Faso: Implications of Water–Rock Interactions and Anthropogenic Activities

Major ion and heavy metal geochemistry was used to investigate the factors that control the Mouhoun River water quality in western Burkina Faso. Major cation concentrations was in the following decreasing order: Ca2+&gt; Na+&gt; K+&gt; Mg2+, reflecting silicate weathering. However, relatively high HCO3- and SO42- concentrations could be related to dissolution of calcite and sulfide minerals, respectively. The average heavy metal concentrations in the riverine system were in the following order: FeT&gt;Ag&gt;Mn&gt;Zn&gt;Pb&gt;Cu&gt;Ni&gt;AsT&gt;Cr&gt;Hg&gt;Co&gt;Cd with FeT and Ag exceeding the World Health Organization permissible limits. Concentrations of all heavy metals, except Cr, were higher in the Mouhoun system compared to the average world river concentrations. Adsorption and speciation models showed that Zn, Ag, Cd, Co, Cr and Ni are likely to remain in their free ionic forms, and thus posing serious threats to aquatic life and human health. Ag-Hg-Ni-Cd association around Poura and Tenado on the principal component plot suggested that the widespread artisanal gold mining in these areas may have contributed to these metals’ loading. In contrast, NH4+, Pb, Cu, Cr, AsT and Zn were clustered around a densely populated and industrialized Kou watershed, pointing to agricultural and industrial sources of these pollutants. Furthermore, the Kou River had the highest metal index followed by Tenado, Samendeni, Poura and Boromo. Hence, the chemistry of the Mouhoun River and its tributary appears to be mainly controlled by population density and various anthropogenic activities taking place in their drainage basins. The findings could provide avenues for sound and sustainable water resource management in a water scarce semi-arid environment.

Rooftop PV Potential Determined by Backward Ray Tracing: A Case Study for the German Regions of Berlin, Cologne, and Hanover

ABSTRACTPhotovoltaics (PV) on building rooftops is a major contributor to the decarbonization of energy systems. We simulate the PV energy yield potential for 2.5 million individual roofs in three German regions. We cumulate the results for each single roof to calculate the cost‐potential curves for the three cities Berlin, Cologne, and Hanover. These curves give the amount of electricity that can be generated at less than a given cost per kWh. We find that these curves have the shape of a hockey stick. Neglecting the dependence of PV investment on building size and thus on the system sizes causes largely different cost‐potential curves that differ by 11%–18% for flat roofs due to their heterogeneous building size distribution. The cost‐potential curves of the three cities are very similar when appropriately normalized, for example, by the local solar irradiation and the settlement area of the city, despite substantial variations in population density. This allows for an extrapolation of our results. For Germany, we reveal an upper limit for the total electricity generation from rooftop PV of 762 TWh/a with cost as low as 6.9 ct/kWh without accounting for area losses due to chimneys, air conditioning systems, and so forth. We estimate the actual potential to be at least half of that figure.

Sexual Minority Athletes Between Concealment and Disclosure: A Multilevel Perspective on Coming Out in Sport

Abstract Introduction Sexual orientation disclosure is a complex, multifaceted process and has not yet been sufficiently explored with regard to LGB + athletes. Methods Based on a multilevel model for understanding sexual minority athletes’ (SMA) experiences in sports, we adopt a mixed-method approach, analysing data from a European survey conducted in 2018 with 1749 LGB + athletes to identify factors that influence the decision of disclosure in sports. Results Multivariate analyses include factors at the macro level (legal situation, population density and gender-typing of sport), meso level (composition of friendships, type of sport and performance level) and micro level (age, sexual orientation, education level and athletic capital). The analysis shows that sexual orientation disclosure is less likely when respondents were younger, had a bisexual or other sexual orientation (compared to lesbian or gay), lower athletic abilities, fewer non-heterosexual friends, participated in individual sports (rather than in team sports) and lived in a country with less inclusive LGB + laws and regulations. Responses to open-ended survey questions highlight the relevance of inclusive sport contexts in terms of trust, safety and LGB + visibility. Conclusions Coming out in sports is influenced by manifold factors on macro, meso and micro levels, and only few of them have gender impact. Policy Implications Policymakers, administrators, coaches, and teammates are relevant stakeholders in sports to establish an environment of trust and safety that eventually leads to an upward spiral of LGB + visibility and the coming out of other SMA.