Distribution patterns and driving mechanisms of antibiotic resistance genes and virulence factor genes under the urbanization gradient.

Ubiquitous and remarkable tire-derived chemicals (TDCs) contamination in road-related environmental receptors across the Tibetan plateau.

Rural/urban and racial disparities in receipt of family preservation services: An intersectional examination.

Exploring a health effect sensitivity distribution method for deriving microplastic toxicity thresholds: Application to microplastic risk assessment of school-aged children in Pudong, Shanghai.

Serving as a bridge between community members and the healthcare system, community health workers (CHWs) play a vital role in addressing health inequities within their communities. Research on CHWs, particularly in suburban contexts, remains limited. This study aims to identify the challenges faced by diverse, low-income suburban residents in Long Island, New York, United States, through the perspectives of the CHWs who serve these communities. Data were collected through demographic surveys and semi-structured interviews with 10 CHWs working in Long Island, New York, from April 2024 to September 2024. Interview transcripts were coded and analyzed for themes and sub-themes using Atlas.ti software. Three main themes emerged from the interview analysis: structural barriers and access, psychosocial and emotional well-being, and navigating systems. CHWs identified several challenges faced by diverse, low-income residents, including transportation, housing, food insecurity, emotional support, mental health resource navigation, immigration, and cultural barriers. CHWs addressed these challenges in various ways, primarily by connecting clients to resources, building relationships with them, and participating in the development of necessary programs and services. Diverse, low-income suburban residents face numerous challenges that put them at risk for poor health outcomes and reduced quality of life. Community Health Workers (CHWs) have played a crucial role in assisting residents in navigating these challenges, although they have also faced difficulties in the process. Organizations serving these residents should develop improved CHWs resources to effectively meet community needs.

The sustainable transition in transport is a key area of action in the fight against climate change. Although there is a great deal of knowledge about the socio-technical transition (STT) in urban transport, less is known about these processes in urban peripheries. This paper provides new knowledge about the transition dynamics in suburban transport regimes. It applies the Multi-Level Perspective (MLP) approach, a mixed-methods research design and an interpretive analysis of qualitative interviews with suburban residents and decision-makers. The empirical case is a suburban town in the Berlin metropolitan region, which is contrasted with an urban district in Berlin. The paper reveals that the shift towards low-carbon modes of transport is much less advanced in the suburban area. Despite the availability of alternatives, cars with combustion engines remain dominant in suburban transport. In addition to infrastructural and socio-structural factors, a distinct suburban state of mind, characterized by values such as independence and privacy, poses an obstacle to stronger transition. The paper suggests that transition processes in transport vary systematically between different types of area. It advocates greater spatial sensitivity in MLP and proposes ways to achieve this analytically.

ABSTRACT This study investigates barriers to help-seeking among crime victims across diverse geographic areas utilizing data from a statewide victim needs assessment survey (n = 1, 114). Among the 951 participants who attempted to access services, 78.8% experienced systematic barriers to formal services. Logistic regression analysis uncovered that those in suburban and rural areas experienced differences in systemic barriers to those in urban areas. Developing targeted outreach strategies, addressing specific barriers in different settings (e.g., transportation in rural areas, cultural competence in suburban areas), and tailoring service delivery models to meet the diverse needs of crime victims, including diverse and immigrant populations, are crucial.

ABSTRACT As suburban conservation areas expand globally, understanding drivers of community tourism engagement is increasingly vital. By embedding relative deprivation within the prism of sustainability framework, this study investigates residents’ tourism participation intention in Jiuzhenshan National Forest Park, where a former mega-event facility was repurposed for tourism. Using a four-stage mixed-method design, we first applied Random Forest to identify key predictors of participation intention, then employed structure equation modeling (SEM) to test directional relationships among sustainability perceptions, relative deprivation, institutional trust, and residents’ tourism participation intention, and finally conducted interviews to explain underlying mechanisms. Results show that economic sustainability and spatial inclusion positively influence trust and satisfaction, while perceived relative deprivation exerts strong negative effects on trust and participation intention. Qualitative findings further reveal procedural injustice and emotional detachment from governance processes underpin residents’ disengagement, even in contexts where aggregate sustainability outcomes appear favourable. This integrated framework, combining machine learning, causal modelling, and qualitative insights, advances tourism sustainability research by highlighting the importance of spatial equity and trust-building in suburban protected areas. The study offers actionable implications for trust-building and inclusive governance in tourism development and legacy infrastructure reuse.

