Trauma Care Systems in Urban Areas: Our Thoughts on the Contrasting Approaches in South Korea and Japan.

Trauma is a major global health issue, causing significant mortality, disability, and healthcare expenses. Since 2012, the Ajou Trauma Center in South Korea has been at the forefront, providing centralized severe trauma care for a population of 9.5 million. In 2022, the center managed 3,500 cases of severe trauma, including 500 helicopter transports, and conducted 2,800 surgeries, with 450 addressing torso trauma. Its exceptional performance has garnered global recognition, solidifying its position among the top advanced trauma centers. In Tokyo, critically ill and major trauma patients are currently transported to the nearest emergency and critical care centers, each serving a population of approximately 0.5 to 0.6 million people. Due to the low incidence of trauma per facility and an aging population, implementing a high level of trauma care and a comprehensive training framework within Japan's existing system poses significant challenges. A comparative analysis of South Korea's centralized system and Tokyo's decentralized approach indicates that the centralized system may lead to the establishment of a more advanced trauma center with ethical and equity considerations, compared to the decentralized approach. Therefore, consolidating major trauma cases in Tokyo shows promise for establishing exceptional trauma centers. This emphasizes the urgent need for Japan to take immediate steps towards a more robust future in trauma care. This assertion aligns with the global discourse on improving trauma care practices and could make a valuable contribution to the scholarly literature on trauma care systems.

Green cities and vector-borne diseases: emerging concerns and opportunities.

Aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals, nature-based solutions such as urban greening e.g. public gardens, urban forests, parks and street trees, which aim to protect, sustainably manage or restore an ecosystem, have emerged as a promising tool for improving the health and well-being of an ever-increasing urban population. While urban greening efforts have undeniable benefits for human health and the biological communities inhabiting these green zones, disease vector populations may also be affected, possibly promoting greater pathogen transmission and the emergence of infectious diseases such as dengue, West Nile fever, malaria, leishmaniosis and tick-borne diseases. Evidence for the impact of urban green areas on vector-borne disease (VBD) transmission is scarce. Furthermore, because of vast disparities between cities, variation in green landscapes and differing scales of observation, findings are often contradictory; this calls for careful assessment of how urban greening affects VBD risk. Improved understanding of the effect of urban greening on VBDs would support planning, monitoring and management of green spaces in cities to sustainably mitigate VBD risks for surrounding urban populations.

Impacts of ship emissions and sea-land breeze on urban air quality using chemical characterization, source contribution and dispersion model simulation of PM2.5 at Asian seaport.

Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) emitted from marine transportation, bulk materials handling at the docks, and dust dispersion has garnered increased attention, particularly in the interface between port and urban areas. This study explored the inter-transport of PM2.5 between Kaohsiung Harbor and neighboring Metro Kaohsiung. Chemical analyses of PM2.5 samples from four sites include water-soluble ions, metallic elements, carbons, anhydrosugars, and organic acids to establish PM2.5's chemical fingerprints. The CALPUFF air dispersion model is employed to simulate the spatiotemporal distribution of PM2.5 in Kaohsiung Harbor and adjacent urban areas. A clear seasonal and diurnal variation of PM2.5 concentrations and chemical composition was observed in both harbor and urban areas. The high correlation of nighttime PM2.5 levels between the port and urban areas suggests inter-transport phenomena. Sea salt spray, ship emissions, secondary aerosols, and heavy fuel-oil boilers exhibit higher levels in the port area than in the urban area. In Metro Kaohsiung, mobile sources, fugitive dust, and waste incinerators emerge as major PM2.5 contributors. Furthermore, sea breeze significantly influences PM2.5 dispersion from Kaohsiung Harbor to Metro Kaohsiung, particularly in the afternoon. The average contribution of PM2.5 from ships' main engines in Kaohsiung Harbor ranges from 2.9% to 5.3%, while auxiliary engines contribute 3.8%-8.3% of PM2.5 in Metro Kaohsiung.

BREATH-Net: a novel deep learning framework for NO2 prediction using bi-directional encoder with transformer.

