Policy Design for Earthquake Hazard Mitigation: Lessons from Energy Conservation, Radon Reduction, and Termite Control

1998 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 629-650 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter J. May ◽  
Raymond J. Burby ◽  
Howard Kunreuther
Keyword(s):  
Energy Conservation ◽  
Institutional Design ◽  
Policy Design ◽  
Earthquake Hazard ◽  
Mitigation Measures ◽  
Economic Losses ◽  
Earthquake Risk ◽  
Termite Control ◽  
Policies And Programs

The failure of homeowners to invest in mitigation measures for reducing potential losses from earthquakes presents a major obstacle to stemming economic losses. The design of earthquake risk reduction policies requires an understanding of the appropriate combination of institutional and individual incentives for inducing investment in mitigation. We address the challenges of inducing protective actions by considering the experiences with energy conservation, radon reduction, and termite control. We examine the institutional design of relevant policies and programs, the role of various intermediaries, and the involvement of third parties in creating markets for services. From this, we draw lessons about the leveraging of governmental resources, fostering of markets for services, and carrying out of programs for outreach and education.

How can school education impact earthquake risk reduction in Lebanon?

2014 ◽  
Vol 7 (2/3) ◽  
pp. 120-132 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hoda Baytiyeh
Keyword(s):  
Public Schools ◽  
Community Engagement ◽  
Risk Reduction ◽  
Earthquake Hazard ◽  
School Education ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Earthquake Risk ◽  
Earthquake Disaster ◽  
Content Type

Purpose – The purposes of this article are to outline the existing seismic risk in Lebanon and to identify the crucial role of Lebanese school education in advancing both a culture of safety and the resilience of Lebanese communities to destructive earthquakes. Design/methodology/approach – This paper sets out to illustrate the exposure of Lebanon to seismic hazards and to investigate the current status of Lebanese public schools in terms of their preparedness for earthquake events. Interviews were conducted with principals from 17 different schools. From these interviews emerged the following four themes: curriculum deficiency, the structural vulnerability of school buildings, a lack of preparedness for natural hazards and the need for community engagement in this regard. Findings – School principals in Lebanon confirmed the need for schools to engage in earthquake disaster preparedness and mitigation, as well as to show an enthusiastic attitude for earthquake hazard reduction in terms of hazard education, greater preparedness and community engagement. Originality/value – As this article highlights the important role of school education in promoting earthquake disaster risk reduction, it has beneficial implications for educators, policymakers, administrators and government officials.

scholarly journals The Role of Public Nutrition Research Organizations in the Construction, Implementation and Evaluation of Evidence-Based Nutrition Policy: Two National Experiences in Mexico

Nutrients ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 594 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan Rivera Dommarco ◽  
Teresita González de Cosío ◽  
C. García-Chávez ◽  
M. Colchero
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Policy Design ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Nutrition Policy ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Relevant Evidence ◽  
Nutrition Research ◽  
Nutrition Policies ◽  
Policies And Programs

Malnutrition and poor diet are the largest risk factors responsible for the global burden of disease. Therefore, ending all forms of malnutrition by 2030 is a global priority. To achieve this goal, a key element is to design and implement nutrition policies based on the best available scientific evidence. The demand for evidence-based nutrition policies may originate directly from policymakers or through social actors. In both cases, the role of research institutions is to generate relevant evidence for public policy. The two key objects of analysis for the design of an effective policy are the nutrition conditions of the population and the policies and programs available, including the identification of delivery platforms and competencies required by personnel in charge of the provision of services (social response). In addition, systematic literature reviews about risk factors of malnutrition, as well as the efficacy and effectiveness of policy actions, lead to evidence-based policy recommendations. Given the multifactorial nature of malnutrition, the drivers and risk factors operate in several sectors (food and agriculture, health, education, and social development) and may be immediate, underlying or basic causes. This multilevel complexity should be considered when developing nutrition policy. In this article, we show two models for the evidence-based design of nutrition policies and programs that may be useful to academia and decision makers demonstrated by two examples of policy design, implementation and evaluation in Mexico.

scholarly journals Using non-structural mitigation measures to maintain business continuity: a multi-stakeholder engagement strategy

