scholarly journals Heavy Metal Contents of Municipal and Rural Dumpsite Soils and Rate of Accumulation byCarica papayaandTalinum triangularein Uyo, Nigeria

2008 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 281-290 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. A. Ebong ◽  
M. M. Akpan ◽  
V. N. Mkpenie
Keyword(s):  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Agricultural Soils ◽  
Toxic Metal ◽  
The Other ◽  
Plant Parts ◽  
Metal Contents ◽  
Metal Levels ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

Dumpsites in Uyo and most cities in Nigeria are used nutrients rich soils for cultivating fruits and vegetables without regards to the risk of toxic metal pollution by the wastes. This development necessitated the research on the assessment of the impact of municipal and rural dumpsites on the metal levels of the underlying soils, the relationship between the dumpsite- soil metal content and the rate of bio-accumulation by plants, the effect of plant specie and plant part on the rate of metal uptake. Atomic absorption spectrophotometer was employed for the analysis of the samples and results obtained from municipal dumpsite soil indicated the following mean concentrations: Fe, 1711.20 μg/g; Pb, 43.28 ug/g; Zn, 88.34 ug/g; Ni, 12.18 ug/g; Cd, 14.10 ug/g and Cu, 56.33 ug/g. These concentrations were relatively higher than the following concentrations: Fe, 1016.98 ug/g; Pb, 18.57 ug/g; Zn, 57.90 ug/g; Ni, 7.98 ug/g; Cd, 9.25 ug/g and Cu, 33.70 ug/g recorded for the rural dumpsite soil. Consequently, plants grown on municipal dumpsites soil accumulated higher concentrations of the metals than those on rural dumpsites. Results obtained from this study also revealed that plants grown on dumpsite soils bio-accumulated higher metal concentrations than their counterparts obtained from normal agricultural soils. The ability of plants to bioaccumulate these metals were also observed as being different from one plant to the other and from one plant parts to the other. And apart from Fe and Zn which recorded higher concentrations in the leaves of the plants studied, other metals recorded higher concentrations in the roots. The general results obtained revealed that the levels of Cd in dumpsite-soil were above the standard while the levels of Cd and Pb in plants were also above the recommended levels in plants. The implications of these high concentrations of these metals in soil and plants have been discussed. Some useful recommendations on the proper handling of wastes to reduce toxic metal loads at dumpsites have also been highlighted.

scholarly journals Effect of Maritime Traffic on Water Quality Parameters in Santa Marta, Colombia

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 474
Author(s):  
René Rodríguez-Grimón ◽  
Nestor Hernando Campos ◽  
Ítalo Braga Castro
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Petroleum Hydrocarbons ◽  
Quality Parameters ◽  
Water Quality Parameters ◽  
Maritime Traffic ◽  
Natural Park ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Multiple Chemical

Since 2013, there has been an increase (>23%) in naval traffic using maritime routes and ports on the coastal fringe of Santa Marta, Colombia. Of major concern, and described by several studies, is the relationship between maritime traffic and coastal contamination. This study proposed a maritime traffic indicator considering the simultaneous effects of several relevant measurements of water quality parameters to estimate the impact of naval activity. The approach involved developing a model including the number of vessels, hull length, and permanence time in berths. In addition, water quality variables, considering climatic seasons, were used to verify association with maritime traffic and touristic activities. The high concentrations of total coliforms (TC) and dissolved/dispersed petroleum hydrocarbons in chrysene equivalents (DDPH) reported by the International Marina of Santa Marta (SM) were affected by the local anthropic activities, including tourism, naval traffic, and urban wastewater discharges. Moreover, our results suggest the occurrence of multiple chemical impacts within Tayrona National Natural Park (PNNT) affecting conservation goals. The estimation of the maritime traffic indicator proposed in this study may be an easy and more complete tool for future studies evaluating the impact of naval activities on environmental quality.

