Suburban Research Articles

Hidden Urban Biodiversity: A New Species of the Genus Scincella Mittleman, 1950 (Squamata: Scincidae) from Chengdu, Sichuan Province, Southwest China

The genus Scincella Mittleman, 1950, belonging to the family Scincidae, exhibits considerable morphological convergence, complicating species delimitation and resulting in underestimated diversity. Currently, 41 species are formally recognized in this genus, although this figure likely underestimates its true richness. In this study, a new species of the genus Scincella, Scincella chengduensis sp. nov., is described from urban and suburban areas of Chengdu, Sichuan Province, Southwest China. Morphological features and phylogenetic analyses confirmed that the new species is distinct from all previously recognized congeners. The new species can be clearly distinguished by a combination of the following unique characters: (1) slender, medium-sized body, snout-vent length 28.4–43.2 mm; (2) infralabials seven, rarely six; (3) supraciliaries six or seven; (4) tympanum deeply recessed without lobules, tympanum diameters equal to or exceeding palpebral disc diameters; (5) midbody scale-row counts 23; (6) dorsal scales smooth, slightly enlarged, paravertebral scale-row counts 57–60, ventral scale-row counts 42–44, gulars 21–22; (7) upper edge of lateral longitudinal stripes relatively straight, four rows of dorsal scales in middle; (8) enlarged, undivided lamellae beneath finger IV 8–9, enlarged, undivided lamellae beneath toe IV 10–12; (9) ventral surface densely covered with dark spots; (10) grayish-brown, irregular dorsal stripes 2–3, black dorsolateral stripes from posterior corner of eye to lateral side of tail. This discovery underscores the underestimated diversity of Scincella in China and highlights the importance of urban habitats as reservoirs of hidden biodiversity. A diagnostic key to the Scincella species of China is also provided.

Urban and rural residence: their influence on food group consumption in Iran

BackgroundUrbanization is expanding in Iran, leading to the emergence of three distinct socio-geographical areas: urban, rural, and suburban areas. These different areas may exhibit significant variations in dietary patterns. This study investigates the association between people’s place of residence and their consumption of different food groups.MethodsThis study utilized data from Iran’s Food and Nutrition Surveillance System (FNS). A total of 1697 participants were randomly recruited from different rural (N = 568), urban (N = 568), and suburban (N = 561) regions across Iran. Their food intake was assessed using a validated dish-based semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (DB-FFQ).ResultsRural males consumed significantly more grains (35.51 g/day, p = 0.03) than urban males, while rural females consumed significantly less dairy (-30.07 g/day, p = 0.03) than urban females. Additionally, rural males and females consumed significantly more fats and oils (3.72 g/day, p = 0.01 for males and 5.2 g/day, p < 0.001 for females) than their urban counterparts. Moreover, both suburban females and males were found to consume significantly less fruit compared to urban individuals, with suburban females consuming − 47.41 g/day (p < 0.001) less fruit and suburban males consuming − 60.42 g/day (p = 0.001) less fruit.ConclusionFindings showed that rural men’s diets are characterized by higher consumption of grains and fats, while urbanization is linked to increased dairy consumption in women. Additionally, the study highlights a worrying lack of fruit consumption in suburban areas. These findings underscore the necessity of implementing specific nutritional policies to promote dietary diversity in various residential areas.Graphical

Solar parking lot capacity: an abundant dual-use alternative to meet demand for the renewable energy transition

