Urban Residential Areas Research Articles

Household Location (Urban, Peri-Urban and Rural Settlements) as an Associated Risk Factor for Toxoplasmosis during Pregnancy in Southeastern Brazil.

Brazil has a high prevalence of toxoplasmosis. However, there is a gap in comparing seroprevalence for Toxoplasma gondii across different environments, particularly among pregnant residents of rural and urban areas. The prevalence of IgG and IgM for T. gondii was compared among pregnant residents of the urban, peri-urban, and rural settlement areas in a municipality in southeastern Brazil. Information regarding age and area of residence was compiled from January 2015 to December 2022. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess the age and area of residence as risk factors. A total of 1614 examinations were recorded, revealing 54.0% seropositivity, which was highest in the rural settlement (61.1%), followed by the peri-urban area (55.9%), and lowest in the urban area (49.2%). The high prevalence of IgG and presence of IgM in pregnant residents of rural, peri-urban, and urban areas highlights the significance of the results obtained for strengthening maternal health programs aimed at preventing toxoplasmosis, regardless of their residence.

Low levels and determinants of appropriate complementary feeding practices among children aged 6–23 months from Tigray, Ethiopia: a community-based cross-sectional study

IntroductionComplementary feeding is considered appropriate when introduced timely at 6 months of age, and where it fulfils the minimum meal frequency, minimum dietary diversity and minimum acceptable diet. Sufficient evidence...

Community-Based “Green Tourism” Development Strategy for Situ Gede Ecotourism in West Bogor Sub-district

Abstract The tourism industry is growing fast in developing countries but does not necessarily consider sustainability issues. In this regard, the concept of green tourism is a way to promote sustainable tourism development. This study was conducted in Situ Gede Ecotourism, Situ Gede Village, West Bogor District. This study aims to identify and analyse the characteristics of the landscape, examine people’s perceptions and preferences, and provide recommendations for strategies towards green tourism in Situ Gede. Data collection was carried out through field observations, interviews, questionnaires, FGDs, and literature studies. This study uses two analytical methods, namely perception and preference analysis and the analysis of three stages of strategy formulation. Based on the results of the study, Situ Gede has landscape characteristics, namely that the spatial layout and land of this tourist location are in urban residential areas. The main attraction at Situ Gede is the view and use of the lake and the Dramaga research forest. There is a Situ Gede tourism management community and several other communities that have the potential to play a role in tourism activities, and there is awareness to protect the lake and its surroundings. The community expects an increase in the economy with the development of tourism. Based on the results of the perception analysis, Situ Gede is included in the high category for the development of green tourism. The results of the IE matrix show that Situ Gede’s position is in quadrant II, which provides recommendations for strategies to develop and build the tourist attraction management, promotion, and partnership.

Cascading effects of mammal host community composition on tick vector occurrence at the urban human–wildlife interface

AbstractHabitat fragmentation and host community composition are implicated as key drivers of changing tick populations and tick‐borne pathogen dynamics, altering infection risk through coupled socioecological pathways that mediate interactions between tick vectors, vertebrate hosts, and humans. Patterns of host diversity may be particularly idiosyncratic across urbanized landscapes, due to trade‐offs between extreme fragmentation that reduces habitat suitability and access, and human activities that artificially increase resource availability for wildlife. We used camera and hair trap surveys and tick sampling to identify links between landscape composition and configuration, the mammalian host community, and the presence of three tick vector species at a human–wildlife interface in New York City, an emerging area within an endemic region for several tick‐borne diseases. We found that human infrastructures, such as the presence of fences in yards, could affect mammal host community composition by changing the “hardness” of edges between urban greenspaces and residential areas. We identified yard‐ and broader landscape‐level features associated with the presence of urban mammal species, and identified cascading effects of host community composition on tick distribution in yards, suggesting management implications for the mitigation of human exposure to tick‐borne pathogens. In particular, we identified a possible role of ubiquitous mesomammals, such as raccoons (Procyon lotor), in transporting Amblyomma americanum ticks between parks and neighboring residential yards, and confirmed the key role of white‐tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) for introducing Ixodes scapularis ticks into yards. Our results challenge assumptions that biodiversity loss in human‐modified areas always increases the risk for tick‐borne diseases. Instead, we found many residential sites had higher mammal species richness and higher detection of low reservoir competent (“dilution”) hosts for Borrelia burgdorferi, such as opossums (Didelphis virginiana), than paired forested greenspaces. Our study highlights the importance of disentangling the mechanisms mediating tick‐borne disease hazard as a critical first step toward reducing urban tick‐borne disease risk.

