Capital City Research Articles

Impact on pregnancy outcomes of intermittent preventive treatment with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine in urban and peri-urban Papua New Guinea: a retrospective cohort study

BackgroundIntermittent preventive treatment in pregnancy with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (IPTp-SP) reduces malaria-attributable adverse pregnancy outcomes and may also prevent low birth weight (< 2,500 g) through mechanisms independent of malaria. Malaria transmission in Papua New Guinea (PNG) is highly heterogeneous. The impact of IPTp-SP on adverse birth outcomes in settings with little or no malaria transmission, such as PNG’s capital city Port Moresby, is unknown.MethodsA retrospective cohort study was conducted amongst HIV-negative women with a singleton pregnancy who delivered at Port Moresby General Hospital between 18 July and 21 August 2022. The impact of IPTp-SP doses on adverse birth outcomes and anaemia was assessed using logistic and linear regression models, as appropriate.ResultsOf 1,140 eligible women amongst 1,228 consecutive births, 1,110 had a live birth with a documented birth weight. A total of 156 women (13.7%) did not receive any IPTp-SP, 347 women (30.4%) received one, 333 (29.2%) received two, and 304 (26.7%) received the recommended ≥ 3 doses of IPTp-SP. A total of 65 of 1,110 liveborn babies (5.9%) had low birth weight and there were 34 perinatal deaths (3.0%). Anaemia (haemoglobin < 100 g/L) was observed in 30.6% (243/793) of women, and 14 (1.2%) had clinical malaria in pregnancy.Compared to women receiving 0–1 dose of IPTp-SP, women receiving ≥ 2 doses had lower odds of LBW (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.50; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.26, 0.96), preterm birth (aOR 0.58; 95% CI 0.32, 1.04), perinatal death (aOR 0.49; 95% CI 0.18, 1.38), LBW/perinatal death (aOR 0.55; 95% CI 0.27, 1.12), and anaemia (OR 0.50; 95% CI 0.36, 0.69). Women who received 2 doses versus 0–1 had 45% lower odds of LBW (aOR 0.55, 95% CI 0.27, 1.10), and a 16% further (total 61%) reduction with ≥ 3 doses (aOR 0.39, 95% CI 0.14, 1.05). Birth weights for women who received 2 or ≥ 3 doses versus 0–1 were 81 g (95% CI −3, 166) higher, and 151 g (58, 246) higher, respectively.ConclusionsProvision of IPTp-SP in a low malaria-transmission setting in PNG appears to translate into substantial health benefits, in a dose–response manner, supporting the strengthening IPTp-SP uptake across all transmission settings in PNG.

First evidence of metformin detected in Jakarta waters

Pharmaceutically active compounds have been considered contaminants of emerging concern, in response to evidence that these substances may adversely affect non-target organisms. The pharmaceutical metformin is the most commonly prescribed anti-diabetes medicine throughout the world. Metformin has been detected in numerous freshwater systems as well as in seawater at a number of sites around the world over the last few years, but has never been reported in the Indonesian capital city Jakarta. Several recent studies have highlighted various ecotoxicological effects of this medicine on aquatic organisms. Here we report the first evidence of metformin’s presence in Jakarta waters. Samples from the Angke river, one of the main rivers in Jakarta, were collected from six sites. Metformin was detected at three sites in concentrations ranging from 27 ng/L to 414 ng/L. Metformin is one of the most detected APIs (active pharmaceutical ingredients) in aquatic environments worldwide, and there is increasing concern regarding its impact on the health of wildlife and humans. However, this is the first report of metformin contamination in Jakarta waters, adding to the evidence of potentially increased pollution with pharmaceuticals, as noted in our previous studies. With no natural degradation processes, these chemical compounds can be easily reintroduced to the food chain and impact human health.