Abstract Most utility-scale solar facilities (USSFs) in the United States (US) are planned or installed in grasslands, pastures, agriculture land, and timberland, with aggressive future expansion plans. Investor-owned electricity providers have lobbied aggressively to remove obstacles to approval of USSFs on agricultural lands and for limits on regulations that support distributed solar installation. Rural USSF expansion may have potentially significant local, state, and regional impacts on agricultural production and the economy, property values and affordability, and conservation of habitats, connectivity, and endangered species. The potential use of parking lots in urban and suburban areas for solar development to meet demands is poorly studied and parking lot solar has not gained much traction in the US. The objective of this research was to estimate whether solar PV systems installed in parking lots can meet electricity demands across multiple urban and suburban metropolitan areas within the US. Parking lot data across four municipalities with variation in latitude, solar radiation, and population density was obtained, along with modeled annual electricity demand by sector. Parking lot area and potential generating capacity was calculated for canopy and carport designs using standard and premium efficiency panels, and annual electricity production was estimated using the National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s PVWatts Calculator. Premium efficiency canopy designs can meet ~100% of demand in some large car dependent low to medium density municipalities. High density urban areas may receive marginal direct benefit from parking lot solar development within their boundaries. Dual-use of lands without any ecosystem or productive value can substantially contribute to renewable energy mixes to meet demands.

Performance analysis of artificial neural networks for predicting propagation losses in suburban environments for 4G LTE and 5G networks

&lt;p&gt;This study analyzes two distinct approaches for predicting path loss at frequencies of 800 MHz, 1800 MHz, and 2600 MHz in suburban areas. These frequencies are commonly utilized in broadcasting, 4G LTE, and 5G networks. Two models of Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) were implemented: an Error-Based Neural Network (EBNN), which incorporates error correction by combining empirical propagation models with an ANN, and a Terrain Parameters Based Neural Network (TBNN), which uses input parameters commonly applied in related studies, such as the distance from the transmitter to the receiver, receiver altitude, average terrain level, and azimuth angle between the transmitter and receiver. The performance of these models was evaluated using root mean square error (RMSE) and the Wilcoxon rank-sum test, comparing them with empirical propagation models such as SUI, ECC-33, Ericsson, and TR 25.942. The results were then compared with data obtained from a measurement campaign conducted along three routes in the city of Natal, Brazil. The findings from both simulations and actual measurements showed good metric alignment, particularly highlighting the performance of the error-based model. The primary contribution of this study is demonstrating that these techniques enable more accurate prediction of signal information, thereby reducing errors in the planning and implementation of wireless networks.&lt;/p&gt;

Emotions and political identity predict public acceptance of urban deer management

Addressing public preferences can enhance wildlife management effectiveness and reduce backlash. We conducted novel research on public acceptance of wildlife management by accounting for the role of underexplored drivers including emotion and political identity across an urban-to-rural gradient. Using data from a 2022 survey about white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in Durham County, North Carolina, we analyzed drivers of acceptance for three management strategies: passive management, lethal management by hunting, and lethal management by professionals. Support for deer management varied across the urban-to-rural gradient, as rural residents favored hunting but were less supportive of passive management compared to urban and suburban residents. Emotions and general attitudes toward deer were the strongest predictors of management acceptance. Support for passive management was higher among residents with more positive emotions toward deer, whereas support for lethal strategies was higher among those with more negative emotions. Additionally, political identity emerged as a complex yet influential factor in shaping support for lethal management. Conservative respondents exhibited a higher acceptance of hunting, whereas liberal respondents exhibited a higher acceptance of professional sharpshooting. Collectively, our results demonstrate the ways in which emotions, politics, and other socio-demographic factors interact to influence public support for deer management across the urban–rural gradient. When direct experience with wildlife is lacking (e.g., in urban areas), emotions may act as heuristic guides that shape preferences. Managers aiming to increase deer management acceptability could integrate insights about emotional, political, and demographic drivers of public management support in communication efforts, potentially rendering urban deer management more effective.

