Suburban Research Articles

Comparative Microplastic Analysis in Urban Waters Using μ-FTIR And Py-GC-MS: A Case Study in Amsterdam

The contamination of freshwater with microplastics (MPs) has been established globally. While the analysis of MPs has predominantly involved spectroscopic methods for revealing particle numbers, the potential of employing spectroscopy for mass estimation has been underutilized. Consequently, there is a need to enhance our understanding of the mass loads of MPs and ensure the complementarity and comparability of various techniques for accurate quantification. This study presents the first comparative results on urban water samples using micro Fourier-transform infrared (μ-FTIR) imaging and pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (Py-GC-MS) to identify and quantify MPs in both particle numbers and mass concentration. Two sampling campaigns in summer and winter were conducted at 11 locations within the Amsterdam canal network. An advanced in-situ volume-reducing sampling pump was employed to collect MPs from the surface water within the size fraction of 10-300 μm. The analysis revealed MP concentrations within the range of 16 -107 MP/m3, estimated to be 2.0-789 μg/m3 by μ-FTIR imaging and 8.5-754 μg/m3 by Py-GC-MS. The results of the two analysis techniques showed good comparability in terms of the general trends of MP abundances, with variations in polymer compositions due to the inherent inter-methodological differences. Elevated MP concentrations were observed in the city center compared to the suburban areas. In addition, seasonal differences in MP abundances were noted at the locations with high human activity.

Beyond built environment: Unveiling the interplay of streetscape perceptions and cycling behavior

As an important means of shared micro-mobility, shared bicycles have become a crucial component of urban transportation in China. The impact of the built environment on bicycling has been widely acknowledged. However, can streetscape perceptions influence bicycle-sharing volume (BSV) and supplement the built environment? We first obtained millions of pieces of shared-cycling data from the Shenzhen Open Data Platform and carried out geographical quantification of BSV. As for streetscape, we improved the classification of subjective streetscape perception based on street view images using the k-means clustering algorithm and conducted predictions using XGBoost. Through the application of different regression models, we unveiled the nonlinear spatial interdependencies between BSV and streetscape perceptions as a complement to the built environment. Our findings indicate that greenery, vivid street-front facades, and diverse street facilities can promote BSV. Targeted strategies are proposed for different districts. For instance, urban planners can provide incentives for high-income groups in central urban areas to adopt active travel, and increase the supply of shared bicycles in suburban areas with high building density, particularly in industrial urban villages. As a supplement to the long-term planning recommendations derived from the macro-built environment analysis, an in-depth spatial perception quantitative assessment proffers a human-centric, flexible blueprint for urban street design.

Innovative On-Demand Transit for First-Mile Trips: A Cutting-Edge Approach

As a result of the lack of access to efficient public transit in suburban areas, residents often have to use their own vehicles to commute either within the area, to neighboring regions, or to a public transit hub (PTH). Thanks to information and communication technologies, on-demand transit (ODT) is a potential solution being proposed and considered by transit agencies. Although ODT has shown the potential to enhance transit level of service, its efficiency depends on different parameters such as demand spatial and temporal distribution or the configuration of the service. In this study, we propose a novel configuration for an ODT service and apply it to the first part of a commuter’s trip, or the commuter’s “first mile.” The proposed configuration depends on the availability of smart devices installed at bus stops. Passengers request their rides via smart devices and receive real-time and personalized information about their ride requests to travel to a PTH. The proposed ODT service is modeled with the Simulation of Urban Mobility or SUMO simulation framework. To evaluate the performance of the ODT service, it is applied to the city of Terrebonne in Quebec, Canada. The proposed service is compared with existing bus transit operating in the area as well as a door-to-PTH service. The results of the comparison analysis reveal that the proposed ODT service may result in a significant 36% reduction in total travel time as well as a 41% reduction in detour time compared with the existing bus transit service. A detailed sensitivity analysis is also conducted to capture the impacts of different parameters, variables, and dispatching algorithms on the service performance.

Reimagining Healthcare: What an Ideal Healthcare System Looks Like for Transgender and Nonbinary Individuals

Research is clear that transgender and nonbinary (TNB) individuals face a myriad of barriers accessing and participating in the healthcare system and these barriers often lead to negative health outcomes. In this study, in collaboration with the largest statewide LGBTQ+ advocacy organization, we conducted seven focus groups with TNB individuals representing urban, suburban, and rural areas to assess what the ideal health system would look like. From these focus groups, four themes were identified: (a) addressing discrimination and invisibility in healthcare and healthcare provider training, (b) access to care, (c) medical cost and insurance, and (d) access to resources and information. Several subthemes were identified under each main category.

