Southern City Research Articles

Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) for investigating subsurface structures in the karst area of the Ek Leuntie Cave, Aceh Province

Ek Leuntie Cave, in the southern city of Banda Aceh, Aceh Province, is recognized as an educational media based on geopark sites because it holds a 7400-year paleotsunami track record. As a karst area, Ek Leuntie Cave is vulnerable to the impact of geological disasters such as earthquakes, sinkholes and subsidence. As an effort to reduce the negative impact of geological disasters, geophysical studies have been applied in the Ek Leuntie Cave Karst area. The study aims to identify the subsurface geological structure of the Karst area. The identification was carried out using the Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) method of Wenner-Schlumberger configuration applied to two measurement trajectories that have South-North and West-East directions in front of the Ek Leuntie Cave door. ERT data acquisition results were then modeled in inversion using Res2Dinv software to produce a 2D model of the subsurface geological structure of the Ek Leuntie Cave karst area based on variations in rock resistivity values. Interpretation of subsurface geological structure modeling is validated with shallow drilling data (Hand Auger). The inversion modeling results show that the rock resistivity value in the Ek Leuntie Cave area reaches a depth of 30 m which has a resistivity value of 0 - 1000 Ωm. The results of the interpretation of resistivity values and validation of drill data show that the Ek Leuntie Cave area is covered by a layer of sand with fine to coarse texture and the layer below is a layer of limestone at a depth of ± 0.4 meters with a resistivity value of 50 - 250 Ωm. Limestone generally shows porosity with the possibility of caves or pores in the rock formation at Ek Leuntie Cave, making it vulnerable to damage from earthquakes, landslides, and subsidence. The results of the study are expected to provide updated information in efforts to develop the Ek Leuntie Cave geopark area.

Agrobacterium Transformation of Tea Plants (Camellia sinensis (L.) KUNTZE): A Small Experiment with Great Prospects.

Tea has historically been one of the most popular beverages, and it is currently an economically significant crop cultivated in over 50 countries. The Northwestern Caucasus is one of the northernmost regions for industrial tea cultivation worldwide. The domestication of the tea plant in this region took approximately 150 years, during which plantations spreading from the Ozurgeti region in northern Georgia to the southern city of Maykop in Russia. Consequently, tea plantations in the Northern Caucasus can serve as a source of unique genotypes with exceptional cold tolerance. Tea plants are known to be recalcitrant to Agrobacterium-mediated transfection. Research into optimal transfection and regeneration methodologies, as well as the identification of tea varieties with enhanced transformation efficiency, is an advanced strategy for improving tea plant culture. The aim of this study was to search for the optimal Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transfection protocol for the Kolkhida tea variety. As a result of optimizing the transfection medium with potassium phosphate buffer at the stages of pre-inoculation, inoculation and co-cultivation, the restoration of normal morphology and improvement in the attachment of Agrobacterium cells to the surface of tea explants were observed by scanning electron microscopy. And an effective method of high-efficiency Agrobacteria tumefaciens-mediated transfection of the best local tea cultivar, Kolkhida, was demonstrated for the first time.

Prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in Libya and its relation to other health disorders

Vitamin D (VD) has a potential role in calcium homeostasis in the human body. It is also considered a strong immunomodulator, affecting both arms of the immune system (Innate and adaptive immunity). VD can also lower the risk of diabetes, improve pregnancy outcomes, reduce the risk of acute respiratory infection (e.g., COVID-19), and decrease the risk of cancer. No doubt that VD deficiency (VDD) is a health condition that spreads out all over the globe. VDD is linked to many health problems ranging from fatigue and skeleton pain to serious conditions such as rickets, osteomalacia, diabetes, autoimmune disease, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer. This review aims to provide a whole picture of the status of 25- hydroxycholecalciferol [25-(OH)D] as well as the frequency of 25-(OH)D deficiency (VDD) among Libyans in various regions of the country and to discuss the correlation between VDD and other health problems. The prevalence of VDD reached up to 80% among healthy individuals in the Middle East region. Libya is a big Mediterranean country and is sunny most of the year. In the western part of Libya, particularly in Tripoli (the capital city), the prevalence of severe VDD [25-(OH)D < 10 ng/mL] was as high as 50.8%, whereas only 27.5% had moderate VDD [25-(OH)D; 10-20 ng/mL]. In Benghazi (second largest city), the VDD prevalence was also high (76%). The highest prevalence of VDD was reported at 79% in the biggest southern city of Sebha. In the whole country, the VDD prevalence was high (among males and females), ranging from 45.4% to 87%, with a mean of 55.58%. The mean prevalence of VDD among males was 54.3% and for females was 53.29%. As clear from these data, VDD prevalence was high in the entire country. However, the available data were obtained from small cross-sectional studies and it becomes a necessity to conduct nationally representative studies and establish national nutrition surveys to accurately assess the prevalence of VDD. Moreover, the data included in this review invites the health authorities in Libya to take preventive measures to reduce the high prevalence of VDD, which will decrease VDD-associated health problems in the future.

