Reduction Plan Research Articles

A INTEGRAÇÃO DAS POLÍTICAS PÚBLICAS PNPDEC, PNRH, LDNSB ATRAVÉS DOS SEUS INSTRUMENTOS NA REDUÇÃO DOS RISCOS DE DESASTRES HIDROLÓGICOS COM ÊNFASE NO NÍVEL MUNICIPAL

Atualmente já parece ser um consenso que os esforços e recursos destinados ao enfrentamento aos desastres requerem a articulação de diversos setores e por consequência de diferentes políticas públicas. O presente estudo teve por objetivo avaliar a integração das políticas (Política Nacional de Proteção e Defesa Civil - PNPDEC, Política Nacional de Recursos Hídricos – PNRH, e Lei Diretrizes Nacionais para o Saneamento Básico – LDNSB), na redução dos desastres hidrológicos. Considerando estudos que já foram desenvolvidos acerca deste assunto, e como forma de dar continuidade às avaliações, na escala municipal, este estudo referiu-se aos instrumentos de Florianópolis como forma de materialização destas políticas (Plano Municipal de Redução de Riscos- PMRR, Plano Municipal de Contingência – PMC, Plano Diretor – PD e Plano Municipal Integrado de Saneamento Básico – PMISB). A PNPDEC serviu como referência para as ações de enfrentamento aos desastres. Através da metodologia de análise de conteúdo foram identificados os temas abordados nesta política que foram relacionados com cada instrumento PMRR e PMC, PD, PMISB, o que possibilitou a identificação de interfaces. As interfaces verificadas entre os instrumentos mostraram-se alinhadas às identificadas entre as políticas, em consonância com o que já tinha sido apontado nos estudos que subsidiaram esta pesquisa. As questões afetas à gestão territorial e a bacia hidrográfica como unidade de planejamento se mostraram importantes interfaces e possíveis caminhos à integração das políticas públicas.

The Effect of Self-Compassion Intervention on Academic Motivation and Academic Stress on Mental Health of Students in Hybrid Learning

The hybrid learning model has been introduced as a model of learning in response to the cessation of the education system due to the COVID-19. It could be an effective strategy in response to educational crisis in the wake of future pandemics. The shift to online and hybrid model was met with reluctance and posed a set of new challenges like demotivation and stress due to the change in the dynamics of the entire education system. The study aimed to incorporate self-compassion interventions into the current hybrid model by means to improve motivation and reduce the stress levels of students. 20 students with age range 18-25 were targeted through convenience sampling in a pre-test post-test design to measure the level of academic stress, motivation and self-compassion. Academic stress scale, Academic Motivation Scale and Self-Compassion – Short Form were used. The research comprised of three phases, pre-intervention, intervention and post-intervention. Eight session plans of self-compassion interventions, self-compassionate motivation and stress reduction through mindfulness were introduced using Kristin Neff’s The Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook. Data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22. The results showed insignificant difference in Self-Compassion after the intervention (p=0.24) while academic motivation and academic stress had a value of p=0.000 representing an increase in academic motivation (p<0.05) and a decrease in academic stress (p<0.05) post intervention. This study will pave way for further researches to find effective measures as means of preparedness for future pandemic and educational crisis.

Spatial Planning and Systems Thinking Tools for Climate Risk Reduction: A Case Study of the Andaman Coast, Thailand

The impact of climate change and related hazards such as floods, heatwaves, and sea level rise on human lives, cities, and their hinterlands depends not only on the nature of the hazard, but also on urban development, adaptation, and other socioeconomic processes that determine vulnerability and exposure. Spatial planning can reduce climate risk not just by influencing the exposure, but also by addressing social vulnerability. This requires that relevant information is available to planners and that plans are implemented and coordinated between sectors. This article is based on a research project in Thailand, particularly on the results of multi-sectoral workshops in the case study region of the Andaman Coast in southern Thailand, and draws upon climate risk, spatial planning, and systems thinking discourses. The article formulates recommendations for planning in the context of Thailand that are relevant for other rapidly growing and urbanizing regions. Among other conclusions, it suggests that systems thinking approaches and cross-sectoral strategies are ways to grasp the interdependencies between and within climate risk and spatial development challenges.

