Residential Areas Research Articles

Risk factors for Clonorchis sinensis infections and control measures reinforced with focused interviews.

Clonorchiosis, a disease that develops following the consumption of raw freshwater fish that harbors Clonorchis sinensis metacercariae, seriously threatens the health of residents in endemic areas. We aimed to assess the level of awareness of liver fluke infections among infected residents and restaurant workers in liver fluke infection-endemic areas. To identify and provide a more realistic description of C. sinensis infections, we conducted a focused interview and questionnaire survey of local residents in endemic areas in Korea. Most residents knew that freshwater fish are a source of C. sinensis infection. Nevertheless, the consumption of raw freshwater fish was the main risk factor for their infection with C. sinensis. The residents had little knowledge regarding their residential area being endemic to C. sinensis or about the symptoms and complications of C. sinensis infection. Although the participants had no experience with C. sinensis prevention or health education, they preferred on-site education during visits to village halls. The in-depth interviewees had a high level of knowledge about C. sinensis infection but were unaware that eating raw freshwater fish was its cause. Family and social gatherings encourage the habit of eating raw freshwater fish, which is a risk factor for repetitive infections. Based on these findings, to eliminate clonorchiosis, we propose strengthening the capacity of public health care personnel, giving C. sinensis prevention education, and screening educational videos during visits to village halls. Furthermore, intensive education is recommended for reinfected people and community opinion leaders, as well as reservoir host control.

Factors associated with post acute care utilization after mastectomy for breast cancer patients.

Although the demand for care immediately after mastectomy is rising, and such medical services are referred to as post-acute care (PAC), there is limited evidence on the factors influencing PAC choices among these patients in Korea. A total of 106,670 patients diagnosed with breast cancer and undergoing mastectomy were extracted from the Central Cancer Registry data from 2012 to 2019 using Public Cancer Library data of KCURE. PAC was defined as utilization of long-term care hospital (LTCH), hospital-based nursing care (HBNC), or HBC (hospital-based care) within 2 months post-surgery. Multinomial logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with different types of PAC utilization. The utilization patterns of different types of PAC within 2 months after mastectomy were associated with age, income, cancer severity, and particularly the region of residence (Metropolitan; HBNC, OR 0.16, 95% CI 0.10-0.26; LTCH, OR 2.35, 95% CI 2.21-2.50; HBC, OR 2.17, 95% CI 1.97-2.39), as well as the location (capital areas; HBNC, OR 12.46, 95% CI 4.97-31.25; LTCH, OR 1.21, 95% CI 1.15-1.28; HBC, OR 1.90, 95% CI 1.74-2.07) and type of the hospital (tertiary hospital; HBNC, OR 13.70, 95% CI 7.86-23.86; LTCH, OR 1.45, 95% CI 1.37-1.53; HBC, OR 3.38, 95% CI 3.00-3.80) where the surgery was performed. In this study, we found the factors associated with PAC utilization on mastectomy patients. Our study found that middle-aged breast cancer patients, residents of metropolitan or rural areas, and those who underwent surgery at hospitals in capital area were particularly associated with higher utilization of inpatient-related PAC services. Breast cancer patients with higher income, older adults, metropolitan residents, patients who underwent breast cancer surgery at metropolitan hospitals, and those treated at tertiary hospitals were strongly associated with higher utilization of HBNC services. Identifying factors that determine the use of PAC has meaningful implications for patients and healthcare systems.