Influence of Socio-Economic Factors on Performance of Road Construction Projects: A Case of Berbera Corridor Road Section between Hargeisa and Berbera

Road projects play a very significant role in post conflict rehabilitation and consolidation of peace and economic stability, growth and development of communities. The Berbera corrido is one of the multimillion projects relevant and important to research. It promotes connectivity of areas internally and across the borders. The study aimed to assess the economic performance of road construction projects on the Berbera Corridor road section between Hargeisa and Berbera, taking into account the socio-economic factors that influenced the performance of these projects. The objectives of the study were; to find out the socio-economic impact of the Berbera-Hargeisa; the socio economic factors that influenced the performance of the Berbera road development project; to assess the best practices used by the Berbera road development contractors between Hargeisa and Berbera. The key questions answered are the socioeconomic impacts of road development in the Berbera Corridor road section between Hargeisa and Berbera the socio-economic factors driving performance of road construction projects in the region as well as best practices used on road development of the Berbera Corridor road section between Hargeisa and Berbera. The study focused on communities traversed by Berbera Corridor, road section of Berbera and Hargeisa cities. Responses were also elicited from the project team, the ministry of public works and road Construction agency of Somaliland and Dubai Port World staff for their oversight and funding of the road project. The theories and models that informed the study were; the best value procurement model and Project logic. Findings revealed that effectiveness, efficiency and impact created by the Berbera road section between the port and the capital city. Social influence on health and environment safety and accidents increased in the short run. However, the economic measures and controls used led to completion of the road and reduced the travel time. Accidents reduced though after the road completed despite people not following the user precautions. Significantly, factors such as price, quality of staff, cultural issues, economic benefits and value anticipated by communities and implementers enabled performance of projects in regard to finish time, reduced accidents and business activities.

Sediment analysis and water quality assessment in the Pixquiac basin: drinking water supply of Xalapa city (Veracruz, Mexico).

Fluvial sediment analysis and water quality assessment are useful to identify anthropic and natural sources of pollution in rivers. Currently, there is a lack of information about water quality in the Pixquiac basin (Veracruz state, Mexico), and this scarcity of data prevents authorities to take adequate measures to protect water resources. The basin is a crucial territory for Xalapa, the capital city of Veracruz state, as it gets 39% of its drinkable water from it. This research analyzed 10 physicochemical parameters and 12 metal concentrations in various rivers and sources during two seasons. Dissolved metals presented average concentrations (µg/L): Al (456.25) > Fe (199.4) > Mn (16.86) > Ba (13.8) > Zn (7.6) > Cu (1.03) > Pb (0.27) > As (0.12) > Ni (0.118) (Cd, Cr and Hg undetectable). Metals in sediment recorded average concentrations (ppm): Fe (38575) > Al (38425) > Mn (460) > Ba (206.2) > Zn (65.1) > Cr (29.8) > Ni (20.9) > Cu (16.4) > Pb (4.8) > As (2.1) (Cd and Hg undetectable). During the rainy season, Water Quality Index (WAWQI) classified stations P17 and P18's water as "unsuitable for drinking" with values of 110.4 and 117.6. Enrichment factor (EF) recorded a "moderate enrichment" of Pb in sediment in P24. Pollution was mainly explained by wastewater discharges in rivers but also because of erosion and rainfall events. Statistical analysis presented strong relationships between trace and major metals which could explain a common natural origin for metals in water and sediment: rock lixiviation.

Estimating regional and national cancer incidence in Uganda: a retrospective population-based study, 2013–2017

