scholarly journals Developing Of An Urban Environmental Quality Indicator

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 30-41
Author(s):  
Jocy A. P. Sousa ◽  
Jomil C. A. Sales ◽  
Darllan C. C. Silva ◽  
Rita C. F. Silva ◽  
Roberto W. Lourenço
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Environmental Quality ◽  
Vegetation Cover ◽  
Quality Indicator ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Rule Base ◽  
Area Index ◽  
Inference System

Human intervention on vegetation cover has always had a negative impact on the environment, directly affecting the quality of life in urban areas. Therefore, this study aimed to develop a methodology for the construction of an urban environmental quality indicator (UEQI) that could reflect the environmental quality of urban areas considering the vegetation conditions to which the resident population is exposed. For this, the method sought to integrate data on demographic density (Dd), leaf area index (LAI), normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), and surface temperature (St). The Mamdani fuzzy inference system was used to generate a rule base containing 108 variations and a defuzzed output with five condition classes, ranging from very bad to excellent. The results showed that the studied area is characterized by a very bad to good UEQI, with most neighbourhoods having poor conditions (64.51%) and only two with good conditions. It was found that in general the studied area has unsatisfactory environmental quality, showing the need for initiatives aimed at urban afforestation in order to improve the quality of life for the studied population. It can be concluded that UEQI proved to be an efficient tool to identify priority areas for the planning and management of vegetation cover in urbanized areas, enabling the improvement of people's living conditions.

scholarly journals Vegetation Cover Change and Its Diversity in Urban Areas of Medan

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anita Zaitunah ◽  
Samsuri ◽  
Fauziah Sahara
Keyword(s):  
Land Cover ◽  
Environmental Quality ◽  
Vegetation Cover ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Open Space ◽  
Vegetation Index ◽  
Normalized Difference Vegetation Index ◽  
Change Analysis ◽  
Vegetation Class

Abstract Vegetation plays an important role in maintaining the environmental quality of urban areas. Increase in population and development of cities has led to land conversion with lesser vegetated areas. Land cover change analysis in urban areas is needed, especially for urban regional planning with green open space consideration. This research was conducted to analyze urban vegetation cover and its changes in two sub-districts of Medan between the years 1999 and 2019. Normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and change analysis were conducted in the research. The diversity of plant within this areas was observed. The results showed changes in vegetation cover areas in the mentioned years. In 1999, most of the areas were under a highly dense vegetation class while in 2019, they were under a low-density vegetation class. This indicates a decrease in vegetation cover due to changes to non-vegetation cover or land cover areas with less vegetation. There are a diverse of plants within the area such as paddy, cassava, corn etc and also many tree species. It is recommended to optimize the land by replanting in the area with no or less vegetation to maintain the environmental quality.

scholarly journals A POPULAÇÃO DA CIDADE DE SÃO GABRIEL, RS E O GRAU DE SATISFAÇÃO EM RELAÇÃO À QUALIDADE AMBIENTAL URBANA

2016 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
pp. 847 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Dejalmiro Medeiros da Silva ◽  
Nara Rejane Zamberlan dos Santos ◽  
Hamilton Munari Vogel ◽  
Mirla Andrade Weber
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Environmental Quality ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Urban Population ◽  
Environmental Policies ◽  
Environmental Aspects ◽  
Social Actors ◽  
Urban Sanitation ◽  
Physical Chemical

The growth of environmental impacts in the cities comes from the increase in population and the constant expansion of urban areas. These conflicts coupled with the lack of infrastructure contribute to the deterioration of environmental quality and life of the urban population and consequently to the physical, chemical and biological changes that compromise ecosystems and alter the landscape in these centers. The theme of this study relates to the perception and satisfaction of urban environmental quality has, as social actors, residents of a sample of the population of five districts in São Gabriel, RS. Through interviews addressed issues such as solid waste, noise, visual, air, soil, deforestation, the presence of sewage, illegal occupation, floods, urban sanitation and municipal environmental policies. The result of the survey showed satisfaction with some environmental aspects, but dissatisfaction with public policy indifferent to the quality of life of citizens.

scholarly journals Perceived and objective availability of green and blue spaces and quality of life in people with dementia: results from the IDEAL programme

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yu-Tzu Wu ◽  
◽  
Linda Clare ◽  
Ian Rees Jones ◽  
Sharon M. Nelis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Deprivation Level ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Interaction Terms ◽  
Perceived Availability ◽  
People With Dementia