Adolescents’ attitudes, habits, identity and social support in relation to physical activity after the COVID-19 pandemic

This study focuses on adolescents’ cognitive processes, behaviors and social support (SS) as they relate to physical activity (PA) before and after the pandemic. The aims of the study were: (1) to investigate the changes in adolescents’ engagement in moderate and vigorous physical activity (MVPA), and examine the changes in PA-related attitudes and behaviors before and after the COVID-19 pandemic; (2) to analyze the correlations between the significant changes that were found, PA engagement, and SS. The survey targeted third-year middle school students of Italian nationality, attending male and female mixed classes, residents in urban, periphery and sub-urban areas, living in families with different incomes, and different habits of engaging in PA. A longitudinal study was developed using a standardized questionnaire. The questionnaire was administered in April–May 2023 to a sample of 952 students aged 11/14 residing in the Marche region in Central Italy. Increasing values were found in the post-COVID-19 phase for all the cognitive processes and attitudes, in particular, those regarding habits (0.66 vs 0.50, + 32%) and identity (0.70 vs 0.55, + 27%) related to PA. Significant correlations were found between these values and VPA engagement and between the values of the same indicators and SS (p < 0.01). The strongest relationship was found with the dimension of identity (r = 0.51; r = 054).

Free-range poultry farming in a lowland suburban area increased the health risk of heavy metal contamination

Free-range poultry farming in a lowland suburban area increased the health risk of heavy metal contamination

Simultaneous optimization of network and fares for self-financing public transportation system

The public transportation system in densely populated areas is often managed as a self-financing system due to fare passenger revenues. In a self-financing system, the network structure and the monetary fare mutually interact; therefore, it is efficient to design both simultaneously. We developed an optimization model that endogenously determines the bus network and fares to maximize the total social surplus of the region. In this study, we conducted numerical applications of the model to a public transportation system around a railroad station in a metropolitan suburb area. The results showed that the optimal network topology changes with the scale of demand, and network shape significantly alters the optimal fare structure. Three types of virtual regions were examined to illustrate optimal fares.

Forecasting the Exceedances of PM2.5 in an Urban Area

Forecasting the Exceedances of PM2.5 in an Urban Area

Are we underestimating inner-megacity energy poverty in developing countries? Evidence from 2054 households in beijing, China

The prevalence of poverty and inequality in megacities often manifests as high levels of energy poverty and disparities in household energy consumption. A comprehensive survey of 2054 households in Beijing was conducted in 2023 to examine the dynamics of energy poverty within such an urban settings. As one of the world's most influential megacities, Beijing offers a distinct and insightful case study for understanding energy poverty in a rapidly urbanizing global context. Utilizing the 10 % and low-cost/high-income (LIHC) methods, we estimated that the energy poverty rate in Beijing ranges between 16.07 % and 17.53 %, with the highest rates observed in suburban areas. In addition, we explored the spatial differences in energy poverty and the root causes. Our research reveals a significant correlation between economic and geographical factors and the spatial distribution of energy poverty. Furthermore, our findings suggest that larger populations tend to be associated with reduced disparities in energy poverty across different areas. Therefore, we suggest promoting the use of energy-efficient installations, implementing time-sensitive heating systems, and providing electricity and hygienic cooking facilities.

Exploring Redevelopment and Police Presence in Bushwick, Brooklyn, Using Photovoice Methodology

The relationship between redevelopment and police presence is demonstrated in many neighborhoods by the influx of new residentsfrom suburban or rural areas and shifts in police response. As property values increase, police may prioritize order maintenance policing, also known as "broken windows" policing (Beck, 2020, p.247). This is disproportionately felt by Black and Brown residents who often suffer the consequences of rising costs, displacement, increased surveillance, and police presence. This paper explores the relationship between urban redevelopment and policing in one of the most popular neighborhoods in the borough of Brooklyn–Bushwick. As a socialwork researcher of color, I want to share the narratives that often go overlooked. I felt secure and empowered to conduct research and report my findings as a community member who is seeking to support and collaborate with my community. Photovoice allows me to do just this by highlighting the daily realities in my neighborhood. However, having more voices from long-term community members is imperative and will be essential in further exploration of this topic. Keywords: gentrification, redevelopment, policing, police presence, Bushwick, Brooklyn, New York City, photovoice, etc.