Vegetation Quality Assessment of the Shaanxi Section of the Yellow River Basin Based on NDVI and Rain-Use Efficiency

The Yellow River Basin is a critical region for ecological environment protection and social and economic development in China. It is of great significance to study vegetation dynamics for the high-quality development of the Yellow River Basin. In this study, based on the data of NDVI and precipitation datasets in the growing season (June to September) from 2000 to 2019, we used a Sen+Mann–Kendall trend analysis and other methods to study the spatial and temporal evolution characteristics of precipitation and vegetation cover in the Shaanxi section of the Yellow River Basin and to assess the regional vegetation quality change characteristics based on estimating the rain-use efficiency (RUE). The results show the following: (1) The precipitation in the study area showed a spatial distribution pattern of more in the south and less in the north, in which Yulin City had the lowest precipitation overall, but it was an area with significant increasing precipitation. (2) The NDVI value of the Shaanxi section of the Yellow River Basin showed an overall upward trend from 2000 to 2019, with a growth rate of 0.327/10a. The vegetation cover showed the spatial characteristics of high in the south and low in the north, which showed that the vegetation growth condition was poor in the wind-sand grassland area at the southern edge of the Mu Us Sandland in the northwestern part of Yulin City and the construction areas in the Guanzhong Plain. Meanwhile, the vegetation grew well in Yan’an City and the area close to the Qinba Mountains. Moreover, the NDVI of the study area increased with the increase in precipitation. (3) The vegetation quality in the study area showed fluctuating interannual changes and a weak upward trend. More than 80% of the vegetation in the study area was in a state of improvement, and the areas with more significant improvement were mainly located in the northern part of the study area, while the vegetation was degraded in the urban and urban suburb areas in the Guanzhong Plain. The results of this study are of great practical significance for promoting the socio-economic development of the Yellow River Basin in coordination with ecological environmental protection.

MODELING HOUSE SELLING PRICES IN JAKARTA AND SOUTH TANGERANG USING MACHINE LEARNING PREDICTION ANALYSIS

The increasing demand for housing in urban agglomerations, particularly in areas like Jakarta, has made homeownership a significant challenge for many, especially first-time buyers and the lower-middle class. Post-pandemic shifts have further influenced housing preferences, driving interest towards suburban areas with green spaces. Despite government efforts through mortgage subsidy programs, affordability remains a concern, particularly in peripheral regions. This study aims to analyze housing prices in various Jakarta regions using machine learning models, including Multiple Linear Regression (MLR), Support Vector Regression (SVR), Light Gradient Boosting Machine (LGBM), and Random Forest. A dataset of 554 house prices from West Jakarta, South Jakarta, Central Jakarta, and South Tangerang was used. The analysis focused on key predictors like land area, building area, bedrooms, and carports, with R² and Mean Squared Error (MSE) metrics evaluating model performance. Results showed that LGBM and Random Forest outperformed others with 0.8 R2 and low MSE, with building and land area as the most significant factors influencing prices. The study concludes that property size is a primary determinant of house prices, and there is a need for policy interventions to make housing more affordable. Additionally, apartment rentals offer a viable alternative, especially in central urban areas, where proximity to economic activities and facilities is crucial. The findings suggest that enhancing marketplace features with predictive tools could further assist buyers in making informed decisions.

Exploring Differences Between Daily Activity Spaces and Access to Urban Resources in Suburban Affordable Housing Based on the Different Income Groups: A Case of Nanjing, China

Most of the affordable housing communities are built in disadvantaged locations (e.g., the suburbs of Chinese cities) and are generally considered to be the main space for middle- and low-income groups to live in. After decades of development, with the relocation of residents, housing sales and the implementation of mixed housing policies in some countries, there is a common phenomenon of mixed living among different groups in many affordable housing communities. Existing studies have explored the differences and social inequities between affordable housing communities and other types of neighborhoods, but little attention has been paid to the differentiation of residents’ daily activities and the unfair access to resources within affordable housing communities. Understanding this difference is crucial to sustainable community development and the delicate management of cities. From a personal-based perspective, this study examines the sociospatial differentiation of different income groups in the community from two aspects: the multidimensional characteristics of the individual activity space and the availability of different types of urban space. The results highlight significant differences in the activity spaces of different income groups across four dimensions: extensity, intensity, diversity, and exclusivity. Low-income suburban residents have fewer opportunities to access inner-city and inner-suburban areas compared to their non-low-income counterparts. They are more constrained to the outer suburbs. Regression models show that income is a key factor influencing how outer-suburb residents use urban spaces. Other factors, such as one’s employment status, family structure, education level, and the built environment, also play an important role in shaping access to different urban resources. This study highlights the impact of income on social isolation within Chinese urban affordable housing communities. It provides nuanced insights that can inform future policy recommendations in a broader urban context.