Prediction of soil heavy metal contents in urban residential areas and the strength of deep learning: A case study of Beijing

Predicting soil heavy metal (SHM) content is crucial for understanding SHM pollution levels in urban residential areas and guide efforts to reduce pollution. However, current research indicates low SHM prediction accuracy in urban areas. Therefore, we employed a deep learning method (fully connected deep neural network) alongside four other methods (muti-layer perceptron, radial basis function neural network, multiple stepwise linear regression, and Kriging interpolation) to predict SHM content in the urban residential areas of Beijing and demonstrated the strength of deep learning in improving prediction accuracy. We found the contents of the evaluated heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn) exhibited significant correlations with numerous other soil physicochemical properties and environmental factors. The prediction accuracy for Cu, Pb, and Zn contents was relatively high across different methods. Notably, deep learning showed considerable strength in predicting the contents of the four heavy metals, with the R2 for the test set of the model ranging from 0.75 to 0.91. Compared to other methods, deep learning achieved markedly higher prediction accuracy according to different accuracy evaluation indicators (e.g., deep learning showed increases in the cumulative R2 of the four heavy metals ranging from 53.16 % to 187.36 % compared to other methods). Our study indicates that deep learning can significantly improve SHM content prediction accuracy in urban areas and is highly applicable in urban residential areas with complex environmental influences.

Exploring the spatio-temporal driving mechanism of multi-dimensional urbanization on urban residential buildings based on GTWR: a case study of China

ABSTRACT Examining how urbanization affects carbon emissions in the construction industry is crucial for China's efforts to achieve environmentally friendly and low-carbon growth. Nevertheless, current research predominantly employs a unidimensional approach to gauge urbanization, overlooking the nuanced characteristics of novel urbanization. This study explored the spatial and temporal characteristics of the impact of urbanization on carbon emissions from urban residential buildings from a multidimensional perspective, starting from five dimensions: population, economy, land, life, and ecology, using a spatial–temporal geographically weighted regression model (GTWR) and panel data from 30 provinces in China for the period 2010–2020. The findings of this study revealed that, on the whole, population urbanization, land urbanization, and lifestyle urbanization exert a significant facilitating influence on carbon emissions from urban residential buildings. Conversely, economic urbanization exhibits a notable inhibitory effect on carbon emissions from urban residential buildings. Furthermore, ecological urbanization transitions from an inhibitory effect to a promoting effect on carbon emissions from urban residential buildings. The impact of urbanization across various dimensions on carbon emissions from urban residential buildings displays spatiotemporal heterogeneity across different regions and periods. In addition, the structure of energy consumption is a contributing factor to the increase in carbon emissions from urban residential buildings, while there is a notable U-shaped relationship between the level of foreign investment, the industrial structure, and carbon emissions originating from urban residential areas. This study offers profound insights into the relationship between urbanization and carbon emissions, providing valuable guidance for policymakers.

