Energy for Agriculture in the Twenty-first Century

1998 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. A. Stout
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Developing Countries ◽  
Energy Use ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Need Satisfaction ◽  
Social Progress ◽  
Human Needs ◽  
Adequate Food ◽  
High Level

Adequate food supplies and a reasonable quality of life require energy —both noncommercial and commercial forms. Energy is a prime mover of economic growth and development. Although the linkages between energy and development are complex and still imperfectly understood, energy undoubtedly fuels economic development. And the developing countries where most of the population growth is occurring face an energy crisis of staggering proportions. An ample energy supply is not an automatic guarantee of smooth economic advancement, social progress, or stability, but it is, indisputably, their essential precondition. The future of our increasingly interdependent world will thus be very much influenced by the success or failure of the developing countries to ensure a sufficient and sustainable flow of energy (Smil and Knowland, 1980). The global inequity in the use of commercial fuels is familiar. About 1.5 billion people live in countries where the per capita consumption is less than 7 gigajoules (GJ) y-1, and another 1.1 billion consume only 7-20 GJ y -. Let’s translate this into more meaningful terms: 7 GJ is the equivalent of about 180 1 of diesel fuel —or about 0.5 1 per day to cover all human needs, such as food production and cooking, shelter, heating, and clothing. Millions and millions of rural inhabitants use virtually no commercial fuel. Clearly, no one can achieve a desirable quality of life (QOL) with so little energy available (Leach, 1979). Many studies have related GNP and energy use, but scholars debate the correlation with QOL. When one considers that energy is required to produce all the basic needs of humans, it seems apparent that a relationship as shown in Figure 5.1 may exist. Morrison (1978) carried this concept a step further by expressing QOL as a function of energy use. At low levels of energy use (quadrant III), he hypothesized that basic need satisfaction is linearly related to energy use. As the amount of energy increases (quadrant II), two paths were hypothesized. Option A projects a linear relationship between QOL and energy use, whereas option B suggests an optimum QOL at a moderately high level of energy use, followed by a deterioration of QOL due to environmental degradation at excessively high energy use rates.

CREATING WALKING LED TRANSIT STATIONS FOR WOMEN IN MALAYSIA

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 99
Author(s):  
Yong Adilah Shamsul Harumain ◽  
Nur Farhana Azmi ◽  
Suhaini Yusoff
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Developing Countries ◽  
Public Transportation ◽  
Carbon Emission ◽  
The Other ◽  
Walking Distance ◽  
The Road ◽  
On The Road ◽  
Female User

Transit stations are generally well known as nodes of spaces where percentage of people walking are relatively high. The issue is do more planning is actually given to create walkability. Creating walking led transit stations involves planning of walking distance, providing facilities like pathways, toilets, seating and lighting. On the other hand, creating walking led transit station for women uncover a new epitome. Walking becomes one of the most important forms of mobility for women in developing countries nowadays. Encouraging women to use public transportation is not just about another effort to promote the use of public transportation but also another great endeavour to reduce numbers of traffic on the road. This also means, creating an effort to control accidents rate, reducing carbon emission, improving health and eventually, developing the quality of life. Hence, in this paper, we sought first to find out the factors that motivate women to walk at transit stations in Malaysia. A questionnaire survey with 562 female user of Light Railway Transit (LRT) was conducted at LRT stations along Kelana Jaya Line. Both built and non-built environment characteristics, particularly distance, safety and facilities were found as factors that are consistently associated with women walkability. With these findings, the paper highlights the criteria  which are needed to create and make betterment of transit stations not just for women but also for walkability in general.

scholarly journals Comparing quality of life between patients undergoing trans-areola endoscopic thyroid surgery and trans-oral endoscopic thyroid surgery

BMC Surgery ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shuang Shen ◽  
Xiaochi Hu ◽  
Rui Qu ◽  
Youming Guo ◽  
Libo Luo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Thyroid Surgery ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Endoscopic Thyroidectomy ◽  
Operation Time ◽  
Endoscopic Thyroid Surgery ◽  
Sf 36 ◽  
Areola Approach ◽  
High Level