BackgroundCancer is becoming a major health problem in Uganda. Cancer control requires accurate estimates of the cancer burden for planning and monitoring of the cancer control strategies. However, cancer estimates and trends for Uganda are mainly based on one population-based cancer registry (PBCR), located in Kampala, the capital city, due to a lack of PBCRs in other regions. This study aimed at estimating cancer incidence among the geographical regions and providing national estimates of cancer incidence in Uganda.MethodsA retrospective study, using a catchment population approach, was conducted from June 2019 to February 2020. The study registered all newly diagnosed cancer cases, in the period of 2013 to 2017, among three geographical regions: Central, Western and Eastern regions. Utilizing regions as strata, stratified random sampling was used to select the study populations. Cases were coded according to the International Classification of Diseases for Oncology (ICD-0-03). Data was analysed using CanReg5 and Microsoft Excel.Results11598 cases (5157 males and 6441 females) were recorded. The overall national age-standardized incidence rates (ASIR) were 82.9 and 87.4 per 100,000 people in males and females respectively. The regional ASIRs were: 125.4 per 100,000 in males and 134.6 per 100,000 in females in central region; 58.2 per 100,000 in males and 56.5 per 100,000 in females in Western region; and 46.5 per 100,000 in males and 53.7 per 100,000 in females in Eastern region. Overall, the most common cancers in males over the study period were cancers of the prostate, oesophagus, Kaposi’s sarcoma, stomach and liver. In females, the most frequent cancers were: cervix, breast, oesophagus, Kaposi’s sarcoma and stomach.ConclusionThe overall cancer incidence rates from this study are different from the documented national estimates for Uganda. This emphasises the need to enhance the current methodologies for describing the country’s cancer burden. Studies like this one are critical in enhancing the cancer surveillance system by estimating regional and national cancer incidence and allowing for the planning and monitoring of evidence-based cancer control strategies at all levels.

Musical activity, show business and post-colonial politics in socialist Maputo, or ‘the multiple sides of a full circle’ (1975–1994)

ABSTRACT This article evaluates the configuration of musical practices in Mozambique’s capital city, Maputo, during the ‘socialist single-party period’ (1975–1994), focusing on changes in dancing venues and entertainment shows organized by companies like Produções 1001, Delta Produções, and the state-owned Empresa Moçambicana de Entretenimento (EME), which aimed to centralize all aspects related to música ligeira (literally ‘light music’) in the country. Through fieldwork interviews with politicians, producers, musicians, and archival research, this article elucidates the significance of musical activity and the entertainment industry in shaping the ‘sonorous construction’ of the ‘new Mozambican man’, as envisioned by FRELIMO. It explores numerous topics, including the initial prohibition of many venues in the early years of independence and the subsequent informal reversal of such decisions by 1994.

Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies and Associated Factors in Bamako, Mali: A Population-Based Cross-Sectional Study in September 2022.

The sero-epidemiological characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 infections in Mali are not yet well understood. This study assessed SARS-CoV-2 antibody seroprevalence and factors associated with antibody responses in the general population of Bamako, the capital city and epicenter of COVID-19, to assess the magnitude of the pandemic and contribute to control strategy improvements in Mali. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in September 2022 to collect sociodemographic information, clinical characteristics, comorbid factors, and blood samples. ELISA was performed to determine anti-Spike (anti-S) and anti-RBD antibody levels. A total of 3601 participants were enrolled in REDCap. R-Studio was used for the statistical analysis. The chi-squared (χ2) test was used to compare the proportions across different groups. Logistic regression models were used to elucidate factors associated with antibody responses. The sex ratio for female-to-male was 3.6:1. The most representative groups were the 20-29-year-olds (28.9%, n = 1043) and the 30-39-year-olds (26.9%, n = 967). The COVID-19 vaccine coverage among the participants was 35.8%, with vaccines from Covishield AstraZeneca (13.4%), Johnson & Johnson (16.7%), Sinovac (3.9%), and BioNTech Pfizer (1.8%). Overall, S protein and RBD antibody seroprevalences were remarkably high in the study population (98% and 97%, respectively). Factors such as youth (1-9 years old) and male sex were associated with lower SARS-CoV-2 antibody responses, whereas COVID-19 vaccinations were associated with increased antibody responses. This serosurvey demonstrated the high seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies and highlighted the factors influencing antibody responses, while clearly underlining an underestimation of the pandemic in Mali.