Exploring Family Ties and Interpersonal Dynamics—A Geospatial Simulation Analyzing Their Influence on Evacuation Efficiency within Urban Communities

Guaranteeing efficient evacuations in urban communities is critical for preserving lives, minimizing disaster impacts, and promoting community resilience. Challenges such as high population density, limited evacuation routes, and communication breakdowns complicate evacuation efforts. Vulnerable populations, urban infrastructure constraints, and the increasing frequency of disasters further contribute to the complexity. Despite these challenges, the importance of timely evacuations lies in safeguarding human safety, enabling rapid disaster response, preserving critical infrastructure, and reducing economic losses. Overcoming these hurdles necessitates comprehensive planning, investment in resilient infrastructure, effective communication strategies, and continuous community engagement to foster preparedness and enhance evacuation efficiency. This research looks into the complexities of evacuation dynamics within urban residential areas, placing a particular focus on the interaction between joint-rental arrangements and family ties and their influence on evacuation strategies during emergency situations. Using agent-based modeling, evacuation simulation scenarios are implemented using the Changhongfang community (Shanghai) while systematically exploring how diverse interpersonal relationships impact the efficiency of evacuation processes. The adopted methodology encompasses a series of group experiments designed to determine the optimal proportions of joint-rental occupants within the community. Furthermore, the research examines the impact of various exit selection strategies on evacuation efficiency. Simulation outcomes shed light on the fundamental role of interpersonal factors in shaping the outcomes of emergency evacuations. Additionally, this study emphasizes the critical importance of strategic exit selections, revealing their potential to significantly enhance overall evacuation efficiency in urban settings.

Auxological Status of Modern Primary School Students of Nizhny Novgorod Region

The article describes the characteristics of the resulting effector auxological morpho-functional status of primary school students, differentiated by gender and administrative-territorial characteristics. The objectives of the study included studying the auxological status of children adolescents, and primary school students in the Nizhny Novgorod region in the context of the peculiarities of the exoenvironment of residence in urban and rural areas. Materials and methods: Own data served as a source of anthropometry and physiometry indicators of the objective population of the region. The analysis of anthropological indicators was carried out by discretizing data sets that state an objective picture of auxological indicators at the regional level, taking into account the peculiarities of anthropogenic loads characteristic of the place of residence of the observed population groups. To quantify the values ​​and statistical differences in indicators by age, gender, and administrative characteristics, the median, standard deviation, and criteria were used: Fisher, Wilks, and Mahalanobis, with an error of differences at p < 0.05. Results: The stability of the age-sex evolution of auxological indicators is shown; the age-sex and territorial dimorphism of total body sizes is shown at 7-10 years of age, with residents of rural areas lagging in the observed indicators. Hemodynamic indicators in both boys and girls significantly prevail among students living in the metropolis relative to their rural counterparts, except diastolic blood pressure. Variance analytics shows differences in the distributions of anthropometry and hemodynamics, both by age and by the urbanization factor at p < 0.001. In the observed age period, at the initial stage, hemodynamic indicators act primarily as modifiers of the metropolis and rural groups. From the age of ten, according to the standardized coefficients of discriminant functions, according to the first canonical variable, the division of series also occurs according to anthropometric characteristics, among which the greatest contribution to the division of groups is made by body weight and body length, and the hemodynamic characteristic - diastolic blood pressure - has also proven to be decisive. Conclusion: Primary school students living in rural areas and in the metropolis of the Nizhny Novgorod region determine the observed indicators ambiguously; if residents of the metropolis state greater results for all observed auxological indicators, then rural peers demonstrate, while lagging in all observed indicators, greater indicators of diastolic blood pressure, which suggests a strain on adaptation mechanisms central character.

