Global Average Level Research Articles

Radiological hazard assessment of the soil in Daquq district, Kirkuk, Iraq

Abstract This investigation assessed the baseline levels of radioactivity in the soil of Daquq district, Iraq, using the GR-460 radiation detection system. 238U, 232Th, and 40K’s specific activities were measured and the hazard indices’ values determined. The average values of the absorbed dose, annual effective dose equivalent, annual gonadal equivalent dose, and lifetime cancer risk radiological risk factors were estimated. It is important to note that some of these results exceeded the global average levels. Various multivariate statistical techniques were employed to explore the relationships between the radioactive variables and identify potential correlations amongst them. Cluster analysis was utilized to identify clusters or groups of variables that shared similar characteristics. The study aimed to gain insights into the relationships between the radioactive variables and identify any correlations between them. These analyses provided valuable information regarding the associations and patterns within the data, thus contributing to an improved understanding of the radioactive variables and their potential implications.

The status and changing trend in the burden of refractive errors in China from 1990 to 2019

Objective: To comprehend the status and changing trend in the burden of refractive errors in China from 1990 to 2019, and to furnish data-driven support for the formulation of rational strategies in refractive error prevention and control. Methods: Using the Global Burden of Disease Database 2019, data on refractive error prevalence and years lived with disability (YLD) in China from 1990 to 2019 were extracted and their standardized rates were calculated. The trend of refractive error prevalence, age, period, and gender was analyzed using joinpoint regression models. Results: From 1990 to 2019, the number of cases, prevalence rate, and YLD rate of refractive errors in China showed an upward trend, which was consistent with global trends. However, the magnitude of the increase in these parameters was higher than the global average. Conversely, the age-standardized prevalence rate and age-standardized YLD rate demonstrated a declining trend, which was also consistent with global trends, but the reduction rate was less pronounced compared to global levels. Notably, all indicators for females, including prevalence and YLD, exceeded those of males. The prevalence and YLD rates of refractive errors in China increased with age. The older individuals had higher rates compared to younger individuals. In 1990, the highest prevalence and YLD rates were found in the ≥70 years group, while the lowest rates were in the <5 years group. The age group with the most substantial increase in the burden of refractive errors was the 15 to 49 years population, which remained consistent during the three decades. The joinpoint regression analysis results revealed a stage-wise fluctuation in the age-standardized prevalence and YLD rates of refractive errors in China from 1990 to 2019. Specifically, the age-standardized prevalence rate increased by 0.765% from 1990 to 2001, decreased by 0.963% from 2001 to 2014, increased by 4.214% from 2014 to 2017, and decreased by 3.029% from 2017 to 2019. In contrast, the age-standardized YLD rate decreased by 0.113% from 1990 to 1995, increased by 2.252% from 1995 to 2000, decreased by 1.102% from 2000 to 2014, increased by 4.326% from 2014 to 2017, and decreased by 5.090% from 2017 to 2019. Conclusions: The standardized prevalence of refractive errors and the standardized YLD rate in China showed a downward trend, which was less than the global average level, but the disease burden was still heavy. Gender and age emerged as significant influencing factors for the prevalence of refractive errors and YLD. It is imperative to enhance efforts in the prevention and treatment of refractive errors among the middle-aged and elderly population. Attention should also be directed towards the increasing burden in the<50 years population.

Multidimensional influencing factors of postpartum depression based on the perspective of the entire reproductive cycle: evidence from western province of China

ObjectiveChina has a serious burden of Postpartum depression (PPD). In order to improve the current situation of high burden of PPD, this study explores the factors affecting PPD from the multidimensional perspectives with physiology, family support and social support covering the full-time chain of pre-pregnancy–pregnancy–postpartum.MethodsA follow-up survey was conducted in the Qujing First People’s Hospital of Yunnan Province from 2020 to 2022, and a total of 4838 pregnant women who underwent antenatal checkups in the hospital were enrolled as study subjects. Mothers were assessed for PPD using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), and logistic regression was used to analyse the level of mothers’ postnatal depression and identify vulnerability characteristics.ResultsThe prevalence of mothers’ PPD was 46.05%, with a higher prevalence among those who had poor pre-pregnancy health, had sleep problems during pregnancy, and only had a single female fetus. In the family support dimension, only family care (OR = 0.52, 95% CI 0.42–0.64) and only other people care(OR = 0.78, 95% CI 0.64–0.96) were the protective factors of PPD. The experience risk of PPD was higher among mothers who did not work or use internet.ConclusionThe PPD level in Yunnan Province was significantly higher than the global and Chinese average levels. Factors affecting mothers’ PPD exist in all time stages throughout pregnancy, and the influence of family support and social support on PPD shouldn’t be ignored. There is an urgent need to extend the time chain of PPD, move its prevention and treatment forward and broaden the dimensions of its intervention.