BackgroundThe general practitioner workforce (GPWF) is an important factor influencing primary care capacity. Many countries face GP shortages and substantial challenges in workforce development. However, the factors and mechanisms shaping GPWF development remain insufficiently understood.PurposeTo explore key challenges affecting GPWF development and their interrelationships in the primary care system of Beijing, China.MethodsBetween October and December 2024, directors and GPs from 18 community health centres were recruited using purposive sampling. Data were collected through a focus group discussion and in-depth interviews; thematic analysis was conducted in line with Merriam and Tisdell’s approach. A causal loop diagram (CLD) was then developed to identify and visualise dynamic relationships among factors influencing the GPWF development.ResultsThe participants comprised 10 directors and 8 GPs from urban and suburban areas, with a predominance of women and those holding senior professional titles. Participants had diverse educational and professional backgrounds. Three major themes were identified: (1) rising demand for GP services, (2) supply challenges in the GPWF, and (3) challenges to GPs’ professional sustainability. Across these themes, 12 subthemes and 10 key variables were identified. The CLD reflected participants’ perceptions of how these variables interacted and illustrated potential reinforcing interactions among them.ConclusionThe development of the GPWF in Beijing is constrained by multiple interrelated challenges. Addressing these challenges entails coordinated policy actions to strengthen workforce planning and training, enhance job attractiveness, improve the alignment between training and practice, and reinforce professional support and continuing professional development, thereby promoting the sustainability of the GPWF.

This cross-sectional study investigated the extent to which bullying, cyberbullying, and sexual harassment correlated with victimized students’ perception of school climate and whether perceived peer norms had an indirect effect on this relationship. Participants included 788 high school students (mean age = 15.46 years) from a suburban area in the Northeastern United States. Data were collected from the baseline of a pilot study of a bullying and sexual harassment intervention. Traditional bullying and cyberbullying victimization were negatively associated with perceptions of school climate, although sexual harassment victimization was not. Perceived peer norms had an indirect effect on the relation between traditional bullying and sexual harassment victimization and school climate, but not cyberbullying victimization. Findings suggest that practitioners should attend to school climate and perceptions of peer norms in their prevention efforts to prevent school violence. Limitations and future research directions are also discussed.

ABSTRACT How to see the future through the eyes of the children? Over the last twenty years, scholars have been exploring what children can and/or can not do to reduce climate risks. Recent spikes in academic work on the topic hasskewed towards the views that empowered children can be planetary guardians. Unfortunately, there is limited robust research documenting how boys and girls perceive climate risk management through longitudinal observation. Gender matters since childhood. Girls and boys see the world differently from adults. This exploratory study used photovoice methods, engaging 24 students in activities such as photo-taking, interviews, group discussions, and a photo exhibition over 12 months, from baseline to endline. The key questions include how children perceive climate change risk in urban, suburban, and rural areas of West Timor, using the longitudinal photovoice method. The findings are clustered into thematic analysis: (1) boys'/girls’ perception of risk management; (2) views on vulnerability reduction measures; and (3) sociocultural influence on girls’ and boys’ roles in climate risk management. The data suggests that sociocultural theory of traditional gender roles within families significantly influence how boys and girls perceive their roles and capabilities, and the need for multistakeholder collaborations to enhance disaster and climate change education for children and youth.