Tolstoy in a recipe

2014 ◽  
Vol 44 (4) ◽  
pp. 310-323 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Tominc
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
The Other ◽  
Food Culture ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Current Trends ◽  
New Middle Class ◽  
Cooking Shows ◽  
Local Construction ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the impact of global celebrity chefs and their discourse about food on the genre of cookbooks in Slovenia. Design/methodology/approach – Focusing this discourse study on cookbook topics only, the analysis demonstrates the relationship between the aspirations of local celebrity chefs for the food culture represented globally by global celebrity chefs, such as Oliver, and the necessity for a local construction of specific tastes. While the central genre of TV celebrity chefs remains TV cooking shows, their businesses include a number of side products, such as cookbooks, which can be seen as recontexualisations of TV food discourse. Findings – Hence, despite this study being limited to analysis of cookbooks only, it can be claimed that the findings extend to other genres. The analysis shows that local chefs aspire to follow current trends, such as an emphasis on the local and sustainable production of food as well as enjoyment and pleasure in the form of a postmodern hybrid genre, while, on the other hand, they strive to include topics that will resonate locally, as they aim to represent themselves as the “new middle class”. Originality/value – Such an analysis brings new insights into the relationship between discourse and globalisation as well as discourse and food.

scholarly journals Methods for the estimation of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence cost-effectiveness threshold

2015 ◽  
Vol 19 (14) ◽  
pp. 1-504 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karl Claxton ◽  
Steve Martin ◽  
Marta Soares ◽  
Nigel Rice ◽  
Eldon Spackman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cost Effectiveness ◽  
Health Effects ◽  
The Other ◽  
Opportunity Costs ◽  
Best Estimate ◽  
The Cost ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Cost Effectiveness Threshold ◽  
Effectiveness Threshold

BackgroundCost-effectiveness analysis involves the comparison of the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of a new technology, which is more costly than existing alternatives, with the cost-effectiveness threshold. This indicates whether or not the health expected to be gained from its use exceeds the health expected to be lost elsewhere as other health-care activities are displaced. The threshold therefore represents the additional cost that has to be imposed on the system to forgo 1 quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) of health through displacement. There are no empirical estimates of the cost-effectiveness threshold used by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence.Objectives(1) To provide a conceptual framework to define the cost-effectiveness threshold and to provide the basis for its empirical estimation. (2) Using programme budgeting data for the English NHS, to estimate the relationship between changes in overall NHS expenditure and changes in mortality. (3) To extend this mortality measure of the health effects of a change in expenditure to life-years and to QALYs by estimating the quality-of-life (QoL) associated with effects on years of life and the additional direct impact on QoL itself. (4) To present the best estimate of the cost-effectiveness threshold for policy purposes.MethodsEarlier econometric analysis estimated the relationship between differences in primary care trust (PCT) spending, across programme budget categories (PBCs), and associated disease-specific mortality. This research is extended in several ways including estimating the impact of marginal increases or decreases in overall NHS expenditure on spending in each of the 23 PBCs. Further stages of work link the econometrics to broader health effects in terms of QALYs.ResultsThe most relevant ‘central’ threshold is estimated to be £12,936 per QALY (2008 expenditure, 2008–10 mortality). Uncertainty analysis indicates that the probability that the threshold is < £20,000 per QALY is 0.89 and the probability that it is < £30,000 per QALY is 0.97. Additional ‘structural’ uncertainty suggests, on balance, that the central or best estimate is, if anything, likely to be an overestimate. The health effects of changes in expenditure are greater when PCTs are under more financial pressure and are more likely to be disinvesting than investing. This indicates that the central estimate of the threshold is likely to be an overestimate for all technologies which impose net costs on the NHS and the appropriate threshold to apply should be lower for technologies which have a greater impact on NHS costs.LimitationsThe central estimate is based on identifying a preferred analysis at each stage based on the analysis that made the best use of available information, whether or not the assumptions required appeared more reasonable than the other alternatives available, and which provided a more complete picture of the likely health effects of a change in expenditure. However, the limitation of currently available data means that there is substantial uncertainty associated with the estimate of the overall threshold.ConclusionsThe methods go some way to providing an empirical estimate of the scale of opportunity costs the NHS faces when considering whether or not the health benefits associated with new technologies are greater than the health that is likely to be lost elsewhere in the NHS. Priorities for future research include estimating the threshold for subsequent waves of expenditure and outcome data, for example by utilising expenditure and outcomes available at the level of Clinical Commissioning Groups as well as additional data collected on QoL and updated estimates of incidence (by age and gender) and duration of disease. Nonetheless, the study also starts to make the other NHS patients, who ultimately bear the opportunity costs of such decisions, less abstract and more ‘known’ in social decisions.FundingThe National Institute for Health Research-Medical Research Council Methodology Research Programme.

