Spatio-Temporal Analysis of Green Infrastructure along the Urban-Rural Gradient of the Cities of Bujumbura, Kinshasa and Lubumbashi
, Didier Mbarushimana 5, Léa Mukubu Pika 2, Waselin Salomon 2,6, Yannick Useni Sikuzani 4, Kouagou Raoul Sambieni 7,8, Tatien Masharabu 1 and Jan Bogaert 2,*Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsSummary
The study maps and analyses the green infrastructure of three cities in central Africa for the years 2000, 2013 and 2020 using Landsat images. Using a range of sophisticated indices, the study details the extent of change in vegetation in these cities, their fragmentation and depletion.
Assessment
The study is impressive for its use of a range of indices of the vegetation and for the comprehensive findings it derived from their use. The study goes further than just detailing the change in the extent of vegetation as it also examines the extent of its fragmentation into patches, the changes in land use in the cities over the 20-year period, the stability index of land use classes and vegetation, and the NDVI which was mapped for the three cities. The Discussion section (4) provides excellent review of the use of these indices.
The paper’s strengths lie in its application of the indices to assess the changes in vegetation in the three cities over two decades. A weakness is the lack of policy discussion of the application of the study’s findings into public policy in the cities examined. The discussion and conclusions are consistent with the findings and the methodology is scientifically sound and replicable. However, it appears that the data used is not available to other scholars. The paper does not identify any limitations in the study. It would be of interest to know why these three cities were chosen. The authors declare no conflict of interest.
The figures and tables are adequate and clear though note the comments below on Figures 1, 2 and 4. The references are mostly of the post 2000 period and are rather lengthy – 4.5 pages. Self-citation is not an issue. The English throughout is excellent.
Specific comments
Table 1 It would be useful to include the populations of each city.
Figure 1 should include within it a small map of Africa showing the location of the cities.
Can Figures 2 and 4 be enlarged to enable the differences between years and cities to be more easily discerned.
Lines 219-220 “A variety of vegetation indices have been developed for the purpose of monitoring 220 vegetation distribution and phenology [47].” This sentence is repeated in Lines 220-221.
Line 222 State what the acronym NDVI stands for: Normalized Difference Vegetation Index
Table 3 It needs to be stated that the figures are %.
Line 437 “the monitoring of climatic variability”
Author Response
Open Review
( ) I would not like to sign my review report
(x) I would like to sign my review report
Quality of English Language
( ) I am not qualified to assess the quality of English in this paper.
( ) The English is very difficult to understand/incomprehensible.
( ) Extensive editing of English language required.
( ) Moderate editing of English language required.
( ) Minor editing of English language required.
(x) English language fine. No issues detected.
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Comments and Suggestions for Authors
Summary
The study maps and analyses the green infrastructure of three cities in central Africa for the years 2000, 2013 and 2020 using Landsat images. Using a range of sophisticated indices, the study details the extent of change in vegetation in these cities, their fragmentation and depletion.
Assessment
The study is impressive for its use of a range of indices of the vegetation and for the comprehensive findings it derived from their use. The study goes further than just detailing the change in the extent of vegetation as it also examines the extent of its fragmentation into patches, the changes in land use in the cities over the 20-year period, the stability index of land use classes and vegetation, and the NDVI which was mapped for the three cities. The Discussion section (4) provides excellent review of the use of these indices.
The paper’s strengths lie in its application of the indices to assess the changes in vegetation in the three cities over two decades. A weakness is the lack of policy discussion of the application of the study’s findings into public policy in the cities examined. The discussion and conclusions are consistent with the findings and the methodology is scientifically sound and replicable. However, it appears that the data used is not available to other scholars. The paper does not identify any limitations in the study. It would be of interest to know why these three cities were chosen. The authors declare no conflict of interest.
Answer: The policy section on the application of the results of the study in the public policies of the cities examined will be added. Also, the 6th paragraph of the introduction explains why these cities were chosen.
The figures and tables are adequate and clear though note the comments below on Figures 1, 2 and 4. The references are mostly of the post 2000 period and are rather lengthy – 4.5 pages. Self-citation is not an issue. The English throughout is excellent.
Specific comments
Table 1 It would be useful to include the populations of each city.
Answer: The population of each town is added (additional line).