The associations between emotional empathy, emotional intelligence, and COVID-19-related stress among nursing students: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic has variably affected the stress levels among students. Nursing students, as the reserve force of medical resources and the successors of frontline nursing staff, warrant particular attention regarding their stress levels. This study investigates the relationship between emotional empathy, emotional intelligence, and COVID-19-related stress in nursing students and examines the masking role of emotional intelligence in this relationship.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted from March to June 2023 using multi-stage sampling method to recruit 1126 nursing students from a medical university. Participants completed a demographic information questionnaire, the COVID-19 Student Stress Questionnaire, the Multidimensional Emotional Empathy Scale, and the Trait Meta-Mood Scale. Data were analyzed using t-tests/ one-way ANOVA, Pearson correlations, multiple linear regression, and the PROCESS macro program to examine the relationships between emotional empathy, emotional intelligence, and COVID-19-related stress, as well as the masking role of emotional intelligence.ResultsStatistically significant differences were observed in COVID-19-related stress scores among nursing students from different residential areas (P < 0.05); Emotional empathy was significantly positively correlated with emotional intelligence and its dimensions. Emotional empathy also showed a significant positive correlation with COVID-19-related stress. Emotional intelligence and its dimensions were significantly negatively correlated with COVID-19-related stress; Emotional empathy and emotional intelligence were significant predictors of COVID-19-related stress; Emotional intelligence and its dimensions demonstrated a masking effect on the relationship between emotional empathy and COVID-19-related stress, with total effect sizes of -0.023 for emotional intelligence, -0.021 for emotional attention, -0.017 for emotional clarity, and − 0.018 for emotional repair.ConclusionEmotional empathy and emotional intelligence were significant predictors of COVID-19-related stress among nursing students. Emotional intelligence masked the impact of emotional empathy on COVID-19-related stress. Schools should implement stress management programs for nursing students that focus on enhancing emotional intelligence and moderating excessive emotional empathy. These programs are particularly crucial during public health emergencies to reduce stress levels and promote mental well-being.Clinical trial numberNot applicable.

Persistent oral health inequality in children—repeated cross-sectional studies in 2010 and 2019

Background and aimChildren growing up in vulnerable circumstances have a higher risk of caries experience. Tracking the development of caries in relation to socioeconomic variables over time is essential for fair resource distribution to groups with higher caries risk and to even out inequalities in oral health. The aim was therefore to analyse the association between 6-year-olds´ caries prevalence and socioeconomic variables at family and residential area levels in 2010 and 2019 as well as potential differences in the association between 2010 and 2019.MethodsThe study design is an epidemiological registry-based, repeated cross-sectional study based on caries data (grouped as 0, 1–3 and > 3 dmft) for the population of 6-year-olds in 2010 (n = 4,408, 95% coverage) and 2019 (n = 5,199, 94% coverage) in a Swedish region. Multiple socioeconomic variables for the children’s families and residential areas were retrieved from official registries. Multinomial logistic regression was performed at both levels to produce models for each level and studied year.ResultsThe variables that explained most of the association between caries and socioeconomic variables were mainly the same over the years at both levels. At the family level, these were: maternal age when having their first child (explained most of the association in both years, at 30 and 35%, respectively); maternal age when having the child in the study group; parental employment; parental and child’s migration background; maternal educational level; form of housing; and financial assistance (only 2010). At the residential area level, these were: migration background (explained most of the association both years; 82 and 52%, respectively), educational level and number of persons per household. The association between socioeconomic variables and caries was consistently stronger for severe caries (dmft > 3) than moderate (dmft 1–3). Multiple socioeconomic risk variables meant an even greater likelihood of caries.ConclusionOver the studied years, variables related to socioeconomic vulnerability continued to be associated with caries in young children growing up under socially disadvantaged circumstances. Effective efforts for families living in socially vulnerable contexts are needed to achieve good and equal oral health, as is continued follow-up to evaluate whether the goal is reached.

Socioeconomic, health, and social connectedness factors associated with self-rated health of octogenarians and nonagenarians in South Korea: urban and rural comparison