IntroductionThe cost of veterinary care is a significant concern for many pet owners. Despite the growing use of the internet for service-related information, there is limited research regarding the accessibility of veterinary pricing information on veterinary clinic websites.Materials and methodsTo address this gap, the present study investigated the transparency of online veterinary service pricing on websites for small animal clinics within the United States through a cross-sectional study design. The country was divided into four divisions based on the U.S. Census, with two randomly selected states selected from each division (Wyoming, California, Michigan, Illinois, Maine, New York, Florida, and Kentucky). Systematic random sampling within state was used to select five distinct zip codes, comprising of two urban, two rural, and one suburban area per Census definitions. The first five clinics within a specific zip code on Google Maps search results were included for analysis. Prices for routine dog and cat services were extracted from clinic websites. These included core vaccinations, sterilization procedures (spay and neuter surgeries), nail trims, dental procedures, and “Wellness Plans.”ResultsAlthough a maximum of five clinics per zip code were targeted, resulting in an estimated sample size of 200 clinics, some of the selected zip codes had fewer than five clinics, resulting in a final size of 177 clinics. Among these, 157 clinics (88.70%, 157/177) had websites available for review, demonstrating a high level of online presence. However, information on specific service pricing was sparse. Three clinics (1.91%, 3/157) provided pricing information for services on their websites. Similarly, only seven clinics (4.46%, 7/157) offered a Wellness Plan option for patients, 2/157 (1.27%) clinics mentioned insurance options, 13/157 (8.28%) clinics listed payment options such as CareCredit, Scratch pay, check, cash, and 14/157 (8.92%) clinics offered discounts such as free or reduced cost first visit fees.DiscussionThese findings highlight a substantial gap in online price transparency, underscoring the need for increased transparency to promote informed decision-making and trust between clients and veterinarians.

Shanghai is undergoing rapid population ageing, increasing demand for equitable community-based care. Government-led senior meal programs are a key local food-environment action to support healthy ageing in place, yet evidence on their effective service capability and spatial equity remains limited. This study estimated older residents' access to meal services using an improved Gaussian two-step floating catchment area (Ga2SFCA) model, integrating 2025 gridded population data (aged ≥ 60) with geocoded facility locations and district-level demographic calibration. Facility supply was parameterized as meals-per-session capacity under both policy-minimum and robustness scenarios. Overall inequality was assessed using the Gini coefficient, spatial clustering of supply-demand mismatch was examined using Local Moran's I, and public-commercial coordination was evaluated using the Local Colocation Quotient (LCLQ). Citywide inequality in per-capita meal-service capability was substantial (Gini = 0.619), demonstrating a pronounced urban-rural contrast. Capability was lower in central urban areas and adjacent neighborhoods, whereas suburban town centers exhibited relatively higher capability; nevertheless, peripheral service gaps persisted. Supply-demand mismatch showed significant spatial clustering. LCLQ results indicated greater spatial feasibility for government-guided commercial participation in central districts, while peri-urban areas demonstrated weaker coordination. Planning based solely on administrative coverage targets is insufficient. A capability-oriented framework is required, prioritizing joint public-commercial provision where spatial feasibility is high and targeted interventions in peripheral blind spots to improve equitable access for older residents.

ABSTRACT Urban temperature increases present significant challenges, necessitating the identification of key influencing factors and developing high-resolution temperature maps for effective climate analysis. This study constructs a 100 m-resolution near-surface air temperature map for Seoul, South Korea, by integrating “a distance decay regression selection strategy (ADDRESS)” with “regression Kriging (RK)” to enhance spatial temperature modeling. The analysis incorporates land use and land cover, building morphology, and geographical and topographical factors to determine the spatial influence range of each variable. The study uses smart Seoul urban data sensor (S-DoT) network data to ensure dense, spatially continuous observations, improving model accuracy. Results indicate that temperature influences vary across spatial extents, with green spaces, water bodies, and agricultural land exerting strong cooling effects, while built-environment factors such as gross floor area and building coverage ratio contribute to urban heat. While RK effectively reduces spatial bias in residuals, it does not significantly enhance numerical accuracy compared to the regression model. The final model achieved an RMSE of 0.4704°C and an MAE of 0.3517°C based on 20-fold cross-validation. These findings underscore the importance of optimal variable selection and spatial influence assessment in urban temperature modeling. The study provides valuable insights for urban planners and policymakers in mitigating urban heat and identifying heat-vulnerable regions. However, limitations such as incomplete airflow representation and data gaps in suburban areas remain. Future research should incorporate additional environmental factors, such as shading effects and wind dynamics, and expand sensor coverage to improve predictive accuracy.

A cross-sectional analysis of disparities in neighborhood physical activity environments across the urban-rural Spectrum in the contiguous United States.