Insight into the Role of NH3/NH4+ and NOx/NO3- in the Formation of Nitrogen-Containing Brown Carbon in Chinese Megacities.

Particulate brown carbon (BrC) plays a crucial role in the global radiative balance due to its ability to absorb light. However, the effect of molecular formation on the light absorption properties of BrC remains poorly understood. In this study, atmospheric BrC samples collected from six Chinese megacities in winter and summer were characterized through ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography coupled with Orbitrap mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Orbitrap MS) and light absorption measurements. The average values of BrC light absorption coefficient at a wavelength of 365 nm (babs365) in winter were approximately 4.0 times higher than those in summer. Nitrogen-containing organic molecules (CHNO) were identified as critical components of light-absorbing substances in both seasons, underscoring the importance of N-addition in BrC. These nitrogen-containing BrC chromophores were more closely related to nitro-containing compounds originating from biomass burning and nitrogen oxides (NOx)/nitrate (NO3-) reactions in winter. In summer, they were related to reduced N-containing compounds formed in ammonia (NH3)/ammonium (NH4+) reactions. The NH3/NH4+-mediated reactions contributed more to secondary BrC in summer than winter, particularly in southern cities. Compared with winter, the higher O/Cw, lower molecule conjugation indicator (double bond equivalent, DBE), and reduced BrC babs365 in summer suggest a possible bleaching mechanism during the oxidation process. These findings strengthen the connection between molecular composition and the light-absorbing properties of BrC, providing insights into the formation mechanisms of BrC chromophores across northern and southern Chinese cities in different seasons.

Can Green Infrastructure Investment Reduce Urban Carbon Emissions:Empirical Evidence from China

Green infrastructure (GI) plays a pivotal role in contemporary urban infrastructure. Green infrastructure investment (GII) provides a fresh perspective for controlling urban carbon emissions in the context of global climate change. Based on theoretical analysis, we employed panel data from Chinese cities to examine the effects and operating mechanisms of GII on urban carbon emissions. The research reveals that the incremental GII can notably decrease urban carbon emissions, and various robustness tests and endogeneity checks corroborate this finding. However, when considering the cumulative effect, the GII stocks do not appear to influence urban carbon emissions; GII mitigates urban carbon emissions by drawing in pollution control talents, improving the efficiency of household waste treatment, increasing urban green spaces, and heightening public attention to the environment. Relative to cities in the central-western region, northern cities, smaller cities, resource-based cities, smart pilot cities, and cities with a lesser environmental emphasis, GII is more effective in curbing carbon emissions in eastern cities, southern cities, larger cities, non-resource-intensive cities, cities not in the smart pilot initiative, and cities with a stronger environmental focus. This research enhances the understanding of GI’s environmental outcomes and the determinants of urban carbon emissions from an investment viewpoint. It also dissects the four operative mechanisms through which GII lowers urban carbon emissions, offering a novel interpretation of GII for the variance in carbon emission levels across cities with diverse traits.

The effects and mechanisms of digital economy on manufacturing high-quality development: an empirical study based on 207 prefecture-level and above cities in China

ABSTRACT The digital economy (DE) has become a crucial catalyst for the high-quality development of China’s economy by transforming the manufacturing industry. In this paper, we first measured the high-quality development index of manufacturing and the level of DE in 207 prefecture-level and above cities in China from 2011 to 2021, and subsequently investigated the effects and mechanisms of DE on manufacturing high-quality development (MHQD) with the help of panel two-way fixed-effects model, moderating effects model, mediating effects model. The main findings are as follows. (1) DE significantly contributes to MHQD, and the conclusion still holds after a series of endogeneity treatments and robustness tests. (2) The driving effects of DE on MHQD are more significant in coastal cities, large and medium-sized cities, and southern cities. (3) Fiscal expenditure on science and technology (FEST) can strengthen the positive effect of DE on MHQD, while talent agglomeration (TA) is an important transmission mechanism for DE to empower MHQD. Our study could provide useful policy implications for better exploiting the driving effect of DE on MHQD.