Air pollution poses a significant challenge in numerous urban regions, negatively affecting human well-being. Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is a prevalent atmospheric pollutant that can potentially exacerbate respiratory ailments and cardiovascular disorders and contribute to cancer development. The present study introduces a novel approach for monitoring and predicting Delhi's nitrogen dioxide concentrations by leveraging satellite data and ground data from the Sentinel 5P satellite and monitoring stations. The research gathers satellite and monitoring data over 3 years for evaluation. Exploratory data analysis (EDA) methods are employed to comprehensively understand the data and discern any discernible patterns and trends in nitrogen dioxide levels. The data subsequently undergoes pre-processing and scaling utilizing appropriate techniques, such as MinMaxScaler, to optimize the model's performance. The proposed forecasting model uses a hybrid architecture of the Transformer and BiLSTM models called BREATH-Net. BiLSTM models exhibit a strong aptitude for effectively managing sequential data by adeptly capturing dependencies in both the forward and backward directions. Conversely, transformers excel in capturing extensive relationships over extended distances in temporal data. The results of this study will illustrate the proposed model's efficacy in predicting the levels of NO2 in Delhi. If effectively executed, this model can significantly enhance strategies for controlling urban air quality. The findings of this research show a significant improvement of RMSE = 9.06 compared to other state-of-the-art models. This study's primary objective is to contribute to mitigating respiratory health issues resulting from air pollution through satellite data and deep learning methodologies.

Assessment of asbestos-cement roof distribution and prioritized intervention approaches through hyperspectral imaging.

The discernment of asbestos-cement (AC) roofs within urban areas stands as a pivotal concern pertinent to communal well-being and ecological oversight, particularly in emerging nations where asbestos continues to be extensively employed. Conventional methodologies entailing the recognition of asbestos-cement roofs and the characterization of their degradation status, such as tangible examinations and laboratory assays, prove to be temporally protracted, financially demanding, and arduous to extrapolate comprehensively across expansive urban domains. In this paper, it is presented a novel approach for identifying asbestos-cement roofs in urban areas using hyperspectral airborne acquisition and carry out a diagnosis that allows to identify the state of asbestos-cement roofs and thus provide a tool for the competent authorities to develop and prioritize intervention strategies to mitigate the problem. Four different methodologies were implemented and compared, three of which are new in the literature, to identify the deterioration of asbestos-cement (AC) roof state in large urban areas. This, in turn, furnishes a tool for competent authorities to identify the state of AC roofs, develop and prioritize intervention strategies to mitigate the problem. The control points in field allowed validating the classification and the proposed methodology for the prioritization of intervention in AC roofs. Some neighborhoods in the city showed peaks in the area of asbestos-cement roofs of 47% of the total area of the neighborhood, representing practically all of the roofs present in the neighborhood. On average around 20% of the total area of a neighborhood in Cartagena is covered by AC. Furthermore, it was found a total area of AC roofs throughout the city of more than 9 km2 (9 million square meters). On the other hand, two of the 4 methods used showed encouraging results that demonstrate their ability to identify covers in poor and good condition at a large scale from hyperspectral images. This academic novelty suggests that there is a possibility of practical application of these methods in other urban contexts with high concentrations of AC roofs, helping in the planning and optimization of intervention strategies to mitigate the risk in public and environmental health due to the presence of asbestos.

Inseguridad alimentaria nutricional y riesgo metabólico en mujeres adultas de distritos de Lima, Perú / Food and nutrition insecurity and metabolic risk in adult women from Lima, Perú

Introducción: La inseguridad alimentaria nutricional (IAN) es un problema complejo que conlleva a adaptaciones económicas, alimentarias y fisiológicas en las personas, pudiendo impactar negativamente en su estado de salud según el contexto particular.Objetivo: Determinar la asociación entre la inseguridad alimentaria nutricional (IAN) y el riesgo metabólico en mujeres adultas de Lima.Material y Métodos: Se realizó un estudio observacional analítico transversal, con una población de 373 mujeres adultas fueron seleccionadas 186 que eran atendidas por establecimientos de salud públicos en distritos de Lima. El nivel de IAN se midió con la Escala Latinoamericana y del Caribe de Seguridad Alimentaria (ELCSA) y el riesgo metabólico con el test Finnish Diabetes Risk Score (FINDRISC). Se usó la prueba de Chi cuadrado para medir la asociación y la Razón de Prevalencia (RP) para determinar la probabilidad de presentar mayor riesgo metabólico.Resultados: El 96.8% de mujeres tuvo algún nivel de IAN: 34.9% severa, 33.9% moderada y 28% leve. La prevalencia de mujeres con riesgo metabólico alto y muy alto fue de 59.2%. La asociación entre IAN moderada (RP: 2.15, IC: 1.34-3.43) y severa (RP: 2.98, IC: 1.93-4.63) con el riesgo metabólico fue significativa.Conclusiones: Los resultados sugieren que el riesgo metabólico se asocia con la IAN en mujeres adultas de Lima. En ese sentido, identificar la IAN pudiese tener implicaciones positivas en la prevención de un problema importante de salud pública.(AU)