BackgroundThe aging population, including octogenarians (aged 80–89) and nonagenarians (aged 90–99), is rapidly increasing. Understanding their self-rated health in urban and rural settings is vital for public health policy development. This study examined factors associated with self-rated health among octogenarians and nonagenarians across urban and rural areas of South Korea.MethodsWe analyzed data from 21,896 older adults (aged 80–99) from the 2023 Korea Community Health Survey. Self-rated health was assessed on a 5-point scale and categorized as “good” or “poor.” Variables included age, residence area (urban/rural), sociodemographic characteristics, health behaviors, healthcare utilization, morbidity, and social interactions. Descriptive statistics were used to examine variable distributions, and logistic regression models identified factors associated with self-rated health in each age group and residential area.ResultsAmong octogenarians, 18.7% in urban areas reported good self-rated health, compared to 15.0% in rural areas. Conversely, a smaller proportion of nonagenarians in urban areas (13.6%) reported good self-rated health than those in rural areas (14.7%). Among octogenarians, having a high school education or higher was associated with better self-rated health compared to those with no formal education (urban OR = 1.67, 95% CI = 1.39–2.00; rural OR = 1.67, 95% CI = 1.30–2.14). Furthermore, a monthly household income of 3 million Korean Won (KRW) or more, compared to an income of less than 1 million KRW, was associated with better self-rated health among octogenarians (urban OR = 1.35, 95% CI = 1.09–1.66; rural OR = 1.54, 95% CI = 1.19–2.00). The associations between educational level and self-rated health were less pronounced among nonagenarians. Consistently across both age groups and settings, regular walking (OR range: 1.39 [95% CI = 1.21–1.60] for rural octogenarians to 2.17 [95% CI = 1.78–2.64] for urban nonagenarians), good self-rated oral health (OR range: 2.51 [95% CI = 1.96–3.22] for urban nonagenarians to 3.51 [95% CI = 3.01–4.09] for rural octogenarians), and participation in social activities (OR range: 1.23 [95% CI = 1.09–1.41] for urban octogenarians to 1.58 [95% CI = 1.20–2.07] for rural octogenarians) were positively associated with good self-rated health.ConclusionsCharacteristics associated with self-rated health differed significantly between octogenarians and nonagenarians in rural and urban areas. Public health strategies must support health-promoting behaviors such as regular walking, enhance oral health services, improve healthcare accessibility, reduce environmental stressors, and strengthen social support networks to promote health among octogenarians and nonagenarians.

Trends in Sudden Cardiac Death Among Adults Aged 25 to 44 Years in the United States: An Analysis of 2 Large US Databases.

Sudden cardiac death (SCD) in early adults aged 25 to 44 years represents an important and unexpected cause of death. We assessed trends in SCD-related mortality in the United States from 1999 to 2020 among early adults to determine differences by sex, ethnoracial groups, urbanization, and census region. Mortality data were retrieved from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Wide-Ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research (CDC WONDER) data set from 1999 to 2020. Age-adjusted mortality rates were assessed using the Joinpoint regression modeling and expressed as estimated average annual percentage change with relative 95% CIs. Trends in prevalence of coronary artery disease/myocardial infarction, heart failure, and stroke, which may have contributed to SCD-related mortality over the same period, were obtained from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. From 1999 to 2020, 10 516 US early adults aged 25 to 44 years had SCD (7832 men and 2684 women), resulting in 3.72 deaths per 1000 population, or a mean of 478 deaths annually. The relative age-adjusted mortality rate increased linearly (average annual percentage change: +1.0% [95% CI, 0.3-1.8]), without sex differences. The age-adjusted mortality rate increase was more pronounced in Black patients, Hispanic/Latinx patients, and residents of rural areas. Higher absolute numbers of SCDs were clustered in the South (47.6%). During the same period, the prevalence of coronary artery disease/myocardial infarction, heart failure, and stroke plateaued. SCD-related mortality associated with opioids/stimulants overdose significantly increased over the entire study period. SCD-related mortality among early adults has increased over the last 2 decades in the United States with notable racial and regional disparities.

Optimization of Rural Residential Areas in Flood Detention Basins Based on Dual Minimum Accumulation Resistance Model: A Case Study of Xun County in Central China

Optimizing rural residential areas (RRAs) in environmentally fragile areas such as flood detention basins is of great significance for improving the human–land relationship and achieving sustainable rural development. This study took Xun County in central China as a case study, established a dual minimum cumulative resistance model (DMCR) that considered the dual factors of natural attributes and policy regulations to evaluate the optimization resistance of RRAs and determined the optimization directions and strategies accordingly. The main results are: (1) RRAs are relatively small and scattered, and there are spatial conflicts with policy regulations such as flood detention basin and urban development boundaries. (2) The spatial difference in optimization resistance of RRAS is higher in the central and northern towns and lower in the western and eastern towns. The factors with significant effects include policy resistance, location resistance, and production resistance. (3) The optimization of RRAs is divided into three directions: annexation or evacuation, consolidation and improvement, and clustering and upgrading, with their respective area proportions of 31.17%, 48.12%, and 20.72%. (4) RRAs in the direction of clustering and upgrading allow for moderate expansion; RRAs in the direction of consolidation and improvement achieve smart reduction through the renovation of homesteads; RRAs in the direction of annexation or evacuation are gradually integrated into the urban area in the suburbs and completely demolished in the outer suburbs.