SOMATIC STATUS AND BODY COMPOSITION OF YOUNG WOMEN OF THE ALTAI REPUBLIC LIVING IN URBAN AND RURAL AREAS

Introduction. Due to the wide variety of ethnogeographic features and ecological niches, environmental differences as well as changes in living conditions, the study of the morphological status of indigenous populations of Russia retains its significance. Our aim was to study the somatic status and BIA body composition of young women of Altai and Russian ethnicities aged 17-23 years living in urban and rural areas of the Altai Republic. Materials and methods. In 2021–2023, 230 young women aged 17 to 23 years (117 Altai-Kizhi and 113 Russians) living in urban and rural areas were examined. The examination program included anthropometry, the Heath-Carter somatotyping, and BIA. Ethnic differences and city-village differences were assessed using parametric and non-parametric methods. Results. Ethnically Russian women were, in general, somewhat larger than Altai women, significant differences were found for height (Ht), weight (Wt), waist circumference (WC) and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR). Significant differences were also observed for the resistance R50, phase angle and fat-free mass (FFM) values. The somatotype distributions by enlarged classes were close with a predominance of mesomorphic and endomorphic types. When testing for city-village differences in ethnic subgroups, the total body dimensions (Wt, Ht, chest circumference), as well as WC, hip circumference (HC) and body mass index were slightly higher in urban residents (not significant differences). The urban Altai women had a statistically significantly higher endomorphy rating with a noticeable increase in fat mass (FM), %FM and fat mass index. Ethnic differences were more pronounced in rural (Ht, Wt, HC, WHR, R50, phase angle, FFM and fat-free mass index were significantly different) than in urban residents (significant differences only for Ht and FFM). Conclusions. The results of our study suggest that permanent residence in urban or rural areas, along with ethnic differences, is a significant factor associated with the somatic status of young Altai-Kizhi and ethnically Russian women belonging to the modern indigenous population of the Altai Republic. In the subgroup of young women who are inherently living in the city, less pronounced ethnic differences in somatic status were observed as compared to residents of rural areas. © 2024. This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 license.

Distribution, risk evaluation, and source allocation of cesium and strontium in surface soil in a mining city.

Radioactive nuclides cesium (Cs) and strontium (Sr) possess long half-lives, with 135Cs at approximately 2.3 million years and 87Sr at about 49 billion years. Their persistent accumulation can result in long-lasting radioactive contamination of soil ecosystems. This study employed geo-accumulation index (Igeo), pollution load index (PLI), potential ecological risk index (PEPI), health risk assessment model (HRA), and Monte Carlo simulation to evaluate the pollution and health risks of Cs and Sr in the surface soil of different functional areas in a typical mining city in China. Positive matrix factorization (PMF) model was used to elucidate the potential sources of Cs and Sr and the respective contribution rates of natural and anthropogenic sources. The findings indicate that soils in the mining area exhibited significantly higher levels of Cs and Sr pollution compared to smelting factory area, agricultural area, and urban residential area. Strontium did not pose a potential ecological risk in any studied functional area. The non-carcinogenic health risk of Sr to the human body in the study area was relatively low. Because of the lack of parameters for Cs, the potential ecological and human health risks of Cs was not calculated. The primary source of Cs in the soil was identified as the parent material from which the soil developed, while Sr mainly originated from associated contamination caused by mining activities. This research provides data for the control of Cs and Sr pollution in the surface soil of mining city.

Spatial distribution, pollution level and human health risk assessment of heavy metals in urban street dust at neighbourhood scale

Urban street dust (UStD) is a vital issue for human health and is crucial for urban sustainability. This study aims to enhance the creation of safe, affordable, and resilient cities by examining environmental contamination and health risks in urban residential areas. Specifically, it investigates the concentrations and spatial distribution of chromium (Cr), cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn) in UStD in Yenimahalle, Ankara. The mean concentrations of Zn, Cr, Pb, Cd, Ni, and Cu in UStD were 97.98, 66.88, 55.22, 52.45, 38.37, and 3.81 mg/kg, respectively. The geoaccumulation pollution index (Igeo) values for these elements were: Cd (5.12), Ni (1.61), Cr (1.21), Pb (1.13), Cu (0.78), and Zn (0.24). These indices indicate that the area is moderately polluted with Cr, Pb, and Ni, uncontaminated to moderately contaminated with Cu and Zn, and extremely polluted with Cd. The hazard index (HI) values for Cr, Cd, Ni, Cu, Pb, and Zn were below the non-carcinogenic risk threshold for adults, indicating no significant risk. However, for children, the HI values for Pb, Ni, Cd, and Zn were 3.37, 1.80, 1.25, and 1.25, respectively, suggesting a higher risk. Carcinogenic risk (RI) of Cd, Ni, and Pb was significant for both children and adults, indicating that exposure through ingestion, inhalation, and dermal contact is hazardous. The findings highlight the need for strategic mitigation measures for both natural and anthropogenic activities, providing essential insights for residents, policymakers, stakeholders, and urban planners.