Introduction: Food and nutrition insecurity (FNI) is acomplex problem that entails economic, nutritional and phys-iological adaptations in people, which might negatively im-pacts their health status according to the particular context. Objective: To determine the association between FNI andmetabolic risk in adult women in Lima.Materials and methods: A cross-sectional observationalanalytical study was conducted, the sample was made up of186 women assisted in public health establishments in dis-tricts of Lima. FNI level was assessed using the LatinAmerican and Caribbean Food Security Scale (ELCSA) and themetabolic risk with the Finnish Diabetes Risk Score test (FINDRISC). Chi square test was used to assess the association and Prevalence Ratio (PR) to determine the probability ofpresenting a higher metabolic risk. Results: 96.8% of women showed some level of FNI:34.9% severe, 33.9% moderate and 28% mild. The preva-lence of women with high and very high metabolic risk was59.2%. The association between moderate (PR: 2.15, CI:1.34-3.43) and severe (PR: 2.99, CI: 1.93-4.63) FNI withmetabolic risk was significant. Conclusions: The results indicate that metabolic risk is asociated with FNI in adult women from Lima. Therefore, theidentification of FNI would be positive implications in the pre-vention of an important public health problem.(AU)

Research on Time Series Monitoring of Surface Deformation in Tongliao Urban Area Based on SBAS-PS-DS-InSAR.

As urban economies flourish and populations become increasingly concentrated, urban surface deformation has emerged as a critical factor in city planning that cannot be overlooked. Surface deformation in urban areas can lead to deformations in structural supports of infrastructure such as road bases and bridges, thereby posing a serious threat to public safety and creating significant safety hazards. Consequently, research focusing on the monitoring of urban surface deformation holds paramount importance. Interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR), as an important means of earth observation, has all-day, wide-range, high-precision, etc., characteristics and is widely used in the field of surface deformation monitoring. However, traditional solitary InSAR techniques are limited in their application scenarios and computational characteristics. Additionally, the manual selection of ground control points (GCPs) is fraught with errors and uncertainties. Permanent scatterers (PS) can maintain high interferometric coherence in man-made building areas, and distributed scatterers (DS) usually show moderate coherence in areas with short vegetation; the combination of DS and PS solves the problem of manually selecting GCPs during track re-flattening and regrading, which affects the monitoring results. In this paper, 45 Sentinel-1B data from 16 February 2019 to 14 December 2021 are used as the data source in the urban area of Horqin District, Tongliao City, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, for example. A four-threshold (coherence coefficient threshold, FaSHPS adaptive threshold, amplitude divergence index threshold, and deformation velocity interval) GCPs point screening method for PS-DS, as well as a Small Baseline Subset-Permanent Scatterers-Distributed Scatterers-Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (SBAS-PS-DS-InSAR) method for selecting PS and DS points as ground control points for orbit refinement and re-flattening, are proposed. The surface deformation results obtained using the Small Baseline Subset Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (SBAS-InSAR) and the SBAS-PS-DS-InSAR proposed in this paper were comparatively analysed and verified. The maximum cumulative line-of-sight settlements were -90.78 mm and -83.68 mm, and the maximum cumulative uplifts are 74.94 mm and 97.56 mm, respectively; the maximum annual average line-of-sight settlements are -35.38 mm/y and -30.38 mm/y, and the maximum annual average uplifts are 25.27 mm/y and 27.92 mm/y. The results were evaluated and analysed in terms of correlation, mean absolute error (MAE), and root mean square error (RMSE). The deformation results of the two InSAR methods were evaluated and analysed in terms of correlation, MAE, and RMSE. The errors show that the Pearson correlation coefficients between the vertical settlement results obtained using the SBAS-PS-DS-InSAR method and the GPS monitoring results were closer to 1. The maximum MAE and RMSE were 13.7625 mm and 14.8004 mm, respectively, which are within the acceptable range; this confirms that the monitoring results of the SBAS-PS-DS-InSAR method were better than those of the original SBAS-InSAR method. SBAS-InSAR method, which is valid and reliable. The results show that the surface deformation results obtained using the SBAS-InSAR, SBAS-PS-DS-InSAR, and GPS methods have basically the same settlement locations, extents, distributions, and temporal and spatial settlement patterns. The deformation results obtained using these two InSAR methods correlate well with the GPS monitoring results, and the MAE and RMSE are within acceptable limits. By comparing the deformation information obtained using multiple methods, the surface deformation in urban areas can be better monitored and analysed, and it can also provide scientific references for urban municipal planning and disaster warning.