Burden of neck pain in general population of China, 1990-2019: An analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019.

Neck pain has become very common in China and has greatly affected individuals, families, and society in general. In this study, we aimed to report on the rates and trends of the prevalence, incidence, and years lived with disability (YLDs) caused by neck pain in the general population of China from 1990 to 2019. We used data from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2019 (GBD 2019) study to estimate the number and age standardised rates per 100 000 population of neck pain point prevalence, annual incidence, and YLDs in 33 provinces/municipalities/autonomous regions of China, stratified by age, sex, and sociodemographic index (SDI) from 1990 to 2019. We then compared these estimates with other G20 countries. There were 6.80 × 107 patients with neck pain in 2019, presenting an increase from 3.79 × 107 in 1990. Likewise, the national age-standardised point prevalence increased slightly from 3.53% in 1990 to 3.57% in 2019. The YLDs increased by 78.08%, from 3814 × 103 in 1990 to 6792 × 103 in 2019. The age-standardised YLDs rate increased 1.50% from 352.84 in 1990 to 358.10 in 2019. The point prevalence of neck pain in 2019 was higher in females compared with males. These estimates were all above the global average level and increased more rapidly among G20 countries from 1990 to 2019. We generally observed a positive association between age-standardised YLD rates for neck pain and SDI, suggesting the burden is higher at higher sociodemographic indices. Neck pain is a serious public health problem in the general population in China, especially in its central and western regions, with an overall increasing trend in the last three decades. This is possibly related to changes of people's lifestyles and work patterns due to improvements in societal well-being and technology. Raising awareness of risk factors for neck pain in the general population and establishing effective preventive and treatment strategies could help reduce the future burden of neck disorders.

The Application of Aluminium Powder as an Accumulation Medium of Mercury from Air

A gaseous elemental mercury (Hg0) sampler was developed for the assessment of mercury (Hg) pollution from the air and utilised aluminium (Al) powder as the accumulation medium. The Hg sampler is presented as an alternative cost-effective sorbent that can be used for the assessment of Hg pollution in atmospheric air in areas where natural bio-indicators such as lichens and moss do not grow, including the urban environments. The chemical treatment of Al materials was necessary to weaken the aluminium oxide (Al2O3) layer to increase the adsorption capability of Al material. Treated Al samples were exposed to Hg vapours for one hour to two weeks in a Hg atmosphere chamber. Other Al powder samples were exposed to the ambient air at areas of the Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality for six to ten months. The analysis of samples by an RA-915+ Zeeman mercury analyser showed that the limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) for the determination of Hg in Al powder with a mass of 100 mg were found to be 0.31 ng g−1 and 1.0 ng g−1, respectively. The content of Hg that accumulated on Al powder was linear from 0.1 to 25 ng g−1, thus enabling the measurement of Hg accumulation from air at the global average concentration level. Mercury from air that accumulated on Al powder in the Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality ranged between 70 ng g−1 and 155 ng g−1.

Reducing meat consumption in Central Asia through 3D printing of plant-based protein-enhanced alternatives-a mini review.

3D food printing (3DFP) is emerging as a vital innovation in the food industry's pursuit of sustainability. 3DFP has evolved to significantly impact food production, offering the capability to create customized, nutritionally balanced foods. Central Asia has a higher than global average level of meat consumption per capita, which might be influenced by its historical and cultural background of nomadism. This dietary trend might potentially result in negative impacts on both the environment and human health outcomes, as it leads to increased greenhouse gas emissions and increased risk of chronic diseases. Reducing meat consumption holds the potential to address these sustainability and health issues. A possible strategy to reduce meat consumption and promote plant-based foods is 3D Food Printing (3DFP), which can rely on plant-protein sources from the region to create appealing and tasty alternatives for these populations. This review summarizes recent studies on plant protein-rich materials for 3DFP as a substitute to meet the growing global demand for meat as well as the 3DFP printing parameters associated with the different plant-based proteins currently used (e.g., lentils, soybeans, peas, and buckwheat). The findings revealed that buckwheat, a dietary staple in Central Asia, can be a promising choice for 3DFP technology due to its widespread consumption in the region, gluten-free nature, and highly nutritious profile.