Promoting Peri-urban Agriculture: A Remedy for Climate Change. Case of the Town of Delly Brahim in Algiers

The issue of promoting peri-urban agriculture seems to be an important one in response tothe various current concerns about the future of cities in the face of climate change. At firstsight, these peri-urban agricultural areas, which in the past provided shelter for cities, arenow threatened by urban sprawl and are increasingly losing their function of protectingurban areas from climatic hazards. This question is a priority when considering the future ofagriculture in today's urban sprawl. We are therefore raising a number of concerns linked tomultiple issues: the trampling of green space, agricultural environmental sustainability,territorial impacts and the difficulty of managing rural and urban populations.Around these questions, this research is structured to provide theoretical and practicalknowledge that will enable us to place peri-urban agriculture at the heart of urban concerns,in a perspective of reaction to climate change. The interest of this work is reinforced in thecase of peri-urban areas surrounding the capital of Algiers, such as the commune of DelyBrahim: a concrete example of a territory concerned by the subject. On the one hand, thisperiphery boasts important agricultural production zones in close geographical proximity tothe capital Algiers, and on the other, it plays a fundamental economic, environmental andlandscape role in relation to its region. Between its dense urban residential areas, itsagricultural areas threatened by urban sprawl and its natural areas rich in resources, thisterritory is today confronted with numerous environmental vulnerabilities. The aim istherefore to examine the issue of preserving the agricultural sector and its role in mitigatingclimate change.

Sleep Duration and Sleep Hygiene Among Rural and Urban Residents in District Etawah of Uttar Pradesh: A Community Based Comparative Cross-sectional Study

Background: Sleep deprivation include physical effects (sleepiness, fatigue) cognitive impairment (deterioration of performance, attention and motivation) and mental health issues. Objectives: To assess and compare sleep duration and sleep hygiene with their associated factors among rural and urban residents of a district of Uttar Pradesh. Material and Methods: This cross?sectional study was conducted in Etawah district, UP, from January 2022 to June 2022. All residents of rural and urban areas were included using multistage sampling. Study tool included a questionnaire which collected sociodemographic information, sleep duration, and sleep hygienic practices using sleep hygiene index. Results: In this study, 240 participants each from the rural and urban areas were included. The mean duration of sleep among the participants in rural and urban areas was 7.40±1.22 and 8.18±1.30 h during the workdays whereas, 7.30±1.30 and 8.11±1.35 h during the weekends respectively. About 40% were having unhygienic sleep practices. Most of the study participants had the history of sleep duration less than 8 hr. among the comparison groups. Graduated participants had the more sleep problems. Conclusions: Particularly among the elderly, inadequate sleep duration and differences in sleep rhythm between weekdays and weekends were seen.

Social gradient and rural-urban disparities in cancer mortality in Costa Rica

IntroductionData on social inequalities in cancer mortality are sparse, especially in low- and middle-income countries. We aimed to analyze the socioeconomic inequalities in cancer mortality in Costa Rica between 2010 and 2018. MethodsWe linked 9-years of data from the National Electoral Rolls, National Birth Index and National Death Index to classify deaths due to cancer and socioeconomic characteristics of the district of residence, as measured by levels of urbanicity and wealth. We analyzed the fifteen most frequent cancer sites in Costa Rica among the 2.7 million inhabitants aged 20 years and older. We used a parametric survival model based on a Gompertz distribution. ResultsCompared to urban areas, mixed and rural area residents had lower mortality from pancreas, lung, breast, prostate, kidney, and bladder cancers, and higher mortality from stomach cancer. Mortality from stomach, lung and cervical cancer was higher, and mortality from colorectal cancer, non-Hodgkin lymphoma and leukemia was lower in the most disadvantaged districts, compared to the wealthiest ones. ConclusionWe observed marked disparities in cancer mortality in Costa Rica in particular from infection- and lifestyle- related cancers. There are important opportunities to reduce disparities in cancer mortality by targeting cancer prevention, early detection and opportune treatment, mainly in urban and disadvantaged districts.

