Urban Centers Research Articles

Cidades Inteligentes e Sustentáveis

With the growth of the urban population, parallel to the increase in the urbanization of urban centers, challenges arise for which intelligent and sustainable solutions need to be found. It is by using technology as an ally in caring for the environment that conscious urban development will be achieved. Unfortunately, the model imposed on cities does not prioritize issues essential to human development, such as urban infrastructure focused on people and the environment. The justification for this research lies in new technologies, strong allies of equations aimed at urban development and infrastructure issues aimed at the social and environmental comfort of cities, aiming to analyze, within the context of the city of Sorriso, the paths to a city smart and sustainable, with a focus on urban mobility, given the high number of traffic accidents occurring in the urban core. To meet this end, the research methodology used field data collection, documentary and bibliographic material based on authors who address the theme of smart and sustainable cities and could be related to the city of Sorriso, which aims to become a smart and sustainable city.

Selecting Suitable Sites for Wind Energy Harvesting in Iraq using GIS Techniques

Wind energy harnesses the kinetic force of the wind through turbines to produce electricity. As a critical renewable energy source, it presents a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels. The availability of wind energy is geographically contingent. This paper aims to pinpoint optimal sites for wind energy development in Iraq and to secure future energy needs from renewable sources to achieve this, a multi-criteria analysis utilizing Geographic Information Systems (GIS) was employed to determine the prime locations for wind energy extraction. Vital climatic data incorporated into this analysis included a RASTER file of the study area's annual wind speed, temperature, precipitation, soil moisture, and NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) roads, urban centers, terrain gradients, and land utilization patterns were instrumental in constructing a GIS-based model. This model harnessed the weighted overlay tool within ArcGIS 10.7.1's Spatial Analysis Tools to classify and integrate various raster datasets. Findings reveal that the most favorable locations for wind energy exploitation are in Iraq's southeastern sectors. These zones are not only marked by vigorous winds averaging speeds over 6.2 meters per second but also benefit from their proximity to power grids, accessible roads, and gentle slopes, making them prime candidates for wind farm installation. The research also notes that regions with a high suitability index for wind energy development constitute 5.3% of the total examined area. This is a robust indicator of Iraq's capacity for wind energy utilization. Meanwhile, 79.7% of the territory received a moderate suitability rating, 9.5% was categorized as poorly suitable, and 5.4% was considered unsuitable for wind energy projects. These insights underscore the significant potential for harvesting wind energy in Iraq and guide strategic planning for its implementation.

Innovative Transitions: Exploring Demand for Smart City Development in Novi Sad as a European Capital of Culture

This study investigates the factors influencing the acceptance and implementation of smart city solutions, with a particular focus on smart mobility and digital services in Novi Sad, one of the leading urban centers in Serbia. Employing a quantitative methodology, the research encompasses citizens’ perceptions of the benefits of smart technologies, their level of awareness regarding smart solutions, the degree of engagement in using digital services, and their interest in smart mobility. The results indicate that these factors are crucial for the successful integration of smart technologies. Notably, awareness of smart city initiatives and the perceived benefits, such as improved mobility, reduced traffic congestion, increased energy efficiency, and enhanced quality of life, are highlighted as key prerequisites for the adoption of these solutions. Novi Sad, as the European Capital of Culture in 2022, presents a unique opportunity for the implementation of these technologies. Our findings point to the need for strategic campaigns aimed at educating and raising public awareness. The practical implications of this study could contribute to shaping policies that encourage the development of smart cities, not only in Novi Sad but also in other urban areas across Serbia and the region. This study confirms the importance of citizen engagement and technological literacy in the transformation of urban environments through smart solutions, underscoring the potential of these technologies to improve everyday life and achieve sustainable urban development.

Predictors of mortality among older adults discharged to or readmitted from a skilled nursing facility.