Assessment of Natural Background Radiation Exposure in the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria

The detrimental effects of environmental contamination and deterioration on health are a worldwide concern and Nigerian environmental and public authorities continue to be concerned about the risk to public health. The water, the sky, construction materials and the earth's crust all release natural background radiation that contaminates the environment around us. Additionally, people are exposed to background radiation that comes from internal, cosmic, and terrestrial sources, although, the altitude determines the amount of cosmic radiation exposure, and high altitudes result in large radiation doses. Monitoring the amounts of radiation to which humans are exposed, either directly or indirectly, requires an understanding of the natural background radiation in the environment. The current study attempted to create a baseline of outdoor background radiation in FCT for exposure rate, absorbed dose rate, annual effective dose equivalent, and excess life cancer risk. The study used a very sensitive survey meter to measure the BIR. The average BIR value found in the research areas is marginally below the 0.013mRh-1 global BIR level, indicating an almost high BIR level for the FCT while the absorbed dose rates of 105.85nGy/hr was greater than the 59nGy/hr global population weighted average gamma dose rates estimate. The obtained annual effective dosage equivalent value is greater than the global average normal annual effective dosage level for outdoor environments, and the excess lifetime cancer risk values were higher than the 0.29×10-3 allowable level as reported by UNSCEAR &amp; ICRP. Therefore, the general people and those who live in environmentally sensitive areas may experience immediate health effects from contamination and radiation levels at the current rates.

Extinctions in the Rise; A Study on the Pandemic in the Pacific

The paper examines the Anthropogenic climate change is a key cause of biodiversity loss. The Galapagos Islands are a global hotspot for environmental change. The unique and endemic biodiversity of the Galapagos is at risk. The Galapagos Islands are located near the equator where temperature is likely to change above the global average level. Due to climate change, the island is in the verge of extinction. The island faces serious environmental threats such as a rise in sea level, increased retreat of glaciers, decrease in annual runoff and increased vulnerability to floods and droughts. Many species can’t migrate or adapt in response to changing climate conditions making them particularly vulnerable. Climate fiction explores the impacts of climate change on the environment, society, and individuals. Climate fiction is an immediate action. Climate fiction not only has the potential to represent the aftereffects of climate change, but also the capacity to provide a space in which to address the Anthropocene’s emotional, ethical, and practical concerns. Due to climate change, there is an increase in extreme weather patterns. The results of the review are important aspects of understanding the far-reaching implications of climate change on the islands. Methods of qualitative research were used in this study. The results of the qualitative study were acquired from a range of secondary sources, including press reports, scholarly journal articles, and previous theses. An overview of the causes of the negative environmental effects on the island was provided using a discourse analysis method, along with a few case studies that were taken from news reports and journals. When the islands become an exploiting hub rather than an exploring place it is where the problem arises. The study's most essential finding is that climate fiction is more than simply a discussion; it is a necessity. To conclude it is better to maintain the existing ecology than to prevent it from destruction if it is too late. The repercussions of climate change have already begun, but current attempts can mitigate the effects to a certain amount rather than preventing the planet from apocalypse. It further paves the way to blue humanities, deep ecology and many other aspects.

Thermochemical decomposition reveals distinct variability of sedimentary organic carbon reactivity along the Yangtze River estuary-shelf continuum

Continental shelves host 90% of annual organic carbon (OC) deposition in the global ocean and are regarded as “hot spots” of carbon burial and decomposition. Numerous studies have thus investigated OC sources, recent accumulation, long term preservation and key processes involved. Nonetheless, OC reactivity or lability, as a key property governing the fate of OC in the long term, received less attention, primarily due to a lack of proper technique of investigation. In this study, we conducted thermochemical decomposition analysis of OC using ramped-temperature pyrolysis/oxidation technique to investigate the reactivity of sedimentary OC along the Yangtze River estuary-shelf continuum. Our results reveal that sedimentary OC in the Yangtze River estuary-shelf region is relatively more stable than global average level, which is attributed to the winnowing of sediments due to frequent sedimentation-resuspension cycles. In general, OC reactivity increases gradually from the estuary to the inner shelf, which is governed by organo-mineral interactions and the progressive absorption of marine OC. Based on our results, we propose that OC reactivity is a key OC property to be considered in future organic carbon cycle frameworks.