Nitrate formation mechanisms causing high concentration of PM2.5 in a residential city with low anthropogenic emissions during cold season

During the cold season in South Korea, NO3− concentrations are known to significantly increase, often causing PM2.5 to exceed air quality standards. This study investigated the formation mechanisms of NO3− in a suburban area with low anthropogenic emissions. The average PM2.5 was 25.3 μg m−3, with NO3− identified as the largest contributor. Ammonium-rich conditions prevailed throughout the study period, coupled with low atmospheric temperature facilitating the transfer of gaseous HNO3 into the particulate phase. This result indicates that the formation of HNO3 played a crucial role in determining particulate NO3− concentration. Nocturnal increases in NO3− were observed alongside increasing ozone (O3) and relative humidity (RH), emphasizing the significance of heterogeneous reactions involving N2O5. NO3− concentrations at the study site were notably higher than in Seoul, the upwind metropolitan area, during a high concentration episode. This difference could potentially attributed to lower local NO concentrations, which enhanced the reaction between O3 and NO2, to produce NO3 radicals. High concentrations of Cl− and dust were also identified as contributors to the elevated NO3− concentrations.

Wind-urban structure interplay in PM2.5 variation: Insights from multi-seasonal mobile air quality campaign

The health risks associated with particulate matter pollution (PM2.5) highlight the importance of comprehending key drivers of its spatial and temporal variability. While explanatory modeling is widely used for statistical inference in such applications, the role of wind variables (speed, direction) and their interplay with built environment are often overlooked. This study addresses this gap through a mobile air quality campaign in a suburban area over 10 days for each of three distinct seasons. We developed four innovative wind-based buffers to account for the wind factors and assess the impact of LiDAR-derived 3D built environment structure on PM2.5 variability at local and regional scales. Our second objective is to assess the predictive capabilities of wind-based variables. Results indicate that in our low-elevation, low-rise building study area, the built environment does not emerge as a significant factor, contrary to findings in larger, denser urban areas. Wind direction proves more effective in capturing concentration fluctuations than wind speed, and its interaction with pollution source orientation can change pollution dynamics. This study introduces new insights and methodologies for incorporating wind-related factors into the analysis of air pollution dynamics, offering opportunities for further investigation in various urban settings.

Temporal and regional trends of case-fatality in patients hospitalized with acute respiratory distress syndrome in Germany

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements None. Aims Significant progress has been made in understanding the pathophysiology of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). However, ARDS it is still a life-threatening medical condition with a high mortality rate. Little is known about temporal trends and regional variations in Germany. Methods We analyzed data on the characteristics, comorbidities and in-hospital outcomes for all hospitalized patients with ARDS in Germany between 2005 and 2019. Diagnoses were coded according to the International Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, 10th Revision with German Modification (ICD-10-GM), and diagnostic, surgical or interventional procedures according to the German Procedure Classification (OPS, surgery and procedures codes. The computed study analyses were performed on our behalf by the Research Data Center of the Federal Statistical Office and the Statistical Offices of the federal states in Wiesbaden, Germany. Results Overall, 8,369,723 inpatients aged ≥18 years were included in this analysis; among these, 155,872 (1.9%) were codes with the diagnosis of ARDS. The annual number of ARDS cases increased from 7,286 in 2005 to 13,722 in 2019 in parallel with a significant decrease of in-hospital mortality. Overall, 74,751 (48.0%) patients with ARDS died during the in-hospital stay and in-hospital case-fatality grew exponentially with age. Independent predictors of in-hospital fatality with an OR &amp;gt;2 were age ≥70 years, necessity of ECMO, severe liver disease, acute renal failure, dialysis, shock and cardio-pulmonary resuscitation. Most patients with ARDS were treated in hospitals in urban areas (n=56,582) with a high case-fatality rate (49.7%), but also with concomitant high proportion rate of mechanical ventilation (23.7%) compared to hospitals in suburban or rural areas. Conclusion The number of patients with ARDS increased markedly in Germany between 2005 and 2019, in parallel with a decrease of in-hospital fatality. Our findings may suggest that general management of ARDS have improved over time and might draw more attention to predictors for in-hospital fatality in patients hospitalized with ARDS. The need for mechanical ventilation and a poor outcome was more likely in urban areas – this might be accentuated by patient transfer to specialized high care centers usually located in urban settings.