Abstract P452: Urinary Metal Levels After Repeated Chelation With Edetate Disodium: Additional Evidence in Support of Metals as Cardiovascular Risk Factors

Circulation ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 141 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Navas-Acien ◽  
Zenith Alam ◽  
Arce Domingo-Relloso ◽  
Francisco Ujueta ◽  
Gervasio A LAMAS
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Body Burden ◽  
Toxic Metal ◽  
Urine Samples ◽  
Cvd Risk ◽  
Lead And Cadmium ◽  
Metal Levels ◽  
Urine Cadmium ◽  
Artery Disease ◽  
The Impact

Background: Epidemiologic evidence supports lead and cadmium as CVD risk factors. In the Trial to Assess Chelation Therapy (TACT), edetate disodium infusions lowered CVD risk in patients with a prior myocardial infarction. The impact of repeated chelation on established biomarkers of metal body burden, post-chelation lead and pre-chelation urine cadmium, is unknown. Objective: To assess metals in urine samples collected at the first and at 10 or more infusions with edetate disodium. We hypothesized that post-chelation urine lead and pre-chelation urine cadmium would be lower after 10 infusions compared to the first infusion. Other metals were exploratory. Methods: 13 patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) received a median of 3 g of edetate disodium over 3h per infusion and a median of 51 infusions (range 22-61). We collected pre and post-chelation urine samples at infusions 1 and ≥10. Metals were analyzed with ICPMS and controlled for urine dilution. Pre and post-chelation geometric means (GM) of urine metals at the ≥10 vs. first infusion were compared using paired T-tests. Results: Mean (SD) age was 75 (11) years, 77% participants were men, 46% were past smokers, 92% had diabetes, and 92% had peripheral artery disease. Comparing infusions ≥10 to 1 (Table), the GM (μg/g creatinine) dropped from 0.45 to 0.03 (94% reduction; p=0.005) for pre-chelation lead and from 14.80 to 2.91 (80% reduction; p=0.04) for post-chelation lead. For pre and post-chelation cadmium, the corresponding figures were 0.34 to 0.12 (64% reduction; p=0.17) and 2.81 to 2.35 (16% reduction; p=0.48), respectively. Conclusions: TACT treatment may decrease total body burden of lead, further supporting lead is a modifiable CVD risk factor. Data are insufficient to inform on changes in the burden of cadmium or other metals. Ongoing, larger studies will assess the effect of repeated chelation on toxic metal burden and incident cardiovascular disease.

Collaborative Technologies and Innovation in SMEs

2010 ◽  
pp. 204-217
Author(s):  
Angel L. Meroño-Cerdan ◽  
Pedro Soto-Acosta ◽  
Carolina Lopez-Nicolas
Keyword(s):  
The Other ◽  
Research Model ◽  
Firm Level ◽  
Collaborative Technologies ◽  
Other Hand ◽  
Multi Stage ◽  
Stage Process ◽  
The One ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