Figure 1 should include within it a small map of Africa showing the location of the cities.
Answer: Figure 1 has been changed.
Can Figures 2 and 4 be enlarged to enable the differences between years and cities to be more easily discerned.
Answer: Figures 2 and 4 were enlarged.
Lines 219-220 “A variety of vegetation indices have been developed for the purpose of monitoring 220 vegetation distribution and phenology [47].” This sentence is repeated in Lines 220-221.
Answer: repeated sentence deleted.
Line 222 State what the acronym NDVI stands for: Normalized Difference Vegetation Index
Answer: NDVI acronym was specified.
Table 3 It needs to be stated that the figures are %.
Answer: At the first sentence, I’ve added: in percentage of area (%).
Line 437 “the monitoring of climatic variability”
Answer: “t” has been added
Submission Date
23 July 2024
Date of this review
29 Jul 2024 17:17:08
Author Response File: 
Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 2 Report
Comments and Suggestions for Authors
Introduction
Line 41. Africa is currently one of the world's most rapidly urbanizing regions.
Line 45, the second paragraph of the introduction part. The authors need to add some examples describing the fast urbanization in Africa.
Line 57, the first sentence of the 4th paragraph, GI and its ecosystem service. Please cite this reference here: Construction of green infrastructure networks based on the temporal and spatial variation characteristics of multiple ecosystem services in a city on the Tibetan Plateau: A case study in Xining, China. Ecological Indicators, 163, 112139.
Line 74, reference No, 22 is an error.
Line 78. Green spaces and GI are similar but different terms. Change green space to GI.
The last paragraph of the introduction. Highlight the time series of this study from 2000 to 2022, which will improve the importance of this study. Furthermore, what is the aim of this study? The author needs to add the aim (i.e., support or against this hypothesis).
Materials and Methods
Section 2.1. Need not describe the names of all these communes. Add some information such as population and area to Table 1.
Figure 1. Use the full name of RDC. Draw a small map showing the location of the study area in global or Africa. For international readers, without this small map, the can does not acquire the location of the study area.
Section 2.2. How many bands of the Landsat images? ArcGis 10.8.1 software was then used to produce thematic maps. What are thematic maps? How to produce thematic maps?
Section 2.3. Are the methods of section 2.3 conducted by ArcGIS 10.8.1?
The spelling mistake in Line 149: ArcGis (error) --> ArcGIS (correct).
Title: alone the urban-rural gradient. But the results did not alone the urban-rural gradient. The title should be modified. This study is a spatial-temporal comparative analysis of the GI of three cities.
The conclusion is tedious. Do not repeat the results. Highlighting the key findings point by point is ok.
Comments on the Quality of English LanguageMinor editing of the English language required
Author Response
Open Review
(x) I would not like to sign my review report
( ) I would like to sign my review report
Quality of English Language
( ) I am not qualified to assess the quality of English in this paper.
( ) The English is very difficult to understand/incomprehensible.
( ) Extensive editing of English language required.
( ) Moderate editing of English language required.
(x) Minor editing of English language required.
( ) English language fine. No issues detected.
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Yes |
Can be improved |
Must be improved |
Not applicable |
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Does the introduction provide sufficient background and include all relevant references? |
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Is the research design appropriate? |
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Are the methods adequately described? |
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Are the results clearly presented? |
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Are the conclusions supported by the results? |
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Comments and Suggestions for Authors
Introduction
Line 41. Africa is currently one of the world's most rapidly urbanizing regions.
Answer: I didn't get the observation here
Line 45, the second paragraph of the introduction part. The authors need to add some examples describing the fast urbanization in Africa.
Answer: I have added three references: Uganda, Mozambique and South Sudan
- Vermeiren, K.; Van Rompaey, A.; Loopmans, M.; Serwajja, E.; Mukwaya, P. Urban Growth of Kampala, Uganda: Pattern Analysis and Scenario Development. Urban Plan. 2012, 106, 199–206, doi:10.1016/j.landurbplan.2012.03.006.,
- (2) Vivet, J. Déplacés de Guerre et Dynamiques Territoriales Postconflit Au Mozambique. Hérodote 2015, 158, 160, doi:10.3917/her.158.0160. and
- (3) Lavergne, M. De La Cuvette Du Haut-Nil Aux Faubourgs de Khartoum: Les Déplacés Du Sud-Soudan. Déplacés et Réfugiés, La Mobilité Sous La Contrainte. l’IRD 1999, 109–136.
