Article
Environmental Sciences
Hung Chak Ho, Huagui Guo, Ta-Chien Chan, Yuan Shi, Chris Webster, Kenneth N. K. Fong
Summary: The study suggests that short-term air pollution, older age, and being female are strongly associated with stroke deaths, while cold weather, employment, and being married are more strongly associated with hemorrhagic stroke deaths. Long-term regional air pollution is more strongly linked to non-hemorrhagic stroke deaths. The associations vary by age, with employment and low education being risk factors for stroke mortality at younger ages.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Laura Macdonald, Natalie Nicholls, Denise Brown, Richard Mitchell
Summary: This study proposes a method to quantify changes in the built environment over time and explores its association with mortality rates. The results show that there is no direct relationship between changes in the built environment and mortality rates, but the areas that experience future changes in the built environment have different initial mortality rates compared to those that do not. This study provides new insights into understanding the changes in the built environment at a national level.
JOURNAL OF EPIDEMIOLOGY AND COMMUNITY HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Mohammad Javad Koohsari, Tomoki Nakaya, Gavin R. McCormack, Ai Shibata, Kaori Ishii, Akitomo Yasunaga, Tomoya Hanibuchi, Koichiro Oka
Summary: This study examined the relationship between walkable built environments and social capital among adults in Japan, finding that traditional and novel walkable built environment metrics had different effects on social capital. Specifically, street connectivity and perceived population density were negatively associated with social capital scores.
LANDSCAPE AND URBAN PLANNING
(2021)
Article
Remote Sensing
Yan Zhang, Fan Zhang, Libo Fang, Nengcheng Chen
Summary: The study explores the relationship between street view images and point of interest data sources, proposing a Seq2Seq framework to integrate these two types of data. Results from experiments in Wuhan demonstrate the effectiveness of this method, enriching the way we perceive cities and aiding in the understanding of many-to-many relationships.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF APPLIED EARTH OBSERVATION AND GEOINFORMATION
(2023)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
J. van Hoof, H. R. Marston, J. K. Kazak, T. Buffel
Summary: The development of age-friendly cities aims to improve physical and social environments for the well-being and health of older people. This movement explores aspects such as history, evaluation methods, built environment factors, and interactions with other strategic agendas like smart cities. The paper also discusses future perspectives and potential directions for further development in the age-friendly movement.
BUILDING AND ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Regional & Urban Planning
Maxwell Hartt, Geoff DeVerteuil, Ruth Potts
Summary: This research examined the relationship between built and social environments in Greater Melbourne, Australia, and the vulnerability of older adults. The study found that neighborhoods with lower built environment support also had lower levels of social infrastructure, particularly for older adults aged 85 and older. The analysis of policymaker interviews revealed a disconnect between the challenges of suburban aging and the government response.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN PLANNING ASSOCIATION
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Chaitra Hegde, Ali Bahrami Rad, Reza Sameni, Gari David Clifford
Summary: The article proposes a new metric for quantifying social distancing and exposure risk to airborne diseases in built environments. A visualization tool has been created to identify high-risk areas, and the software framework can be used for planning movement and scheduling, setting air replacement and mask-wearing policies. The metric can also be used in real-time with individual-level location tracking to estimate exposure risk.
IEEE JOURNAL OF SELECTED TOPICS IN SIGNAL PROCESSING
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Olga L. Sarmiento, Andres F. Useche, Daniel A. Rodriguez, Iryna Dronova, Oscar Guaje, Felipe Montes, Ivana Stankov, Maria Alejandra Wilches, Usama Bilal, Xize Wang, Luis A. Guzman, Fabian Pena, D. Alex Quistberg, John A. Guerra-Gomez, Ana V. Diez Roux
Summary: The study investigated the influence of the built environment of Latin American cities on social and environmental determinants of health, identifying substantial heterogeneity in urban landscape and street design profiles. While no specific built environment profile consistently correlated with lower air pollution and better social conditions, different configurations of the built environments should be considered in planning healthy and sustainable cities in Latin America.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Mo Hamza
Summary: The research indicates that while Sweden has been relatively successful in handling the influx of Syrian refugees, there are still systemic shortcomings that need attention. The key to successful resettlement and integration lies in focusing on the individual needs and circumstances of each displaced person, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. Furthermore, resettlement and integration should be a two-way process involving both the host and guest community.