Multi‐objective optimization for community building group recovery scheduling and resilience evaluation under earthquake

AbstractThe building group is the basis for the maintenance and operation of the city. The rapid recovery of community building group (CBG) can effectively reduce economic losses caused by earthquakes. There is service function interdependence among the buildings, and the impact of this interdependence on the postdisaster recovery of CBG is not clear. In order to improve the postdisaster recovery efficiency of CBG and explore the impact of service function dependence among buildings on postdisaster recovery, this paper integrates the recovery time (RT) and functionality loss (FL) of individual buildings and proposes two multi‐objective optimization recovery models suitable for CBG: the postearthquake recovery optimization model of CBG and the postearthquake recovery optimization model of CBG considering the service function interdependence among buildings. In these models, building RT, building FL, CBG resilience, and building recovery resources are considered, and the nondominated sorting genetic algorithm‐Ⅱ is used to solve the models to obtain the optimal restoration scheduling of CBG. At the same time, through a case, this paper analyzes the impact of the interdependence of service function among buildings and recovery resources on the recovery scheduling and resilience of CBG. This method can provide a basis for pre‐earthquake disaster risk reduction planning and significantly improves the postdisaster recovery efficiency of CBG.

Criteria Prioritization with the Best-Worst Method (BWM) in Risk Reduction Investments After the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Plans (IRAP)

Kısa adı İRAP olan “İl Afet Risk Azaltma Planları”, afetler ile mücadele yerelde başlar yaklaşımı temelinde, il ölçeğinde afetler konusunda sorumluluğu bulunan kamu kurumlarını, yerel yönetimleri, üniversiteleri, özel sektör ve sivil toplum kuruluşlarını bir araya getirmeyi amaçlayan ve ortak paydası afet risklerinin azaltılması olan planlardır. 2019-2023 yıllarını kapsayan On Birinci Kalkınma Planının İl Afet Risk Azaltma Planlarının hayata geçirilmesi hedefi doğrultusunda hazırlanan İRAP’lar, mahalli düzeyde planlanarak uygulamaya geçirilmesi hedeflenen afet tehlike ve risk azaltma çalışmalarının merkez ve taşra arasındaki koordinasyonunda önemli fonksiyonları bünyesinde barındırmaktadır. Bu bağlamda İRAP’ların; hem risk azaltma çalışmalarının sürekliliğinin sağlanmasında, hem de kamu ve sivil alanda afet risklerine karşı daha dirençli bir toplumun inşasında ciddi katkılar sağlayacağı düşünülmektedir. Çalışmada; kriter ağırlıklandırmayı sağlayan Best-Worst Metodu (BWM) kullanılmış olup uzman görüşleri analiz edilerek herhangi bir ilin afet risk azaltma planı hazırlanırken hangi kriter sıralamasına göre illerin önceliklendirileceği ve ortaya çıkan sonuca göre, hangi yatırımların hayata geçirilmesi gerektiğinin cevabı aranmaktadır. Çalışmanın afet risk azaltma alanında yürütülecek araştırmalara fayda sağlaması temenni edilmektedir.