Line 57, the first sentence of the 4th paragraph, GI and its ecosystem service. Please cite this reference here: Construction of green infrastructure networks based on the temporal and spatial variation characteristics of multiple ecosystem services in a city on the Tibetan Plateau: A case study in Xining, China. Ecological Indicators, 163, 112139.
Answer: Reference was cited.
Line 74, reference No, 22 is an error.
Answer: The error has been corrected. The reference is rather: Washbourne, C. L. (2022). Environmental policy narratives and urban green infrastructure: Reflections from five major cities in South Africa and the UK. Environmental Science & Policy, 129, 96-106.
Line 78. Green spaces and GI are similar but different terms. Change green space to GI.
Answer: The change was made.
The last paragraph of the introduction. Highlight the time series of this study from 2000 to 2022, which will improve the importance of this study. Furthermore, what is the aim of this study? The author needs to add the aim (i.e., support or against this hypothesis).
Answer: The first sentence of the last paragraph of the introduction was amended as follows: The aim of this study is to provide a spatio-temporal analysis of the GI of the cities of Bujumbura, Kinshasa and Lubumbashi from 2000 to 2022, using remote sensing and spatial pattern indices.
Materials and Methods
Section 2.1. Need not describe the names of all these communes. Add some information such as population and area to Table 1.
Answer: The names of the communes have been deleted and the population and area lines have been added to Table 1.
Figure 1. Use the full name of RDC. Draw a small map showing the location of the study area in global or Africa. For international readers, without this small map, the can does not acquire the location of the study area.
Answer: Figure 1 has been changed.
Section 2.2. How many bands of the Landsat images? ArcGis 10.8.1 software was then used to produce thematic maps. What are thematic maps? How to produce thematic maps?
Answer: It's a mistake in terminology. It’s the production of “land-use maps”.
The word “thematic maps” has been changed in the manuscript by “land-use maps”
Section 2.3. Are the methods of section 2.3 conducted by ArcGIS 10.8.1?
Answer: The methods of section 2.3 are conducted by Google Earth Engine.
The spelling mistake in Line 149: ArcGis (error) --> ArcGIS (correct).
Answer: Error corrected
Title: alone the urban-rural gradient. But the results did not alone the urban-rural gradient. The title should be modified. This study is a spatial-temporal comparative analysis of the GI of three cities.
Answer: The title was modified like this: “Spatio-temporal analysis of green infrastructure along the urban-rural gradient in the cities of Bujumbura, Kinshasa and Lubumbashi”.
The conclusion is tedious. Do not repeat the results. Highlighting the key findings point by point is ok.
Answer: The conclusion has been modified to highlight the main findings point by point.
Comments on the Quality of English Language
Minor editing of the English language required
Answer: The English language has been revised.
Submission Date
23 July 2024
Date of this review
30 Jul 2024 08:18:20
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 3 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsThis article is a study of Green Infrastructure (GI) in the cities of Bujumbura in Burundi and Kinshasa and Lubumbashi in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Using remote sensing methods and landscape ecological indicators, three time points in 2000, 2013 and 2022 were analyzed. I think the following author makes improvements
1. Data sources and time span: While Landsat images from 2000, 2013, and 2022 were used, the article did not elaborate on the selection criteria for the images, such as why these particular years were chosen, and whether other time points that could have affected the interpretation of the images were considered.
2. Classification accuracy verification: Although the overall accuracy and Kappa coefficient are provided, there is a lack of field verification of classification results or comparison with independent data sources, which helps to enhance the credibility of research results.
3. Selection and interpretation of landscape indicators: The paper uses a variety of landscape indicators to describe the spatial structure of green space, but lacks in-depth discussion on the reasons for selecting specific indicators and how they are directly related to the research objectives.
4. Literature review: Articles may extend the literature review section to better position the research within the existing body of knowledge and to demonstrate its contribution to existing research.
5. Visual presentation of the results: Although the article provides some charts and maps, the quality of the visualizations can be further improved, for example through clearer legends, labels and scales, and possibly 3D visualizations to better show spatial patterns.