Decarbonizing Indonesia’s New Capital City: Retrofitting The Design of Ministries Complex in IKN With Closed-loop System of Carbon Capture and Microalgae Secondary Skin

Decarbonizing Indonesia’s New Capital City: Retrofitting The Design of Ministries Complex in IKN With Closed-loop System of Carbon Capture and Microalgae Secondary Skin

Understanding person-centered care within a complex social context: A qualitative study of Saudi Arabian acute care nursing.

Policy reforms implemented in Saudi Arabia in recent years aim to modernize the culture and infrastructure of healthcare delivery and are expected to integrate person- and patient-centered care principles throughout the national healthcare system. However, in a complex multicultural environment where most nurses are international migrant workers, unique challenges emerge that frame the delivery of care. Better understanding is needed about what nurses perceive to be high-quality, person-centered care in Saudi Arabia and how they manage to enact it in practice. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 21 nurses working in two tertiary hospitals in Riyadh, the capital city. Participants included Saudi citizens (n = 9) and expatriates (n = 12) who were asked to describe their perceptions of quality nursing care and explain the obstacles that they encounter in providing such care. Nurses reported extensive efforts to achieve individualized, empathetic, developmentally appropriate care. Their descriptions of care aligned with principles of patient-centeredness in care but were not separable from challenges at the patient, organizational, and regional levels, including staffing and supplies shortages, gaps in regional care coordination, inadequate language translation services, variability in cultural beliefs about healthcare communication, and overt discrimination against expatriate workers. Nurses reported creative strategies to achieve professional nursing values while navigating a dynamic landscape of constraints. The findings add to literature suggesting that person-centeredness in care cannot be understood outside the social and organizational conditions that shape it.

Multidimensional energy poverty in Colombia: A department-level review from 2018 to 2022

This article aims to measure energy poverty in Colombia in its thirty-two departments and its capital city from 2018 to 2022, using a composite approach. To achieve this, a Multidimensional Energy Poverty Index (MEPI) was designed, according to the methodology proposed by Nussbaumer et al. (2012; 2013) [1,2]. Twenty-eight variables were used, which were distributed across seven dimensions, and recorded by the National Quality of Life Survey (ECV, Spanish acronym), administered by the National Administrative Department of Statistics (DANE) of Colombia. In addition, a nested weighting method was used to assign weights within the index. Subjective weights were given to the dimensions, and an entropy method was used for each of the component variables. The results show that energy poverty has an increasing trend in Colombia throughout the period, especially in the municipal capitals. There are significant differences between urban and rural areas in all territories, and the departments located in the most remote areas of the country have a higher energy poverty. This is consistent with the low population density, as well as with off-grid areas. The results obtained will allow decision makers to conduct a preliminary evaluation of the management and effects of the specific public policy programs and plans that have been implemented in the different territories of the country.

District of Columbia

The District of Columbia—the “District,” popularly known as Washington D.C., is a federal district, serving as the capital city and seat of the federal government of the United States (Grogg, 2013). As a federal district, Washington D.C. is not a state; its head of government is a mayor. Government and budgetary oversights are the responsibility of the 13-member legislative organ, the Council (The Council of the District of Columbia, 2016). The Office of State Superintendent, D.C. Public School (DCPS), and the D.C. Public Charter Schools (DCPCS) lead in administering P-12 and higher education in the District, and, as such, their respective entities receive budgetary allocations.

Assessment of geographical accessibility to COVID-19 testing facilities in Nepal (2021)