Unemployment as a Consequence of the Liquidation of State Agricultural Farms in 1991-2003

State Agricultural Farms (SAF) were liquidated on the basis of an act adopted in 1991. During the work on the act, the focus was exclusively on issues related to ownership and economic transformations, while the social consequences were not taken into account. SAF employees, especially agricultural workers, constituted a specific, historically shaped socio-professional group characterized by relatively low education and narrow professional qualifications. The aim of article is to identify the genesis of social problems in post-statehood areas, especially unemployment and its regional variation. The source base of the study is mainly the Reports of the Agricultural Property Agency of the State Treasury and sociological research reports carried out in post-statehood areas. The main finding of the research is that policy decisions to abolish state farms were made without taking into account their specific characteristics and territorial distribution. Their mentality was shaped by the nature of work and everyday life, which was entirely connected with the workplace. The workplace organized most of the living and social matters for employees and their families. After the liquidation of the State Agricultural Farms, employees were unable to find their place on the –labour market. Large-area farms established on the basis of the former SAFs radically limited employment, and the lack of appropriate skills and limited demand for labour outside agriculture worsened the situation of blue collar workers in particular. Regional differences were of particular importance for the scale of unemployment – where SAFs dominated, the unemployment problem persists even three decades after their liquidation, although it no longer concerns only former SAF employees, but all residents of former SAF areas.

DIAGNOSTIC INVESTIGATION OF AMERICAN ROBINS (TURDUS MIGRATORIUS) WITH FATAL ETHYLENE GLYCOL TOXICOSIS AND CONCURRENT PLASMODIUM SPP. INFECTION WITH RETROSPECTIVE REVIEW OF 44 YEARS OF DIAGNOSTIC DATA.

We describe a mortality event involving at least 44 adult American robins (Turdus migratorius) that were found dead on the morning of February 25, 2023 in a residential backyard in Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana. Five carcasses were submitted for diagnostic evaluation. All five robins were in good nutritional and feather condition with no external indicators of injury or illness. Grossly, kidneys were diffusely pale in all robins and 4/5 also had splenomegaly. Consistent histologic lesions included severe, multifocal to coalescing, renal tubular degeneration and necrosis with intraluminal, birefringent calcium oxalate crystals and calcified concretions. Toxicologic testing revealed a markedly elevated calcium concentration (10,000 parts per million) in a pooled kidney sample. Collectively, these findings support a diagnosis of ethylene glycol toxicosis. Ethylene glycol, an ingredient in antifreeze, is a hazardous toxicant in domestic and wild animals living in residential areas, although confirmed reports in songbirds are scarce. In the present case, the circumstances of ethylene glycol exposure are unknown but most likely anthropogenic in origin. Additionally, splenomegaly prompted molecular testing, which detected Plasmodium unalis in three robins and P. vaughani in one robin. Both Plasmodium spp. can infect a wide range of hosts, and although infections likely were subclinical, their detection raises awareness of their potential pathogenicity in wild birds. This mortality event underscores the need to recognize health risks posed by environmental contaminants and vector-borne pathogens to wildlife, and reinforces that wildlife, especially peridomestic species, can serve as sentinels for risks to domestic animal and human health.

The Green Heart Project: Objectives, Design, and Methods.

The Green Heart Project is a controlled, community-based clinical trial to evaluate the effects of increasing greenery on community health. The study was initiated in 2018 in a low-to-middle-income residential area of nearly 30,000 racially diverse residents in Louisville, KY. Community engagement was maintained throughout the project, with feedback integrated into its design and implementation. Based on land use, demographics, and greenness in the area, we designated 8 paired clusters of demographically- and environmentally matched "target" (T) and adjacent "control" (C) areas (total of 16 clusters). Levels of ultrafine particles, ozone, and nitrogen oxides were measured in each cluster. In-person exams were conducted for 735 participants in Wave 1 (2018-2019) and 545 participants in Wave 2 (2021). Blood, urine, nail, and hair samples were collected to evaluate cardiovascular risk, inflammation, stress, and pollutant exposure. Demographic and psychosocial data were collected as well. Cardiovascular function was assessed by measuring arterial stiffness and flow-mediated dilation. After Wave 2, more than 8,000 mature, mostly evergreen, trees and shrubs were planted in the T clusters. Post planting data were collected during Wave 3 (2022) from 561 participants. We plan to follow changes in area characteristics and participant health to evaluate the long-term impact of the greening intervention.