Design and Evaluation of Solar Photocatalytic Reclamation for Purification of Agricultural Wastewater

The study designed and assessed a solar-powered wastewater treatment system tailored for purifying agricultural wastewater in urban residential areas. Integrating advanced technologies, primarily solar energy-driven, the system aims to effectively remove pollutants to meet discharge standards. The detailed analysis included wastewater composition, sources and suitable treatment processes, with emphasis on comparative feasibility analysis and recommended quality assurance measures. The results of the study indicate that solar photocatalytic technology has great potential for degrading pollutants and reducing operating costs. The economic analysis showed that the technology is financially viable with a payback period of about 4.64 years. The photocatalytic system offers a higher level of efficiency and flexibility compared to existing methods. Emphasis is placed on implementing quality assurance to meet safety and environmental standards.

Exposure assessment of metal(loids) in indoor air and biomonitoring in six urban residential areas in Iran

Exposure to metal(loid)s can cause adverse health effects. This study evaluated the concentrations of aluminum, arsenic, cadmium, chromium, mercury, nickel, and lead in particulate matter <10 μm (PM10) and in the urine of 100 participants from urban residential areas in Iran. A total of 100 residential buildings (one adult from each household) in six cities across Iran were recruited for this study. The levels of metal(loid)s in PM10 and the urine of participants were measured using acid digestion followed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The average (±SE) PM10 concentration in the buildings was 51.7 ± 3.46 μg/m3. Aluminum and cadmium had the highest and lowest concentrations among the metal(loid)s, averaging 3.74 ± 1.26 μg/m3 and 0.01 ± 0.001 μg/m3, respectively. In 85 % of the samples, the concentration of metal(loid)s in indoor air exceeded WHO air quality standards. Cadmium and lead had the highest and lowest numbers of indoor air samples exceeding the recommended standards, respectively. A significant correlation was found between the concentration of metal(loid)s in urine samples and indoor PM10 levels, as well as the wealth index of participants. There was also a significant direct relationship between the concentrations of nickel, arsenic, lead, and mercury in urine and the age of participants. Factors such as building location, type of cooling systems, use of printers at home, and natural ventilation influenced the concentration and types of metal(loid)s in the indoor air.

A Study of Caste and Tribal System in Kumaon and Garhwal Reasons in Uttarakhand

The Jaunsari, Tharu, Raji, Buksa, and Bhotiya tribes are the five primary groups that make up Uttarakhand's tribe population. The Jaunsari tribe is the largest tribal group in the state in terms of numbers. The ethnic groups living in the state of Uttarakhand are represented by the tribes. In all of Uttarakhand's districts, the proportion of tribal people is roughly moderate. The majority of tribal people in the state of Uttarakhand live in rural areas. According to available data, approximately 94.50% of all tribal members live in rural areas, with the remaining portion residing in urban areas. It is stated that about five tribes call Uttarakhand officially home. The Indian Constitution has designated a schedule for these tribes from Uttarakhand. According to historical accounts, the earliest people to settle in this part of North India were the tribes of Uttarakhand. Their primary populations used to be restricted to isolated, steep, and wooded regions. The ancient customs of the tribes in Uttarakhand have not changed. They stand for the unique way of life and characteristics of a prehistoric society. Their ethnicity is determined by their sociocultural practices and traditional customs. Up to five tribes that are officially located in Uttarakhand are listed as scheduled in the Indian Constitution, which was drafted more than 40 years ago, in 1967.