This study seeks to assess the impact of collaborative technologies on innovation at the firm level. Collaborative technologies’ influence on innovation is considered here as a multi-stage process that starts at adoption and extends to use. Thus, the effect of collaborative technologies on innovation is examined not only directly, the simple presence of collaborative technologies, but also based on actual collaborative technologies’ use. Given the fact that firms can use this technology for different purposes, collaborative technologies’ use is measured according to three orientations: e-information, e-communication and e-workflow. To achieve these objectives, a research model is developed for assessing, on the one hand, the impact of the adoption and use of collaborative technologies on innovation and, on the other hand, the relationship between adoption and use of collaborative technologies. The research model is tested using a dataset of 310 Spanish SMEs. The results showed that collaborative technologies’ adoption is positively related to innovation. Also, as hypothesized, distinct collaborative technologies were found to be associated to different uses. In addition, the study found that while e-information had a positive and significant impact on innovation, e-communication and e-workflow did not.

Can BRICS and ASEAN-5 emerging economies benefit from bank diversification?

2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 43-69 ◽  
Author(s):  
Syed Moudud-Ul-Huq
Keyword(s):  
Risk Taking ◽  
Generalized Method Of Moments ◽  
The Other ◽  
Set Covering ◽  
Diversification Strategy ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Diversification Benefit ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose This paper aims to empirically investigate the impact of bank diversification on performance and risk-taking behavior. The analysis uses an unbalanced panel data set covering the period between 2007 and 2015 for a total of 1,397 banks from ASEAN-5 and BRICS economies. Design/methodology/approach Dynamic panel generalized method of moments (GMM) has been used primarily to examine the relationship between bank diversification on performance and risk-taking and later, validate the core results by incorporating two-stage least squares (2SLS). Findings Similar to the results of previous studies based on the developed economy, this study also confirms the hypothesis of the portfolio diversification. The key robust result is that the benefits from revenue and assets diversification are heterogeneous and the BRICS banks achieve higher benefit from using both diversification strategies. On the other hand, ASEAN-5 banks fail to show the significant advantage from assets diversification. Among the diverse sources of income, interest is not a major determinant of efficiency and bank’s stability, while ASEAN-5 banks should foster commission and others income as mechanisms for diversification benefit in the region. Originality/value A few studies are available in the current literature which examines the impact of revenue and assets diversification on either bank performance or risk-taking in the developed economy’s context. However, very few studies are found that examine the relationship between bank diversification, performance and risk-taking together. Moreover, to the best of the author’s knowledge, there is a dearth of literature on this topic that built on the comparative analysis between two regions, i.e. ASEAN-5 and BRICS. As a result, the empirical results of this research provide useful information to the stakeholders so that they can enhance bank diversification strategy and implement them successfully by considering the other factors.

scholarly journals Impact of malocclusion on the quality of life of Saudi children

2013 ◽  
Vol 83 (6) ◽  
pp. 1043-1048 ◽  
Author(s):  
Irfan Dawoodbhoy ◽  
Elsa K. Delgado-Angulo ◽  
Eduardo Bernabé
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Multivariate Analysis ◽  
The Other ◽  
Arabic Version ◽  
Child Perception ◽  
Clinical Measures ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

ABSTRACT Objective: To assess the relationship between malocclusion severity and quality of life in children. Materials and Method: Two hundred and seventy-eight children aged 11 to 14 years were recruited voluntarily from the Dental and Maxillofacial Centre of the Almana General Hospital in Alkhobar, Saudi Arabia. The children were asked to fill out the Arabic version of the Child Perception Questionnaire for 11- to 14-year-old children (CPQ11–14) and were then clinically examined to determine the severity of their malocclusion using the Dental Aesthetic Index (DAI). Multivariate analysis of variance was used to compare the four domains and the total CPQ11–14 scores between the four DAI severity groups. Results: Significant differences were found between DAI severity groups for the four domains and the total CPQ11–14 scores. Although children with very severe (handicapping) malocclusion had significantly higher domain and total CPQ11–14 scores than all the other groups (differences of up to 6 and 22 units, respectively, compared to children with no/minor malocclusion), there were no differences between those with no/minor, definite, and severe malocclusion. Conclusion: These findings suggest that only very severe malocclusion had an impact on the quality of life of the participants. Orthodontists should focus not only on clinical measures of malocclusion but should also consider the impact of severe malocclusion on patients' quality of life.