Local energy exchange can unlock synergistic potentials of variable renewables, sector-coupling technologies, and operational flexibility. Understanding the optimal operation and satisfactory cost-benefit allocation between participants is especially challenging due to the complex interaction. This work presents an open-source, operation and investment optimization model for energy communities with electricity- and heat trading. Internal payments according to competitive- and cooperative (game theoretic) principles are compared. The case study for analyzing potential benefits is a suburban town with high renewable energy potentials, residential-, and commercial participants, and technologies - e.g., generation, storage, and demand-side management. The results present a viable case for multi-sectoral energy communities, in which external costs are reduced by 23% with electricity trading, and by 33% with additional heat exchange. With the integrated operation, self-consumption of variable renewables increases by 12%. Energy import and associated emissions decrease by less than 10% as natural gas is still relevant for space heating. Nevertheless, the higher value of heat pumps paves the way for further adoption and lowering fuel imports. Every participant profits from the local exchange after the allocation. Therefore, individual rationality is preserved. However, households benefit more under a cooperative principle, whereas revenues for CHP and wind generation are higher under a competitive scheme. The findings are relevant to the policy and composition design, e.g., the marginal savings in homogeneous settings reveal the importance of inclusivity and technology openness.

Residential community-based quantitative risk assessment of rainfall-induced loess landslides for the suburban residential areas of Chengguan district in Lanzhou city with an innovative framework

Dietary supplements (DS) are increasingly used in pet care, yet their use in cats remains underexplored, particularly in Southeast Asia. Understanding owner motivations, usage patterns and perceptions is essential for informing veterinary guidance and regulatory policies. This study aims to investigate the prevalence, usage patterns and associated factors of DS use for pet cats among Malaysian cat owners, while comparing perceptions between users and nonusers. A cross-sectional online survey was conducted from March to April 2024 among Malaysian cat owners aged ≥18 years. A structured, content-validated questionnaire assessed sociodemographics, DS usage, perceptions and decision-making. Descriptive statistics, Chi-squared tests and univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to examine factors associated with DS use. Among 352 respondents, 58.0% reported administering DS to their cats, with multivitamins (73.0%), omega-3 fatty acids (37.3%), probiotics (26.5%) and fibre supplements (22.1%) being the most common. Key motivations included health maintenance (81.9%) and disease prevention (62.3%). In multivariate logistic regression, DS use was more likely among female owners, those aged 30-39 years, suburban and urban residents, owners of four or more cats and those who had owned cats for more than 5 years. Veterinarians (68.6%) and social media (64.7%) were major information sources. While most users perceived DS as beneficial and accessible, nonusers cited product quality, safety concerns and cost as major barriers. DS use for cats is widespread among Malaysian owners, and selected sociodemographic and ownership characteristics are independently associated with use. Nevertheless, concerns about quality, safety and professional oversight persist. Greater regulatory scrutiny, public education and veterinary-pharmacist collaboration are needed to ensure responsible supplement practices and protect feline health.

Time-to-Treatment Effects of Sociodemographic Patient Factors in Early-Stage Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.

Recent research revealed that city dwelling coyotes select den sites regardless of proximity to human development and showed that attacks were most frequent near dens and in the denning months. Denning in human-dominated landscapes likely favors human and coyote encounters during pup rearing, yet den site selection can vary across urban contexts with different green-space configurations. Here, we used resource selection functions to analyze den site selection in suburban areas of the Chicago Metropolitan Area and investigate whether similar selection patterns are exhibited by the species when urban forests are comparatively abundant. Our conditional regression functions compared used and available den sites and revealed a marked preference for forested sites and avoidance of developed ones. Our results did not support any effect of wetlands, open natural land cover or agriculture on den site selection. Selection patterns for forests were exhibited at the local (30 meters around den site) and patch scale (200 meters around den site), but patch scale models had better performance at predicting den site use indicating that selection likely happens at a wider scale. These results indicate that coyotes preferentially den in forested patches and avoid developed areas in cities where sufficient forest cover exists, suggesting that urban forests may reduce human-coyote conflict in cities. Whether these patterns causally translate into differences in conflict rates will require linking den distributions with human activity and conflict report data across a gradient of forest cover in anthropogenic landscapes.