Impact of the COVID-19 Outbreak on Air Pollutants, in 2020 Compared to the Same Period in 2019 in Qom, Iran

Introduction: The present study aimed to investigate the change of air pollutants in 2020 in Qom compared to the same period in 2019 in five scenarios.
 Materials and Methods: The hourly air quality data was obtained from air quality monitoring stations of Qom Environmental Protection Organization (EPO). The meteorological parameters were obtained from Iranian Meteorological Organization website. The data were analyzed using Excel, SPSS, and WRPLOT view.
 Results: In the first month of the COVID-19 crisis, NO2, SO2, and CO decreased by 26.4, 39, and 0.2 µg/m3 compared to same period in 2019, respectively; however, PM2.5 and O3 increased by 7.1 and 2.3 µg/m3, respectively. In Iranian Nowruz holidays, an increase of 2.9 µg/m3 in O3 mean concentration and a decrease of 8.1, 23.8, 22.8, and 0.2 µg/m3 in mean concentration of PM10, NO2, SO2, and CO were experienced. The prevailing wind direction during the 2020 in each scenario was from the west of Qom city.
 Conclusion: Gaseous pollutants decreased during the crisis, but particulate pollutants increased slightly compared to the same period in 2019. The lockdown may have had the most impact in decreasing pollutants. A slight increase in wind speed from the west could be a factor in increasing particles. This crisis provided an opportunity to assess the role of policies, such as traffic reduction plans or discarding worn-out cars or urban management to improve air quality.

The Macrotextured Implant Recall: Breast Implant-Associated-Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma Risk Aversion in Cosmetic and Reconstructive Plastic Surgery Practices.

The recall of Allergan Biocell (Irvine, CA) devices due to the association between anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) and macrotextured breast implants means that plastic surgeons are faced with the challenge of caring for patients with these implants in situ. Cosmetic and reconstructive surgeons have been contacting affected patients to encourage them to follow up and discuss the most appropriate risk-reduction strategies. The aim of this study was to evaluate patient concerns about the risk of breast implant-associated ALCL (BIA-ALCL) and to compare management differences between cosmetic and reconstructive patients. A retrospective review was performed of 432 patients with macrotextured implants who presented to clinic after being contacted (121 reconstructive and 311 cosmetic). These records were analyzed for their presenting concerns, surgery wait times, and management plans. Statistical analysis was performed to compare the cohorts, and odds ratios (ORs) were computed to determine the association between patient concerns and their choice of management. After consultation, 59.5% of the reconstructive cohort and 49.5% of the cosmetic cohort scheduled implant removal or exchange. The reconstructive population had a higher rate of ALCL concern (62.7%); however, both cohorts had a significant OR, demonstrating an expressed fear of ALCL likely contributed to their subsequent clinical management (OR cosmetic, 1.66; OR reconstructive, 2.17). Although the risk of ALCL appears to be more concerning to the reconstructive population, both cohorts were equally motivated to have their implants removed. Informing patients about their ALCL risk is crucial to ensure a patient-supported risk reduction plan.

Abstract 5219: Frequency of germline mutations in Mexican children with cancer

Abstract Childhood cancer is a leading cause of death by disease in children from 5 -14 ages, for whom there are no prevention strategies. Due to early-age of diagnosis and short-time environmental factors exposition, increasing evidence suggests childhood cancer could have stronger association with germline alterations in predisposition cancer genes. It has been estimated that up to 30% all childhood cancer diagnosis may be caused by germline variants, but their frequency and distribution remain unclear. Elucidating the prevalence and role of germline mutations in the development of childhood cancer is crucial for understanding its bases, causes, cancer-risk reduction plan, surveillance, and treatment. Here, we present a pilot study on cancer children’s patients and their relatives. A total of 40 Mexican-mestizo children with any cancer diagnosis were recruited from several Institutions of Health in Mexico and a sample of saliva or blood was obtained. Whole Exome Sequencing was performed and bioinformatic analysis was carried out following GATK best practices for germline genetic variants. Additionally, we evaluated a risk selection tool for recognition of genetic predisposition in pediatric cancer patients. Pathogenic or likely-pathogenic genetic variants (mutations) were identified from the application of a filtering chain based on ACMG guidelines, and they were subsequently validated by Sanger sequencing. Germline mutations in MSH6, NF1, MUTYH, CDKN2A, CHEK2, DICER1, FANCA and SBDS genes were identified in 5/40 (12.5%) patients with cancer, only 3 of 5 index cases (60%) reported family history of cancer and all patients meet at least one criterion of the risk selection tool. Two patients were carriers of one mutation, while in three patients were identified 2 pathogenic variants. Additionally, we identified four nonsense candidate genetic variants on EWSR1, FANCL, EPCAM and HRAS genes and two pathogenic variants in non-cancer predisposition gene, ABCA4. Our results show for the first time a higher frequency (12.5%) of germline mutations in cancer predisposition genes in Mexican-mestizo children with cancer. The lack of family history in two carriers showed the need to establish standardized suspicion criteria for identification of children with higher risk of cancer who can benefitfrom genetic testing. Further characterization of additional genetic variants identified without clinical classification will be important to evaluate their real contribution, as well as the influence of environmental factors on de novo mutation promotion. Citation Format: Oscar Alonso Luna, Jorge Meléndez Zajgla, Marta Zapata Tarres, Luis Enrique Juárez Villegas, Elvia Cristina Mendoza Caamal, Elianeth Rey Helo, Socorro Aida Borges Yanez, Gabriela Elisa Mercado Celis, Rodrigo Barquera Lozano. Frequency of germline mutations in Mexican children with cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2022; 2022 Apr 8-13. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2022;82(12_Suppl):Abstract nr 5219.