scholarly journals Pluralismo religioso, multietnicità e biodiritto

2006 ◽  
Vol 55 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Giuseppe Dalla Torre
Keyword(s):  
Human Dignity ◽  
Religious Pluralism ◽  
Religious Affiliation ◽  
The State ◽  
The Other ◽  
Human Being ◽  
The Government ◽  
Personal Law ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

Dopo essersi rilevato il fenomeno della rinascita del fatto religioso nell’odierna società secolarizzata, grazie anche al massiccio fenomeno immigratorio, si descrive l’impatto del pluralismo etnico-religioso sulle tradizionali realtà degli ordinamenti giuridici statali; impatto reso ancora più problematico per l’ascesa di nuovi poteri, in particolare quello tecnico-scientifico, insofferenti ad una eteroregolamentazione non solo sul piano etico, ma anche sul piano giuridico. Si mette quindi in evidenza una crescente ambiguità che investe la biogiuridica: da un lato la nuova esigenza di riconoscere il rivendicato “diritto alla diversità” da parte delle diverse formazioni etnico-religiose; dall’altro l’esigenza di una regolamentazione giuridica uniforme a garanzia dell’ordinata convivenza attorno ad una scala valoriale che abbia nella “vita” il bene centrale ed ultimo da salvaguardare. Tra le conclusioni cui si giunge è innanzitutto quella per cui la pacifica convivenza in una società multietnica e multireligiosa può essere assicurata, nel rispetto delle diverse tradizioni e culture, attraverso il ricorso a moderati e saggi riconoscimenti di spazio al diritto personale all’interno degli ordinamenti statali, ma nei limiti rigorosi posti dalle esigenze di tutela della dignità umana. Ciò tocca anche la questione dei “nuovi poteri” che, nel contesto di una società globalizzata, impongono una rielaborazione dell’idea di diritto che, partendo dal quadro di un sistema di fonti che tende sempre più ad essere organizzato non secondo gerarchia ma secondo competenza, si ispiri al principio del riconoscimento dell’essere umano nella sua dignità, indipendentemente dall’appartenenza etnico-religiosa. Infine si mette in evidenza l’inaccettabilità di un “diritto debole”, solo procedimentale, perché sostanziale negazione della funzione stessa del diritto, che è quella di prevenire e/o dirimere i conflitti tra interessi in gioco e, quindi, i contrasti tra le parti della società, difendendo nel rapporto i soggetti più deboli; così come si mette in evidenza che il prezioso bene della laicità dello Stato non è – come invece spesso si ritiene – salvaguardato da un “diritto debole”, ma solo da un diritto giusto. ---------- After being noticed the phenomenon of the rebirth of the religious fact in today’s secularized society, it is described also the impact of the ethnic-religious pluralism on the traditional realities of the government juridical arrangements; impact made even more problematic for the ascent of new powers, particularly that technical-scientific, impatient to an heteroregulation not only on the ethical plan, but also on the juridical plan. It is put therefore in evidence an increasing ambiguity that invests the biojuridical: from one side the new demand to recognize the vindicated “law to difference” from different ethnic-religious formations; from the other the demand of a uniform juridical regulation to guarantee of the orderly cohabitation around to a scale of value that has in “life” central and ultimate good to safeguard. Between the conclusions which the author comes it is, first of all, that for which the peaceful cohabitation in a multiethnic and multireligious society can be assured, in the respect of the different traditions and cultures, through the recourse to moderate and wise recognition of space to the personal law into the government arrangements, but in the rigorous limits set by the demands of guardianship of human dignity. This also touches the matter of new powers that, in the contest of globalization, impose a new elaboration of the idea of law that, departing from the picture of a system of sources that extends more and more to not be organized according to hierarchy but according to competence, inspire to the principle of the recognition of the human being in its dignity, independently from the ethnic-religious affiliation. Finally it is put in evidence the unacceptability of a “weak law”, just procedural, as substantial negation of the law function itself, which is that to prevent and/or to settle the conflicts between affairs at stake and, therefore, contrasts between the parts of the society, defending in the relationship the weakest subjects; as it is evidenced that the precious good of laity of the State is not - like instead it is often considered - safeguarded by a weak law, but only by a correct law.