Prevalence of inherited metabolic disorders among newborns in Zhuzhou, a southern city in China.

Background and aims: Defective enzymes, cofactors, or transporters of metabolic pathways cause inherited metabolic disorders (IMDs), a group of genetic disorders. Several IMDs have serious consequences for the affected neonates. Newborn screening for IMDs is conducted by measuring specific metabolites between 3 and 7days of life. Herein, we analyzed the incidence, spectrum, and genetic characteristics of IMDs in newborns in the Zhuzhou area. Methods: Tandem mass spectrometry was conducted on 90,829 newborns who were admitted to the Women and Children Healthcare Hospital of Zhuzhou and requested for screening for IMDs. These newborns were subsequently subjected to next-generation sequencing and further validated using Sanger sequencing. Results: 30 IMDs cases were found in 90,829 cases of newborns screened for IMDs, and the overall incidence was 1/3,027. The incidence of amino acid, organic acid, fatty acid oxidation and urea cycle disorders were 1/8,257, 1/18,165, 1/7,569, and 1/45,414, respectively. Additionally, 9 cases of maternal IMDs were found in our study, and unreported gene mutations of 3 cases IMDs were identified. Conclusion: Our data indicated that IMDs are never uncommon in zhuzhou, meanwhile, we also found that primary carnitine deficiency was the only disorder of fatty acid oxidation in Zhuzhou, and the incidence (1/7,569) was higher than the national level, organic acid metabolic diseases are mostly inherited. Therefore, our study has clarified the disease spectrum and genetic backgrounds, contributing to the treatment and prenatal genetic counseling of these disorders in this region.

Sanitation configurations in Lilongwe: Everyday experiences on and off the grid

Scholars have called for increased attention to the practices through which residents of southern cities create and use infrastructure. The failures and disruptions of many particular artefacts have meant that people often develop multiple ways to access water, electricity, or transportation, even if all of them have limitations. For sanitation, thinking through heterogeneous infrastructure configurations can help us to see connections between toilets, and the reasons for maintaining access to different types of toilets, given their different risks and benefits. In this paper, we focus on plots in Lilongwe with both indoor flush-toilets and backyard latrines, and the lived experiences of people as they navigate choices about the use of these toilets. The presence of on and off-grid toilets is rooted in colonial urban form, yet is perpetuated – and proliferates in new places – as residents face a number of constraints, including most recently recurrent water shortages due to droughts. We consider both how this configuration challenges official imaginaries of urban sanitation, and how it helps residents to address different risks and sanitation needs. Drawing on the experience of Lilongwe, we reflect on what can be learnt from this heterogeneous infrastructural configuration in terms of planning for more resilient water and sanitation services in Global South cities and beyond.

Optimization study on thermal performance of a novel dynamic phase change material wall

A new concept of dynamic phase change material (PCM) wall structure in building envelope is proposed to enhance the passive solar energy utilization, in which PCM wall position could be exchanged with insulation layer. The thermal performance of phase change materials in buildings is related to many factors. To ensure that the novel dynamic PCM wall structure could reach its full potential, the thermal performance of the structure was numerically simulated and optimized based on different climatic conditions, room sizes and the position of PCM layer in the wall. The results indicated that the suitable PCM was different when using the novel dynamic PCM wall in different climates. Among the four cities of Harbin, Tianjin, Jinan and Guangzhou, northern cities, like Tianjin, were more suitable for using PCM A16 than southern cities. In terms of room size design, when the volume of the room remained identical, the room size design formed a certain correlation with the indoor temperature. In addition, results showed that the location of the novel PCM wall system in the wall would cause a great difference in indoor temperature, which was related to heat dissipation at different locations.

Does environmental regulation lessen health risks? Evidence from Chinese cities.