Assessing Corruption in Times of Crisis: Empirical Evidence from Greece

&lt;p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12.0pt;"&gt;&lt;span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: 'Cambria',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"&gt;The goal of this paper is to provide an overall presentation of corruption as occupational fraud building on the findings of an empirical study conducted in Greece. As uncertainty leads to increased levels of corruption, Greece was chosen due to the prolonged period of uncertainty the county faces, caused by the 2010 financial crisis and followed by the Covid pandemic crisis. 400 questionnaires reviewing corruption perception were gathered and analyzed by gender, age, marital status, education level, position, occupation, and monthly income, as well as urban vs rural area of residence. The findings of the study were compared with and critically evaluated against those of the previous studies for Greece. Respondents in age group 36-49 believe that if appropriate measures are taken it is possible to tackle corruption in the public sector, in contrast to people aged 18-35 who disagree completely. Residents of rural areas do not consider corruption to be a serious problem and are more willing to whistleblowing (in contrast to residents of urban areas). The study findings have important practical implications in the context of designing effective corruption reduction policies.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

Shamanism with a drum among the Khanty of the Surgut Ob River region in the beginning of the 21st century

The area of this research is confined to the Surgut Ob River region and includes the western and central areas of residence of the Eastern Khanty. The purpose of this work is to summarize and analyse information about the current state of shamanism with a tambourine among the Surgut Khanty. The main sources for the study were the author's field materials collected in 2002–2017 in the regions along the rivers of Lyamin, Pim, Tromyegan, Agan, Bolshoy and Maly Yugan. The uniqueness of the situation among the Surgut Khanty lies in the fact that the tradi-tional rituals, which received a second wind in the 1990s in the wake of the actualization of ethnicity, in fact, were not interrupted. Among the traditional rites of the region, shamanism with a tambourine is one of the little-studied aspects of their spiritual culture. The article characterizes the current state of shamanic rituals with a tambourine, indicates the area of distribution of these practices, considers examples of making a tambourine and the formation of a sha-manic gift, makes a description of the formal side and indicates the presently recorded occasions for the ritual. The differences between shamanism with a tambourine among the Khanty of the right bank and the left bank of the Ob River are revealed, and some aspects of shamanism are compared with those of the neighbouring ethnic groups.

Uso irregular de protetor solar e fatores associados em adultos e idosos: estudo de base populacional no Sul do Brasil

Introduction: The southern region leads skin cancer statistics in Brazil, with multiple factors related to this predisposition. Ultraviolet radiation is the main modifiable risk factor, and regular use of sunscreens has proven effective in reducing risk. Despite this, the prevalence of irregular sunscreen use has been higher than desired. Objective: To evaluate the association between irregular sunscreen use and sociodemographic, behavioral, and health characteristics in adults and older individuals. Method: A cross-sectional population-based study conducted in 2019 with adult residents in the urban area of Criciúma, state of Santa Catarina, Brazil. The outcome variable was irregular use of sunscreens. Exposure variables included sex, age, skin color, education, income, paid work, smoking, household registration in a Primary Health Care unit, access to supplementary health insurance, preventive medical and dental visits in the last year, walking in leisure time, commuting on foot or by bicycle, sufficient physical activity, personal history of cancer of any organ and the skin. To assess the association between irregular sunscreen use and these variables, crude and adjusted analyses were performed using Poisson Regression with a significance level of 5%. Results: In total, 820 individuals were studied. The prevalence of irregular sunscreen use was 52.8%. Factors associated with an increased prevalence of irregular sunscreen use were: male sex (PR 1.57; 95%CI 1.39-1.77), smoking (PR 1.19; 95%CI 1.03-1.37), being 60 years or older (PR 1.62; 95%CI 1.26-2.09), and lower education (inverse linear trend: p&lt;0.001). On the other hand, having supplementary health insurance (PR 0.84; 95%CI 0.71-0.99) and walking in leisure time (PR 0.76; 95%CI 0.64-0.90) were protective factors. Conclusion: This study allowed us to identify the profile of individuals at higher risk of irregular sunscreen use, representing a potential health benefit by better targeting strategies for preventing skin cancer in older populations and adults.