National quantifications of methane emissions from fuel exploitation using high resolution inversions of satellite observations

Reducing methane emissions from fossil fuel exploitation (oil, gas, coal) is an important target for climate policy, but current national emission inventories submitted to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) are highly uncertain. Here we use 22 months (May 2018-Feb 2020) of satellite observations from the TROPOMI instrument to better quantify national emissions worldwide by inverse analysis at up to 50 km resolution. We find global emissions of 62.7 ± 11.5 (2σ) Tg a−1 for oil-gas and 32.7 ± 5.2 Tg a−1 for coal. Oil-gas emissions are 30% higher than the global total from UNFCCC reports, mainly due to under-reporting by the four largest emitters including the US, Russia, Venezuela, and Turkmenistan. Eight countries have methane emission intensities from the oil-gas sector exceeding 5% of their gas production (20% for Venezuela, Iraq, and Angola), and lowering these intensities to the global average level of 2.4% would reduce global oil-gas emissions by 11 Tg a−1 or 18%.

Analysis of the disease burden of cardiomyopathy in children aged 0-14 years in China from 1990 to 2019.

To assess the disease burden and changing trend of cardiomyopathy in children aged 0-14 years in China from 1990 to 2019. This study was based on the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019; the age-specific prevalence rate, mortality rate and disability-adjusted life year (DALY) rate were used for analysis. Estimated annual percentage change (EAPC) in burden rate and its 95% confidence interval were calculated. The data of China were compared with the global average level. In 2019, the numbers of prevalence, deaths, and DALYs of cardiomyopathy in children aged 0-14 years in China were 4,493 [95% uncertainty interval (UI): 2687 ~ 6,838], 434 (95%UI: 337 ~ 565) and 37,522 (95%UI: 29,321 ~ 48,891), with declining amplitudes of 16.32, 70.56, and 70.74%, compared with 1990, respectively. In 2019, the prevalence rate of cardiomyopathy in Chinese children aged 0-14 years was 2.00/100,000 (95%UI: 1.2/100,000 ~ 3.04/100,000), higher than 1990 [1.66/100,000 (95%UI:1.00/100,000 ~ 2.53/100,000)]; mortality rate was 0.19/100,000 (95%UI: 0.15/100,000 ~ 0.25/100,000), significantly lower than 1990 [0.46/100,000 (95%UI: 0.25/100,000 ~ 0.95/100,000)]; DALY rate was 16.69/100,000 (95%UI: 13.04/100,000 ~ 21.75/100,000), also significantly lower than 1990 [39.71/100,000 (95%UI: 22.06/100,000 ~ 82.8/100,000)]. All burden rates of cardiomyopathy in Chinese children aged 0-14 years old were all lower than the global averages of 2019; the burden rates of male children were higher than female children. In all calendar years from 1990 to 2019, the mortality and DALY rates of children younger than 1-year-old were significantly higher than in the other age groups of 0-14 years old. From 1990 to 2019, the prevalence rate of cardiomyopathy aged 0-14 years old gradually increased, with EAPC of 0.82 (95%CI: 0.71-0.93); mortality rate and DALY rate decreased [EAPC = -2.32 (95%CI: -2.59 to -2.05)]. From 1990 to 2019, the disease burden of cardiomyopathy in children of China aged 0-14 years was heterogeneous; the burden of male children was higher than females; and the burden of cardiomyopathy in children younger than 1 year old needs more attention.

Heavy metal pollution in Mongolian-Manchurian grassland soil and effect of long-range dust transport by wind