Resisting the heat wave: Revealing inequalities in matching between heat exposure risk and healthcare services in a megacity

Climate warming and the growing urban heat island effect are exacerbating the unequal public health crisis in megacities, and thus it is important to assess the equity of matching relationship between the healthcare services and the heat exposure risk. We selected 255 census units in Tianjin city for the study, and calculated a heat exposure index based on the universal thermal climate index (UTCI) and constructed a comprehensive urban healthcare services evaluation system to measure the degree of mismatch between the two. The results showed the following. (1) The heat exposure risk and healthcare services followed an increasing pattern from the Outer suburb area (OSA) to the Metropolitan development area (MDA) and then to the Main urban area (MUA). (2) The overall imbalance in matching was low in the OSA, whereas the healthcare services were relatively insufficient in the MDA, and the heat exposure risk and healthcare services were relatively balanced in the MUA. (3) The degree of matching between the core and peripheral parts of the MUA was severely polarized, with an overall pattern of excess healthcare in the core area and a high risk of heat exposure in the peripheral areas. The results can provide effective guidance for rationalizing the allocation of healthcare resources from a heat exposure perspective, and provide a policy basis for risk management and fund investment.

A six-year measurement-based analysis of traffic-related particulate matter pollution in urban areas: the case of Warsaw, Poland (2016-2021)

This study used PM10 and PM2.5 measurements from the State Environmental Monitoring stations in Warsaw and its suburban areas. Analysis of variability characteristics at the traffic and urban background stations was carried out for 2016-2021. A six-year analysis (2016-2021) of air quality in Warsaw, Poland, focusing highlights the persistent impact of transportation on particulate matter concentrations. Comparing a city centre traffic station with urban background locations reveals consistently higher PM10 concentrations at the traffic station throughout the year, with an annual traffic-related increase of 12.6 μg/m³ (32%). PM2.5 concentrations at the traffic station are also consistently about 1.5 μg/m³ (7%) higher. For monthly averages, the highest PM10 concentrations at the traffic station were noted in March, which may be related to the resuspention of sand and salt left over from winter snow removalp rocesses. In the case of PM2.5, the typical annual cycle with maximum concentrations in winter and minimum concentrations in summer was not observed. Diurnal variability patterns show elevated PM10 concentrations at the traffic station from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., attributed to the resuspension process. PM2.5 patterns exhibit a smaller amplitude at the traffic station, with nighttime accumulation due to inflow. This study emphasizes the lasting impact of transportation on air quality, providing insights into pollution control strategies in urban areas.

Spatio-temporal Analysis of the factors affecting NOx concentration during the evaluation cycle of high pollution episodes in Tehran metropolitan

Tehran, the capital of Iran, experiences high levels of pollution, particularly during the cold seasons. Recent studies have shown an increase in the concentration of nitrogen compounds in Tehran. However, the role of advection, deposition, vertical diffusion processes and chemical conversion of NOx in this region requires further investigation. In this study, The Weather Research and Forecasting model with Chemistry (WRF-Chem) was employed to numerically simulate each of these processes during a severe pollution episode in winter from November 28, 2021, to December 8, 2021. During this high pollution episode, the weather conditions were calm, and based on the Air Quality Index (AQI), the air quality was unhealthy for sensitive groups. The presence of a ridge at the 500 hPa level, the placement of a low-level high-pressure cell over the region, and consequently, atmospheric subsidence and low wind speed create favorable conditions for severe pollution events in Tehran. Additionally, temperature inversion during the night and a decrease in the boundary layer height contribute to increased surface NOx concentration during this period. When comparing different processes influencing NOx concentrations, it has been observed that advection has the most significant impact, while dry deposition and chemical conversion have the least effect. On stable days advection increases NOx concentration in central and northeast of Tehran urban area during daytime. The maximum vertical diffusion is observed in the southern and western regions, corresponding to the emission pattern of NO and NO2. The examination of the vertical profile of advection and vertical diffusion shows that vertical diffusion dominates near the surface layer, while advection dominates at higher altitudes in terms of NOx concentration changes. Under unstable conditions (Dec-02), with arrival of the cold front and the influence of convective clouds, the impact of convective transport becomes more pronounced in reducing NOx concentrations in the southern and central regions of Tehran urban area. The highest NOx deposition is observed in the early morning in the southern and southwestern suburban areas of Tehran, correlating with wind direction variations, NOx concentration, and vegetation coverage. The results indicate that nearly 98% of the total NOy deposition (dry and wet deposition of NO, NO2, HNO3, and NO3) in Tehran's urban and suburban area is attributed to dry deposition of NO2.