The potential of alternative water sources for potable water savings in Ukraine's residential areas

Universal access to safe drinking water is not only a fundamental need but also a basic human right. Water reuse and rainwater harvesting systems provide essential technical alternatives for water supply management. There are several alternative water sources available for reuse after some needed treatment: rainwater, stormwater, greywater, drainage water etc. The integration of on-site non-potable water reuse enhances the environmental goals of a green building by lowering the consumption of potable water and decreasing the volume of storm-water and wastewater that must be sent to the City's Wastewater Treatment Plants for treatment. The purpose of the article is to analyze two approaches for partially replacing tap water (rainwater harvesting and treated greywater reuse), to compare the constructive characteristics of these systems and calculate annual volume the potential water savings in Ukraine's residential areas using each option. Both methods offer sustainable solutions to alleviate water scarcity but differ significantly in construction, application, and operational mechanisms. For a comparative analysis of the two indicated alternative sources, are present the constructive features of water supply in the context of rainwater collection and use, and greywater. The volume of greywater generated in low-rise residential areas and rainwater that can be harvested from roofs was counted using Ukranian normative documents. The result shows at a building density of 0.4, the greywater volume is 1.45 times greater than that of rainwater; at a density of 0.54, it is 1.49 times greater under Ukraine's maximum annual precipitation of 750 mm. With comprehensive water recycling systems, it is possible to reduce freshwater demand by approximately 30% through greywater reuse and by around 10% with rainwater harvesting. These savings offer both economic and environmental benefits, making water recycling especially advantageous for water-scarce regions seeking to mitigate the impacts of climate change.

TRANSFORMATION OF THE GARDEN CITY CONCEPT IN KHARKIV IN THE FIRST THIRD OF THE 20TH CENTURY

This study explores the evolution of the garden city concept through examples found in the Kharkiv region, examining how socio-cultural and socio-political factors influenced their development. By analyzing little-known settlements in the Kharkiv region from the first third of the 20th century, the research demonstrates how the garden city concept was gradually transformed into the idea of a socialist city. The article outlines four distinct stages in the development of Kharkiv’s residential areas, marking the shift from a garden city to a socialist city framework. A central focus of the study is the need to reconsider both the garden city and socialist city models when planning the development of current urban structures. Emphasis is placed on the importance of aligning these models with strategies rooted in sustainable development. The knowledge of these historical urban concepts is particularly relevant today as we seek new approaches to decentralizing settlements and production, especially in the context of Ukraine's post-war reconstruction efforts. The research suggests that these urban models could play an important role in revitalizing the cooperative movement, enabling self-financing communities to rebuild and expand existing settlements in a way that promotes sustainability and long-term prosperity. By applying the principles of the garden Ukraine can foster decentralized, sustainable, and independent communities, laying the foundation for a more positive and resilient future. This approach could help address contemporary challenges by blending historical urban planning insights with modern needs for sustainable growth and community resilience. Keywords: Kharkiv, Garden City, Socialist City, Sustainable Development.

OPTIMALISASI BUFFER ZONE SEBAGAI PENGAMAN PERMUKIMAN DI SEKITAR DEPO TANGKI BAHAN BAKAR MINYAK PT. PERTAMINA PLUMPANG, JAKARTA

The fuel storage tanks in Plumpang, North Jakarta, owned by PT. Pertamina Tbk. initially had a land area of ​​153 hectares, with the use of 71 hectares as an operational area and the rest as a buffer zone. However, the buffer zone changed its function to a residential area as a place of residence and economic activities for the community which became increasingly dense accompanied by issues of land ownership status. The Plumpang fuel storage tanks fire incident that occurred several times which caused loss of life and property, is a reminder of the importance of a buffer zone that serves as a separating space between areas at risk of flammable material disasters and residential areas. This paper is the result of research on the analysis of the optimization of land requirements for the Plumpang fuel storage tanks buffer zone, by applying quantitative descriptive methods and spatial mapping of the area using Arcgis software, with reference to fuel depot safety standards. It requires the acquisition of 5.2 hectares of land as a buffer zone area in the form of a safe distance from the safety fence wall, construction of a ditch that functions as an accident pool, and re-arrangement of settlements directly adjacent to the buffer zone.