Previous studies have shown that patients who are readmitted to the hospital from a skilled nursing facility (SNF) have a higher mortality rate. The objective of this study is to determine factors associated with high mortality rate for older adults who require hospital readmission while on presumed short stay in SNF to trigger a goals-of-care discussion. Retrospective study of 847 patients aged 65 and above who were discharged from 1 large urban academic medical center to multiple SNF in 2019. Charts of 847 patients admitted to SNF after an acute hospital stay were reviewed; their overall 1-year mortality rate was 28.3%. The 1-year mortality rate among individuals readmitted to the hospital within 30 days of discharge to SNF was 50%, whereas for those who did not require readmission, the rate was 22%. For the most common diagnostic categories of nervous system, and musculoskeletal, patients with readmission to hospital within 30 days of discharge to SNF had a roughly threefold higher 1-year mortality rate. Worse frailty score on hospital readmission, poor nutrition, and weight loss were the most impactful individual factors carrying a higher degree of mortality of up to 83%. Hospital discharge to SNF and readmission from SNF within 30 days, further decline in functional status, and malnutrition characterize high-risk groups that should trigger care preference and prognostic discussions with patients as these events may be markers of vulnerability and are associated with high 1-year mortality rates.

On the relation between urban road network and distribution centre location strategy of Franchise retail firms

AbstractFranchise retailers such as supermarkets and convenience stores have achieved greater efficiency in delivering products to their chain stores by locating distribution centres (DCs) within or near cities. In this study, we propose that the reduction of product transportation time due to the construction of intra-urban roads facilitates the location of distribution centres. To this end, we model the inventory management behaviour of franchise retailers and show that distribution centres have two functions: (1) consolidating the inventory holding risk faced by individual chain stores and (2) achieving larger lot sizes when purchasing goods from outside the city. We then analyse the effects of facilitating logistics by improving intra-city roads on reorganizing the location patterns of chain stores and distribution centres in the city and on improving the convenience of shopping for consumers.

Prospective longitudinal study of men who have sex with men and transgender women to determine HIV incidence in two provinces in Thailand.

In Thailand, HIV transmission is well characterized in large urban centers such as Bangkok and Chiang Mai but less so outside of these areas. The main purpose of this study was to assess HIV incidence and associated risk factors in Nakhon Ratchasima and Ratchaburi. Participants assigned male sex at birth were enrolled in this prospective observational cohort study between November 2017 and July 2018. HIV and syphilis testing and sociobehavioral questionnaires were administered over 18 months. HIV incidence rates and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using a Poisson distribution. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate unadjusted and adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) and 95% CIs for associations between potential risk factors and HIV seroconversion. A total of 1003 participants were enrolled. Overall HIV incidence was 1.56 per 100 person-years (95% CI:1.02-2.44) and similar at both sites. In the fully adjusted model, sex with a sex worker in the past six months was associated with reduced risk of seroconversion (aHR:0.10, 95% CI:0.01-0.77). In the reduced adjusted model, receptive anal sex (aHR:3.40, 95% CI:1.32-8.74) and STI diagnosis in the past six months (aHR:3.58, 95% CI:1.19-10.76) were associated with seroconversion, while sex with a sex worker in the past six months was associated with reduced risk of seroconversion (aHR:0.11, 95% CI:0.02-0.67). Additionally, 56% reported interest in taking PrEP and 82% reported willingness to participate in a hypothetical future vaccine trial. Recent receptive anal sex practices were associated with HIV acquisition in these populations, highlighting the continued need for interventions encouraging safer anal sex practices to reduce HIV incidence.

Co-designing with and for Small and Remote Communities: Reflections on Transformative Innovation, Servitisation, and Agonism.

Within the conceptual framework of design for social innovation and democracy, this paper reports on implementing participatory processes in regenerating public spaces in semi-rural contexts, questioning the meaning of transformative innovation, servitisation, and agonism in non-urban contexts. This inquiry argues for exploring a reassessment of how we enact participatory public space regeneration strategies through their application in a remote context. The latter has been untouched by all the bottom-up initiatives and movements that have swept through European urban centres over the last fifteen years; returning to the urban space with these reflections could provide an opportunity to explore new perspectives, even in a saturated context, questioning the models of metropolitan practices. By challenging the paradigm of innovation as the only direction associated with a valid process of improvement and change, this paper delves into the urgency of looking at co-design processes through the lenses of decoloniality, relationality and agonism, creating moments of reflexivity inside the research team and with the local community. Our reflections and learnings stem from “Human Cities / SMOTIES, Creative Works with Small and Remote Places”, a participatory design project that examines community engagement methods for co-designing public spaces and transformations in European rural areas, specifically Albugnano, a small town in northern Italy. Setting the Albugnano community as an experimental ground, the case study addresses the lack of valorisation of tangible and intangible heritage, depopulation and social fragmentation by unpacking narratives, nurturing social imagination, and collectively envisioning and designing potential regenerative transformations.