Climate change mitigation of drop-in biofuels for deep-sea shipping under a prospective life-cycle assessment

The shipping sector is seeking options to reduce its emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs) and achieve ambitious climate change mitigation goals. Unlike short-sea shipping that can rely on electrification of coastal vessels, drop-in biofuels are among the most promising options for deep-sea shipping decarbonization. However, environmental sustainability analyses of marine biofuels are limited, and usually do not include the influence of future changes in the background energy system nor the climatic effects of near-term climate forcers (NTCFs). In our study, we assess the climate change mitigation potential of various marine biofuels produced from forest residues in Norway (a country with ambitious plans for emission reduction from shipping) using a prospective life-cycle assessment (LCA) where the projected trends in the energy and transport sectors are integrated with improvements in the biofuel value chain for the next decades (2030–2050). Relative to fossil-based alternatives, climate mitigation potentials of biofuels range from 65% to 85% with short-term (GWP20) and to 78%–87% with long-term (GTP100) climate impacts. The inclusion of NTCFs reduces the mitigation benefits of biofuels in the short term, while it slightly increases them in the long term. The explicit modeling of technology and socio-economic changes under future policy scenarios indicates a reduction in the climate impacts of biofuels by up to 54% in 2050 when compared to the current situation. The amount of residues potentially available in Norway is sufficient to meet the present demand for liquid fuels in deep-sea shipping, thus providing yearly climate mitigation of 0.9–1.1 million tons of CO2-eq (equal to 6–7% of today's climate impacts from the entire transport sector in the country). Our analysis shows the large climate change mitigation potential of drop-in biofuels, and it provides new quantitative estimates that can help guiding a sustainability shift in the deep-sea shipping sector.

Knowledge, Practice, and Associated Factors of Essential Newborn Care among Sudanese Women in Eastern Sudan.

(1) Background: There is a high neonatal mortality rate in countries with low resources, especially sub-Saharan countries. There is no published data in Sudan on mothers’ knowledge and practice of essential newborn care. This study aimed to assess the maternal knowledge and practice of essential newborn care in Gadarif city, eastern Sudan. (2) Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Gadarif city, eastern Sudan. Postnatal mothers (384) were recruited from postnatal and vaccination clinics. A structured questionnaire was used to collect the data. Mothers who responded to essential newborn care knowledge and practice items at a rate equal to 75% or above were classified as having good knowledge and practice. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the factors associated with essential newborn care knowledge and practice. (3) Results: In this study, 268 (66.4%) and 245 (63.8%) of the 384 participants had good knowledge and practice of essential newborn care, respectively. None of the investigated factors (age, residence, education, occupation, parity, antenatal care, and mode of delivery) was associated with knowledge and practice of essential newborn care with sociodemographic and obstetric factors. Mothers with poor knowledge were less likely to have good practices (adjusted odds ratios = 0.41; 95% CI (0.26–0.64)). The reported malpractices were giving dietary supplements to the babies (48.2%), mainly water (40.0%) and cow’s milk (43.2%), and putting substances on the umbilical cord (62.8%), with butter (92.1%) accounting for the majority. (4) Conclusion: In the present study, around two-thirds of the participants had good essential newborn care knowledge and practice. Poor knowledge was less likely to be associated with good newborn care practices. More research is needed to build baseline data for neonatal mortality reduction plans.

