Agent-Based Modelling of Urban District Energy System Decarbonisation—A Systematic Literature Review

There is an increased interest in the district-scale energy transition within interdisciplinary research community. Agent-based modelling presents a suitable approach to address variety of questions related to policies, technologies, processes, and the different stakeholder roles that can foster such transition. However, it is a largely complex and versatile methodology which hinders its broader uptake by researchers as well as improved results. This state-of-the-art review focuses on the application of agent-based modelling for exploring policy interventions that facilitate the decarbonisation (i.e., energy transition) of districts and neighbourhoods while considering stakeholders’ social characteristics and interactions. We systematically select and analyse peer-reviewed literature and discuss the key modelling aspects, such as model purpose, agents and decision-making logic, spatial and temporal aspects, and empirical grounding. The analysis reveals that the most established agent-based models’ focus on innovation diffusion (e.g., adoption of solar panels) and dissemination of energy-saving behaviour among a group of buildings in urban areas. We see a considerable gap in exploring the decisions and interactions of agents other than residential households, such as commercial and even industrial energy consumers (and prosumers). Moreover, measures such as building retrofits and conversion to district energy systems involve many stakeholders and complex interactions between them that up to now have hardly been represented in the agent-based modelling environment. Hence, this work contributes to better understanding and further improving the research on transition towards decarbonised society.

Risk Factors for Acute Respiratory Infections in Children Between 0 and 23 Months of Age in a Peri-Urban District in Pakistan: A Matched Case–Control Study

Background: Acute respiratory infection (ARI) accounts for nearly 15% of all childhood mortality in South Asia, with children from rural areas at higher risk due to inaccessibility to healthcare facilities. We therefore aimed to identify risk factors associated with ARI in children under 2 years of age in rural Pakistan.Methods: A retrospective 1:2 matched case–control study was conducted between October and December 2018 in Taluka Kotri, Jamshoro District of Pakistan. Cases were identified as children between 0 and 23 months of age with a history of fever, cough, sore throat, fast breathing, difficulty breathing, or chest indrawing in the 2 weeks prior to the survey. Controls were participants without symptoms of ARI, matched based on age in months. Data analysis was conducted using STATA version 15. Univariate and multivariable conditional logistic regression analyses were used to identify factors associated with ARI, and p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results: We identified 1,071 cases of ARI who were matched with 2,142 controls. Multivariable analysis revealed that female gender [odds ratio (OR) 0.78, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.67–0.91], exclusive breastfeeding (OR 0.81, 95% CI: 0.69–0.97), and comorbidity with diarrhea (OR: 1.64, 95% CI: 1.40–1.91) were significantly associated with ARI.Conclusion: Pakistan continues to progress toward reducing childhood mortality, particularly ARI-related deaths, for which it bears a great burden. This study identifies risk factors such as the male gender, breastfeeding, and comorbidities with diarrhea, which could open grounds for further programmatic implications in targeting a multifaceted approach to reducing incidences of ARI in rural areas of the country.

Intention and practice on breastfeeding among pregnant mothers in Malaysia and factors associated with practice of exclusive breastfeeding: A cohort study

Background Exclusive breastfeeding rate in Malaysia is low despite its known health benefits. This study aims to determine the prevalence of intention to breastfeed among pregnant mothers, the prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding practice after delivery, and factors associated with exclusive breastfeeding practice. Methods This was a prospective cohort study. All pregnant women at 36 weeks gestation or above from 17 antenatal health clinics in an urban district were invited to participate in the study. A self-administered questionnaire was used, encompassing sociodemographic, breastfeeding knowledge, attitude, and intention towards the practice of breastfeeding. The participants were followed up one month post-natal for their practice of breastfeeding via telephone or during their post-natal follow-up appointment. Results 483 pregnant mothers participated in the study initially. 462 (95.7%) were contactable after one month. 99.4% (459/462) of participants intended to breastfeed. 65.4% (302/462) of participants practiced exclusive breastfeeding. There was no significant association between intention and practice of exclusive breastfeeding. Multiple logistic regression analysis shows, pregnant mothers with high breastfeeding knowledge (AOR = 1.138; 95% CI 1.008–1.284) and Malay ethnicity (AOR = 2.031; 95% CI 1.066–3.868) were more likely to breastfeed their infant exclusively. Conclusions Prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding practice at one month in the studied district was 65.4%. Malay mothers and mothers with high breastfeeding knowledge were more likely to breastfeed exclusively. Thus, we recommend targeted intervention towards non-Malay mothers and increasing breastfeeding knowledge to all pregnant mothers.