Arah Ekspansi Minimarket Prima Freshmart di Jabodetabek Cenderung ke Selatan

This study aims to identify the spatial distribution of Prima Freshmart (PFM) minimarkets in Jabodetabek from 2013 to 2023 and the factors driving their dispersion. The methods used include: (1) weighted mean center and spatial standard deviation to determine the center and direction of distribution, and (2) geographically weighted regression (GWR) with minimarket distribution as the dependent variable, and population density, distance to toll roads, and distance to city centers as independent variables. Data were processed using Geographic Information System (GIS). The results show that (1) PFM minimarkets were predominantly distributed southward from 2013 to 2023, and (2) higher local R² values were observed in Bekasi Regency, the borders of Bogor Regency, South Tangerang, and Tangerang Regency, as well as the northern part of Tangerang Regency. The spatial distribution of PFM indicates that store location expansion strategies align with population growth patterns in suburban areas of Jabodetabek.

Urban-Suburban Differences in Public Perspectives on Digitalizing Pediatric Research: Cross-Sectional Survey Study.

Recruiting and retaining participants in pediatric research has always been challenging, particularly in healthy populations and remote areas, leading to selection bias and increased health disparities. In the digital age, medical research has been transformed by digital tools, offering new opportunities to enhance engagement in clinical research. However, public perspectives on digitalizing pediatric research and potential differences between urban and suburban areas remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate public perspectives on digitalizing pediatric research and compare differences between urban and suburban areas to help diversify participants and address health disparities. A cross-sectional web-based survey targeting caregivers of kindergarten children (aged 2-7 years) in Chongqing was conducted between June and December 2023. A total of 4231 valid questionnaires were analyzed, with 25.1% (n=1064) of the children residing in urban areas and 74.9% (n=3167) in suburban areas. Descriptive statistics and intergroup comparisons were used for data analysis. Approximately 59.8% (n=2531) of the caregivers had first impressions of pediatric research, with 36.9% (n=1561) being positive and 22.9% (n=970) being negative. A total of 38.3% (n=1621) of caregivers recognized the growing popularity of digital tools, and 36.7% (n=1552) supported their use in pediatric research, but only 25.2% (n=1068) favored online-only research methods. The main concerns regarding the use of software in pediatric research were privacy issues (n=3273, 77.4%) and potential addiction (n=2457, 58.1%). Public accounts of research institutions (n=3400, 80.4%) were the most favored for online recruitment. Telephones (1916/3076, 62.3%) and social media apps (1801/3076, 58.6%) were the most popular for regular contact. Intergroup comparisons revealed that suburban caregivers had more positive first impressions of pediatric research (38.6% vs 32%; P<.001; adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.27, 95% CI 1.09-1.47) and faced fewer participation barriers: "worry about being an experimental subject" (70.9% vs 76.6%; P<.001; aOR 0.79, 95% CI 0.67-0.93), "pose a risk to children's health" (58.6% vs 67.8%; P<.001; aOR 0.71, 95% CI 0.61-0.83), "do not have enough background information" (55.2% vs 61.6%; P<.001; aOR 0.78, 95% CI 0.67-0.89), and "worry about recommending other products" (48.2% vs 55%; P<.001; aOR 0.78, 95% CI 0.67-0.89). They also showed greater support for online-only research methods (26% vs 22.9%; P=.045; aOR 1.19, 95% CI 1.01-1.41) and greater openness to unofficial online recruitment sources (social media friends: 24.7% vs 18.9%; P<.001; aOR 1.33, 95% CI 1.11-1.59; moments on social media: 15.5% vs 11.1%; P<.001; aOR 1.35, 95% CI 1.09-1.67). In the digital age, enhancing recruitment and retention in pediatric research can be achieved by integrating both official and unofficial social media strategies, implementing a hybrid online-offline follow-up approach, and addressing privacy concerns.