Private parking space owners’ choice behavior of different sharing modes: hybrid choice model using justified latent variables

ABSTRACT Private parking spaces account for a large proportion of potential parking resources, whose utilization rate could be raised by sharing them. To investigate private parking space owners’ sharing choice behavior, this paper applies a framework of Combined Technology Acceptance Model and the Theory of Planned Behavior for a more comprehensive consideration of psychological attitudes on these suppliers in urban residential areas. A web-based survey was conducted to collect data. The justified factors are then incorporated in hybrid choice model (HCM) as latent variables. HCM results showed that incorporation of latent variables such as perceived risk provides better fitting effect than traditional multinominal models, and that revenues and community participance are influential factors for sharing choice. Our findings indicate behavioral intention framework could serve as argumentation of rational selection of latent variables. These findings could also support better implementation of shared parking from managerial and operational perspectives.

Integrated Assessment of the Runoff and Heat Mitigation Effects of Vegetation in an Urban Residential Area

Urban vegetation has an essential role in maintaining the hydrological and energy balance. These processes in urban areas have been long overlooked due to the fragmentation and uneven feature of land use and vegetation distribution. Recent advances in remote sensing and the ease of data acquisition have allowed a more precise mapping of vegetation and land cover, making it possible to simulate the above processes at micro scales. This research selects a small typical residential catchment in Japan as the study area and the purpose of this research is to investigate the impact of urban vegetation on mitigating urban runoff and the heat island effect. The remote-sensed Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) data were used to represent vegetation spatial distribution and seasonal variation. A single layer canopy model and the Storm Water Management Model were coupled to simulate interception, evapotranspiration, and runoff generation processes. The effects of vegetation amount and landscape patterns on the above processes were also considered. The results showed that the coupled model had a satisfactory performance in the modeling of these processes. When the vegetation amount was set to 1.4 times its original value, the summer total runoff had a 10.7% reduction and the average surface temperature had a 2.5 °C reduction. While the vegetation amount was 0.8 times its original value, the total runoff increased by 6%, and the average surface temperature in summer increased by 1.5 °C. The combination of green roof and dense street trees showed the best mitigation performance among the different landscape patterns. The results of this study could be used as a reference for future green infrastructure development in areas with similar climate and vegetation characteristics.

Comparison of depression and suicide between dialysis and kidney transplant recipients in Korea: a nationwide population study.

Kidney transplantation (KT) improves physical and psychological prognoses for patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). However, few comparative studies have examined depression and suicide rates among patients with ESKD treated with dialysis versus KT. Data on 21,809 patients with ESKD were extracted from the Korean National Health Insurance Service database, extending from January 2002 to December 2018. These patients exhibited no history of depression or insomnia before starting renal replacement therapy. Outcomes were compared between dialysis and KT recipients using 1:2 propensity score matching (PSM). Of the patients, 17,649 received dialysis (hemodialysis, 15,537; peritoneal dialysis, 2,112), while 4,160 underwent KT. Of those on dialysis, 45.04% (7,949) experienced insomnia, compared to 25.72% (1,070) of KT recipients (P<0.001). Depression was more frequent among dialysis recipients (22.77%, 4,019) than KT recipients (8.61%, 358; P<0.001). Additionally, those on dialysis had a higher incidence of suicide (0.19%, 33) than recipients of KT (0.12%, 5; P=0.047). After PSM, the hazard ratio (HR) for depression in patients on dialysis compared to KT recipients was 1.76 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.56-1.99). In subgroup analysis, the relative likelihood of depression among dialysis recipients was particularly high for residents of urban areas (HR, 2.10; 95% CI, 1.80-2.44) and patients under 65 years old (HR, 1.82; 95% CI, 1.62-2.09). KT recipients exhibit a lower suicide rate than patients on dialysis. Furthermore, KT is associated with a lower prevalence of depression among Korean patients with ESKD, particularly urban residents and individuals under 65 years old.