Utilisation of public healthcare services by an indigenous group: a mixed-method study among Santals of West Bengal, India.

A barrier to meeting the goal of universal health coverage in India is the inequality in utilisation of health services between indigenous and non-indigenous people. This study aimed to explore the determinants of utilisation, or non-utilisation, of public healthcare services among the Santals, an indigenous community living in West Bengal, India. The study holistically explored the utilisation of public healthcare facilities using a framework that conceptualised service coverage to be dependent on a set of determinants - viz. the nature and severity of the ailment, availability, accessibility (geographical and financial), and acceptability of the healthcare options and decision-making around these further depends on background characteristics of the individual or their family/household. This cross-sectional study adopts ethnographic approach for detailed insight into the issue and interviewed 422 adult members of Santals living in both rural (Bankura) and urban (Howrah) areas of West Bengal for demographic, socio-economic characteristics and healthcare utilisation behaviour using pre-tested data collection schedule. The findings revealed that utilisation of the public healthcare facilities was low, especially in urban areas. Residence in urban areas, being female, having higher education, engaging in salaried occupation and having availability of private allopathic and homoeopathic doctors in the locality had higher odds of not utilising public healthcare services. Issues like misbehaviour from the health personnel, unavailability of medicine, poor quality of care, and high patient load were reported as the major reasons for non-utilisation of public health services. The finding highlights the importance of improving the availability and quality of care of healthcare services for marginalised populations because these communities live in geographically isolated places and have low affordability of private healthcare. The health programme needs to address these issues to improve the utilisation and reduce the inequality in healthcare utilisation, which would be beneficial for all segments of Indian population.

Influence of Brazil's public health policies on physical activity promotion in urban areas

The research aims to determine the influence of Brazil's public health policies on promoting physical activity in urban areas. An overview of the impact of Brazilian public health initiatives on encouraging physical exercise in metropolitan areas is given in the study. Brazil has put in place a wide range of regulations to combat non-communicable disease and promote healthy living. The cornerstone of the approach is the National Health Promotion Policy, which highlights the incorporation of physical exercise into everyday activities. Research used smart PLS software to measure the research and generated informative results, including descriptive statistics, correlation coefficient, and smart PLS Algorithm model. The goal of infrastructure development, urban planning, and educational initiatives is to provide settings that support active living. Campaigns for health promotion and community involvement support these initiatives by raising awareness and encouraging behavioral change. These policies will only be successful if they are implemented well, are continuously assessed, and are flexible. Overall result found the positive and significant influence of Brazil's public health policies on physical activity promotion in the urban areas. Brazil's dedication to encouraging physical exercise indicates the global recognition of the significance of preventative health measures. Sustained endeavors towards this end might foster a more robust and engaged urban populace in Brazil (AU)

Entomological indicators of Plasmodium species transmission in Goma Tsé-Tsé and Madibou districts, in the Republic of Congo.

BACKGROUND: Malaria remains a major public health problem in the Republic of Congo, with Plasmodium falciparum being the deadliest species of Plasmodium in humans. Vector transmission of malaria is poorly studied in the country and no previous report compared rural and urban data. This study aimed to determine the Anopheles fauna and the entomological indices of malaria transmission in the rural and urban areas in the south of Brazzaville, and beyond. METHODS: Indoor household mosquitoes capture using electric aspirator was performed in rural and urban areas during raining and dry seasons in 2021. The identification of Anopheles species was done using binocular magnifier and nested-PCR. TaqMan and nested-PCR were used to detect the Plasmodium species in the head/thorax and abdomens of Anopheles. Some entomological indices including the sporozoite infection rate, the entomological inoculation rate and the man biting rate were estimated. RESULTS: A total of 699 Anopheles mosquitoes were collected: Anopheles gambiae sensu lato (s.l.) (90.7%), Anopheles funestus s.l. (6.9%), and Anopheles moucheti (2.4%). Three species of An. gambiae s.l. were identified including Anopheles gambiae sensu stricto (78.9%), Anopheles coluzzii (15.4%) and Anopheles arabiensis (5.7%). The overall sporozoite infection rate was 22.3% with a predominance of Plasmodium falciparum, followed by Plasmodium malariae and Plasmodium ovale. Anopheles aggressiveness rate was higher in households from rural area (1.1 bites/night) compared to that from urban area (0.8 ib/p/n). The overall entomological inoculation rate was 0.13 ib/p/n. This index was 0.17 ib/p/n and 0.092 ib/p/n in rural and in urban area, respectively, and was similar during the dry (0.18 ib/p/n) and rainy (0.14 ib/p/n) seasons. CONCLUSION: These findings highlight that malaria transmission remains high in rural and urban area in the south of Republic of Congo despite the ongoing control efforts, thereby indicating the need for more robust interventions.