Post-COVID-19 Trends in Dental Emergencies: A Two-Year Retrospective Study from Romania

Background/Objectives: Dental emergencies significantly impact public oral health, particularly in the post-COVID-19 context. This study aimed to analyze the patterns of dental emergencies presenting to the Emergency Dental Service in Bihor, Romania, during the years 2022 and 2023, focusing on demographic characteristics and the frequency of diagnoses. Methods: A retrospective analysis of medical records from the Emergency Dental Service at Oradea County Emergency Clinical Hospital was conducted. Inclusion criteria encompassed patients presenting with dental emergencies during the specified period. Data regarding demographics, diagnoses, and living environments were collected and statistically analyzed. Results: A total of 4769 patients were analyzed, with acute pulpitis (39.2%, n = 1869) and acute apical periodontitis (37.5%, n = 1788) identified as the most common diagnoses. The study population included 52.3% males and 47.7% females, with a larger proportion residing in urban areas (58.0%) compared with rural areas (42.0%). Significant age-related patterns were evident: pulpitis was more common among patients aged 10–39 years, trauma was associated with patients aged 0–9 years, and gingival infections were prevalent in the 70–79 age group. Diagnoses also varied by dentition type, with abscesses, caries, trauma, and rhizolysis occurring more frequently in deciduous teeth, while pulpitis and post-extraction alveolitis were predominant in permanent teeth. However, no statistically significant differences were found in diagnosis frequency between genders or between rural and urban patients, indicating equitable access to emergency services across environments. Conclusions: The findings underscore the need for targeted interventions in pediatric populations to address early childhood caries, which remains a significant burden. Enhanced public health strategies and preventive education are essential to mitigate the prevalence of dental emergencies, particularly in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Build the New City as Fast as Possible”: Speculation as Subsistence in Peri‐Urban Myanmar

AbstractThis article examines an ambitious plan to construct a built‐from‐scratch new city outside Yangon, Myanmar and sheds light on the contradictory responses sparked by rapid urban expansion. Despite fears that this megaproject would threaten the region's way of life, hopes for the new city's construction remained high throughout the project's early phases. Residents of areas targeted for development went so far as to publicly demand the city be built “as fast as possible”. In this article, I highlight the gap between residents’ pro‐project enthusiasm and the expectations of civil society activists and development actors, who predicted locals would reject the planned new city. I argue that this divergence exposes the perceived limitations of solutions held out for populations facing de‐agrarianisation. Equally, it refocuses attention on how project‐affected populations envision their own post‐agrarian future. In doing so, I demonstrate how and why speculation on peri‐urban land has emerged as a compelling mode of subsistence for even the poor among the region's landowning class.

Causes and Effects of Psychoactive Substance Abuse Among the Youth in Zimbabwe: The Case of Makokoba High Density Suburb, Bulawayo

Psychoactive substance abuse has become a pandemic in most parts of the globe. This study sought to assess the contributory factors and impacts of psychoactive substance abuse among the youth in Makokoba—a high-density residential area in Zimbabwe’s second largest city, Bulawayo. A mixed methods research design was used on a sample of 122 respondents who were invited to participate in the study. Data were gathered using questionnaires and semi-structured in-depth interviews. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25 was used to analyse quantitative data, while the qualitative component was analysed using thematic analysis. Findings revealed peer pressure, broken homes, poor parental care, and poverty as the main causes of psychoactive substance abuse among the youth. Development of health problems, violent behaviour, disrespect for the elderly, and teenage pregnancies were considered as the major effects of psychoactive substance abuse. Given the roles that peer pressure and the family environment played in psychoactive substance abuse among the youth, the study recommends family and community-based measures. Close monitoring at the family level in educational and religious institutions as well as socio-economic development are the key prescriptive measures recommended by this study.

ACADEMIC PROCRASTINATION OF ADOLESCENTS IN RELATION TO ACADEMIC SATISFACTION

The main objectives of the study were, to assess the academic procrastination and academic satisfaction of adolescents and to examine if there exists any significant difference in the mean score of academic procrastination and academic satisfaction of adolescents on the basis of gender, locale of school, residential area, educational qualification of parents and type of school. For this study, the Normative-survey method was followed. Academic Procrastination scale and Academic satisfaction scale were used to collect the data for this study. The researcher used Simple Random Sampling Technique for the selection of the sample. The sample consisted of 801 higher secondary students. The appropriate statistical techniques were employed to analyze the data. The main findings show that the academic procrastination of adolescents is high and the academic satisfaction of adolescents is low.