Abstract Background Compared with conventional open surgery, endoscopic thyroidectomy via the oral vestibular approach (ETVOA) and endoscopic thyroidectomy via the areola approach (ETAA) avoided scarring of the skin, which may help patients achieve a better quality of life (QOL). However, the benefit of the QOL from this technique has not been adequately investigated, therefore this study compared the QOL outcomes between ETVOA and ETAA. Methods 131 patients were enrolled in this study. ETAA surgery and ETVOA surgery were performed in 74 patients and 57 patients, respectively. These patients were followed up at 2 weeks, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks, and their QOL was evaluated using a thyroid surgery-specific questionnaire and a short-form health survey (SF-36). Results There were no differences in clinical characteristics such as gender, age, body mass index (BMI), and tumor size between the two groups. The volume of intraoperative blood loss, cost of hospitalization, and complications between the two procedures showed no differences. Compared with ETAA, ETVOA has a longer operation time, no drainage, and shorter hospital stay. In the QOL questionnaire, several parameters in ETVOA were better. The satisfaction scores of patients undergoing ETVOA were higher. In addition, the cosmetic satisfaction in patients who received ETOVA was significantly better than that of patients who underwent ETAA. The degree of neck movement disorder in patients with ETVOA was milder. Patients who received ETVOA had higher score on the SF-36. Conclusions The trans-oral endoscopic approach can acquire better cosmetic results and achieved high-level QOL.

scholarly journals Psychosomatic interactions in kidney transplantation: role of personality dimensions in mental health-related quality of life

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
pp. 204062232110243
Author(s):  
Federica Guerra ◽  
Jessica Ranieri ◽  
Domenico Passafiume ◽  
Diana Lupi ◽  
Daniela Maccarone ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Kidney Transplantation ◽  
Health Related Quality ◽  
Personality Dimensions ◽  
Related Quality ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Body Self ◽  
High Level

Background and aims: The increase in innovative and personalized medicine solutions in kidney surgery can improve patients’ chances of survival; however, during the transplantation process, patients are exposed to many psychological challenges. This study aimed to evaluate the role and impact of personality dimensions on the behaviour of waiting-list patients towards the post-surgery adaptation process. Method: The participants were 113 out-patients aged 18–70 years (mean age 54.7 years, SD ± 9.9) who had received a kidney transplant at least 3 years prior to the study. Results: The results of the study revealed that personality dimensions can predict mental health-related quality of life after kidney transplantation; in particular, the dimensions play an important role in patients’ behavioural ability to manage their quality of life both during end-stage renal disease and after kidney transplantation. Psychological distress and anxiety were associated with a low level of the conscientiousness dimension, while a high level of the openness dimension was associated with a high level of psychological distress and stress. In addition, body self-perception was associated with personality dimensions. Conclusion: Personality dimensions were found to predict behavioural reactions when emotional traits and body self-perception for each patient were combined; clinical psychologists could apply personalized intervention by modeling the treatments step by step and mitigating the negative effects of the whole kidney transplantation disease, thus helping the individual to adapt to a new life.

Tinnitus Impact: Three Different Measurement Tools

2003 ◽  
Vol 14 (04) ◽  
pp. 181-187 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher D. Bauch ◽  
Susan G. Lynn ◽  
Donald E. Williams ◽  
Michael W. Mellon ◽  
Amy L. Weaver
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Severity Index ◽  
Assessment Tools ◽  
Symptom Checklist ◽  
Tinnitus Handicap Inventory ◽  
Measurement Tools ◽  
Medical Population ◽  
High Level ◽  
The Impact

The impact of tinnitus and overall levels of distress were measured with three assessment tools for patients with tinnitus. The Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI), the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90-R) and an activities limitations questionnaire were administered to 53 audiology patients reporting tinnitus. Forty-three percent of these patients experienced either quality of life reductions associated with tinnitus, substantial perceived handicap, and/or a high level of distress. Results from the General Severity Index (GSI) of the SCL-90-R indicated that 25% of these patients displayed distress greater than that of the general medical population. The SCL-90-R can be a useful tool for audiologists working with tinnitus patients in assessing needs for referral for psychological or psychiatric counseling.

scholarly journals Qualitative research to explore the symptoms and impacts experienced by children with ulcerative colitis

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason A. Randall ◽  
Aiste Guobyte ◽  
Laure Delbecque ◽  
Louise Newton ◽  
Tara Symonds ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Ulcerative Colitis ◽  
Lived Experience ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Gastrointestinal Disease ◽  
The United States ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Related Quality ◽  
High Level