Significance of Volatile Organic Compounds to Secondary Pollution Formation and Health Risks Observed during a Summer Campaign in an Industrial Urban Area.

The chemical complexity and toxicity of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are primarily encountered through intensive anthropogenic emissions in suburban areas. Here, pollution characteristics, impacts on secondary pollution formation, and health risks were investigated through continuous in-field measurements from 1-30 June 2020 in suburban Nanjing, adjacent to national petrochemical industrial parks in China. On average, the total VOCs concentration was 34.47 ± 16.08 ppb, which was comprised mostly by alkanes (41.8%) and halogenated hydrocarbons (29.4%). In contrast, aromatics (17.4%) dominated the ozone formation potential (OFP) and secondary organic aerosol formation potential (SOAFP) with 59.6% and 58.3%, respectively. Approximately 63.5% of VOCs were emitted from the petrochemical industry and from solvent usage based on source apportionment results, followed by biogenic emissions of 22.3% and vehicle emissions of 14.2%. Of the observed 46 VOC species, hexachlorobutadiene, dibromoethane, butadiene, tetrachloroethane, and vinyl chloride contributed as high as 98.8% of total carcinogenic risk, a large fraction of which was ascribed to the high-level emissions during ozone pollution episodes and nighttime. Therefore, the mitigation of VOC emissions from petrochemical industries would be an effective way to reduce secondary pollution and potential health risks in conurbation areas.

Personal protective equipment (PPE) litter in terrestrial urban areas of Iligan City, Philippines.

In recent years, many countries have relied on the massive use of personal protective equipment (PPE) following the recommendation of the World Health Organization (WHO) to combat COVID-19, an infectious disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. These PPEs include facemasks, face shields, disinfectant wipes, and disposable gloves. While PPE serves as protection, it can also be a source of pollution. This study is the first to establish a baseline monitoring and assessment of the spatial distribution of COVID-19-related PPE litter approaching the post-pandemic from the urban areas in Iligan City, Philippines. A total of 1632 COVID-19 PPE litter were gathered in all surveyed locations, predominantly facemasks (90.7%) and disinfectant wipes (8.8%). Among the surveyed areas, the location that recorded the highest count and density of PPE litter is in a residential zone (52.14%; n = 851; 0.0317 item m-2); the lowest was determined in recreational parks (2.57%; n = 42; 0.0016 item m-2). The significant difference in the total count of PPE items in each location could be traced to the varying land uses and ecosystems as well as the human behavior and activities. FTIR results reveal that all types of facemasks sampled are principally made of polypropylene, a material that threatens environmental sustainability and low recyclability. As the country is embracing the new normal and somewhat returning to pre-pandemic activities, this study calls for the prioritization of the government agendas on ecological solid waste management in the country.

Mammal Roadkills in Lithuanian Urban Areas: A 15-Year Study.

We investigated roadkills in urban areas in Lithuania from 2007 to 2022, including two periods with COVID-19 restrictions on people's movement. We analyzed the proportions of wild and domestic animals in roadkill, annual trends, the predominant species involved, and monthly changes during the restrictions. Urban roads were characterized by a low species diversity of roadkilled mammals, with roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) dominating. Total numbers increased exponentially during the study period. The proportion of domestic animals, 12.2%, significantly exceeded that on non-urban roads in the country. The proportion of domestic animals decreased from over 40% in 2007-2009 to 3.7-5.4% in 2020-2022, while the proportion of wild mammals increased from 36.1-39.6% to 89.9-90.6%, respectively. During the periods of COVID-19 restrictions, the number of roadkills in urban areas was significantly higher than expected based on long-term trends. Compared to 2019, the number of roadkilled roe deer in 2020-2021 almost doubled from 700 to 1281-1325 individuals. These anthropause effects were, however, temporary. The imbalance between the roadkill number and transport intensity might require new mitigation strategies to sustain mammal populations in urban areas, at least through improving driver awareness on the issue.