WASH and Health in Sindhupalchowk District of Nepal after the Gorkha Earthquake

An earthquake of magnitude 7.8 MW and 6.8 MW struck Nepal on 25 April and 12 May, 2015, respectively, which caused massive damage. In such crises, understanding the water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) situation is of paramount importance. Therefore, we aimed to assess the WASH situation and its impact on health, particularly in the Sindhupalchowk district. A questionnaire survey and microbial analysis of water samples were conducted. Descriptive statistics and parametric and non-parametric statistical tests were employed. The results revealed that 97.1% of water samples from the source during the pre-monsoon season and 98.5% during the monsoon season had fecal contamination. Similarly, 92.8% of water samples during the pre-monsoon season and 96.7% during the monsoon season at point of use (PoU) had fecal contamination. Furthermore, water consumption was comparatively less during the pre-monsoon season. The increase in water consumption improved hygiene behavior and lowered the prevalence of waterborne diseases. Similarly, less water consumption affected water handling behavior; for example, the cleaning interval of storage vessels was less frequent. An increase in cleaning interval resulted in fecal contamination of water at PoU. The findings of this study can be useful in the review of existing WASH policy and plans and integration with the disaster management plan for disaster risk reduction.

Developing a framework on school resilience for risk-informed decision-making

The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (SFDRR) 2015–2030 pursues the goal of preventing new risk, reducing existing risk, and managing residual risk through integrated and multi-sectoral interaction. It considers educational infrastructures pivotal, with the framework promoting resilient educational facilities as a global target for 2030. Schools, being a critical infrastructure, are crucial for building resilient cities and forming safe shelters or evacuation points in emergencies, alongside promoting a disaster risk curriculum. Asian countries have experienced multiple hazards and cascading risk patterns of climate change in the last few decades. Many countries such as India and Japan have generated school safety policies and disaster risk reduction plans for attaining the efforts of various frameworks, including SFDRR. While effective policies prevail, inefficient interoperability and disaggregated platforms result in poor ground-level management, such as in schools in hazard-prone areas. Past Incidents such as the 2004 Kumbakonam fire incidence, 2011 East Japan Earthquake, and Tsunami affecting schools point out the need of focusing on risk-informed school selection and planning rather than contemporary syllabus-based school selection.The study aims to develop a ‘School Selection Framework’, which analyses extrinsic and intrinsicfactors associated with school selection and safety, such as academic aspects, physical, human resources, and natural conditions. The methodology involves an integrative literature review on parental school selection, school safety, and resilience indices. It further identifies significant dimensions and indicators of school selection and safety to generate a conceptual framework for risk-informed school selection. The evaluation of articles based on the content analysis resulted in 18 significant dimensions contributing to school selection and school safety that was used to generate a conceptual framework for risk-informed decision-making. The study's outcome is to enhance the school selection process by mitigating the gap between the education system and disaster management, prompting the stakeholders to improve student safety.

Necessity to Pay Attention to the Effects of Low Fluoride on Human Health: an Overview of Skeletal and Non-skeletal Damages in Epidemiologic Investigations and Laboratory Studies.