Growth Simulation of Agriculturally Dominant Cities by Incorporating Multiple Drivers into a CA-based patch-generating Land Use Simulation Model: A Case Study in Siracusa, Italy

Abstract. Understanding the historical trajectory of land use and land cover (LULC) and predicting future alterations is essential to advancing the SDGs. Current researches on LULC in agriculture-dominated cities primarily focuses on the spatiotemporal pattern analysis of carbon storage changes, with relatively little attention given to LULC simulation studies. Moreover, most studies employing cellular automata (CA) models concentrate on urban centers, overlooking the specific sustainable development of agricultural cities. This paper selects Siracusa, Italy, as a case study, incorporating multiple drivers and constructing four development scenarios. The patch-generating land use simulation (PLUS) model is employed to predict the LULC for Siracusa by 2030 and to examine potential transformations under each scenario. Our findings show that 60% of the land in Siracusa is designated as cropland, predominantly situated in flat regions. Our simulation results reveal that urbanization and demographic growth are the main factors driving cropland conversion to urban areas. Different development scenarios exhibit significant variations in future land use structures; the cropland protection scenario emphasizes the stability and sustainability of agricultural development, whereas the economic development scenario highlights the substantial impact of urban and industrial expansion on agricultural land. These insights are instrumental for land use planning and policy-making in Siracusa and other agriculture-centric cities, providing a framework to guide urbanization while promoting agricultural sustainability.

Abstract 4139117: Epidemiology of Patients Undergoing a Rapid Response within the First 24 Hours of Admission at an Urban Academic Center

Introduction: A Rapid Response Team (RRT) is an inpatient team that aims to resuscitate deteriorating patients in non-critical care settings and reduce inpatient morbidity and mortality. It is not well understood which patients are likely to deteriorate and need a rapid response (RR) within the first 24 hours of admission. Research Question: We sought to identify the most common characteristics for patients who had a RR within 24 hours of admission. Methods: We performed a descriptive analysis evaluating 176 patients who had a RR called within 24 hours of admission to North Shore University Hospital from February 2022 to August 2023. Demographic and clinical variables were assessed, including medical history, admitting diagnosis, and indication for RR. Results: The median age of the population was 73 years; 92 (52.3%) were male, and 91 (51.7%) were white. The most common comorbidities were hypertension (119, 67.6%), coronary artery disease (51, 28.9%), and heart failure (34, 19.3%). Amongst these patients, acute hypoxic respiratory failure (11.6%) was the most common admission diagnosis followed by sepsis (9.7%) (Table 1). The most common reason for the RR was acute mental status change (26.1%) followed by hypotension (25.0%). Average time spent in the ED prior to admission was 6 hours 41 mins. Intensive care unit (ICU) consultation prior to the RRT occurred in 36 patients (20.5%) and 52 patients (29.5%) were transferred to an ICU while 124 (70.5%) remained on the medicine floors. Regarding hospital utilization, 98 (55.7%) patients were admitted within the last year and 47 (26.7%) patients were hospitalized within the last month. 14 (7.9%) patients had an ICU admission in the past year. 38 (21.5%) patients died during the admission post RR. Conclusion: In our cohort of RRs within 24 hours of admission, we observed a high prevalence of cardiac comorbidities and recent hospitalizations, a low prevalence of ICU consults prior to RR, and discordance between admitting diagnoses and reasons for RR. Further studies involving a larger cohort are needed to develop a prediction model for determining patients most at risk of deteriorating after admission and requiring RRs.

Perinatal Care Provider Perspectives on Integrating Clinical Research Into the Clinical Infrastructure.

