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This study explores the connection between tropospheric nitrogen dioxide (NO2) vertical column density levels and asthma hospitalization cases in Louisiana from 2005 to 2020. Utilizing NO2 data from NASA's Ozone Measurement Instrument (OMI) aboard the Aura satellite, the research integrates these atmospheric measurements with socioeconomic data at the census tract level. This study employs a generalized linear mixed model (GLIMMIX) with a logit link and Beta distribution to analyze the relationship between seasonal NO2 levels and asthma hospitalization cases during winter, fall, spring, and summer. By analyzing OMI data, this research quantifies seasonal variations in NO2 levels and their corresponding impact on asthma hospitalizations. The findings reveal a relationship between NO2 levels and asthma hospitalizations, particularly in communities with high Black and/or low-income populations, with the strongest effects observed during winter. Specifically, the analysis shows that, for each unit increase in NO2 levels, the odds of asthma-related hospitalizations increase by approximately 26.3% (p < 0.0001), with a 95% confidence interval ranging from 23.3% to 29.5%. Assuming a causal link between NO2 and asthma, these findings suggest that reducing NO2 emissions could alleviate healthcare burdens associated with respiratory diseases such as asthma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper responds to the research question, "can urban farming in Nepal help create sustainable cities?" Especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, urban residents have begun to realize that food transported from long distances is not always reliable. Urban farming can help produce fresh food locally and help urban residents become self-reliant by engaging in healthy eating habits and practicing sustainable agricultural techniques in food-desert areas, while creating a positive impact on the environment through regenerative agricultural methods. In doing so, urban farms can help the growers save on food expenditures and even earn some additional income, while also improving air quality and minimizing the effects of urban heat islands. This practice also helps reduce greenhouse gases through plant carbon use efficiency (CUE), as vegetation carbon dynamics (VCD) can be adjusted while supporting the circular economy. As urban lands command higher prices than agricultural land, urban farming usually happens on residential yards, roofs, balconies, community gardens, and dedicated areas in public parks. Rainwater harvesting and redirecting can help irrigate urban farms, which can be part of rain gardens. The national census of 2021 identified that 66% of Nepal's population lives in urban areas. However, the World Bank (2018) showed that only 21 of Nepal's population was projected to live in urban areas in 2021. It is not debatable that the urbanization process in Nepal is on the rise. Thus, urban agriculture can play an important role in supplementing residents' food needs. Many cities in Nepal have already successfully adapted to urban farming wherein residents grow food on their building sites, balconies, and rooftop, often growing plants in pots, vases, and other types of containers. The UN-Habitat, with the support of the European Union and local agencies, published a rooftop farming training manual (2014), showing the feasibility of urban farming in Nepal. This paper discusses how public-private partnership (PPP) can promote urban agriculture and make the process more effective and attractive to urban-farming households. It also analyzes how a PPP approach also facilitates the use of better technology, advisory support, and use of research extension activities. This paper draws on a literature review, uses remote-sensing imagery data and data from National Census Nepal 2021, and the authors' professional experiences related to best practices in the areas to analyze the benefits and challenges related to urban farming both in Nepal and Arizona, USA. The paper provides recommendations for Nepali cities to maximize the benefit provided by urban farming. It is expected to be useful to Nepali policymakers, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations which promote sustainability, and organic farming with a sustainable supply chain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nitrogen oxides (NOx) are major air pollutants that play a crucial role in atmospheric chemistry. We compare Ozone Measuring Instrument's (OMI) NO2 records with the in situ surface measurements from the Air Quality System of the US Environmental Protection Agency and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality network in the state of Texas with the goal of understanding the correspondence of satellite and in situ surface observations and identifying the potential synergies between the two observing systems. Our analysis of over 40 in situ daily surface site observations, mostly from urban areas, and OMI daily observed data suggests a correlation (r) ranging between 0.2 and 0.8. The correlation improves considerably (r > 0.5) for monthly average data. Weekly variation of surface NO2 with a Sunday minimum is well captured by OMI tropospheric NO2 column observations with similar weekend reductions. NO2 trend in Texas during 2005–2019 is characterized by significant reductions of 20%–36% in highly populated cities and urban centers. However, a significant (up to 80%) increase was observed in oil and gas producing regions of the Permian and Eagle Ford Basins over the same period. In March–April of 2020, like the other US and global cities, Texas experienced up to 60% reduction in NO2 levels in major cities due to travel restrictions imposed at local and national levels to contain the spread of COVID‐19. Though such reduction is temporary, these reductions were significantly larger than those achieved in the past 16 years of OMI record suggesting that technological advancement can curtail NOx emissions. Plain Language Summary: Linking satellite and ground‐based observations, this study presents variation and long‐term trends in Texas's nitrogen dioxide (NO2) concentration. Nitrogen oxides (NOx = NO + NO2) are major air pollutants that play an important role in atmospheric chemistry. We compare NO2 records from the Ozone Measuring Instrument with the in situ surface measurements from the Air Quality System of the US Environmental Protection Agency and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to identify the potential synergies between the two observing systems. Our analysis of 40 surface sites suggests a fair to excellent correlation. NO2 trend in Texas during 2005–2019 is characterized by significant reductions of 20%–36% in highly populated cities and urban centers. However, over the same period, a substantial increase of up to 80% was observed in oil and gas‐producing regions of the Permian and Eagle Ford Basins. Moreover, in March–April of 2020, Texas experienced up to 60% reduction in NO2 levels in major cities due to travel restrictions imposed at local and national levels to contain the spread of COVID‐19. Though such reduction is temporary, these reductions were as significant as those achieved in the past 16 years of OMI, suggesting that technological advancement can curtail NOx emissions. Key Points: The satellite observations exhibit significant correlations and consistent variations and trends with in situ surface measurementsNO2 record over Texas show significant decline in populated cities and an increase of up to 80% over oil and natural gas extraction regionsCOVID‐19‐related restrictions in Texas lead up to a 60% reduction in NO2 levels that exceed the reduction achieved in the past 15 years [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]