Atmospheric pollution is a severe problem confronting the world today, endangering not only natural ecosystem equilibrium but also human life and health. As a result, governments have enacted environmental regulations to minimize pollutant emissions, enhance air quality and protect public health. In this setting, it is critical to explore the health implications of environmental regulation. Based on city panel data from 2009 to 2020, the influence of environmental regulatory intensity on health risks in China is examined in this study. It is discovered that enhanced environmental regulation significantly reduces health risks in cities, with each 1-unit increase in the degree of environmental regulation lowering the total number of local premature deaths from stroke, ischemic heart disease, and lung cancer by approximately 15.4%, a finding that remains true after multiple robustness tests. Furthermore, advances in science and technology are shown to boost the health benefits from environmental regulation. We also discover that inland cities, southern cities, and non-low-carbon pilot cities benefit more from environmental regulation. The results of this research can serve as a theoretical and empirical foundation for comprehending the social welfare consequences of environmental regulation and for guiding environmental regulation decision-making.

Economic and Industrial Development SignificantlyContribute to Acidity and Ionic Compositions of Rainwaterin China

To achieve a holistic understanding of the intricate interactions among human activities, atmospheric chemistry, and acid rain in China, a rigorous analysis of rainwater chemistry was made using a dataset comprising 2656 data points from 24 sites. The main cation and anion in the chemical composition of precipitation were Ca2+ and SO42− in China, with an average concentration of 169.9 μeq/L and 135.4 μeq/L, respectively. Acid rain generally occurs in southern cities such as Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Zhuhai, Xiamen, and Chongqing. There were evident regional disparities in acidity and ion concentrations in rainwater, with an increase in acidity and a decrease in ion concentrations from north to south across China. Utilizing positive matrix factorization, the study found that NH4+, SO42−, and NO3− mainly originated from anthropogenic sources such as fossil fuel combustion, vehicle exhaust emissions, agricultural fertilization, and industrial emissions (as reflected by F3 and F4). Ca2+ mainly stems from crustal factors, including industrial dust and natural crust (as represented by F1 and F4). Na+ and Cl− were traceable from marine sources (as reflected by F5), while Mg2+ originated from crust origin (as presented by F1). K+ was mainly derived from a mixed source of crust, marine, and biomass burning (as indicated by F2 and F3). The correlation analyses showed that SO42− and NO3− showed significant correlations with GDP and population. F− was associated with wastewater, which may be linked to the production of brick and tiles from clay with high fluoride contents. The pH was negatively related to industrial wastewater. Long-term analysis of precipitation chemistry in four cities suggested a clear decrease in the proportion of SO42− but a considerable increase in the proportion of NO3− in anions in metropolitans of Shanghai and Chongqing due to the environmental measures that targeted reducing sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions and increase of vehicles. This showed that pollution control strategies had an impact on precipitation ion concentrations. These results can conclude that economic and industrial growth, which will increase energy consumption, utilization of coal combustion, and a subsequent rise in pollutant emissions, can contribute to the change in the chemical compositions of rainwater and the exacerbation of acid rain.

Text, Short Video, or Long Video? Effects of Attention to Various Types of Social Media on Public Knowledge of Dual Carbon: A Multigroup Comparison Based on Environmental Concern Levels

ABSTRACT Drawing upon the cognitive mediation model, this study aims to investigate the factors that influence public knowledge of dual carbon in China. Using data collected from a survey of 500 participants living in western, eastern, central, northern, and southern cities in China, the study found that attentions to different types of social media were positively associated with elaboration and interpersonal communication. Furthermore, elaboration positively affected factual knowledge about dual carbon, perceived familiarity with dual carbon, and structural knowledge about dual carbon, while interpersonal communication only positively affected structural knowledge. The multigroup analysis demonstrated that the effects of (a) elaboration on factual knowledge and (b) interpersonal communication on structural knowledge were more pronounced among participants with high environmental concern than among those with low environmental concern. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.

<I>BRCA1/2</I> mutation spectrum in Armenian patients with breast and ovarian cancers