Outreach acute care for nursing homes: an observational study on the quality and cost-effectiveness of the Mobile Hospital.

The global trend of emergency department (ED) crowding can be mitigated with outreach care. The Mobile Hospital is an outreach acute care service in Espoo, Finland. This study describes the results of the Mobile Hospital intervention to nursing homes in a pre-post study setting with benchmarking validation data. We compared Emergency Medical Services (EMS) missions, ED visits, hospitalisations and their estimated costs from two 6-month periods in 2018-2019 (1325 nursing home beds). Benchmarking control data for ED visits were obtained from health records of the 10 largest Finnish cities. The number of EMS missions to nursing homes decreased by 16% (720 vs 604), ED visits decreased by 22% (801 vs 622), there was no significant difference in specialised inpatient episodes (178 vs 162) and primary hospital inpatient episodes were fewer (285 vs 178, decreased 38%). Annual estimated savings per resident were 686 euros (decreased 14%). Annual estimated total savings were 934908 euros. In the benchmarking analysis, the number of ED visits and acute hospitalisations amongst the older population decreased in Espoo, while in the other cities it increased. The Mobile Hospital seems to reduce nursing home residents' ED visits, hospitalisations and overall costs. Advance care planning and on-call physician telephone consultations may be useful components of the service.Implications to practice: This study adds to the growing evidence that outreach care to nursing homes is cost-effective in suburban areas with universal healthcare funding, at least as part of other developments in the acute care pathway.

Spatiotemporal Characteristics of “Urban-Suburban-Rural” Interaction in Shanghai Metropolis: A Perspective on Commuting Mobility

As urbanization progresses, the flow of population, capital, and other resources between urban and rural areas accelerates, leading to evolving urban-rural interactions. This study examines the spatiotemporal characteristics of the “urban-suburban-rural” interactions in the Shanghai metropolis from 2017 to 2020, focusing on commuting flows. The results indicate that interactions among urban, suburban, and rural areas in Shanghai metropolis have generally strengthened, characterized by increasingly distinct commuting structures and more pronounced strong connections. Urban commuting patterns predominantly rely on intra-urban flows, while suburban and rural areas demonstrate varying degrees of employment dependence on urban areas. Notably, rural areas exhibit stronger dependence on suburban areas than on urban centers. Despite these interactions, significant differences persist in the commuting structures among the three areas. The development of employment centers, such as the central city, urban peripheries, new towns, and industrial parks, has enhanced connections within urban areas, as well as between urban and suburban areas and between urban and rural areas. However, the commuting structures within rural areas and between rural and suburban areas have shown little change, reflecting lagging functional development in these areas. Shanghai metropolis should focus on unlocking the potential of suburban and rural areas by advancing functional development and establishing employment centers.

A European aerosol phenomenology - 9: Light absorption properties of carbonaceous aerosol particles across surface Europe.