Article
Environmental Studies
Naomi Schwartz, Andrew Howard, Marie -Soleil Cloutier, Raktim Mitra, Natasha Saunders, Alison Macpherson, Pamela Fuselli, Linda Rothman
Summary: This study examines the relationship between social dimensions and child pedestrian-motor vehicle collisions in Toronto, Canada. It finds significant associations between social dimensions (material deprivation, recent immigrant proportion, visible minority proportion) and child PMVC, suggesting the need to target traffic safety interventions towards socially marginalized areas.
TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH PART D-TRANSPORT AND ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
E. Witt, C. Malalgoda, C. Jayakody
Summary: Mass displacement is a significant global challenge, with the number of people forced to flee their homes reaching over 100 million. Built environment professionals have a crucial role to play in mitigating the negative impacts and fostering social cohesion. This research investigates the role of these professionals in responding to mass displacement and develops a competency framework for them.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DISASTER RISK REDUCTION
(2023)
Article
Urban Studies
Reza Askarizad, Jinliao He
Summary: The study suggests that while lockdown and closure policies are effective in preventing the spread of epidemics, they can also have serious consequences, including negative impacts on people's mental health. To address this issue, there is a need to find a balance between social distancing and social interactions within urban spaces.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Ani Raiden, Andrew King
Summary: Social value in the built environment refers to the social impact on stakeholders' lives by organizations, projects, and programs. It serves as a practical tool for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and involves organizational learning efforts to transform systems towards sustainability. The partnership approach demonstrated in the study shows how collective efforts align to achieve SDGs and improve social outcomes efficiently.
RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Inga Menze, Patrick Mueller, Notger G. Mueller, Marlen Schmicker
Summary: This study examined the impact of restrictive measures during the COVID-19 pandemic on cognitive performance. The results showed that depression and the impact of restrictions had a negative effect on objective cognitive performance, especially among younger participants. Loneliness and depression also affected the subjective evaluation of cognition.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Weifan Tan, Xiaocong Lu, Tingting Xiao
Summary: The aim of this study was to examine the influencing pathways of the neighborhood built environment on children's outdoor leisure activities and obesity. A total of 378 elementary school students from 10 schools in central Shanghai were selected for questionnaire survey and accelerometer tracking. The results showed that the neighborhood built environment could affect children's obesity through both direct and indirect effects of outdoor leisure activities. Gender differences were found in the pathways of the neighborhood built environment on children's obesity. This study suggests that improving the neighborhood built environment and promoting outdoor leisure activities in children have important value for influencing children's obesity.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Studies
Jianxiang Huang, Yuming Cui, Lishuai Li, Mengdi Guo, Hung Chak Ho, Yi Lu, Chris Webster
Summary: This study tested the applicability of Jane Jacobs' urban form conditions in Hong Kong and found that these conditions have a positive impact on vitality indicators, but not on failure and success indicators. It was also discovered that tall buildings are positively associated with desirable outcomes.
ENVIRONMENT AND PLANNING B-URBAN ANALYTICS AND CITY SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Pin Wang, Haipei Xiang, Mengdi Guo, Yuan Shi, Ka Chun Chong, Jianxiang Huang, Hung Chak Ho
Summary: Traffic noise in compact high-rise, high-density cities can increase cardiovascular risks. This study found positive associations between roadside and indoor traffic noise exposure and cardiovascular mortality. The associations with roadside exposure were influenced by urban heat island, light pollution, and greenness.