scholarly journals The Relationship between National and Entrepreneurial Culture: The Role of National Wealth

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ivana Simić ◽  
Vinko Lepojević
Keyword(s):  
National Culture ◽  
National Economy ◽  
National Income ◽  
Gross National Income ◽  
The Other ◽  
National Wealth ◽  
Entrepreneurial Culture ◽  
Per Capita ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

Research Question: The paper examines the impact of specific Hofstede’s dimensions of national culture on entrepreneurial culture, depending on the wealth of the national economy. Motivation: Based on the results of some previous research focused on the relationship between national culture and various indicators associated with entrepreneurship (Hayton, George & Zahra, 2002; Pinillos & Reyes, 2011; Zhao, Li & Rauch, 2012; Hayton & Cacciotti, 2013), the paper analyses the impact of national culture on entrepreneurial culture, as a category closely related to entrepreneurship. The identification of the national culture's dimensions contributing to the affirmation of entrepreneurial culture, provides an insight into the entrepreneurial potential of a particular national economy. Idea: The main idea of the paper is to examine whether selected Hofstede’s dimensions of national culture (power distance - PD, uncertainty avoidance – UA, individualism – IDV) affect entrepreneurial culture (EC) in a manner identical to that affecting the other indicators of entrepreneurship. The mentioned relationship is not examined as unmediated, but in the context of the effect that national wealth (measured as Gross National Income per capita - GNI) has on it. Data: The survey covered a total of 108 countries for which the data on the values of three selected dimensions of national culture, the index of entrepreneurial culture and the Gross National Income per capita are available. Tools: In order to examine the effect of three selected Hofstede’s dimensions of national culture on entrepreneurial culture, correlation and standard multiple regression analyses were conducted. For data processing, statistical software SPSS (version 22.0) was used. Findings: The obtained results of the research show that in national economies with higher levels of IDV and lower levels of UA, higher scores of the EC index are manifested, regardless of the national wealth. On the other hand, the impact of PD on EC is determined by the level of a particular economy's wealth. In high-income economies (HIE), the index of EC is higher if PD is lower. In low- and middle-income economies (LIE), higher values of EC index are manifested if PD is higher. Contribution: The paper expands the knowledge and research base on entrepreneurial culture and the influence that national culture has on it.

scholarly journals Between External Influence and Autonomy of Schools: Effects of External Evaluation of Schools

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Mouraz ◽  
Carlinda Leite ◽  
Preciosa Fernandes
Keyword(s):  
Data Analysis ◽  
The Other ◽  
External Influence ◽  
Curriculum Management ◽  
External Evaluation ◽  
School Group ◽  
Curricular Practices ◽  
Management Processes ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract The article analyzes the relationship between the External Evaluation of Schools (EES) - which takes place in Portugal since 2006 - and the curricular management processes. Its objective is to identify the effects of this evaluation on the curriculum management of schools. Data were collected by 108 questionnaires, two interviews and two focus groups in two Portuguese school groups with two distinct situations: a school group that rose in the rankings from the first to the second evaluation cycle (from 2006-2011/2012 to 2012-2015/2016) and the other one which dropped. The data analysis showed that the EES had a moderate impact on the curricular practices of the school group studied. However, there was a difference: the school group that rose in the rankings recognizes in more aspects and with more clarity the impact of EES on the restructure of its curricular practices.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document