Dataset on Bac settlement stakeholders' perspectives on integrative urban design play as an instrument for managing wicked urban regeneration issues in sustainable way.

The presented data provides insights into the perspectives of influential stakeholders within the Bac community in Serbia regarding sustainable urban regeneration, urban design, and the role of integrative urban design. The data was collected subsequent to a collaborative workshop held in 2010, titled ``Integrative Urban Design Play (IUP) for Urban Regeneration on Bac Suburbia.'' During this workshop, attendees acquired novel insights into participatory approaches for fostering sustainable urban regeneration. The objective of the survey was to assess the perspectives of the different stakeholders regarding the feasibility of introducing novel urban development approaches in areas that are under conservation protection. The intent of the research was to evaluate the effectiveness of a learning by doing approach in the implementation of new methods in urban development practise, with a focus on supporting broader concepts such as sustainability and urban regeneration. The research was designed to explore the varying perspectives of relevant stakeholders based on their profession to examine the potential for their clustering towards integrating diverse opinions into a broader understanding using IUP. The efficacy of the IUP in addressing wicked urban regeneration problems, particularly in raising public awareness about the preservation, introduction, and promotion of essential values in protected suburban regions, was assessed through the administration of questionnaires. The questions were organised into three distinct categories: viewpoints on sustainable urban regeneration, perspectives on urban design, and perspectives on knowledge and readiness for future engagement in the Integrative Urban Design Game. A collaborative effort was undertaken by the Faculty of Architecture in Belgrade and the Municipality of Bac, Serbia, to administer an anonymous survey. This survey was disseminated to pertinent stakeholders representing the public sector. The participants in the research exhibited diversity in terms of their occupation, level of experience, and age range, which spanned from 30 to 60 years old. They were chosen from among the attendees of the workshop based on their demonstrated interest, whether overt or covert, in addressing the complex issue at hand. A total of 28.57 percent of the participants were employed in the economic sector, specifically in tourism or management. Similarly, 14.28 percent of the examinees worked in the field of environmental studies, focusing on energy efficiency or natural resource protection. Another 14.28 percent were engaged in the legal profession, while 21.42 percent were involved in media and cultural activities. Additionally, 7.14 percent of the examinees were dedicated to the preservation of cultural heritage. The present paper presents findings that illustrate the level of stakeholder receptiveness towards the sustained utilization of integrative methodologies, such as IUP, within the realm of local planning practice subsequent to the acquisition of novel knowledge and skills via workshops and training sessions. This paper showcases the efficacy of employing participatory techniques and skills to modify urban development and planning practices, with the aim of fostering shared understanding and agreement on environmental values. Consequently, it provides evidence of the effectiveness of the implemented approach within the specific community, as well as its potential applicability in similar communities.

Aircraft-Based AirCore Sampling for Estimates of N2O and CH4 Emissions.

Airborne measurements offer an effective way to quantify urban emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs). However, it may be challenging due to the requirement of high measurement precision and sufficiently enhanced signals. We developed a new active AirCore system based on the previous unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) version, which is capable of sampling atmospheric air for several hours aboard a lightweight aircraft for postflight simultaneous and continuous measurements of N2O, CH4, CO2, and CO. We performed 13 flights over the urban areas of Groningen, Utrecht, and Rotterdam and evaluated the aircraft-based AirCore measurements against in situ continuous CH4 measurements. One flight was selected for each of the three urban areas to quantify the emissions of N2O and CH4. Compared to the Dutch inventory, the estimated N2O emissions (364 ± 143 kg h-1) from the Rotterdam area are ∼3 times larger, whereas those for Groningen (95 ± 90 kg h-1) and Utrecht (32 ± 16 kg h-1) are not significantly different. The estimated CH4 emissions for all three urban areas (Groningen: 2534 ± 1774 kg CH4 hr-1, Utrecht: 1440 ± 628 kg CH4 hr-1, and Rotterdam: 2419 ± 922 kg CH4 hr-1) are not significantly different from the Dutch inventory. The innovative aircraft-based active AirCore sampling system provides a robust means of high-precision and continuous measurements of multiple gas species, which is useful for quantifying GHG emissions from urban areas.

Application of UHPLC-MS/MS method to monitor the occurrence of sulfonamides and their transformation products in soil in Silesia, Poland.