BUILDING AND ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Review
Anesthesiology
Stanley Sau Ching Wong, Tak Hon Chan, Fengfeng Wang, Timmy Chi Wing Chan, Hung Chak Ho, Chi Wai Cheung
Summary: This study examined the analgesic efficacy of buprenorphine for patients with chronic noncancer pain through a systematic review and meta-analysis. The results showed that buprenorphine was associated with a significant reduction in pain intensity compared to placebo or active analgesics, especially for the treatment of chronic low back pain.
ANESTHESIA AND ANALGESIA
(2023)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Yuqi Liu, Yingqi Guo, Shiyu Lu, On Fung Chan, Cheryl Hiu Kwan Chui, Hung Chak Ho, Yimeng Song, Wei Cheng, Rebecca Lai Har Chiu, Chris Webster, Terry Yat Sang Lum
Summary: This study examined the long-term effects of public open space (POS) environment quality and vitality on older adults' functional ability and mental health. The findings showed that POS environment quality and vitality were associated with baseline functional ability and mental health among older adults, and the use and social interaction in POS were related to the decline in functional ability over time. These findings have important implications for the theoretical framework of healthy aging research and practical insights for planning policies.
BUILDING AND ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
H. C. Ho, Y. Song, W. Cheng, Y. Liu, Y. Guo, S. Lu, T. Lum, R. L. H. Chiu, C. Webster
Summary: The impact of the forms and characteristics of public housing estates in Hong Kong on dementia among Asian seniors has been underestimated. Improving the forms and characteristics of public housing neighborhoods is crucial for the health and prevention of dementia among elderly individuals.
Review
Environmental Sciences
Fangzheng Li, Wei Liu, Chengyang Hu, Mingcheng Tang, Yunquan Zhang, Hung Chak Ho, Shijia Peng, Zhouyuan Li, Qing Wang, Xiong Li, Bing Xu, Fengyi Li
Summary: Nervous system disease has become a global health burden with increasing prevalence in the last 30 years. This systematic review and meta-analysis found evidence for an inverse relationship between greenness exposure and the risk of nervous system disease mortality or incidence/prevalence.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Hao Zheng, Jian Cheng, Hung Chak Ho, Baoli Zhu, Zhen Ding, Wencong Du, Xin Wang, Yang Yu, Juan Fei, Zhiwei Xu, Jinyi Zhou, Jie Yang
Summary: This study investigated the short-term effect of ambient temperature on non-fatal falls and road traffic injuries among students in Jiangsu Province, China. The findings showed an inverted U-shaped association between temperature and injuries, with the highest risk temperatures at 18 degrees Celsius for falls and 22 degrees Celsius for road traffic injuries. Age had a significant impact on the temperature effect on falls. These results provide valuable insights for developing targeted strategies to reduce outdoor falls and road traffic injuries in children and adolescents.
FRONTIERS OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Zhixin Liu, Ka Yuen Cheng, Tim Sinsel, Helge Simon, C. Y. Jim, Tobi Eniolu Morakinyo, Yueyang He, Shi Yin, Wanlu Ouyang, Yuan Shi, Edward Ng
Summary: This study highlights the importance of clear and accurate ENVI-met vegetation modeling, and proposes strategies to improve the quality and rigor of simulation studies. By conducting sensitivity tests and developing a vegetation model library, the study enhances the data quality and accuracy of ENVI-met-based simulations.