2021 ◽  
Vol 64 (3) ◽  
pp. SE324
Author(s):  
Monica Amaral Ferreira ◽  
Carlos Sousa Oliveira ◽  
Mário Lopes ◽  
Francisco Mota de Sá ◽  
Gemma Musacchio ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Earthquake Hazard ◽  
Research Process ◽  
Business Community ◽  
Mitigation Measures ◽  
Earthquake Risk ◽  
Business And Society ◽  
Critical Systems ◽  
Research Production ◽  
Earthquake Losses ◽  
Project Outcome

Encouraging property owners and individuals to adopt mitigation measures to improve the resilience of their buildings and equipments to seismic hazard has been a major challenge in many earthquake- prone countries. Few business leaders are aware of the fragility of their supply chains or other critical systems due to earthquake hazard. Bridging the gap between research production and research use is another crucial challenge for the earthquake risk research process. The KnowRISK project outcome is aimed at encouraging the proactive engagement of multi- stakeholders (community at large, schools, business community and local govern-ment groups) undertaking non-structural mitigation measures that will minimize earthquake losses to individuals and communities. Engaging stakeholders, taking into account their needs and inputs to maintain critical and urgent business activities, can contribute to the research findings and ensure that our data collection is thorough and complete. Engagement with stakeholders, during the whole process can lead to improved outcomes and for the development of viable solutions, for business and society, because of stakeholder’s role and influence within the organizations.

scholarly journals Molecular detection of cattle Sarcocystis spp. in North-West Italy highlights their association with bovine eosinophilic myositis

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Selene Rubiola ◽  
Tiziana Civera ◽  
Felice Panebianco ◽  
Davide Vercellino ◽  
Francesco Chiesa
Keyword(s):  
18S Rdna ◽  
Inflammatory Myopathy ◽  
Molecular Techniques ◽  
Diaphragm Muscle ◽  
Economic Losses ◽  
Intermediate Hosts ◽  
Slaughter Cattle ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Pcr Targeting

Abstract Background Cattle are intermediate hosts of six Sarcocystis species, among which Sarcocystis hominis and Sarcocystis heydorni can infect humans through the consumption of raw or undercooked meat. In addition to the zoonotic potential, there is increasing interest in these protozoa because of the evidence supporting the role of Sarcocystis spp. in the occurrence of bovine eosinophilic myositis (BEM), a specific inflammatory myopathy which leads to carcass condemnation and considerable economic losses. Actually, all the prevalence studies carried out on cattle in Italy have been based on either morphological or 18S rDNA-based molecular techniques, most likely leading to misidentification of closely related species. Therefore, there is a strong need for new data on the prevalence of the different Sarcocystis spp. in cattle in Italy and their association with bovine eosinophilic myositis. Methods To reach our aim, individual striated muscle samples from BEM condemned carcasses (N = 54) and diaphragm muscle samples from randomly sampled carcasses (N = 59) were obtained from Northwest Italy slaughterhouses. Genomic DNA was extracted and analyzed by multiplex-PCR targeting 18S rDNA and cox1 genes. PCR products amplified using the genus-specific primer set in absence of the specific fragment for S. hirsuta, S. cruzi, S. hominis or S. bovifelis were sequenced to achieve species identification. Results Sarcocystis DNA was detected in 67.8% of the samples from slaughter cattle and in 90.7% of the samples from BEM condemned carcasses. S. cruzi was identified as the most prevalent species in slaughter cattle (61%), followed by S. bovifelis (10.2%), S. hominis (8.5%) and S. hirsuta (1.7%). Notably, among the different Sarcocystis spp. detected, the presence of S. bovifelis and S. hominis was significantly higher in samples isolated from BEM condemned carcasses (46.3% and 40.7% respectively), while there was no statistically significant difference between the presence of S. cruzi or S. hirsuta in BEM condemned carcasses (42.6% and 1.8%, respectively) and randomly sampled carcasses. Furthermore, DNA sequence analysis revealed the presence of a putative new species in two carcasses. Conclusions Our study contributes to updating the data on the prevalence of the different Sarcocystis spp. in cattle in Italy, highlighting the presence of three Sarcocystis spp., S. cruzi, S. hominis and S. bovifelis, in BEM lesions and allowing us to speculate on the possible role of S. hominis and S. bovifelis as the major sarcosporidian species involved in bovine eosinophilic myositis. Graphic Abstract

scholarly journals Uncovering Stakeholder Participation in Payment for Hydrological Services (PHS) Program Decision making in Mexico and Colombia