The aim of the study was to compare the spectra of pathogenic BRCA1 and BRCA2 variants in patients with hereditary breast cancer (BC) and ovarian cancer (OC) from two groups of ethnic Armenians: Yerevan and cities of southern Russia.Material and Methods. 106 BC patients from the V.A. Fanardjian National Centre of Oncology (Yerevan, Republic of Armenia) and 117 BC and OC patients of Armenian origin who were referred to the Petrov National Medical Centre of Oncology (St. Petersburg, Russia) from several cancer centers of Russia (Krasnodar, Sochi, Pyatigorsk) were included into the study. The coding sequences of BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes were analyzed by the method of targeted high-throughput sequencing.Results. Pathogenic variants of BCRA1 and BCRA2 genes were detected in 16/106 (BRCA1: n=9, BRCA2: n=7; 15%) BC patients from Yerevan. The only recurrent mutation was the BRCA1 nonsense variant c.5444G>A [W1815X], accounting for 44% of all pathogenic alleles identified. In patients of Armenian origin from Russia, pathogenic BRCA1/2 variants were detected in 16/117 (14%) individuals (BRCA1: n=6, BRCA2: n=10). The proportion of samples with mutations was 13% in the group of BC patients and 19% in the group of OC patients. 75% of pathogenic alleles were represented by five recurrent mutations: BRCA1 c.2649_2650insGGCA, BRCA2 c.2808_2808_2811delACAA, BRCA1 c.4065_4068delTCAA, BRCA2 c.9027delT and BRCA2 c.8437G>T [G2813X]. The independent origin of the pathogenic BRCA2 c.2808_2808_2811delACAA variant in Armenian and non-Armenian patients was shown.Conclusion. A significant difference in the spectrum of BRCA1/2 mutations between Armenian patients from Yerevan and patients from southern regions of Russia was found. This should be taken into account when developing diagnostic programs.

Resilient development impacts could be assessed: A case in Accra, Ghana

Urban projects featured with resilient development have become popular, whereas limited studies have been invested in evaluating the impacts of these projects. A debate exists, asking if these impacts could ever be captured and verified. This communication paper argues that project impacts could be demonstrated, by specifying (1) the relatable literature, measurements, and rational assessment criteria, (2) a confined assessment timeframe, and (3) available scientific data sources. The paper derives the assessment experiences of the Greater Accra Resilient and Integrated Development Project (GARID), supported by the World Bank, in view of the above argument. Through a mixed-methods approach with two waves of investigation, the assessment experiences successfully capture the pre-intervention indicators that GARID may lead. The assessment experiences also provide in-time recommendations toward GARID's implementation, advancing more inclusive stakeholder engagement. The fruitful results confirm the paper's argument. Meanwhile, having third parties to conduct impact assessments could uncover non-supervised project outcomes and challenges that typical official reports would not investigate. Encouraging commitments to impact assessments of international development projects like GARID would help southern cities move toward inclusive prosperity.

Research on the spatial and temporal patterns of ozone concentration and population health effects in the Central Plains Urban Agglomeration from 2017 to 2020.

Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and near-surface ozone (O3) are the main atmospheric pollutants in China. Long-term exposure to high ozone concentrations adversely affects human health. It is of great significance to systematically analyze the spatiotemporal evolution mechanism and health effects of ozone pollution. Based on the ozone data of 91 monitoring stations in the Central Plains Urban Agglomeration from 2017 to 2020, the research used Kriging method and spatial autocorrelation analysis to investigate the spatiotemporal variations of ozone concentration. Additionally, the study assessed the health effects of ozone on the population using the population exposure risk model and exposure-response relationship model. The results indicated that: (1) The number of premature deaths caused by ozone pollution in the warm season were 37,053 at 95% confidence interval (95% CI: 28,190-45,930) in 2017, 37,685 (95% CI: 28,669-46,713) in 2018, and 37,655 (95% CI: 28,647-46,676) in 2019. (2) The ozone concentration of the Central Plains urban agglomeration showed a decreasing trend throughout the year and during the warm season from 2017 to 2020, there are two peaks monthly, one is June, and the other is September. (3) In the warm season, the high-risk areas of population exposure to ozone in the Central Plains Urban Agglomeration were mainly concentrated in urban areas. In general, the population exposure risk of the south is lower than that of the north. The number of premature deaths attributed to ozone concentration during the warm season has decreased, but some southern cities such as Xinyang and Zhumadian have also seen an increase in premature deaths. China has achieved significant results in air pollution control, but in areas with high ozone concentrations and high population density, the health burden caused by air pollution remains heavy, and stricter air pollution control policies need to be implemented.