Grasslands provide a range of valuable ecosystem services, but they are also particularly fragile ecosystems easily threatened by human activities, such as long-term open-pit mining and related industrial activities. In grassland area, dust containing heavy metal(loid)s generated by mines may further migrate to remote places, but few studies have focused on the long-range transport of contaminants as an important pollution source. In the present study, one of the largest and most intact grassland ecosystems, the Mongolian-Manchurian steppe, was selected to investigate its pollution status and track potential sources. A total of 150 soil samples were collected to explore reginal distribution of nine heavy metal(loid)s that has potential risk in grassland. We conducted a combined multi-variant analysis of positive matrix factorization (PMF) and machine learning, which foregrounded the source of long-range transport of contaminants and inspired the hypothesis of a novel stochastic model to describe contaminants distribution. Results showed four different sources accounting for 44.44% (parent material), 20.28% (atmospheric deposition), 20.39% (farming), and 14.89% (transportation) of the total concentration, respectively. Factor 2 indicated that coal surface mining lead to a significant enrichment of As and Se with their concentration far above the global average level, which was different from other reported grassland areas. Machine learning results further confirmed that atmospheric and topographic features were their contamination controlling factors. The model results proposed that As, Se and Cu released by surface mining will be transported over long distance under prevailing monsoon, until finally deposited in the windward slope of mountain due to terrain obstruction. The long-range transport by wind and deposition of contaminants may be a prevailing phenomenon in temperate grassland, making it a pollution source that cannot be ignored. Evidence from this study reveals the urgency of precautions for fragile grassland ecosystems around industrial areas and provides a basis for its management and risk control policies.

National climate litigation and the international rule of law

AbstractThis article assesses the implications of national climate litigation for what is termed ‘the international rule of law’. Starting from the finding that the current international climate treaty regime lacks several elements of an international rule of law, such as legal bindingness, clarity, and justiciability, the author explores what national courts contribute to filling these gaps. Deviating from a linear progression narrative, which is prevalent in existing literature, this article provides a more nuanced and complex picture. Whereas successful climate litigation is hardly imaginable without reliance on internationally agreed-upon facts – such as reports by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and global average temperature levels deemed ‘dangerous’ – doctrinally decisions do not represent a turn toward a stricter rule of international climate law. Instead of applying and progressively developing climate treaties, courts thus far have primarily used these provisions only to develop national constitutional law and regional human rights law. The created system of highly contextual national rule(s) of climate law is a fragmented one which is regionally limited to a few states predominantly located in Western Europe. Consequently, it is a far cry from a truly global rule of international climate law.

Urbanisation, agriculture and convergence of carbon emissions nexus: Global distribution dynamics analysis

Urbanisation and agriculture have been commonly used in the studies of carbon emissions. However, the issue of convergence of carbon emissions and intensity across countries with different urbanisation and agrarian structures has been under-researched. Unlike previous studies, we examine whether the urbanisation level and the agrarian orientation determine the tendency for countries' relative carbon intensity (REPGDP) and relative per capita carbon emissions (REPC) to converge over time. We employ the display tools of the distribution dynamics approach and a panel of 217 countries from 2000 to 2016. The main findings are as follows. First, with one exception, two to four convergence clubs will emerge across all groups of countries in the long run. Second, most of the clubs occur at values far from (below and above) the global average emissions level. Third, we construct the ‘policy priority list’ consisting of the above-average carbon emitters with a high tendency to diverge further from the global average in the coming years. Accordingly, we identify the least urbanised (most agrarian-oriented) countries with a REPC value of around 2.2 (1.9) to have a 65% (80%) probability of further divergence. Fourth, the results based on the REPC vis-à-vis the REPGDP variable are largely different. The study extends the existing knowledge about the urbanisation, agriculture and carbon emissions nexus and offers policy recommendations.

Responses of Caribbean Mangroves to Quaternary Climatic, Eustatic, and Anthropogenic Drivers of Ecological Change: A Review.

Mangroves are among the world's most threatened ecosystems. Understanding how these ecosystems responded to past natural and anthropogenic drivers of ecological change is essential not only for understanding how extant mangroves have been shaped but also for informing their conservation. This paper reviews the available paleoecological evidence for Pleistocene and Holocene responses of Caribbean mangroves to climatic, eustatic, and anthropogenic drivers. The first records date from the Last Interglacial, when global average temperatures and sea levels were slightly higher than present and mangroves grew in locations and conditions similar to today. During the Last Glaciation, temperatures and sea levels were significantly lower, and Caribbean mangroves grew far from their present locations on presently submerged sites. The current mangrove configuration was progressively attained after Early Holocene warming and sea level rise in the absence of anthropogenic pressure. Human influence began to be important in the Mid-Late Holocene, especially during the Archaic and Ceramic cultural periods, when sea levels were close to their present position and climatic and human drivers were the most influential factors. During the last millennium, the most relevant drivers of ecological change have been the episodic droughts linked to the Little Ice Age and the historical developments of the last centuries.

The systematic analysis and 10-year prediction on disease burden of childhood cancer in China.