Sulfonamides circulating in the environment lead to disturbances in food chains and local ecosystems, but most importantly contribute to development of resistance genes, which generate problems with multidrug-resistant bacterial infections treatment. In urban areas, sources of sulfonamide distribution in soils have received comparatively less attention in contrast to rural regions, where animal-derived manure, used as a natural fertilizer, is considered the main source. The aim of this study was to determine eight sulfonamides (sulfadiazine, sulfamerazine, sulfamethazine, sulfamethizole, sulfamethoxazole, sulfapyridine, sulfathiazole, and sulfisoxazole) in environmental soil samples collected from urbanized regions in Silesian Voivodeship with increased animal activity. These soils were grouped according to the organic carbon content. It was necessary to develop versatile and efficient extraction and determination method to analyze selected sulfonamides in various soil types. The developed LC-MS/MS method for sulfonamides analyzing was validated. The obtained recoveries exceeded 45% for soil with medium organic carbon content and 88% for sample with a very low organic carbon content (arenaceous quartz). The obtained results show the high impact of organic matter on analytes adsorption in soil, which influences recovery. All eight sulfa drugs were determined in environmental samples in the concentration range 1.5-10.5 ng g-1. The transformation products of the analytes were also identified, and 29 transformation products were detected in 24 out of 27 extracts from soil samples.

Vitamin D deficiency in adolescents with obesity-Altered metabolism or environmental factors? / Deficiencia de vitamina D en adolescentes con obesidad: ¿alteración metabólica o factores ambientales?

Introduction: obesity childhood is related to vitamin D deficiency. The aim of this study was to compare vitamin D status between adolescentswith obesity living in an urban area and in a rural area. We hypothesized that environmental factors would be decisive in reducing the bodycontent of vitamin D in patients with obesity.Methods: a cross-sectional clinical and analytical study (calcium, phosphorus, calcidiol and parathyroid hormone) was carried out in a group of259 adolescents with obesity (BMI-SDS > 2.0), 249 adolescents with severe obesity (BMI-SDS > 3.0) and 251 healthy adolescents. The placeof residence was categorized as urban or rural. Vitamin D status was defined according to the US Endocrine Society criteria.Results: vitamin D deficiency was significantly higher (p < 0.001) in severe obesity (55 %) and obesity groups (37.1 %) than in the control group(14 %). Vitamin D deficiency was more frequent in severe obesity (67.2 %) and obesity groups (51.2 %) living in urban areas than in those livingin rural areas (41.5 % and 23.9 %, respectively). The patients with obesity living in urban residence did not present significant seasonal variationsin vitamin D deficiency in contrast to those patients with obesity living in rural residence.Conclusions: the most probable mechanism for vitamin D deficiency in adolescents with obesity, rather than altered metabolic is the environmentalfactors (sedentary lifestyle and lack of adequate sunlight exposure). (AU)

Introducción: la obesidad está relacionada con la deficiencia de vitamina D. El objetivo del presente estudio fue comparar el estado de vitaminaD entre adolescentes con obesidad con residencia urbana y rural. Se hipotetiza que los factores ambientales serían determinantes en la reduccióndel contenido corporal de vitamina D en pacientes con obesidad.Métodos: estudio transversal clínico y analítico (calcio, fósforo, calcidiol y PTH) en un grupo de 259 adolescentes con obesidad (IMC-SDS >2,0), 249 adolescentes con obesidad severa (IMC-SDS > 3,0) y 251 adolescentes sanos. El estado de vitamina D se definió de acuerdo con loscriterios de la Sociedad Americana de Endocrinología.Resultados: la deficiencia de vitamina D fue superior (p < 0,05) en los grupos de obesidad severa (55 %) y obesidad (37,1 %) respecto al grupode control (14 %). La prevalencia de deficiencia de vitamina D fue superior (p < 0,05) en los grupos de obesidad severa (67,2 %) y obesidad(51,2 %) con residencia urbana respecto a los que vivían en áreas rurales (41,5 % y 23,9 %, respectivamente). Los pacientes con obesidad yobesidad severa con residencia urbana no presentaban variaciones estacionales en la deficiencia de vitamina D en contraste con los pacientescon residencia rural.Conclusiones: el mecanismo más probable para la deficiencia de vitamina D en adolescentes con obesidad, más que alteraciones metabólicas,serían los factores ambientales (sedentarismo y falta de exposición solar adecuada). (AU)

A nationwide monitoring of atmospheric microplastic deposition.