Human resources for urban administration at state management agencies in Ho Chi Minh City: Imperatives and solutions

Urban management confronts various challenges posed by the escalating urbanization process unfolding throughout the entire nation. These challenges encompass population and housing issues, environmental governance, administrative management, and social security. In order to attain equilibrium amidst these issues, urban areas necessitate an adept workforce equipped with interdisciplinary knowledge to effectively address the multifaceted concerns encountered in urban settings. This paper concentrates on a comprehensive analysis of the prevailing state of competency fulfillment and the requisites for human resources in the domain of state administration related to urban areas in Ho Chi Minh City. The findings reveal that the existing human resource pool engaged in urban management in Ho Chi Minh City exhibits a commendable level of proficiency. However, ongoing self-training and advanced professional development remain indispensable for meeting occupational demands. There persists a scarcity of human resources in certain specialized sectors. Subsequently, given the swift evolution of the urban landscape encompassing socio-economic development, spatial expansion, and urban infrastructure, Ho Chi Minh City necessitates a substantial workforce for proficient urban management in the coming years. To foster professional management practices and yield optimal outcomes, it is imperative to formulate a specialized Urban Management curriculum catering to the distinctive requirements of Ho Chi Minh City, providing a steady stream of capable human resources for urban management endeavors in Ho Chi Minh City and the neighboring southern provinces and cities.

Spatialized PM2.5 during COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil's most populous southern city: implications for post-pandemic era.

Brazil has experienced one of the highest COVID-19 fatality rates globally. While numerous studies have explored the potential connection between air pollution, specifically fine particulate matter (PM2.5), and the exacerbation of SARS-CoV-2 infection, the majority of this research has been conducted in foreign regions-Europe, the United States, and China-correlating generalized pollution levels with health-related scopes. In this study, our objective is to investigate the localized connection between exposure to air pollution exposure and its health implications within a specific Brazilian municipality, focusing on COVID-19 susceptibility. Our investigation involves assessing pollution levels through spatial interpolation of in situ PM2.5 measurements. A network of affordable sensors collected data across 9 regions in Curitiba, as well as its metropolitan counterpart, Araucaria. Our findings distinctly reveal a significant positive correlation (with r-values reaching up to 0.36, p-value < 0.01) between regions characterized by higher levels of pollution, particularly during the winter months (with r-values peaking at 0.40, p-value < 0.05), with both COVID-19 mortality and incidence rates. This correlation gains added significance due to the intricate interplay between urban atmospheric pollution and regional human development indices. Notably, heightened pollution aligns with industrial hubs and intensified vehicular activity. The spatial analysis performed in this study assumes a pivotal role by identifying priority regions that require targeted action post-COVID. By comprehending the localized dynamics between air pollution and its health repercussions, tailored strategies can be implemented to alleviate these effects and ensure the well-being of the public.

Improving the transport infrastructure on the federal highway

Rostov-on-Don is located in the central part of Russia. It is a major transport hub. Paths from many regions of Russia intersect here. A route to the southern cities of the country passes through the metropolis, which is especially popular in the summer. Since 2022, the flow of freight and passenger transport from the annexed territories of Russia has increased significantly. The city of Rostov-on-Don plays an important role in the supply of goods, provision of services, as well as the supply of construction materials for the restoration of settlements in the annexed territories. In the Rostov region, great attention is paid to repairing roads to the Lugansk and Donetsk people's republics. High-quality roads and transport links play an important role in the development of new territories in Russia and influence the development of the modern economy. The main entrance/exit to the city is the A-280 highway “Rostov-on-Don - Taganrog - border with the DPR”, which has federal status. The route starts from Rostov-on-Don, namely from the roundabout intersection of Malinovskoye Street and Taganrog Highway, which is located within the city. The purpose of the study is to improve transport infrastructure to improve road safety at this intersection.

Evaluation of Heavy Metal Contamination in Chlorella vulgaris in the Southern City of Iraq Using Scanning Electron Microscopy and the Risk Assessment

Evaluation of Heavy Metal Contamination in Chlorella vulgaris in the Southern City of Iraq Using Scanning Electron Microscopy and the Risk Assessment

Emergency contraception in a historic southern city: Mystery caller study in Birmingham, Alabama

BackgroundAlabama's Human Life Protection Act (the Act) signed in 2019 became law in 2022, making provision of abortion a felony offense. ObjectiveIn 2020, we assessed the accessibility of emergency contraception (EC) pills in Birmingham, Alabama prior to the Act's enactment given the probable increased need for EC access due to abortion criminalization. Study designPharmacy staff were asked about availability, price, location, and identification requirements to obtain EC. ResultsOf 69 pharmacies, 59% had levonorgestrel EC and none had ulipristal acetate EC available. ConclusionThere are persistent barriers to EC accessibility that should be addressed as abortion is increasingly restricted.