Abstract Purpose The aim of this study was to investigate the associations between quality of life and both perceived and objective availability of local green and blue spaces in people with dementia, including potential variation across rural/urban settings and those with/without opportunities to go outdoors. Methods This study was based on 1540 community-dwelling people with dementia in the Improving the experience of Dementia and Enhancing Active Life (IDEAL) programme. Quality of life was measured by the Quality of Life in Alzheimer’s Disease (QoL-AD) scale. A list of 12 types of green and blue spaces was used to measure perceived availability while objective availability was estimated using geographic information system data. Regression modelling was employed to investigate the associations of quality of life with perceived and objective availability of green and blue spaces, adjusting for individual factors and deprivation level. Interaction terms with rural/urban areas or opportunities to go outdoors were fitted to test whether the associations differed across these subgroups. Results Higher QoL-AD scores were associated with higher perceived availability of local green and blue spaces (0.82; 95% CI 0.06, 1.58) but not objective availability. The positive association between perceived availability and quality of life was stronger for urban (1.50; 95% CI 0.52, 2.48) than rural residents but did not differ between participants with and without opportunities to go outdoors. Conclusions Only perceived availability was related to quality of life in people with dementia. Future research may investigate how people with dementia utilise green and blue spaces and improve dementia-friendliness of these spaces.

scholarly journals COVID-19 Pandemic and Quality of Life among Romanian Athletes

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (8) ◽  
pp. 4065
Author(s):  
Germina-Alina Cosma ◽  
Alina Chiracu ◽  
Amalia Raluca Stepan ◽  
Marian Alexandru Cosma ◽  
Marian Costin Nanu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Trait Anxiety ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Quality Of Life Scale ◽  
Life Scale ◽  
Personality Item ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

The aim of this study was to analyze athletes’ quality of life during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study involved 249 athletes between 15 and 35 of age, M = 21.22, SD = 5.12. The sample was composed of eight Olympic Games medalists, three European medalists, 67 international medalists, and 63 national medalists. The instruments used were: (1) COVID-19 Anxiety Scale, (2) Athlete Quality of Life Scale, (3) Impact of Pandemic on Athletes Questionnaire, and (4) International Personality Item Pool (IPIP Anxiety, Depression, and Vulnerability Scales). The results indicate significant differences in COVID-19 anxiety depending on the sport practiced, F (9239) = 3.81, p < 0.01, showing that there were significant differences between sports. The negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic mediates the relationship between trait anxiety and the athletes’ quality of life. The percentage of mediation was 33.9%, and the indirect effect was −0.11, CI 95% (−0.18, −0.03), Z = −2.82, p < 0.01. Trait anxiety has an increasing effect on the intensity of the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, 0.23, CI 95% (.10, 0.35), Z = 3.56, p < 0.01, and the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has a decreasing effect on quality of life, −0.47, CI 95% (−0.67, −0.27), Z = −4.62, p < 0.01. Gender and age did not moderate the relationship between the negative impact of COVID-19 and athletes’ quality of life. The results of the study highlighted the impact that social isolation and quarantine have on athletes’ affective well-being.

Psychosocial well-being and quality of life in siblings of children with congenital heart disease: A systematic review

2021 ◽  
pp. 136749352110129
Author(s):  
Alice S Schamong ◽  
Hannah Liebermann-Jordanidis ◽  
Konrad Brockmeier ◽  
Elisabeth Sticker ◽  
Elke Kalbe
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Cystic Fibrosis ◽  
Congenital Heart Disease ◽  
Heart Disease ◽  
Associated Factors ◽  
Congenital Heart ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Well Being

Congenital heart disease (CHD) is a major global health problem. Until recently, the siblings of this group did not receive much attention. This review, conducted from November 2019 to October 2020, aims to summarize knowledge about psychosocial well-being and quality of life (QoL), associated factors, and interventions for siblings of children with CHD. Systematic searches were conducted in PubMed, PsycINFO, PsycARTICLES, Web of Science via EBSCOhost, and CENTRAL. Twelve articles were included. Results showed that psychosocial well-being was impaired in 14% to 40% of siblings. Negative impact of illness was highest for CHD siblings compared to siblings of children with cancer, cystic fibrosis, or diabetes. QoL was impaired in up to one-third. Siblings of children with CHD and cancer rated their QoL lower than those of siblings of children with cystic fibrosis or type-1 diabetes. Associated factors were sibling age, gender, socioeconomic status, miscarriage, previous sibling death, visibility of illness, and severity of condition. Only one of two interventions focused on siblings of CHD children. Although data are scarce and inhomogeneous, it indicates that siblings of CHD children suffer from lower psychosocial well-being and QoL than siblings of children with other chronic conditions. Interventions to improve their situation should be developed.