Due to the implementation of water improvement and fluoride reduction plans supported by central and local governments in recent years, areas with high fluoride exposure are being gradually decreased. Therefore, it is of practical importance to study the effect of low fluoride on human health. Epidemiologic investigations and in vivo and in vitro studies based on low fluoride have also confirmed that fluoride not only causes skeletal damage, such as dental fluorosis, but also causes non-skeletal damage involving the cardiovascular system, nervous system, hepatic and renal function, reproductive system, thyroid function, blood glucose homeostasis, and the immune system. This article summarizes the effects of low fluoride on human and animal skeletal and non-skeletal systems. A preliminary exploration of corresponding mechanisms that will help to fully understand the harm of low fluoride on human health was undertaken to provide the basis for establishing new water fluoride standards and help to implement individual guidance.

Reductions in NO2 and emergency room visits associated with California's goods movement policies: A quasi-experimental study

IntroductionThis study examines whether the “Emission Reduction Plan for Ports and Goods Movement” in California reduced air pollution exposures and emergency room visits among California Medicaid enrollees with asthma and/or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. MethodWe created a retrospective cohort of 5608 Medicaid enrollees from ten counties in California with data from 2004 to 2010. We grouped the patients into two groups: those living within 500 m of goods movement corridors (ports and truck-permitted freeways), and control areas (away from the busy truck or car permitted highways). We created annual air pollution surfaces for nitrogen dioxide and assigned them to enrollees’ home addresses. We used a quasi-experimental design with a difference-in-differences method to examine changes before and after the policy for cohort beneficiaries in the two groups. ResultsThe reductions in nitrogen dioxide exposures and emergency room visits were greater for enrollees in goods movement corridors than those in control areas in post-policy years. We found that the goods movement actions were associated with 14.8% (95% CI, −24.0% to −4.4%; P = 0.006) and 11.8% (95% CI, −21.2% to −1.2%; P = 0.030) greater reduction in emergency room visits for the beneficiaries with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, respectively, in the third year after California's emission reduction plan. ConclusionThese findings indicate remarkable health benefits via reduced emergency room visits from the significantly improved air quality due to public policy interventions for disadvantaged and susceptible populations.

Implementation of STOMP (Stopping Over-Medication of People With Learning Disability, Autism or Both With Psychotropic Medications) PLEDGE: A Quality Improvement Project at Bradford District Care Foundation Trust CAMHS Learning Disability Team

AimsThe project's aim coincides with NHS England STOMP Pledge signed by BDCFT. To maintain up to date records of children and adolescents with learning disabilities eligible for STOMP reviews, implement planned supervised dose reduction, consider alternatives to psychotropics and maintain an up-to-date record of physical health monitoring for patients on antipsychotic medications according to local Trust guidelines.MethodsThe sample consisted of the caseload registered with the CAMHS learning disability Team at BDCFT in December 2021. Each case was reviewed retrospectively through electronic records. Data were collected on a data collection tool designed in Microsoft Excel.Baseline data about Diagnosis and Psychotropic medications prescribed were recorded. The Antipsychotic prescribing practice was audited against local Trust guidelines as part of the project.The project was registered and approved by the Trust Audit Team.ResultsThe study included 106 cases registered in December 2021.42 patients (40%) were prescribed psychotropic medication only10 patients (9%) were prescribed psychotropic medication plus ADHD medication14 patients (13%) were prescribed ADHD medication only40 patients (38%) were not prescribed any medication66 (62%) patients from the sample were prescribed medication.Medications were divided into, Psychotropics and ADHD medication groups. Each group was assessed against a prescription time standard of either less or more than 12 months.Antipsychotics were the most frequently prescribed psychotropic medications; 60% of those prescribed psychotropics were on Antipsychotics. A smaller number (31%) on an Anxiolytic, and an even small number (12%) on an Antidepressant. Anticonvulsants were prescribed to 6 in our sample, but all by another service provider (Paediatrics). 20 patients (38%) were on more than one psychotropic medication.The length of the time was divided into less and more than a year on medication. 20% of patients were on psychotropics for less than 12 months and about 80% for more than 12 months.As there are local BDCFT guidelines for monitoring patients on Antipsychotics, a summary of compliance against standards was included as an audit in the project.All 66 patients on medications were deemed eligible for STOMP reviews, and 64 out of them had behavioural support plan in place.Conclusion66 patients who had eligibility for STOMP: 1.35%: Undergoing reduction plan.2.35%: Reduction was not deemed suitable.3.30%: No review or reduction plan in placeRecommendations are made in the report to achieve full compliance with STOMP objectives and a re-audit in a year to monitor progress.