Carbonaceous aerosols (CA), composed of black carbon (BC) and organic matter (OM), significantly impact the climate. Light absorption properties of CA, particularly of BC and brown carbon (BrC), are crucial due to their contribution to global and regional warming. We present the absorption properties of BC (bAbs,BC) and BrC (bAbs,BrC) inferred using Aethalometer data from 44 European sites covering different environments (traffic (TR), urban (UB), suburban (SUB), regional background (RB) and mountain (M)). Absorption coefficients showed a clear relationship with station setting decreasing as follows: TR > UB > SUB > RB > M, with exceptions. The contribution of bAbs,BrC to total absorption (bAbs), i.e. %AbsBrC, was lower at traffic sites (11-20%), exceeding 30% at some SUB and RB sites. Low AAE values were observed at TR sites, due to the dominance of internal combustion emissions, and at some remote RB/M sites, likely due to the lack of proximity to BrC sources, insufficient secondary processes generating BrC or the effect of photobleaching during transport. Higher bAbs and AAE were observed in Central/Eastern Europe compared to Western/Northern Europe, due to higher coal and biomass burning emissions in the east. Seasonal analysis showed increased bAbs, bAbs,BC, bAbs,BrC in winter, with stronger %AbsBrC, leading to higher AAE. Diel cycles of bAbs,BC peaked during morning and evening rush hours, whereas bAbs,BrC, %AbsBrC, AAE, and AAEBrC peaked at night when emissions from household activities accumulated. Decade-long trends analyses demonstrated a decrease in bAbs, due to reduction of BC emissions, while bAbs,BrC and AAE increased, suggesting a shift in CA composition, with a relative increase in BrC over BC. This study provides a unique dataset to assess the BrC effects on climate and confirms that BrC can contribute significantly to UV-VIS radiation presenting highly variable absorption properties in Europe.

Relationship between land surface temperature and air quality in urban and suburban areas: Dynamic changes and interaction effects

Relationship between land surface temperature and air quality in urban and suburban areas: Dynamic changes and interaction effects

Mapping environmental noise of Guangzhou based on land use regression models.

Environmental noise seriously affects people's health and life quality, but there is a scarcity of noise exposure data in metropolitan cities and at nighttime, especially in developing countries. This study aimed to assess the environmental noise level by land use regression (LUR) models and create daytime and nighttime noise maps with high-resolution of Guangzhou municipality. A total of 100 monitoring sites were randomly selected according to population density. The Equivalent continuous A-weighted sound pressure level (LAeq) was measured on weekdays from December 2022 to May 2023 during daytime [morning (7:30-12:00), afternoon (13:00-16:30), evening (17:30-22:00)], and nighttime (23:00-7:00) with 30min of measurement at each site in winter/spring and summer/autumn. The LUR model was constructed by a supervised forward stepwise method to predict the noise exposure level via introducing the geographic predictor variables. A ten-fold cross-validation method was utilized to assess the performance of LUR models. A total of 800 times of measurements were conducted and the average equivalent continuous LAeq of monitoring sites was 65.79±7.45dB(A). Urban areas exhibited higher noise levels than suburban areas (66.95±7.37dB(A) vs. 63.08±6.94dB(A), P<0.001). Further, the noise level during the day was also significantly higher than during the night (67.18±6.50dB(A) vs. 61.60±7.59dB(A), P=0.001). Four LUR models were developed with adjusted R2 ranging from 0.54 to 0.76, and the R2 of the ten-fold cross-validation varied from 0.61 to 0.79. Points of interests (POIs), traffic-related variables, and land use were important predictive factors in LUR models. Noise maps of daytime and nighttime with a resolution of 50×50m were created, respectively. Our results revealed that daytime and nighttime environmental noise exceeded the recommended values from the World Health Organization in Guangzhou. POIs, traffic-related variables, and land use were the main influencing factors of environmental noise level.

Characteristics and outcomes of out-of-hospital-cardiac-arrest in rural and suburban areas of Sindh, Pakistan: A cross-sectional study.