Ensuring equitable physical access to SARS-CoV-2 testing has proven to be crucial for controlling the COVID-19 epidemic, especially in countries like Nepal with its challenging terrain. During the second wave of the pandemic in May 2021, there was immense pressure to expand the laboratory network in Nepal to ensure calibration of epidemic response. The expansion led to an increase in the number of testing facilities from 69 laboratories in May 2021 to 89 laboratories by November 2021. We assessed the equity of physical access to COVID-19 testing facilities in Nepal during 2021. Furthermore, we investigated the potential of mathematical optimisation in improving accessibility to COVID-19 testing facilities. Based on up-to-date publicly available data sets and on the COVID-19-related daily reports published by Nepal's Ministry of Health and Population from May 1 to November 15, 2021, we measured the disparities in geographical accessibility to COVID-19 testing across Nepal at a resolution of 1km2. In addition, we proposed an optimisation model to prescribe the best possible locations to set up testing laboratories maximizing access, and tested its potential impact in Nepal. The analysis identified vulnerable districts where, despite ramping up efforts, physical accessibility to testing facilities remains low under two modes of travel-walking and motorized driving. Both geographical accessibility and its equality were better under the motorised mode compared with the walking mode. If motorised transportation were available to everyone, the population coverage within 60min of any testing facility (public and private) would be close to threefold the coverage for pedestrians within the same hour: 61.4% motorised against 22.2% pedestrian access within the hour, considering the whole population of Nepal. Very low accessibility was found in most areas except those with private test centres concentrated in the capital city of Kathmandu. The hypothetical use of mathematical optimisation to select 20 laboratories to add to the original 69 could have improved access from the observed 61.4% offered by the laboratories operating in November to 71.4%, if those 20 could be chosen optimally from all existing healthcare facilities in Nepal. In mountainous terrain, accessibility is very low and could not be improved, even considering all existing healthcare facilities as potential testing locations. The findings related to geographical accessibility to COVID-19 testing facilities should provide valuable information for health-related planning in Nepal, especially in emergencies where data might be limited and decisions time-sensitive. The potential use of publicly available data and mathematical optimisation could be considered in the future. WHO Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR).

Cross-border perception of Bayising (Pansheng 板升) among government officials in Ming China

The Mongol Yuan dynasty in China officially came to an end in 1368 with the withdrawal of the Mongols from the capital city Daidu (Beijing) and their retreat to the steppes. Nevertheless, a protracted series of military campaigns and conflicts between the Ming court and the Eastern Mongols, Oirat Mongols, and various other Mongol tribes continued for about 200 years. This article examines the discourse surrounding Bayising, where a group of Chinese people settled on Mongolian territory and served the Mongols during the mid-16th and early-17th centuries. The primary population of Bayising consisted of Chinese individuals who had either fled from China or were captives taken by the Mongols from China in border raids. Bayising embodies a unique interaction between China and nomadic communities in a transitional zone between the steppe and agricultural land, where conventional trading and tribute systems encountered difficulties in establishment. After the signing of the 1571 peace treaty, Bayising gradually receded from the focus of the Ming court. Through an analysis of historical documents and records, this article unveils the perspectives held by Ming officials regarding Bayising. Additionally, it probes into how these perspectives influenced Ming China’s foreign relations and national security policies concerning the Mongols. The emergence of Bayising was rooted in a distinctive historical context. Moreover, Bayising played an important role not only in shaping Sino-Mongol relations but also in facilitating cooperation between nomadic and agricultural communities in the absence of official trade channels. Neither repatriation nor military intervention proved to offer fundamental solutions to the Bayising issue in the ongoing confrontation between the Mongols and the Ming court. However, the establishment of normalised and stabilised trade, facilitated by a mutually beneficial peace treaty, emerged as a definitive solution that ultimately benefited both parties. This intricate interplay between geopolitical dynamics and cultural exchanges underscores the complexity of historical narratives, emphasizing the enduring impact of the Ming officials’ perception of the Mongols on regional stability and economic prosperity.