Pemanfaatan Sistem Informasi Bencana Banjir di Kabupaten Bandung Untuk Mewujudkan Masyarakat Tangguh Bencana

Bandung Regency often experiences flooding and the number of Early Warning System (EWS) equipment is still not sufficient. One of the targets of the Sendai Framework is to increase the coverage and access to the EWS until 2030. To prevent natural disasters and determine the efforts that must be made during a disaster to post-disaster, a disaster information system is needed. The purpose of the study was to determine the implementation of a flood disaster information system as an effort to reduce disaster risk and to determine the use of a flood disaster information system to create a disaster-resilient society. This research was a qualitative research with an exploratory research design. The research was conducted in May 2021 – January 2022 in Bandung Regency. Data collection techniques used were interviews, documentation, and observation, with analytical techniques using the Miles and Huberman model. There was no specific flood disaster information system however the information collected and processed by the Pusdalops was used as the basis for the preparation of a disaster risk reduction plan in Bandung Regency. Information on the potential for flooding was conveyed by the Pusdalops to the community so that people were alert and evacuate if it is not possible to stay at home. Community resilience, especially in three flood-prone villages, was in the primary category. A disaster information system is needed to support disaster risk reduction efforts and create a disaster-resilient society.

Awareness and preparedness for disasters amongst residents in dry, hilly, and delta regions of Myanmar

Background: Because of Myanmar's location, many residents are in disaster risk zones. This study aimed to explore the disaster-related awareness and preparedness of the residents from the dry, hilly, and delta regions.Methods: This research was a survey design, a cross-sectional approach, and used a survey questionnaire. By applying the RCDP clusters and hazard profile, 13 (19%) villages from hilly, 100 (53%) villages from dry, and 27 (28%) villages from the delta region were proportionately and randomly selected. From which,1800 household heads were randomly culled. The data collected through the face-to-face interview were entered into EpiData and analyzed in STATA 15.Results: All samples of residents were composed of 6.7% from hilly, 76.5% from dry, and 16.8% from the delta region. residents of 72.4% and 71.5% (dry region), 54.3% and 53.4% (hilly region), and 88.6% and 87.6% (delta region) were aware of the types and associated risks of the common disasters, respectively. Regarding disaster preparedness, approximately one-third have prepared for evacuation, emergency response, disaster kits, safe areas (shelter), reconstruction/rehabilitation, about one-fifth for emergency response operations, risk assessment, and risk reduction planning, and less than 10% for capacity building, awareness-raising, and information management. More than 50% have planned for preparedness after returning homes. Overall, good awareness and preparedness proportions were 38.2% and 13.9%.Conclusions: Overall, the three regions' disaster awareness and preparedness levels were unsatisfactory, which highlights that National natural disaster management committee should effectively apply the information media, provide training/advocacies and support safe community initiatives.

Response surface model based emission source contribution and meteorological pattern analysis in ozone polluted days