BackgroundThere is a lack of in-depth analysis regarding the disease burden of childhood cancer in China. Indeed, this is the first time the topic has been addressed in detail. Drawing on population-based data for the past 30 years, this study systematically analyzes the composition and long-term trend of this disease burden in China.MethodsGBD 2019 contained population-based data from 1990 to 2019 and was prepared using Microsoft Excel 2016. We used AAPC and ARIMA models for trend analysis and prediction formulation.ResultsIn 2019, there were 45,601 new cases, 9,156 cancer deaths, and 782,530 DALYs in China. From 1990 to 2019, leukemia, together with brain and CNS cancer, invariably ranked highest in terms of new cases, cancer deaths, and DALYs. Leukemia accounted for more than 50%, but decreased over time. By contrast, the proportions for brain and CNS cancer increased. There were significant decreases in the overall incidence, mortality, and DALY rates in China, but these were still higher than the corresponding global average levels. Considering all types of childhood cancer, the incidence rate of testicular cancer showed the biggest increase, and the mortality and DALY rates of leukemia showed the largest decrease. In terms of different age groups, the overall incidence rate of childhood cancers increased in 0 to 4 age group, but it decreased in 5 to 14 age groups. The overall mortality and DALY rates of childhood cancers decreased in all four age groups. Over the next 10 years, the overall incidence rate of childhood cancer will increase, but the overall mortality and DALY rates will decrease. The increase in malignant skin melanoma will comprise the largest rise in the incidence, while the decrease for leukemia will be the largest fall in the incidence, cancer deaths, and DALYs.ConclusionThe disease burden of all childhood cancers in China remains highly serious, especially for certain types of cancer and certain age groups. China should focus more emphatically on the incidence of childhood cancer in future, and it must consistently strengthen investment in the relevant research and medical resources to reduce the disease burden in this field.

Assessing minipig compact jawbone quality at the microscale

Preclinical studies often require animal models for in vivo experiments. Particularly in dental research, pig species are extensively used due to their anatomical similarity to humans. However, there is a considerable knowledge gap on the multiscale morphological and mechanical properties of the miniature pigs' jawbones, which is crucial for implant studies and a direct comparison to human tissue. In the present work, we demonstrate a multimodal framework to assess the jawbone quantity and quality for a minipig animal model that could be further extended to humans.Three minipig genotypes, commonly used in dental research, were examined: Yucatan, Göttingen, and Sinclair. Three animals per genotype were tested. Cortical bone samples were extracted from the premolar region of the mandible, opposite to the teeth growth. Global morphological, compositional, and mechanical properties were assessed using micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) together with Raman spectroscopy and nanoindentation measurements, averaged over the sample area. Local mineral-mechanical relationships were investigated with the site-matched Raman spectroscopy and micropillar compression tests. For this, a novel femtosecond laser ablation protocol was developed, allowing high-throughput micropillar fabrication and testing without exposure to high vacuum.At the global averaged sample level, bone relative mineralization demonstrated a significant difference between the genotypes, which was not observed from the complementary micro-CT measurements. Moreover, bone hardness measured by nanoindentation showed a positive trend with the relative mineralization. For all genotypes, significant differences between the relative mineralization and elastic properties were more pronounced within the osteonal regions of cortical bone. Site-matched micropillar compression and Raman spectroscopy highlighted the differences between the genotypes' yield stress and mineral to matrix ratios.The methods used at the global level (averaged over sample area) could be potentially correlated to the medical tools used to assess jawbone toughness and morphology in clinics. On the other hand, the local analysis methods can be applied to quantify compressive bone mechanical properties and their relationship to bone mineralization.

Climate Change: Policy Support for National Adaptation Plans in Sub-Saharan African