Occupational risk assessment and selected morbidities among cement brick unit workers in a rural area of Bangalore District, India

Introduction: The labor-intensive nature of cement brick manufacturing, its unorganized nature and internal migration, expose the employees to several occupational health hazards. The objective of the study was to assess the occupational risks in cement brick unit settings and to estimate the prevalence of respiratory and musculoskeletal morbidities among the cement brick unit workers in a rural area of Bangalore urban district. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among cement brick unit workers over two months. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to capture sociodemographic details. Multiple observations on the field and the World Health Organization semi-quantitative risk assessment matrix were used to obtain risk scores of the occupational hazards. A structured questionnaire on respiratory symptoms and Minispir Portable Spirometer were used to assess the respiratory morbidities and lung functions. Musculoskeletal morbidities were assessed using the Modified Nordic questionnaire. Proportions were used to describe respiratory and musculoskeletal morbidities. Chi-square test, Fisher’s exact test and multivariate logistic regressions were done to identify significant variables. Results: Among 120 subjects, 110 (91.6%) were men and 85.8% were migrants. Injury due to falls of heavy objects, back injury, respiratory complaints and slips/falls were found to be high-risk health hazards. The prevalence of respiratory morbidity was 21.7% and that of musculoskeletal morbidity was 51.7%. Workers receiving a higher salary (≥ 1500 Indian rupees) had higher odds of having respiratory morbidity. Conclusion: The prevalence of respiratory and musculoskeletal morbidities was high. Introduction of mechanical equipment, decreasing work hours, periodic medical examinations and appropriate use of personal protective equipment will help in risk reduction as per this study.

Online Education in the Republic of Karelia in the New Realities of Society Development

Purpose of the study. Studying the regional experience of using online educational platforms during the period of distance learning for schoolchildren and identifying the features of new realities on the formation of human capital.Materials and methods. Assessment of the organization of the distance learning process in the municipalities of the Republic of Karelia, Petrozavodsk and Kostomuksha urban district during the first and second waves of transition to distance learning for schoolchildren. A survey was conducted at the end of each period among teachers, children and parents on the organization and implementation of the learning process.Results. A study of the results of an online survey of teachers in the Republic of Karelia revealed a number of features and difficulties in the introduction of distance learning technologies for schoolchildren in the new realities of an isolated educational process: the level of proficiency in distance learning technologies at the beginning of the Covid-2019 pandemic among teachers in Karelia was quite high - 68.3%, 72.8% of them had the experience of independent study of forms and technologies of distance learning, 27.9% of the interviewed teachers completed advanced training courses. Of the large number of educational platforms operating within the framework of providing online access to teaching and testing resources, teachers are most often used in their work: Uchi.ru, Yaklass.ru, Google class, Russian electronic school. Only 4.5% of the respondents admit that they did not teach online lessons, including due to the lack of Internet in their settlement.Based on the results of the questionnaire survey among parents, new risks in the development of the education system emerged, and the identified trends make us think about what can be changed and done now so that the education of children during distance learning would be a joy for children, parents and teachers.Conclusions. Evaluating the experience of using online education in Russian schools during the massive transition to distance learning, one can note both objective difficulties and problems in organizing the educational process in distance mode, and positive effects that involuntarily manifested themselves in the development of specific narrow skills of digital literacy among the population, acquaintance with new programs and digital tools, mentoring among the participants in relations, exchange of effective practices and experience.Nevertheless, almost all studies note that general education schools and teachers, in general, who had practically no experience of online learning before the massive transition to distance learning, were able to quickly navigate the new situation and master new forms of communication with students. At the same time, a positive synergistic effect was the formation of the skill of productive communication between children and adults, interaction and mutual assistance in the process of mastering ICT technologies.