Urban and regional ozone (O3) pollution is a public health concern and causes damage to ecosystems. Due to the diverse emission sources of O3 precursors and the complex interactions of air dispersion and chemistry, identifying the contributing sources of O3 pollution requires integrated analysis to guide emission reduction plans. In this study, the meteorological characteristics leading to O3 polluted days (in which the maximum daily 8–h average O3 concentration is higher than the China Class II National O3 Standard (160 μg/m3)) in Guangzhou (GZ, China) were analyzed based on data from 2019. The O3 formation regimes and source apportionments under various prevailing wind directions were evaluated using a Response Surface Modeling (RSM) approach. The results showed that O3 polluted days in 2019 could be classified into four types of synoptic patterns (i.e., cyclone, anticyclone, trough, and high pressure approaching to sea) and were strongly correlated with high ambient temperature, low relative humidity, low wind speed, variable prevailing wind directions. Additionally, the cyclone pattern strongly promoted O3 formation due to its peripheral subsidence. The O3 formation was nitrogen oxides (NOx)-limited under the northerly wind, while volatile organic compounds (VOC)-limited under other prevailing wind directions. Anthropogenic emissions contributed largely to the O3 formation (54–78%) under the westerly, southwesterly, easterly, southeasterly, or southerly wind, but only moderately (35–47%) under the northerly or northeasterly wind. Furthermore, as for anthropogenic contributions, local emission contributions were the largest (39–60%) regardless of prevailing wind directions, especially the local NOx contributions (19–43%); the dominant upwind regional emissions contributed 12–46% (e.g., contributions from Dongguan were 12–20% under the southeasterly wind). The emission control strategies for O3 polluted days should focus on local emission sources in conjunction with the emission reduction of upwind regional sources.

Impact of Urban Form on CO2 Emissions under Different Socioeconomic Factors: Evidence from 132 Small and Medium-Sized Cities in China

The accurate estimation of the impact of urban form on CO2 emissions is essential for the proposal of effective low-carbon spatial planning strategies. However, few studies have focused on the relationship between urban form and CO2 emissions in small and medium-sized cities, and it is especially unclear whether the relationship varies across cities with different socioeconomic characteristics. This study took 132 small and medium-sized cities in the Yangtze River Delta in China to explore how urban form affects CO2 emissions, considering the socioeconomic factors of industrial structure, population density, and economic development level. First, nighttime light data (DMSP-OLS and NPP-VIIRS) and provincial energy data were used to calculate CO2 emissions. Second, four landscape metrics were used to quantify the compactness and complexity of the urban form based on Chinese urban land-use data. Finally, panel data models were established to analyze whether and how different socioeconomic factors impacted the relationship between urban form and CO2 emissions. The results showed that the three socioeconomic factors mentioned above all had obvious influences on the relationship between urban form and per capita CO2 emissions in small and medium-sized cities. The effect of compactness on per-capita CO2 emissions increased with a rise in the proportion of the tertiary industry, population density, and per-capita GDP. However, compactness shows no effects on per-capita CO2 emissions in industrial cities and low-development-level cities. The effect of complexity on per-capita CO2 emissions only increased with the rise in population density. The results may support decision-makers in small and medium-sized cities to propose accurate, comprehensive, and differentiated plans for CO2 emission control and reduction.

The Role of Soil Carbon Sequestration as a Climate Change Mitigation Strategy: An Australian Case Study

Soil carbon sequestration (SCS) is a key priority in the Australian government’s Long-Term Emissions Reduction Plan. Under the government’s Emission Reduction Fund (ERF), farmers are encouraged to change to a management practice that will increase their soil carbon (C) stock and earn Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs). The projections of net C abatement nationally range from 17 to 103 Mt carbon dioxide equivalent annually up to 2050. This huge range reflects the uncertainties in achieving net SCS due to biophysical constraints, such as those imposed by the paucity and variability of Australian rainfall and the difficulty of measuring small changes in soil C stock. The uptake by farmers is also uncertain because of compliance costs, opportunity costs of a practice change and the loss of business flexibility when a farmer must commit to a 25-year permanence period. Since the program’s inception in 2014, only one soil C project has been awarded ACCUs. Nevertheless, an increase in soil C is generally beneficial for farm productivity. As a voluntary C market evolves, the government is expecting that farmers will sell their ACCUs to businesses seeking to offset their greenhouse gas emissions. The risk is that, in buying cheap offsets, businesses will not then invest in new energy-efficient technologies to reduce their emissions at source.