The global climate has experienced tremendous change, notably since the industrial revolution. Beginning from 1880 all through to 2012, the average global temperature increased by 0.85°C. This subtle increase primarily from anthropogenic contribution has had devastating effects on crop (grains) yields. Specifically, between 1981 and 2002, major crops like wheat, and maize, among others, have suffered substantial yield declines of about forty megatons annually, due to a hotter atmosphere. With the oceans equally warming faster and snow and ice sheets on a dramatic decrease, global average sea levels climbed by 19 cm from 1901 to 2010. While climate change is a global phenomenon with varying degrees of consequential implications for different world regions, Africa South of the Sahara with a negligible contribution to global warming has seen a few of the worst impacts of climate change in recent years. Temperatures in Africa have risen by at least 0.5°C in the last 50 to 100 years. As IPPC 5th Assessment concluded, Africa is particularly vulnerable to climate change (Lisa 2020). Of about 2.1 billion people in the world that require access to drinking and safe water services that are well-managed, more than eleven million of this population live in Madagascar (World Health Organisation (WHO) 2017/Liberty supports WaterAid 2015). However, the precarious state of the global climate calls for serious and well-coordinated action from state and multilateral actors with the capacity to help the world’s poorest, specifically in Africa, to either mitigate or develop credible adaptation measures. This paper, therefore, provides a comprehensive literature review on UNDP Climate Change Adaptation policies for “Supporting Developing Countries to Advance National Adaptation Plans (NAPs)”, using Sub-Saharan Africa as a case study. The findings of the review suggest the adoption of an evidence-based policymaking approach as a way of influencing the adoption of NAPs by developing countries.

Carbon intensity of the Ukrainian industry: current state and foresight

As part of the current carbon intensity assessment and foresight of the prospects for the decarbonization of the Ukrainian industry, the most carbon-intensive (initially creating a significant carbon footprint) and carbon-vulnerable (showing the highest growth rates of carbon intensity over time) industrial sectors were identified. It is substantiated that the processing industry, agriculture, transport and energy, which have both of the above negative characteristics, are of the greatest competitive importance for Ukrainian GDP and are the most promising sectors for priority development. It is defined that for the period 1990-2020 the carbon intensity of Ukrainian GDP exceeds the global and European average levels, despite certain favorable trends in reducing the greenhouse gas emissions in recent years. As of 2022 the carbon footprint of the Ukrainian industry does not exceed the established quota. However, if current trends continue, it may be exhausted by 2040. At the same time, slow progress in the decarbonization of the Ukrainian energy sector, downward dynamics of the value added in industry, a weak motivating role of environmental taxes and low investment activity of industry do not provide favorable prerequisites for effective decarbonization and digitalization of the industrial complex. The established positive trends in the reduction of carbon intensity are due to destructive phenomena in the long term (deindustrialization of the economy and economic stagnation due to the pandemic) and are temporary in nature, while maintaining the risks of increasing greenhouse gas emissions to pre-crisis levels in case of maintaining the current technological order. According to the basic scenario of the decarbonization of the Ukrainian industry (preservation of current trends and phenomena), an exhaustion of the national quota for greenhouse gas emissions by 2040, further deindustrialization of the economy, an increase in technological gaps with the developed countries of the world and an aggravate in the competitive vulnerability of national exporters are expected. The optimistic scenario assumes successful decarbonization and digitalization of the technological structure of the industrial complex. Its implementation ensures the achievement of "carbon neutrality" of the economy in 2060 and the achievement of other target indicators and qualitative changes planned in the official state strategies for environmental policy and economic development for 2030. However, it requires a significant increase in innovative activity – at the level of results of low-carbon EU-27 leaders, which has taken on heightened commitments to achieve "carbon neutrality". The key condition for the implementation of the optimistic scenario is the participation of Ukraine in international projects to prevent climate change.

Overview of non-methane volatile organic compounds for world economy: From emission source to consumption sink

Non-methane volatile organic compounds are the primary culprit of regional ozone and photochemical pollution. To explore the relationship between non-methane volatile organic compounds and world economies, this study tracked the emission from production sources to final consumption sinks embodied in global supply chain in the framework of system input-output analysis model. The feedback from society to economic system is also covered. The emission embodied in global trade amounts to 58% of global total direct emission, .moreover, it is revealed that global NMVOCs transfer in intermediate trade is in magnitude more than double that in final trade. And around 34% global emission footprint feedback from society back to the economic system via primary inputs. Regional results reveal that the bulk of the world population, which is mainly in underdeveloped regions, has both a lower footprint per capita and footprint intensity compared with the global average level, respectively. Results show that regions including China and the United States have huge emission transfer imbalance in both intermediate trade and final trade. Considering the scale of emission imbalance, China, the United States and Europe are selected as representative cases for analysis. The reasons behind their imbalance are majorly attributed to two points: 1) Currency status; 2) Industrial transferring effect. Finally, this research suggests that economically developed regions should undertake more emission reduction responsibilities by furtherly investing in emission reduction technologies innovation, regulation policy promotion and public awareness-raising globally.