This study explored perinatal health care providers' perspectives on the recruitment of pregnant participants and integrating clinical research into their practice, with a particular emphasis on the complexities introduced by the COVID-19 pandemic. From May to September 2021, semistructured interviews were conducted with 10 perinatal health care providers from an urban US health center. The interview transcripts were analyzed using Braun and Clarke's thematic analysis framework, a rigorous method for analyzing qualitative data by identifying, coding, and reporting themes. This approach allowed us to systematically code the data and identify key themes related to recruitment strategies and integration of clinical trials during prenatal care. Barriers to integrating clinical trials into the perinatal infrastructure included pandemic-related restrictions, heavy workloads, time constraints, ineffective communication and coordination, and maintaining the relevance of the research among providers. Facilitators included the use of communication tools, collaboration with multidisciplinary teams and stakeholders, creation of detailed study information for clinic staff, and fostering commitment to supporting research among providers. The perspectives of perinatal health care providers uncover barriers and facilitators regarding the recruitment of pregnant individuals for clinical trials and shed light on the unprecedented challenges of research in this population during the COVID-19 pandemic and lessons learned postpandemic. This information can support the development of evidence-based solutions and strategies to improve the recruitment of pregnant individuals, as well as enhance clinical research integration into infrastructure in perinatal health clinics.

Abstract 4137587: Need for Testing Standardization and Improved Treatment of Elevated Lipoprotein(a) at a Large Urban Academic Medical Center

Background: Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] is causally linked to ASCVD events and aortic stenosis. Some guidelines now recommend screening of Lp(a) at least once in an adult’s lifetime. Currently, there is inconsistency in measurement modality (mg/dL vs. nmol/L), but most guidelines recommending testing in nmol/L due to less variability and improved standardization. We sought to determine the Lp(a) measurement practices, including testing modality and downstream interventions, at a large academic medical institution. Methods: We evaluated all patient encounter data at UT Southwestern Medical Center (UTSW) between January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2021 for any Lp(a) measurement. High Lp(a) was defined as >50mg/dL or >125 nmol/L. Aggregate data were used to summarize patient demographics, relevant ASCVD co-morbidities, and lipid lowering prescriptions. Chart-review was conducted on patients with high Lp(a) to assess referrals to specialty clinics. Results: From 2017 to 2021, there were 1,065 Lp(a) measurements among 938 patients, representing fewer than 0.1% of all patients with labs at UTSW. Most were ordered by cardiologists (71%). Lp(a) tests ordered by cardiologists increased 69% annually but remained stagnant for other specialties (figure 1, lines). Median Lp(a) levels across all tests were 17mg/dL and 43nmol/L. Lp(a) was high in 30% of all initial tests. A higher proportion of tests ordered in 2021 by cardiologists (84%) were in nmol/L, the recommended standard, compared with other specialties (55%) (figure 1, bars). Patients with high Lp(a) found by a non-cardiologist were infrequently referred to cardiology (16%), and 53% of patients with high Lp(a) were prescribed lipid lowering therapy within 3 months. Conclusion: Lp(a) testing at a major academic medical center was rare and only marginally increased during the 5-year study period. Measurement frequency and assay varied widely between specialties, and there were potential opportunities for downstream interventions. In addition to improving awareness of Lp(a), there is an opportunity to standardize practice patterns regarding its measurement and implications.

Flood Risk Assessment and Its Implications on Critical Infrastructure Resilience in Nigeria

Flooding is one of the recurrent natural disasters in Nigeria that poses huge threats to not just people but also critical infrastructures. In 2024, the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation and the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) identified 31 states including the FCT as high-risk areas for significant flood impacts. The impact of floods generally has caused devastating damage to critical infrastructures resulting from high rain intensities for a long duration. It becomes pertinent to evaluate the impact of floods on critical infrastructures like roads, bridges, residential buildings, water supply systems, and electricity facilities. Thus, this research seeks to explore the vulnerabilities and impacts of floods on critical infrastructure which is fundamental to economic growth, development, and coping mechanisms. A structured questionnaire was distributed among a sample of 90 including government department, construction industry, and community members to seek their views on the vulnerability risk of infrastructure and flood sources. Results indicate that most of the damages reported 42% were due to the destruction of roads and bridges, followed by residential houses at 31%. The main cause of flooding identified by 54% of respondents was poor drainage systems, while 31% cited poor waste management as a contributing issue. Hence, restoration of the drainage systems, implementation of prohibitions on encroachment of flood-prone areas and improvement of early warning systems are critical and pressing. The uniqueness of the study lies in its effort to address the gaps and challenges that exist in infrastructure resilience by identifying the most critical elements that are prone to risks and proposing mitigation measures against floods in the urban centers of Nigeria which are experiencing rapid growth.