Despite extensive research on OHCA in urban centres worldwide, there is a significant gap in knowledge regarding these events in less urbanized regions, especially in Low-Middle-Income Countries (LMICs). To determine the characteristics and outcomes of adult out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) in rural and suburban districts of Sindh, Pakistan. Data of OHCA patients (>18years) was collected retrospectively from January 2020 to December 2022, from the medical records of district and tehsil hospitals of the province of Sindh. Data analysis was performed using the Statistical Package Software for the Social Sciences (SPSS) Statistics 29. Out of 139 OHCA patients, 75.5% were males, and 24.5% were females, with a mean age of 52.78±13.1years. Most cardiac arrests occurred at home (54.75%). Only 0.7% of patients were transported by emergency medical services (EMS), while 59% arrived via private transport, such as cars or vans. An additional 4.3% were brought by other ambulance services, including private and philanthropic organizations, and for 36% of patients, the mode of transportation was undocumented. Cardiac arrests were witnessed in 43.2% of cases. CPR (either in-hospital or pre-hospital) was performed on 59% of patients, but only 6.1% received pre-hospital CPR (Bystander: 1.22%, Ambulance Staff: 2.44%, Family Member: 2.44%). Return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) was achieved in 14.63% of patients, while 4.88% were alive at hospital admission. This study highlights significant gaps in the chain of survival for OHCA patients in rural and suburban Sindh, Pakistan, including inadequate EMS utilization, low bystander CPR rates, and delayed hospital care, contributing to poor outcomes. The findings may underestimate true rates due to missing and inconsistent data, emphasizing the need for improved documentation and prospective studies.

Local honey reflects environmental changes in metal concentrations and lead isotope ratios during COVID-19 restrictions in Brussels, Belgium, and Vancouver, Canada.

Effective methods for measuring sudden environmental changes are crucial for understanding how cities respond to shifts in human activity. This study examines atmospheric metal outputs during the COVID-19 restrictions using honey samples collected from three land use types in Brussels Capital Region (BCR), Belgium, and Metro Vancouver Regional District (MVRD), Canada to study changes as the result of restrictions. By comparing these cities with distinct sizes, ages, and structures, we assess how urban environments responded to pandemic-induced restrictions. We present honey samples, analyzed for metal concentration and Pb isotope ratios, to provide insights into the impacts of reduced human activity in different land use types. In BCR, significant increases of Al, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb, Ti, and V were observed in suburban sites, while in MVRD, significant decreases of Cr, Pb, Sb, Ti, and V were observed in suburban sites. The increase in metal concentrations in BCR suburban sites indicates a shift in metal emission patterns due to changes in human activity during the restrictions. Conversely, the decrease in metal concentrations in MVRD suburban areas aligns with expectations of reduced pollution during restrictions. Pb isotope ratios of BCR vary more widely and do not show any spatial trends by land use, suggesting that Pb concentrations in BCR may be more homogenized. In MVRD, significant differences in 208Pb/206Pb were observed during the restrictions, wherein honey sampled from rural sites had more radiogenic (lower 208Pb/206Pb) Pb isotope ratios. This difference suggests that honey may be more sensitive to Pb isotope ratio changes in environments with a less extensive history of metal use, such as rural British Columbia. This research demonstrates the potential of honey as a biomonitor for sudden environmental shifts. This study contributes to a global geochemical honey database, enabling tracking of environmental trends across diverse urban settings worldwide.

Nurses’ Knowledge and Perceptions of the New Nursing Qualification Framework at a Public Hospital in Gauteng

Background: A significant change in the landscape of the nursing qualification framework was implemented in 2019. There have been concerns and anxiety by the nursing fraternity about the change process from the legacy programmes to the new curriculum framework and qualifications for nursing. Anecdotal evidence indicated misconceptions about the new nursing qualification framework and nurses voicing their concerns about how it would affect their career progression. Purpose: Therefore, the study aims to explore and describe nurses’ knowledge and perceptions about the nursing qualification framework to support change and facilitate smooth progression between legacy and new nursing qualifications. Methods: The study was conducted at a tertiary hospital in the public sector in a suburban area in Gauteng. The research design was qualitative and descriptive. A purposive sampling method was used. Data saturation was reached with 15 participants. The self-report method was used for data collection using semi-structured individual interviews, and data were analysed using qualitative content analysis. The research process was guided by ethical principles and measures to ensure trustworthiness. Findings: Two significant themes emerged from the collected data. The results indicated that the participants showed limited knowledge of the National Qualification Framework, which are the new nursing programmes being introduced and the recognition of prior learning. Overall, the participants perceived implementing the new nursing qualification framework negatively. Conclusions: To successfully implement the new qualifications, ongoing communication that addresses the scope of practice, financial implications, ensuring adequate support for professional development and facilitating collegiality amongst different nursing categories will be required.