6. Depth of the discussion section: The discussion section could be further expanded to include more in-depth explanations of the results and how they compare to existing literature and theoretical frameworks.
7. Policy and management recommendations: Although the article makes recommendations for urban planning, specific policy and management measures can be discussed in more detail, as well as how to implement these recommendations in practice.
Comments on the Quality of English LanguageModerate editing of English language required
Author Response
Open Review
(x) I would not like to sign my review report
( ) I would like to sign my review report
Quality of English Language
( ) I am not qualified to assess the quality of English in this paper.
( ) The English is very difficult to understand/incomprehensible.
( ) Extensive editing of English language required.
(x) Moderate editing of English language required.
( ) Minor editing of English language required.
( ) English language fine. No issues detected.
Comments and Suggestions for Authors
This article is a study of Green Infrastructure (GI) in the cities of Bujumbura in Burundi and Kinshasa and Lubumbashi in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Using remote sensing methods and landscape ecological indicators, three time points in 2000, 2013 and 2022 were analyzed. I think the following author makes improvements
- Data sources and time span: While Landsat images from 2000, 2013, and 2022 were used, the article did not elaborate on the selection criteria for the images, such as why these particular years were chosen, and whether other time points that could have affected the interpretation of the images were considered.
Answer: In section 2.2 sentences has been added to explain the choice of years.
- Classification accuracy verification: Although the overall accuracy and Kappa coefficient are provided, there is a lack of field verification of classification results or comparison with independent data sources, which helps to enhance the credibility of research results.
Answer: An other new sentence has been added to explain the field verification of classification in the section 2.2.
- Selection and interpretation of landscape indicators: The paper uses a variety of landscape indicators to describe the spatial structure of green space, but lacks in-depth discussion on the reasons for selecting specific indicators and how they are directly related to the research objectives.
Answer: A new sentence has been added to section 4.2. Also, the Discussion section (4) provides a review of the use of these indices.
- Literature review: Articles may extend the literature review section to better position the research within the existing body of knowledge and to demonstrate its contribution to existing research.
Answer: This is reflected in the penultimate paragraph (paragraph 6) of the introduction.
- Visual presentation of the results: Although the article provides some charts and maps, the quality of the visualizations can be further improved, for example through clearer legends, labels and scales, and possibly 3D visualizations to better show spatial patterns.
Answer: The quality of charts and maps has been improved in order to clarify legends, labels and scales. However, the co-authors found that 3D maps are not relevant.
- Depth of the discussion section: The discussion section could be further expanded to include more in-depth explanations of the results and how they compare to existing literature and theoretical frameworks.
Answer: The discussion was enriched by the addition of a few sentences and a section relating to public policies while always wanting to keep the coherence of the discussion and the conclusions with the results.
- Policy and management recommendations: Although the article makes recommendations for urban planning, specific policy and management measures can be discussed in more detail, as well as how to implement these recommendations in practice.
Answer: We have added a 4th section to the discussion on the involvement of our results in public policy.
Comments on the Quality of English Language
Moderate editing of English language required
Answer: The English language has been revised.
Submission Date
23 July 2024
Date of this review
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Round 2
Reviewer 2 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsThe authors has revised the manuscript based on my comments. This paper has been improved. I suggest that it can be accepted.
Comments on the Quality of English LanguageMinor editing of English language required.
Author Response
Author's Reply to the Review Report
Open Review
(x) I would not like to sign my review report
( ) I would like to sign my review report
Quality of English Language
( ) I am not qualified to assess the quality of English in this paper.
( ) The English is very difficult to understand/incomprehensible.
( ) Extensive editing of English language required.
( ) Moderate editing of English language required.
(x) Minor editing of English language required.
( ) English language fine. No issues detected.
|
Yes |
Can be improved |
Must be improved |
Not applicable |
|
|
Does the introduction provide sufficient background and include all relevant references? |
(x) |
( ) |
( ) |
( ) |
|
Is the research design appropriate? |
(x) |
( ) |
( ) |
( ) |
|
Are the methods adequately described? |
(x) |
( ) |
( ) |
( ) |
|
Are the results clearly presented? |
(x) |
( ) |
( ) |
( ) |
|
Are the conclusions supported by the results? |
(x) |
( ) |
( ) |
( ) |
Comments and Suggestions for Authors
The authors has revised the manuscript based on my comments. This paper has been improved. I suggest that it can be accepted.