Abstract Background Ulcerative Colitis (UC) is a chronic gastrointestinal disease that often presents during one’s most productive years and is characterized by colon inflammation. Key symptoms and impacts in adults are well-known, however, experiences among pediatric populations have not been well documented. The purpose of this study was to understand the health-related quality of life and symptomatic experience of children (2–11 years) living with UC. Methods Qualitative, semi-structured face-to-face interviews were conducted. Children aged 5–11 years were interviewed, as well as their parents/caregivers in matched dyads. Parents/caregivers of children aged2–4 years were interviewed within a parent/caregiver-only cohort. All participants were recruited from the United States. Interviews were coded using thematic analysis. Results Key symptoms and impacts reflecting the lived experience of UC were identified following thematic analysis, generating a conceptual model. A total of 32 participants (20 parents/caregivers and 12 children) were interviewed. Results identified a substantial burden of UC in children. All children and parents/caregivers reported that they/their child experienced stomach/abdominal pain. Other symptoms discussed by over 75% were blood in stool, diarrhea/loose stools, stool urgency, incomplete evacuation, stool frequency, and feeling gassy/passing gas. The most frequently discussed impacts by over 75% of participants were on emotional and practical aspects, seriously affecting quality of life. Conclusions Qualitative analysis of the interviews identified a substantial burden of UC on children, with a profound impact on their lives. The symptomatic experience is reflective of adults and adolescents. A high level of agreement between parents/caregivers and children was demonstrated regarding the perception of the presence or absence of symptoms. Children aged 8–11 years showed higher levels of agreement with parents/caregivers than did younger children, indicating appropriateness of self-report of symptom data in the 8–11 years age group.

The role of basic psychological need satisfaction, sleep, and mindfulness in the health-related quality of life of people living with HIV

2016 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 535-545 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel Campbell ◽  
Maarten Vansteenkiste ◽  
Liesbeth Delesie ◽  
Bart Soenens ◽  
Els Tobback ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Sleep Quality ◽  
Need Satisfaction ◽  
People Living With Hiv ◽  
Health Related Quality ◽  
Psychological Need ◽  
Related Quality ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Living With Hiv

Research has not yet examined the relationship between psychological need satisfaction, sleep, mindfulness, and health-related quality of life in people living with HIV. This cross-sectional study ( N = 101; 84% male; mean age = 45.48, SD = 12.75) found need satisfaction to relate positively to physical and mental health. Sleep quality fully mediated the association with physical health and partially mediated the association with mental health. Furthermore, mindfulness related to higher sleep quality through higher need satisfaction. Findings underscore the role of need satisfaction in determining health-related quality of life and sleep quality in people living with HIV and suggest that mindfulness may facilitate need satisfaction.

Socio-economic conditions for satisfying human needs at low energy use: an international analysis of provisioning factors

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jefim Vogel ◽  
Julia K. Steinberger ◽  
Daniel W. O'Neill ◽  
William F. Lamb ◽  
Jaya Krishnakumar
Keyword(s):  
Energy Dependence ◽  
Energy Use ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Economic Transformation ◽  
Need Satisfaction ◽  
Economic Conditions ◽  
Climate Mitigation ◽  
Human Needs ◽  
Political Economic ◽  
Economic Regime

<p>Meeting human needs at low levels of energy use is fundamental for avoiding catastrophic climate change and securing the well-being of all people. In the current international political-economic regime, no country does so.</p><p>Here, we assess which socio-economic conditions might enable societies to satisfy human needs at sustainable levels of energy use, and thus reconcile human well-being with ambitious climate mitigation. Applying a novel analytical framework and a novel regression-based moderation approach to data from 106 countries, we analyse how the relationship between energy use and six dimensions of human need satisfaction varies with a wide range of socio-economic factors relevant to the provisioning of goods and services (‘provisioning factors’).</p><p>We find that higher achievements in provisioning factors such as income equality, public service quality, democracy and electricity access are associated with greater need satisfaction and lower energy dependence of need satisfaction. Conversely, higher levels of economic growth and extractivism are associated with lower need satisfaction and greater energy dependence of need satisfaction. Our analysis suggests that countries with beneficial configurations of key provisioning factors are much more likely to reach high levels of need satisfaction at low(er) levels of energy use. Based on our statistical models, countries with highly beneficial configurations of several key provisioning factors could likely achieve sufficient need satisfaction within levels of energy use found compatible with limiting global warming to 1.5 °C without negative emissions technologies. Achieving this would be very unlikely for countries with detrimental provisioning configurations.</p><p>Improvements in relevant provisioning factors may thus be crucial for ending human deprivation in currently underproviding countries without exacerbating climate and ecological crises, and for tackling the ecological overshoot of currently needs-satisfying countries without compromising sufficient need satisfaction. However, as key pillars of the suggested changes in provisioning run contrary to the dominant political-economic regime, a broader political-economic transformation may be required to organise provisioning for the satisfaction of human needs within sustainable levels of energy use.</p><p>Our findings have important implications for climate mitigation, poverty eradication, development discourses, and efforts towards Sustainable Development Goals and socio-ecological transformation.</p>