scholarly journals A139 IMPROVED QUALITY OF LIFE AFTER ENDOSCOPIC THERAPY FOR BARRETT’S ESOPHAGUS AND EARLY ESOPHAGEAL CANCER IN SOUTHERN ALBERTA

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 125-126
Author(s):  
T Jeyalingam ◽  
M Woo ◽  
S E Congly ◽  
J David ◽  
P J Belletrutti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Linear Regression ◽  
Multiple Linear Regression ◽  
Barrett’S Esophagus ◽  
Barrett's Esophagus ◽  
Endoscopic Therapy ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Older Age ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background In patients with Barrett’s esophagus (BE), endoscopic therapy reduces the risk of progression to invasive esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC). Data on the impact of endoscopic therapy on patient quality of life (QoL) is limited. Aims We aimed to assess: (1) change in QoL during the course of endoscopic therapy for BE, (2) factors which predict this change, (3) whether achieving complete remission of dysplasia (CRD) or intestinal metaplasia (CRIM) affect the degree of change. Methods We conducted a retrospective observational study using a prospectively maintained database of BE patients treated in Calgary, Alberta from 2013–2020 containing data on demographics, BE disease characteristics and therapeutics, QoL, and follow-up. QoL was determined prior to initiation of therapy and after each treatment session using a validated questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were calculated and change in QoL was compared using a Wilcoxon signed ranks test. Backwards multiple linear regression analysis was performed to determine predictors of change in QoL. Results Of 130 BE patients, 112 (86.1%) were male and 104 (80%) had dysplastic histology or intramucosal carcinoma on index endoscopy. Mean (SD) age was 65.6 (12.0) years. At time of analysis, 76 patients (58.5%) had completed endoscopic therapy, of whom 69 (90.8%) achieved CRIM; 54 patients (41.5%) were still undergoing treatment. There was significant improvement in all QoL measures during the treatment course except for “depression” (Table 1). Patients with CRIM or CRD had reductions in “sleep difficulty” and “negative impact on life” to a significantly greater degree vs patients not achieving CRIM (Δ sleep -0.45 vs 0.0, P=0.002; Δ negative impact -0.4 vs -0.05, P=0.014) or CRD (Δ sleep -0.40 vs +0.60, P=0.002; Δ negative impact -0.40 vs +0.20, P=0.04). Multiple linear regression revealed older age (B=-0.03, P=0.008) and fewer number of EMR sessions (B=0.254, P=0.008) were correlated with greater improvement in QoL. Conclusions Endoscopic therapy improves QoL in BE patients, especially in those achieving CRIM/CRD. Older age and fewer EMRs are correlated with greater improvement in QoL. These results further reinforce the role of endoscopic therapy as the first line treatment of BE and early EAC. Funding Agencies None

scholarly journals Sleep Disorders in Adults with Down Syndrome

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (14) ◽  
pp. 3012
Author(s):  
Sandra Giménez ◽  
Miren Altuna ◽  
Esther Blessing ◽  
Ricardo M. Osorio ◽  
Juan Fortea
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Down Syndrome ◽  
Sleep Disorders ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Sleep Disruption ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Future Directions

Sleep disorders, despite being very frequent in adults with Down syndrome (DS), are often overlooked due to a lack of awareness by families and physicians and the absence of specific clinical sleep guidelines. Untreated sleep disorders have a negative impact on physical and mental health, behavior, and cognitive performance. Growing evidence suggests that sleep disruption may also accelerate the progression to symptomatic Alzheimer’s disease (AD) in this population. It is therefore imperative to have a better understanding of the sleep disorders associated with DS in order to treat them, and in doing so, improve cognition and quality of life, and prevent related comorbidities. This paper reviews the current knowledge of the main sleep disorders in adults with DS, including evaluation and management. It highlights the existing gaps in knowledge and discusses future directions to achieve earlier diagnosis and better treatment of sleep disorders most frequently found in this population.

Relationships between resilience and quality of life in parents of children with cancer

2021 ◽  
pp. 135910532199080
Author(s):  
Y. H. Luo ◽  
W. H. C. Li ◽  
A. T. Cheung ◽  
L. L. K. Ho ◽  
W. Xia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Mainland China ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Children With Cancer ◽  
Psychological Well Being ◽  
Tertiary Hospitals

A child suffering from cancer can be considerably stressful for parents, exerting a negative impact on their psychological well-being and quality of life. This study explored the relationships between resilience and quality of life in parents of children with cancer. We recruited 146 parents of children with cancer in two tertiary hospitals in mainland China. The results revealed that greater parental resilience was associated with better quality of life. It is essential to develop interventions that can enhance resilience for parents of children with cancer, thereby improving their quality of life. ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT03631485

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