Integrated flood hazard assessment using multi-criteria analysis and geospatial modeling

Floods are one of the most prevalent disasters worldwide, including in the capital city of Indonesia. Multi-criteria decision analysis is combined with Geographic Information Systems to produce a mapping of flood hazard areas. The weighting for each parameter is based on six criteria: rainfall, slope gradient, topography, soil type, land cover, and distance from rivers. The flood hazard map is validated using inundation data from the Regional Disaster Management Agency for the years 2015 and 2020. From the general analysis, it can be determined that the parameter most influencing floods is rainfall with a weight of 0.270, followed by slope gradient at 0.164, topography at 0.124, soil type at 0.096, land cover at 0.190, and distance from rivers at 0.155. Therefore, through mapping using QGIS, it is revealed that in 2002, highly flood hazard areas comprised 20.99% of the total Ciliwung Watershed area, which increased to 24.31% in 2020. The validation of the flood hazard map was conducted by recording the coordinate points of flood incidents in 2015 and 2020, revealing that the affected areas within the Ciliwung Watershed occurred in high to very high vulnerability zones. This research demonstrates that flood events in the study area occurred in high to very high flood hazard zones. The results of this study are considered valuable and important for providing accurate information to local governments to develop cost-effective and efficient strategies in dealing with potential flood hazards.

Cholo, Cholear, Choleando…

In this essay we explore the openings that assemblage/ethnography brings for understanding the complexities of and beyond epistemic injustice. Through remembering the gesture of a grandmother and her migration from the Northern Andes of Peru to the capital city of Lima, we work with the Peruvianism “cholo, cholear, choleando” to illustrate how epistemic injustice infiltrates everyday life. Attempting to sit in between the personal and the cultural, the singular and the historical, the past-present-future, and multiple geographical locations, this essay seeks to move in-between these intertwined and simultaneous occurrences. We resist an ultimate definition for epistemic injustice and instead encourage relating intimately with its contradictory unresolved and always-in-process nature.

High levels of species' extirpation in an urban environment-A case study from Berlin, Germany, covering 1700-2023.

Species loss is highly scale-dependent, following the species-area relationship. We analysed spatio-temporal patterns of species' extirpation on a multitaxonomic level using Berlin, the capital city of Germany. Berlin is one of the largest cities in Europe and has experienced a strong urbanisation trend since the late nineteenth century. We expected species' extirpation to be exceptionally high due to the long history of urbanisation. Analysing 37 regional Red Lists of Threatened Plants, Animals and Fungi of Berlin (covering 9498 species), we found that 16% of species were extirpated, a rate 5.9 times higher than at the German scale and 47.1 times higher than at the European scale. Species' extirpation in Berlin is comparable to that of another German city with a similarly broad taxonomic coverage, but much higher than in regional areas with less human impact. The documentation of species' extirpation started in the eighteenth century and is well documented for the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. We found an average annual extirpation of 3.6 species in the nineteenth century, 9.6 species in the twentieth century and the same number of extirpated species as in the nineteenth century were documented in the twenty-first century, despite the much shorter time period. Our results showed that species' extirpation is higher at small than on large spatial scales, and might be negatively influenced by urbanisation, with different effects on different taxonomic groups and habitats. Over time, we found that species' extirpation is highest during periods of high human alterations and is negatively affected by the number of people living in the city. But, there is still a lack of data to decouple the size of the area and the human impact of urbanisation. However, cities might be suitable systems for studying species' extirpation processes due to their small scale and human impact.

The establishment and activities of the Civil Special Court of the Warsaw province and of the Capital City of Warsaw subjected to the Government Delegation for Poland (November-December 1942 – 4 September 1944)

Artykuł przedstawia podstawy prawne sądownictwa podległego Delegaturze Rządu na Kraj, a także historię powołania i działalność Cywilnego Sądu Specjalnego w Warszawie z uwzględnieniem prawników zaangażowanych w jego działalność, sposób działania oraz jednostki współpracujące z sądem. W artykule ukazano również osoby skazane przez Cywilny Sąd Specjalny, formułowane przeciwko nim zarzuty oraz okoliczności wykonania wydanych wyroków śmierci.