Personal, health system, and geosocial disparities in appointment nonadherence at family medicine clinics in southcentral Pennsylvania, United States

AbstractBackgroundTo assess the relationship between patients' demographic, health system‐related, and geosocial characteristics and the risk of missed appointments among patients in family medicine practice.MethodsThe study was based on a retrospective cross‐sectional design using electronic health records and neighborhood‐level social determents of health metrics linked by geocoded patients' home address. The study population consisted of patients who had a primary care provider and at least one appointment at 14 family medicine clinics in rural and suburban areas in January–December 2022. Negative binomial regression was utilized to examine the impact of personal, health system, and geosocial effects on the risk of no‐shows and same‐day cancellations.ResultsA total of 258,614 appointments were made from 75,182 patients during the study period, including 7.8% no‐show appointments from 20,256 patients. The analysis revealed that individuals in the ethnic minority groups were 1.24–1.65 times more likely to miss their appointments than their White counterpart. Females and English speakers had 14% lower risk for no‐show. A significant increase (32%–64%) in the odds of no‐shows was found among individuals on Medicaid and uninsured. Persons with prior history of no‐shows or same day cancellations were 6%–27% more likely to miss their appointments. The no‐show risk was also higher among people living in areas experiencing socioeconomic disadvantage.ConclusionThe risk of missed appointments is affected by personal, health system, and geosocial contexts. Future efforts aiming to reduce no‐shows could develop personalized interventions targeting the at‐risk populations identified in the analysis.

Regionalization of environmental and economic performances of rainwater harvesting systems

Study regionBeijing Region Study focusLimited studies have yet been done on regionalization of multi-performances of rainwater harvesting systems (RHS). In this study, the daily rainfall records from 77 stations are used, and a hydro-economic model is adopted to examine regional water saving, stormwater control and economic performances of RHS by proposing a regionalization approach. New hydrological insights for the regionHigher water saving efficiency (WSE) and reliability (R) of RHS are linked with lower water demand, larger tank size and greater rainfall conditions. Differently, higher stormwater capture efficiency (SCE) is related to higher water demand, larger tank size and lower rainfall. The WSE and R of RHS demonstrate substantial regional differences; their maximized obtainable values closely depend on water demand scenarios and range from 9% to 99%, with smaller values in western mountain area but larger values in northeast suburban and central urban areas. The maximum obtainable values of SCE range from 61% to 100%, with higher values in western mountain area, but lower values in northeast suburban and central urban areas. A 10 m3 tank size can provide the highest benefit-cost ratio of RHS across the Beijing region. The regionalization approach proposed is a useful guidance for the implementation of RHS and sustainable urban water management, and thus it has the potential for wide uses in other regions with high rainfall gradients.

The functional distance-based approach: An application on long-term Metropolitan Development

Metropolitan development is a complex phenomenon depending on the joint action of multiple socioeconomic and territorial factors, which are generally quantified through indicators interacting across spatial and temporal scales. A comprehensive understanding of metropolitan development requires a detailed examination of the dependence structure within the development trajectories of both urban and suburban areas. Multidimensionality, non-linearity, and evolutionary components at the base of metropolitan development should be jointly considered when investigating the socioeconomic mechanisms underlying the long-term expansion of cities and their surrounding regions. In this multidimensional perspective, the Functional Data Analysis approach enables the simultaneous investigation of the level and evolution over time of multiple socioeconomic processes through summary functional measures, such as the modified hypograph index and the weighted integrated first derivative. Starting from these tools, a functional distance-based approach is proposed to study the relationship between urban and suburban areas from a twofold perspective: focusing on the entire set of metropolitan development indicators, and considering each dimension individually. This approach contributes to overpass the limitations of standard econometric approaches offering a multivariate measure of change in local systems experiencing complex development trajectories. The proposal is illustrated via a simulation study and a real data set.

Early childhood caries among pre-school children in rural areas

Background: Early childhood caries can occur and exist among children in slums areas, rural areas and under-served communities. Africa has countries with rural areas inhabited by diverse ethnic populations of pre-school children, with their parents and family members. Method: An electronic literature search in Science direct and PubMed was done in January, 2024 using the Population, Concept and Context framework. Search terms and keywords were combined by Boolean operators. Two independent investigators screened titles and abstracts of publications on early childhood caries among pre-school children in rural areas. The inclusion criteria was original (primary) research articles with accessible full text, related to early childhood caries among pre-school children in rural areas, carried out in Africa, published in English and in electronic databases. Original research articles related to early childhood caries among pre-school children in urban, semi-urban or sub-urban areas, hospital based studies, studies with participants selected from rural and urban or rural and semi-urban communities, review articles, systematic reviews, thesis or dissertations were excluded during screening. Results: Three articles with accessible full texts were included as it was assessed to meet the aim of the review. The study designs of the included studies were cross-sectional study, randomized, controlled field trial and a case-control study respectively. The studies were carried out in rural areas of Uganda and Egypt respectively. Conclusion: Early childhood caries has multifactorial aetiology. More studies from diverse ethnic population in Africa countries will fill the gaps in knowledge and add to the existing literature.