Factors hindering the implementation of urban planning tools in Central Africa: Case study of reference urban plan for Sarh Town (Chad)

The reference urban plan is an urban planning tool often used to orient the development of Chadian cities. However, expanding Chadian urban centers, such as Sarh, face challenges in implementing urban planning orientations of their urban plans within the set deadlines. The objective of this study is to identify the factors impeding the effective implementation of the reference urban plan for Sarh town. The methodology employed encompasses a literature review, individual interviews with urban planning experts, geographic information system (GIS) data, household surveys and statistical analysis. The results revealed that less than a quarter (19.72%) of the households surveyed were aware of the reference urban plan. The applied logistic regression model identified age, occupation and level of education as the main factors influencing public participation in the preparation of the reference urban plan. On average, 33.33% of the urban planning guidelines and 21.74% of the projected urban projects were implemented, with a difference of 1631.28 hectares (ha) between the projected plan and the actual plan for the town. Five factors were identified as contributing to the failure to implement the reference urban plan for Sarh town, including low funding, inadequate land management, a lack of political will, weak governance and poor communication. Consequently, participatory and inclusive planning approaches, effective financial mobilisation, strong governance, and the use of modern technologies such as GIS tools are recommended to enhance the implementation of urban planning tools.

Two decades of population change in Saudi Arabia: Exploring effective redistribution strategies

Census 2022 of Saudi Arabia was released recently, with 12 years of intercensal interval. Although it appeared provisional having no reports similar to the 2010 census, efforts to analyze, interpret, disseminate, and discuss were essential for building structures and systems at par with demographic trends and patterns. An analysis was carried out with this census data compared to 2004 and 2010 to track population change—demographic pace, trends, and patterns—over the two decades. Data from all three censuses were analyzed with conventional demographic techniques. A reduction in growth was observed with a declining percentage of the childhood population but with an expanding percentage of the adults (working age) indicating a demographic dividend resulted, mostly, from fertility decline. An aging trend established by the previous censuses was lost, recently: the constriction of the pyramid of 2010 was changed to a different shape. Not only the percentage distribution trends were uneven but also the age-based indices. Thus, these trends revealed a demographic difference to an extent, that demands standardized reports, uniform procedures for the data collection and compilation, and geographic distribution equations. The increasing concentration in urban centers of major administrative areas—Al-Riyadh, Makkah Al-Mokarramah, and the Eastern Region demand redistribution policies. Self-contained townships appear as a strategic option in population redistribution, guaranteeing quality standards and lifestyle.

Impact of Internet Hospital Consultations on Outpatient Visits and Expenses: Quasi-Experimental Study.

Internet hospital consultations are emerging in China as a new channel for patients to access health care services. Unlike third-party health care platforms such as Haodf, Teladoc Health, and MDLive, internet hospitals seamlessly integrate patients' offline medical records with online consultations, offering a cohesive online and offline health care experience. However, its impact on outpatient visits remains ambiguous. While it may encourage outpatient visits due to better continuity of care, it could also reduce face-to-face visits because of the convenience of online consultations. Given that patients in China have the autonomy to freely choose their health care providers, it is critical for hospitals to understand the effect of this telehealth technology on outpatient visits. This study aimed to analyze the impact of patients' adoption of internet hospital consultations on their outpatient frequency and expenses, and whether these impacts vary between urban and rural patients. The data used in this study were collected from a public tertiary hospital situated in a southeastern county of China, covering internet hospital consultations from January 2021 to October 2022, and offline outpatient records from January 2020 to October 2022. The dataset also includes patient demographic information. To estimate the causal effect, we used a quasi-experimental design, combining the difference-in-differences (DiD) analysis with the propensity score matching (PSM). After performing PSM, 2065 pairs of patients (4130 patients) were obtained for data analysis. Our findings highlight 3 key results. First, patients' adoption of internet hospital consultations increases their frequency of outpatient visits by 2.4% per month (P<.001), and the associated expenses by 15.5% per month (P<.001). Second, such positive effects are more pronounced for patients residing in rural areas. Specifically, for every 1% increase in the distance between patients' residences and the county government (an urban center), the positive effect on monthly outpatient visits increases by 0.3% (P=.06), and the positive effect on monthly outpatient expenses increases by 2.4% (P=.03). Third, our post hoc analysis shows that rural patients living in areas with higher local health care quality experience a mitigated positive effect of internet hospital consultations, compared with those in areas with lower health care quality. This study extends the research scope of telehealth technologies by investigating internet hospitals, which are characterized by the integration of online and offline services. Our findings suggest that patients' adoption of internet hospital consultations is associated with an increase in both the frequency and expenses of outpatient visits. In addition, these effects vary based on patients' urban-rural status and local health care quality. These insights offer valuable guidance for policy makers and health care providers in promoting and optimizing the development and operation of internet hospitals.