BUILDING AND ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Junwen Tao, Junwei Yan, Hong Su, Cunrui Huang, Shilu Tong, Hung Chak Ho, Qingrong Xia, Cuizhen Zhu, Hao Zheng, Mohammad Zahid Hossain, Jian Cheng
Summary: The COVID-19 pandemic has posed a major challenge to mental health. However, the concentration of fine particulate matter (PM2.5), a known risk factor for mental disorders, has decreased significantly during the pandemic in many countries. This study aimed to investigate the association between PM2.5 exposure and the risk of mental disorders before and after the COVID-19 outbreak in China. The results showed that after the outbreak, there was a significant decrease in emergency department visits and hospitalizations for mental disorders, as well as a reduction in the PM2.5-related risk of mental disorders. However, young people remained vulnerable to PM2.5 exposure after the COVID-19 outbreak.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jihong Hu, Yufan Feng, Hong Su, Zhiwei Xu, Hung Chak Ho, Hao Zheng, Wenyi Zhang, Junwen Tao, Keyu Wu, Mohammad Zahid Hossain, Yunquan Zhang, Kejia Hu, Cunrui Huang, Jian Cheng
Summary: This study conducted a systematic analysis of schizophrenia seasonality in different countries and explored the effects of weather factors globally. The onset of schizophrenia in the southern hemisphere peaked in the cold season, while in the northern hemisphere it peaked in the warm season. In China, schizophrenia seasonality showed two peaks, in late cold and warm seasons. Short-term exposure to high temperature, low temperature, heatwave, temperature variation, and extreme precipitation increased the risk of schizophrenia.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Weibin Li, Chaojie Liu, Hung Chak Ho, Lin Shi, Yingchao Zeng, Xinyi Yang, Haohai Xia, Wangjian Zhang, Cunrui Huang, Lianping Yang
Summary: This study analyzed the data on antibiotic resistance of Escherichia Coli (E. coli) in 31 provinces of China from 2014 to 2020, and found a positive association between rising ambient temperature and resistance to certain antibiotics. The results showed that for every 1 degree Celsius increase in temperature, there was a corresponding increase in the prevalence of resistance to third-generation cephalosporins, carbapenems, and quinolones. This association was more pronounced in regions with lower temperatures and socioeconomic disadvantages. The findings highlight the importance of incorporating weather patterns into antimicrobial resistance control programs to enhance their effectiveness.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Zhongfei Bai, Jack Jiaqi Zhang, Kenneth N. K. Fong
Summary: This study investigated the immediate effects of intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) on intracortical excitatory and inhibitory circuits, neural connectivity, and network properties in patients with chronic stroke. The results showed that iTBS enhanced the amplitude of ipsilesional motor evoked potentials (MEPs) and P30 of TMS-evoked potentials located at the ipsilesional primary motor cortex (M1), but it did not have modulatory effects on intracortical inhibition or TMS-related oscillations and neural connectivity.
IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON NEURAL SYSTEMS AND REHABILITATION ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Kenneth N. K. Fong, Raymond C. K. Chung, Patrick P. C. Sze, Carmen K. M. Ng
Summary: This study aimed to identify predictive attributes for accidental falls in community-dwelling older people in Hong Kong using decision tree analysis. A cross-sectional study was conducted over 6 months, with 1151 participants recruited from a primary healthcare setting. The results showed that decision tree analysis created decision models for fall screening in older people and paved the way for utility-based decision-making using supervised machine learning in fall risk detection.
Review
Engineering, Biomedical
Sharon Fong Mei Toh, Kenneth N. K. Fong, Pablo Cruz Gonzalez, Yuk Ming Tang
Summary: This review examines the use of wearable technologies in self-directed rehabilitation in the home setting, specifically focusing on stroke rehabilitation. The review identifies interventions such as virtual reality, stimulation-based training, robotic therapy, and activity trackers that utilize wearable technologies. Evidence supports the effectiveness of stimulation-based training and activity trackers for upper limb rehabilitation, but is limited for virtual reality and inconsistent for robotic training. There is a lack of research on wearable technologies for lower limb rehabilitation. The importance of this topic deserves a rating of 8 out of 10.
IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON NEURAL SYSTEMS AND REHABILITATION ENGINEERING
(2023)
Review
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Kenneth N. K. Fong, Xiangyang Ge, K. H. Ting, Minchen Wei, Hilda Cheung
Summary: This study conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis, finding that light therapy had a significant effect in alleviating sleep disturbances in people with dementia, but did not show significant effects in reducing agitation and depression. However, the long-term effects of light therapy remain unclear.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF ALZHEIMERS DISEASE AND OTHER DEMENTIAS
(2023)