The Hadrianic fire (c. AD 125–35)

London north of the river was burnt to the ground in a fire that evidence suggests took place c. AD 125–6, with rebuilding underway c. AD 127–8. The evidence for the extent and date of this fire is summarized. The nature of the evidence, and parallels that can be drawn with London’s Boudican destruction, allows it to be suggested that London was deliberately burnt as an act of war. Historical sources hint at a major British war during Hadrian’s reign, although these leave us uncertain as to where and when it took place. The evidence of London’s destruction adds important new evidence to aid our interpretation of these sources. Following London’s destruction a new fort was built on the northern margins of town, the adjacent amphitheatre was rebuilt in stone, the harbour was rebuilt, and a new urban district laid out in the upper Walbrook valley. The architecture of these new building works is described.

Virtual Fracture Clinic: A pandemic-ready tool for improving the efficiency of fracture clinic

Background: The traditional model of care of the Orthopaedic Fracture Clinic (OFC) is labour intensive, expensive, has poor satisfaction rates, and often has minimal impact on management and outcomes of patients with minor injuries. Our aim was to implement a Virtual Fracture Clinic (VFC) for the management of minor injuries that is safe, reduces OFC clinic workload and reduces the OFC failure to attend (FTA) rate. Methods: This study was a retrospective longitudinal audit of OFC workload before (January 2012 -February 2017) and after (March 2017 – December 2019) implementation of the VFC. It was performed in an urban district general hospital in South East Queensland, Australia. The primary outcome measures included attendances per timepoint (month). Results: Overall, we observed a significant reduction in total number of patients from 1,055 (IQR 104.5) to 831 (IQR: 103) per month) coming through the OFC following the introduction of the VFC (F = 21.9; df=1; p <0.0001). The failure to attend rate was reduced by 44% from 271 (IQR: 127.3) to 151 (IQR: 72.8) (F=4.0; df=1; p = 0.047). Conclusion: The VFC implementation was successful in improving efficiency and reducing the current OFC workload, as well as reducing FTA rate. Reduction in clinic workload allows more time to be spent with complex patients, prevents clinic backlogs and overbooking, and crowding of waiting rooms. In the midst of a global pandemic that is spread by close contact, virtual clinics seem the way of the future to treat patients whilst minimising risk of COVID-19 spread.

Green infrastructure-based hydrological modelling, a comparison between different urban districts, through the case of Szeged, Hungary

Because of the climate uncertainties caused by climate change and the growing urban areas, today’s cities face new environmental challenges. The impervious artificial elements change the urban water cycle. Urban districts with inadequate water infrastructure and treatment can be a major source of environmental risks, like urban flash floods. Modern cities need to be prepared for the changing environment in a sustainable way, which can be realised with the help of green infrastructure. The primary role of the green infrastructure is mitigation, such as surface runoff reduction and retainment. The aim of our research is to examine urban district scale data about the role of green infrastructure in urban water management. Hydrological models can provide adequate data about the surface runoff, infiltration and the mitigating effect of vegetation (interception and evaporation). We compared two significantly different urban districts (downtown and housing estate area), based on land cover and vegetation data. The analysis of the districts of Szeged (Hungary) suggests that the vegetation can significantly contribute to the reduction of surface runoff. Differences between these urban districts can be quantified, thus, these data can serve as a basis for urban water management planning processes.

Agent-Based Modelling of Urban District Energy System Decarbonisation – A Systematic Literature Review

There is an increased interest in the district-scale energy transition within interdisciplinary research community. Agent-based modelling presents a suitable approach to address variety of questions related to policies, technologies, processes, and the different stakeholder roles that can foster such transition. This state-of-the-art review focuses on the application of agent-based modelling for exploring policy interventions that facilitate the decarbonisation (i.e., energy transition) of districts and neighbourhoods while considering stakeholders&rsquo; social characteristics and interactions. We systematically select and analyse peer-reviewed literature and discuss the key modelling aspects, such as model purpose, agents and decision-making logic, spatial and temporal aspects, and empirical grounding. The analysis reveals that the most established agent-based models&rsquo; focus on innovation diffusion (e.g., adoption of solar panels) and dissemination of energy-saving behaviour among a group of buildings in urban areas. We see a considerable gap in exploring the decisions and interactions of agents other than residential households, such as commercial and even industrial energy consumers (and prosumers). Moreover, measures such as building retrofits and conversion to district energy systems involve many stakeholders and complex interactions between them that up to now have hardly been represented in the agent-based modelling environment.