Avaliação da acústica em shopping centers de Maceió

Shopping centers are increasingly becoming popular as a leisure option in urban centers, as they offer security and provide protection against high urban temperatures. However, these spaces have become places of agglomeration, which results in very noisy environments due to the intense flow of people. Thus, this work aims to evaluate the acoustic environment of the three largest shopping centers in the city of Maceio, Brazil. The methodological steps of this study included the selection of shopping centers, sound measurements, the identification of noise sources in the spaces, and the analysis and discussion of the results, made through the collection of sound pressure levels and speech intelligibility levels. The results indicated that, in some of the scenarios studied, the sound levels were above what is allowed by the standards and may be harmful to hearing health in case of prolonged permanence. It was concluded that the lack of adequate acoustic materials in projects can contribute to high sound pressure levels and noise exposure.

The association between serum complement 4 and relapse of primary membranous nephropathy: a multicenter retrospective cohort study

BackgroundRelapse after initial remission reduces renal survival in patients with primary membranous nephropathy (PMN). In this study, we aim to identify risk factors of relapse in PMN and construct a model to identify patients at high risk of relapse early.MethodsWe conducted a multi-center retrospective study using the China Renal Data System database, which includes data from 24 urban academic centers across China. A prediction model based on the Cox proportional hazards model was derived in the derivation group and validated in the validation group.Result515 patients with biopsy-proven PMN achieving initial remission were enrolled. 32.62% of patients subsequently relapsed during a median of 6.08 months. Lower serum albumin (Alb) (per 1 g/L decrease, hazard ratio [HR] =1.48, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.29–1.78, p &amp;lt; 0.001), lower estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) (per 10 mL/min/1.73m2 decrease, HR =1.14, 95% CI 0.97–1.49, p &amp;lt; 0.001), higher serum complement 4 (C4) (per 0.1 g/L increase, HR =1.89, 95% CI 1.32–3.22, p = 0.012), partial remission (PR) (HR =2.28, 95%CI 1.74–4.04, p &amp;lt; 0.001), and treatment with calcineurin inhibitors (CINs) (HR =1.33, 95%CI 1.04–1.64, p &amp;lt; 0.001) at the time of remission were risk factors for relapse. C-statistic, time-dependent areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve, and calibration plots confirmed that the model had excellent discrimination and calibration in predicting PMN relapse. The anti-phospholipase A2 receptor antibody (aPLA2Rab) titers and pathologic features did not substantially improve the model.ConclusionOur study confirms the well-known low Alb and eGFR, PR, and treatment of CNIs at the time of remission as risk factors for PMN relapse, but aPLA2Rab and pathologic features may not predict relapse. In addition, it is the first study to show serum C4 is associated with PMN relapse. We suggest that complement-targeted therapies may be a potential therapy to prevent PMN relapse.

Beyond the egg: sperm source does not impact cumulative live birth rates in autologous oocyte cryopreservation patients when adjusted for oocyte age.