scholarly journals Quality of life of elderly with alzheimer’s disease: a comparative study between the patient’s and the caregiver’s report

2010 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 26-32 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keika Inouye ◽  
Elisete Silva Pedrazzani ◽  
Sofia Cristina Iost Pavarini ◽  
Cristina Yoshie Toyoda
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Life Assessment ◽  
Quality Of Life Assessment ◽  
Patient Reports ◽  
The Family ◽  
Final Score ◽  
High Level

This paper aimed to compare the reports of patients and caregivers about how they perceive quality of life (QoL) in general and each of its dimensions in elderly with Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). The participants were elderly diagnosed with AD (n=53) attended by the Exceptional Medication Program in a city in the interior of Sao Paulo; and their respective family caregivers. The QoL measures were obtained through the Quality of Life Assessment Scale on Alzheimer’s Disease. The results showed statistically significant differences in the “memory” (p<0.05) and “you in general” (p<0.005) dimensions. Regarding the final score, the average in the patient’s version was 29.32 points (sd=6.27), against 28.33 points (sd=5.58) in the family version, p>0.100. Although the relative and patient reports were not identical, the results pointed to a high level of consistency among information.

Systemic corruption and public procurement in developing countries: are there any solutions?

2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 131-147 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sope Williams-Elegbe
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Developing Countries ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Public Procurement ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Asymmetry Of Information ◽  
Culture Of Silence ◽  
Systemic Corruption

Purpose Corruption affects development and quality of life of citizens in affected countries. The increase in anti-corruption measures globally reflects a consensus that corruption is pervasive and costly. Public procurement is one area in which corruption manifests because of the sums of money involved; the asymmetry of information; and the bureaucratic nature of decision-making, which presents opportunities for abuse. In developing countries, procurement corruption is rife because of institutional weaknesses, lack of enforced accountability mechanisms and culture of silence in relation to public sector malfeasance. Design/methodology/approach This paper examines procurement corruption in countries with systemic corruption, using Nigeria as a case study, to determine how to reduce public procurement corruption. Findings The paper will highlight prevalent corrupt schemes in public procurement in Nigeria, examine the reasons for the failure of state anti-corruption institutions and analyze the kinds of initiatives that reduced procurement corruption and increased accountability in other countries and the utility of adopting such mechanisms in the Nigerian context.

Towards a Universal Social Impact Metric for Engineered Products That Alleviate Poverty

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Phillip D. Stevenson ◽  
Christopher A. Mattson ◽  
Kenneth M. Bryden ◽  
Nordica A. MacCarty
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Developing Countries ◽  
Social Impact ◽  
Multidimensional Poverty ◽  
Social Impacts ◽  
Five Dimensions ◽  
Multidimensional Poverty Index ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Impact

More than ever before, engineers are creating products for developing countries. One of the purposes of these products is to improve the consumer’s quality of life. Currently, there is no established method of measuring the social impact of these types of products. As a result, engineers have used their own metrics to assess their product’s impact, if at all. Some of the common metrics used include products sold and revenue, which measure the financial success of a product without recognizing the social successes or failures it might have. In this paper we introduce a potential metric, the Product Impact Metric (PIM), which quantifies the impact a product has on impoverished individuals — especially those living in developing countries. It measures social impact broadly in five dimensions: health, education, standard of living, employment quality, and security. The PIM is inspired by the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) created by the United Nations Development Programme. The MPI measures how the depth of poverty within a nation changes year after year, and the PIM measures how an individual’s quality of life changes after being affected by an engineered product. The Product Impact Metric can be used to predict social impacts (using personas that represent real individuals) or measure social impacts (using specific data from products introduced into the market).

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