A Preliminary Study of Past Geological Disasters in the Trowulan Majapahit Cultural Heritage Area, Mojokerto Regency, East Java

Abstract Numerous sites found buried in the Trowulan Cultural Heritage Area makes the area suspected of being the capital of the Majapahit Kingdom (13-15th century). The condition of the buried site raises an assumption of a past catastrophic event that hit and buried part of Trowulan area, causing the downfall of the Majapahit Kingdom. This assumption is supported by the existence of several books and inscriptions from the Majapahit Kingdom period that record events interpreted as geological disasters. Although there is a lot of evidence, however, what kind of geological disaster that hit the Trowulan area is not known for certain. This study aims to identify what kind geological disasters that buried the Trowulan Capital area based on previous studies and GIS analysis. The results inferred that flash floods and volcanic eruptions contributed to the burial of Trowulan Capital Region, which is supported by the geographical conditions of the capital city of Trowulan where the northern part is a flood plain and the southern part is part of the Jatirejo alluvial fan. Stratigraphic data collection needs to be carried out in the future as supporting evidence to know the detailed sequence of disaster events and the direction of the disaster flow.

Elemental distributions in the marine sediments off Doha, Qatar: role of urbanisation and coastal dynamics

This research investigates the present status and decadal variability of element distributions in the marine sediments off Doha, on the east coast of Qatar. Twenty elements were considered from 11 sediment sampling stations and 3 dust sampling stations by grouping them into major elements, toxic elements, and other trace elements. The results show elevated concentrations of certain toxic and trace elements, including Ba, Be, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, V, Zn, Mg, and Ti, in the nearshore region, primarily influenced by the settling of dissolved elements under weak hydrodynamic circulations in the Doha Bay. The relatively higher currents in offshore enable quick advection and dispersion of the elements. On the other hand, the dust deposits have caused significant contributions to the Al, As, Mg, Ca, Sr, Fe, Zn, and Cd concentrations. Decadal variability is evident in element concentrations, which are linked to the urbanisation of the capital city in the State of Qatar. The Cu, Ni, V, Zn, and Cd concentrations indicate a notable increase in recent years compared to the last two decades, with values of about 20.7, 17.9, 25.0, 25.9, 0.66 ppm in 2022. In contrast, a few other elements fluctuate between the decades/years. The results pointed out the increased elemental concentrations in the bay due to the vast expansion of infrastructure facilities in the vicinity of Doha Bay in recent years. The Geoaccumulation Index resulted in a slight pollution of Cd, while other elements are unpolluted. The Degree of Contamination reveals low degree of contamination of sediments, and the Pollution Load Index illustrates no significant pollution in the sediments off Doha.

Online deviance in post-Soviet space: Victimisation, perceptions and social attitudes amongst young people, an Armenian case study

This paper presents a survey-based case study of the experiences and perceptions of, and attitudes towards, various forms of online deviance amongst a largely female, educated sample of young people drawn predominantly from the Armenian capital city of Yerevan. It found high levels of reported victimisation and encounters with online deviance, including from multiple forms of online deviance. Online information that is deliberately misleading, biased or fabricated and information that is abusive or threatening, or that expresses a prejudice against a particular group were the two most widely reported categories of victimisation and encounter. The paper also explores the claim that forms of online deviance enjoy some degree of social legitimacy within post-Soviet space. Our case study found that online deviance enjoys very little social legitimacy amongst survey respondents. The case study explores the ways in which the experiences and perceptions of, and attitudes towards, various forms of online deviance vary across different forms of online deviance in a way that no studies have done previously. It also offers a rare empirical engagement with questions of online deviance within the post-Soviet space and the very first addressing online deviance in Armenia. This paper adds to our limited knowledge of the internal geographies of online deviance within post-Soviet space. The findings presented here begin to challenge the perception of post-Soviet countries, or countries in the post-Soviet space, as constituting a universal cyber-threat landscape and suggest that future research should probe the internal geographies of online deviance (and victimisation) across the region. It also highlights gender as a perspective from which future research might scrutinize online deviance. It further suggests nuanced policy stances more reflective of the empirical realities of different forms of online deviance across post-Soviet space.