Comments on the Quality of English Language
Minor editing of English language required.
Answer: The manuscript has been thoroughly proofread by colleagues who studied the English language in their university curriculum.
Submission Date
23 July 2024
Date of this review
10 Aug 2024 10:12:32
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 3 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsThe author did not make a detailed revision and a strong reply to what I proposed, and suggested that the author carefully revise again.
Specifically, first, for questions 1-3, the author only added one sentence to answer my concerns, which I think is not enough to convince me.
Second, I think the author should list the literature review separately to strengthen the summary and induction of the existing literature. The author did not make any changes.
Third, I suggested that the authors include a more in-depth explanation of the results and how they compare to existing literature and theoretical frameworks, but the authors made random changes without any improvement in the quality of the paper.
Moderate editing of English language required
Author Response
Author's Reply to the Review Report
Open Review
( ) I would not like to sign my review report
(x) I would like to sign my review report
Quality of English Language
( ) I am not qualified to assess the quality of English in this paper.
( ) The English is very difficult to understand/incomprehensible.
( ) Extensive editing of English language required.
(x) Moderate editing of English language required.
( ) Minor editing of English language required.
( ) English language fine. No issues detected.
Comments and Suggestions for Authors
The author did not make a detailed revision and a strong reply to what I proposed, and suggested that the author carefully revise again.
Specifically, first, for questions 1-3, the author only added one sentence to answer my concerns, which I think is not enough to convince me.
For the question 1 : Data sources and time span: While Landsat images from 2000, 2013, and 2022 were used, the article did not elaborate on the selection criteria for the images, such as why these particular years were chosen, and whether other time points that could have affected the interpretation of the images were considered.
Answer:
Regarding the selection of years, as highlighted by the evaluator in previous comments, we have emphasized in the manuscript that the chosen years and intervals were guided by three primary factors. Firstly, the city of Bujumbura underwent urbanization without planning and management tools between 2000 and 2015. It was only from 2015 to 2023 that an urban master plan was developed, outlining a vision for the city up to 2045. Secondly, for the cities of Kinshasa and Lubumbashi, the period from 2000 to 2010 was largely influenced by the liberalization of the mining sector (2002), the first electoral cycle (2006), infrastructure modernization, and the global financial crisis (2008). The period from 2010 to 2022 included further electoral cycles (2011 and 2018), provincial restructuring (2015), and a change in political regime (2019). Thirdly, the city of Kinshasa is characterized by persistent heavy cloud cover, which limits the availability of satellite imagery. This constraint led us to consider only three specific dates, which we believe are sufficient to understand the phenomenon of urbanization in the cities studied, considering the availability of imagery for these periods.
For the question 2. Classification accuracy verification: Although the overall accuracy and Kappa coefficient are provided, there is a lack of field verification of classification results or comparison with independent data sources, which helps to enhance the credibility of research results.
Answer:
Considering the verification of classification accuracy, we also indicated that joint field missions were conducted in the three cities studied in July 2022. For each class, a total of 20 GPS coordinates were collected, yielding a maximum of 180 GPS points. These points were then supplemented with data obtained via Google Earth Pro. Additionally, the results for our final year (2022) were compared with those generated by the ESRI_Global-LULC_10m_TS project using Google Earth Engine for the three cities. The consistency in trends across the results for the three cities provided reassurance of the credibility of our findings.
For de question 3. Selection and interpretation of landscape indicators: The paper uses a variety of landscape indicators to describe the spatial structure of green space, but lacks in-depth discussion on the reasons for selecting specific indicators and how they are directly related to the research objectives.
Answer:
The selection of indices was primarily guided by existing literature on landscape composition and configuration analysis. As noted in section 4.2 of the discussion, numerous spatial structure indices have been developed, many of which are redundant. This prompted us to focus on indices directly related to fragmentation (we add: “In this study, we employed indices derived directly from fragmentation. In general ecology and landscape ecology, in particular, habitat fragmentation has emerged as a pivotal theme in conservation research”), drawing on studies conducted on similar themes. These indices have been employed in other contexts to analyze the degree of anthropization in urban or forest landscapes, demonstrating their relevance for assessing the state of green infrastructure in the cities studied.