IMPACT OF COMMUNITY TYPE ON SLEEP HEALTH DISPARITIES IN GRANDPARENTS RAISING GRANDCHILDREN

Abstract Grandparents raising grandchildren (GRG) report greater sleep problems than non-caregiving peers. Individuals living in low-income urban areas also report difficulty sleeping due to increased noise, light, and unsafe neighborhoods. However, no studies have examined urbanity’s impact on sleep among GRG and this study fills that gap. Grandparents living in rural (N=50, Mage=56.80), urban (N=59, Mage=53.07), and suburban areas (N=74, Mage=56.03) caring for their grandchild (&amp;gt;17 years old) completed the Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI-sleep latency, sleep duration, sleep efficiency, sleep medication, sleep disturbances, and global sleep scales) and indicated their community type (rural, urban, suburban). Two-way ANOVAs evaluated interactions (sleep x community) and main effects. Pairwise comparisons clarified significant differences. Interactions were not significant. There was a significant main effect (p=.047) of community on sleep medication use, sleep disturbances (p=.009), and global sleep problems (p=.012). Urban grandparents reported more sleep medication (M=1.58+\-1.20) than rural (M=1.06+\-1.27; p=.046) or suburban grandparents (M=1.07+\-1.26; p=.026). Urban grandparents reported more sleep disturbance (M=1.63+\-.64) than rural (M=1.25+\-.55; p&amp;lt;.001) or suburban grandparents (M=1.44+\-.53; p=.080). Urban grandparents reported more global sleep problems (M=10.61+\-3.17) than rural (M=8.28+\-3.43; p=.010) or suburban grandparents (M=8.61+\-2.87; p=.010). Results suggest that level of urbanity impacts sleep health disparities among GRG and urban GRG may be at greater risk for sleep problems. More research (e.g., longitudinal) should examine what contributes to increased sleep problems among urban GRG, but these results suggest that behavioral sleep treatment programs should potentially target environmental and socioeconomic factors unique to urban GRG (e.g., increased noise, decreased safety and security, etc.).

GEOGRAPHY AND LIVING ARRANGEMENT AS LONELINESS FACTORS FOR OAA NUTRITION CLIENTS DURING COVID-19

Abstract Loneliness is increasingly understood as a public health crisis. Multiple risk factors for increased loneliness in older adults have been identified in previous studies, including age, gender, race, geographic location, and living alone. Social distancing efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic may have increased loneliness among older adults. This study uses two cross-sectional waves of the National Survey of Older Americans Act Participants (NSOAAP) from 2019 and 2021 to expand understanding and identify possible points of intervention to increase social support for vulnerable older adults. Results reveal that while home-delivered meal participants have higher overall levels of loneliness than congregate meal participants. Those receiving home-delivered meals did not experience changes in loneliness during the COVID-19 pandemic, and did not differ significantly by age, geographic location, or living arrangement. Congregate meal participants’ loneliness was lower before the pandemic but increased during the first year of the pandemic, particularly for participants aged 65-74, those living in suburban or rural areas, and those living alone. The significant differences based on geography and living arrangement for congregate meal clients (but not home-delivered meal clients) suggest the need for further investigation as to whether living arrangement has a buffering effect on loneliness or whether the closing and less access to congregate meals sites impacted loneliness. These findings suggest opportunities for policymakers and aging services providers who seek to increase social engagement among older adults who participate in Older Americans Act (OAA) nutrition programs.