Plastic production continues to increase every year, yet it is widely acknowledged that a significant portion of this material ends up in ecosystems as microplastics (MPs). Among all the environmental compartments affected by MPs, the atmosphere remains the least well-known. Here, we conducted a one-year simultaneous monitoring of atmospheric MPs deposition in ten urban areas, each with different population sizes, economic activities, and climates. The objective was to assess the role of the atmosphere in the fate of MPs by conducting a nationwide quantification of atmospheric MP deposition. To achieve this, we deployed collectors in ten different urban areas across continental Spain and the Canary Islands. We implemented a systematic sampling methodology with rigorous quality control/quality assurance, along with particle-oriented identification and quantification of anthropogenic particle deposition, which included MPs and industrially processed natural fibres. Among the sampled MPs, polyester fibres were the most abundant, followed by acrylic polymers, polypropylene, and alkyd resins. Their equivalent sizes ranged from 22 µm to 398 µm, with a median value of 71 µm. The particle size distribution of MPs showed fewer large particles than expected from a three-dimensional fractal fragmentation pattern, which was attributed to the higher mobility of small particles, especially fibres. The atmospheric deposition rate of MPs ranged from 5.6 to 78.6 MPs m-2 day-1, with the higher values observed in densely populated areas such as Barcelona and Madrid. Additionally, we detected natural polymers, mostly cellulosic fibres with evidence of industrial processing, with a deposition rate ranging from 6.4 to 58.6 particles m-2 day-1. There was a positive correlation was found between the population of the study area and the median of atmospheric MP deposition, supporting the hypothesis that urban areas act as sources of atmospheric MPs. Our study presents a systematic methodology for monitoring atmospheric MP deposition.

Description of the design of a mixed-methods study to assess the burden and determinants of malaria transmission for tailoring of interventions (microstratification) in Ibadan and Kano metropolis.

BACKGROUND: Rapid urbanization in Nigerian cities may lead to localized variations in malaria transmission, particularly with a higher burden in informal settlements and slums. However, there is a lack of available data to quantify the variations in transmission risk at the city level and inform the selection of appropriate interventions. To bridge this gap, field studies will be undertaken in Ibadan and Kano, two major Nigerian cities. These studies will involve a blend of cross-sectional and longitudinal epidemiological research, coupled with longitudinal entomological studies. The primary objective is to gain insights into the variation of malaria risk at the smallest administrative units, known as wards, within these cities. METHODS/RESULTS: The findings will contribute to the tailoring of interventions as part of Nigeria's National Malaria Strategic Plan. The study design incorporates a combination of model-based clustering and on-site visits for ground-truthing, enabling the identification of environmental archetypes at the ward-level to establish the study's framework. Furthermore, community participatory approaches will be utilized to refine study instruments and sampling strategies. The data gathered through cross-sectional and longitudinal studies will contribute to an enhanced understanding of malaria risk in the metropolises of Kano and Ibadan. CONCLUSIONS: This paper outlines pioneering field study methods aimed at collecting data to inform the tailoring of malaria interventions in urban settings. The integration of multiple study types will provide valuable data for mapping malaria risk and comprehending the underlying determinants. Given the importance of location-specific data for microstratification, this study presents a systematic process and provides adaptable tools that can be employed in cities with limited data availability.

Contribution of Geometric Feature Analysis for Deep Learning Classification Algorithms of Urban LiDAR Data.

The use of a Machine Learning (ML) classification algorithm to classify airborne urban Light Detection And Ranging (LiDAR) point clouds into main classes such as buildings, terrain, and vegetation has been widely accepted. This paper assesses two strategies to enhance the effectiveness of the Deep Learning (DL) classification algorithm. Two ML classification approaches are developed and compared in this context. These approaches utilize the DL Pipeline Network (DLPN), which is tailored to minimize classification errors and maximize accuracy. The geometric features calculated from a point and its neighborhood are analyzed to select the features that will be used in the input layer of the classification algorithm. To evaluate the contribution of the proposed approach, five point-clouds datasets with different urban typologies and ground topography are employed. These point clouds exhibit variations in point density, accuracy, and the type of aircraft used (drone and plane). This diversity in the tested point clouds enables the assessment of the algorithm's efficiency. The obtained high classification accuracy between 89% and 98% confirms the efficacy of the developed algorithm. Finally, the results of the adopted algorithm are compared with both rule-based and ML algorithms, providing insights into the positioning of DL classification algorithms among other strategies suggested in the literature.