What was added to support is this: “These indices have been used in various contexts to analyze the degree of anthropization of urban or forest landscapes, such as the characterization of dense forest islands in the Monts Kouffé classified forest with the aim of highlighting their spatio-temporal dynamics as well as the analysis of the spatial structure of forests in Katanga. They were also employed to assess the anthropogenic impact on the dynamics of landscape units, including the quality of ecosystem services in the Kinshasa conurbation”.
On the same section, we add a last sentence which states that: “All these indices were used to test the first two sub-hypotheses of our research”.
In the section 4.3, we have also explained other contexts in which the the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) has been used to demonstrate that this index was also utilized in our study as follows:
“Consequently, NDVI values have been employed in a multitude of contexts, including the assessment of vegetation cover variability across Algeria, the observation of forest degradation in Mexico, the monitoring of climatic variability in the Nakambé watershed in Burkina Faso and the establishment of the link between vegetation NDVI, temperature and precipitation, in the upper catchments of the Yellow River in China. In this study, the NDVI was calculated to facilitate a comparison of the health of GI in the cities of Bujumbura, Kinshasa and Lubumbashi and to test our last sub-hypothesis”.
Second, I think the author should list the literature review separately to strengthen the summary and induction of the existing literature. The author did not make any changes.
Answer: Thank you for your suggestions. We have made efforts to address them appropriately. However, our paper is grounded in previously established research. For instance, both the Introduction and the Discussion sections include several references that reinforce the existing literature, confirming the results highlighted in the summary.
Third, I suggested that the authors include a more in-depth explanation of the results and how they compare to existing literature and theoretical frameworks, but the authors made random changes without any improvement in the quality of the paper.
Answer: In addition to what was added in section 4.3 regarding similar cases in other cities, such as Abuja, Kampala, and central Togo, in order to show how our results compare to the existing literature as follows:
“Our results illustrate the regression and fragmentation of urban vegetation as a result of urbanization. The phenomenon of urban vegetation regression in the wake of rapid and uncontrolled urban spatial growth has also been observed in other African cities, including Abuja in Nigeria, Kampala in Uganda and in central Togo”.
We have also added a new section (section 4.5) that shows the application of our results in public policy as follows:
4.5. Implications in public policy
“In African cities, GI is still considered by the population and certain authorities in charge of urban planning secondary spaces that are merely decorative, or as spaces that are free of all occupation and passage . In reality, however, it needs to be preserved and developed, hence the need for scientific assistance in the conservation and development of GI. Our results highlighted the decline in GI in the cities studied; a decrease in tall vegetation, all in a context of increasing anthropization. Indeed, for all the cities studied, urbanization is the primary cause of the reduction in their GI following the installation of new houses or other infrastructures such as monuments, the densification of neighborhoods and peripheral extensions. This situation should attract the attention of municipal planners and decision-makers and involve a range of policies along the urbanization gradient. These policies concern the legal security of GI and its integration into land use planning, as well as the planning of their management, maintenance and control. Law enforcement, transparency, reliability, and the absence of corruption are crucial elements for sustainable urbanization that incorporates the conservation of vegetated ecosystems and economic development in the city. The demolition of infrastructure or other facilities built on GI should also be considered. In the (peri)urban area, avenue trees should be planted along the main roads running through it and should above all be included in the urban development plan for new neighborhoods. The new occupants of these neighborhoods should be made aware of planting trees on secondary roads running through their neighborhoods along their plots, in addition to landscaping them. Priority should be given to preserving and increasing the connectivity of the GI of the cities studied and above all to encourage the creation of GI for buildings and roads. All these cities should adopt a master plan for the sustainable integration of GI into the urban fabric as a matter of urgency. The authorities responsible for urban planning should devote part of the municipal budget to the creation of green infrastructure in the peri-urban and rural parts of cities”.
Comments on the Quality of English Language
Moderate editing of English language required
Answer: The manuscript has been thoroughly proofread by colleagues who studied the English language in their university curriculum.
Submission Date
23 July 2024
Date of this review
11 Aug 2024 16:43:19
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