To assess the impact of sperm source on cumulative live birth rate (CLBR) after oocyte thaw in autologous oocyte cryopreservation (AOC) patients. A retrospective cohort study of autologous oocyte thaw patients at an urban academic fertility center from 2006 to 2021. Patients were stratified by sperm source [partner sperm (PS) vs. donor sperm (DS)]. The primary outcome was CLBR per patient. Secondary outcomes were the oocyte survival rate and usable embryo rate. Statistics included Mann-Whitney U, Kruskal-Wallis, Fisher's exact, chi-square, two-sample t-tests, and multiple logistic regression (p < 0.05). A total of 653 patients were included; 455 (69.7%) used PS and 198 (30.3%) used DS. Time from the first AOC to the first thaw did not differ among DS and PS users (56.8 vs. 54.0months, p = 0.20). PS users were younger at AOC (37.9 vs. 38.5years, p < 0.001) and thaw (42.3 vs. 43.1years, p < 0.001). There were equivalent overall CLBRs (39.9% PS vs. 40.6% DS, p = 0.85) and CLBRs in patients < 35years at AOC (51.2% PS vs. 100% DS, p = 0.18), 35-37years at AOC (45.9% PS vs. 60.4% DS, p = 0.10), 38-40years at AOC (35.4% PS vs. 35.2% DS, p = 0.93), 41-42years at AOC (28.9% PS vs 14.3% DS, p = 0.21), and > 43years at AOC (12.5% PS vs 16.7% DS, p = 0.83) among PS and DS users. There were no significant differences in the oocyte survival (79% PS vs 80.5% DS, p = 0.08) or the proportion of patients with usable embryos (27.3% vs 27.8%, p = 0.70) between PS and DS groups. In AOC patients, CLBR, oocyte survival rate, and usable embryo rate did not differ based on sperm source.

Drought in south-west Australia links to urban immigration across multiple avian taxa

Background Urban areas are a significant and rapidly expanding part of the global landscape. Urban expansion occurs alongside climate change, with both linked to declines in native species. However, urban environments can offer alternative resources during extreme climatic events such as droughts. Aims We sought to identify bird species that had an increased presence in the major urban center of south-west Western Australia during a climate anomaly characterized by record low rainfall and high temperatures. Methods Using eBird data, we analyzed changes in the reporting rates of all bird species in the period from January 2019 to August 2024. Generalized linear models were used to assess the influence of cumulative 6-month, 12-month, and 18-month rainfall on species reporting rates. Key results Reporting rates increased dramatically (up to nine times higher than average) around the time of the drought, before reducing back to the average once the drought was broken for four species: (1) the black-shouldered kite; (2) the black-tailed native-hen; (3) the tawny-crowned honeyeater; and (4) the western spinebill. Cumulative 6-month rainfall was a strong predictor for the raptor and the two honeyeaters. Other similar species showed no significant change in reporting rate, suggesting the effect is highly species dependent. Conclusions Multiple different types of birds may utilize urban areas during drought events. Further research is needed to identify what drives movement of wildlife in response to such events, and the type of urban resources the birds are using. Implications Urban ecosystems should be integrated into broader conservation plans to support species through the interacting challenges posed by climate change and urbanization.

Learning to care on one's own: Chinese children's caregivers' reflections on family care

AbstractBackgroundThe past few decades have witnessed drastic changes in family structures and the provision of care within the family in China.ObjectiveThe current study investigated how familial caregivers of children (N = 30, Mage = 41.67, SD = 11.32) living in one of the largest urban centers in China learned and taught how to care within the family.MethodNine focus groups were conducted to collect data, and thematic analysis was adopted to analyze the data.ResultsTwo main themes were found: (a) learning to care on one's own and (b) the importance of encouraging one to want to care. The findings indicate that Chinese caregivers received limited direct instruction in learning how to care and were often faced with the challenge of having to self‐teach care. Meanwhile, when teaching care, caregivers focused on the motivation to care (e.g., filial piety) as an important element for learning to practice care.ConclusionThese findings highlight considerations of motivation of care often not mentioned in the Western literature while also indicating the need of society to support teaching and learning the practice of care within the family.ImplicationsThis study highlights the importance of cultural considerations when designing intervention programs to help individuals to develop the ability to care and provides insights exploring how school‐family partnership promotes children's ability to be caring.