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (15) ◽  
pp. 8562
Author(s):  
Andres M. Urcuqui-Bustamante ◽  
Theresa L. Selfa ◽  
Paul Hirsch ◽  
Catherine M. Ashcraft
Keyword(s):  
Stakeholder Engagement ◽  
Program Effectiveness ◽  
Policy Design ◽  
Stakeholder Participation ◽  
Market Mechanism ◽  
Non Profit ◽  
Program Administrators ◽  
Water Users ◽  
Hydrological Services

Payment for ecosystem services (PES) is a market-based policy approach intended to foster land use practices, such as forest conservation or restoration, that protect and improve the benefits from healthy, functioning ecosystems. While PES programs are used globally, they are an especially prominent environmental policy tool in Latin America, where the vast majority are payment for hydrological services (PHS) programs, which incentivize the conservation and restoration of ecosystems associated with water production and clean water for clearly defined water users. As a market mechanism, PHS approaches involve a transactional relationship between upstream and downstream water users who are connected by a shared watershed. While existing literature has highlighted the important role of non-state actors in natural resource management and program effectiveness, few studies have explored the role of stakeholder participation in the context of PHS programs. Building on the collaborative learning approach and the Trinity of Voice framework, we sought to understand how and to what extent PHS program stakeholders are engaged in PHS design, implementation, and evaluation. In this paper we explored (1) the modes of stakeholder engagement in PHS programs that program administrators use, and (2) the degree to which different modes of stakeholder participation allow PHS stakeholders to have decision power with which to influence PHS policy design and expected outcomes. To better understand the role of stakeholder participation, and the different ways participation occurs, we used a comparative multiple-case study analysis of three PHS program administration types (government, non-profit, and a mixed public–private organization) in Mexico and Colombia that have incorporated stakeholder engagement to achieve ecological and social goals. Our analysis draws on institutional interviews to investigate the modes of stakeholder engagement and understand the degree of decision space that is shared with other PHS stakeholders. Across all cases, we found that the trust between key actors and institutions is an essential but underappreciated aspect of successful collaboration within PHS initiatives. We conclude with recommendations for ways in which program administrators and governmental agencies can better understand and facilitate the development of trust in PHS design and implementation, and natural resources management more broadly.

scholarly journals Analysis of the Role of Bradysiaimpatiens (Diptera: Sciaridae) as a Vector Transmitting Peanut Stunt Virus on the Model Plant Nicotiana benthamiana

Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 1546
Author(s):  
Marta Budziszewska ◽  
Patryk Frąckowiak ◽  
Aleksandra Obrępalska-Stęplowska
Keyword(s):  
Nicotiana Benthamiana ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Virus Transmission ◽  
Pathogenic Fungi ◽  
Economic Losses ◽  
Fungus Gnats ◽  
Droplet Pcr ◽  
Viral Coat ◽  
Peanut Stunt Virus

Bradysia species, commonly known as fungus gnats, are ubiquitous in greenhouses, nurseries of horticultural plants, and commercial mushroom houses, causing significant economic losses. Moreover, the insects from the Bradysia genus have a well-documented role in plant pathogenic fungi transmission. Here, a study on the potential of Bradysia impatiens to acquire and transmit the peanut stunt virus (PSV) from plant to plant was undertaken. Four-day-old larvae of B. impatiens were exposed to PSV-P strain by feeding on virus-infected leaves of Nicotiana benthamiana and then transferred to healthy plants in laboratory conditions. Using the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), real-time PCR (RT-qPCR), and digital droplet PCR (RT-ddPCR), the PSV RNAs in the larva, pupa, and imago of B. impatiens were detected and quantified. The presence of PSV genomic RNA strands as well as viral coat protein in N. benthamiana, on which the viruliferous larvae were feeding, was also confirmed at the molecular level, even though the characteristic symptoms of PSV infection were not observed. The results have shown that larvae of B. impatiens could acquire the virus and transmit it to healthy plants. Moreover, it has been proven that PSV might persist in the insect body transstadially. Although the molecular mechanisms of virion acquisition and retention during insect development need further studies, this is the first report on B. impatiens playing a potential role in plant virus transmission.

Locking down behavioural compliance: The role of emotion and emotion regulation in breaches of COVID-19 mitigation measures in Aotearoa New Zealand

2021 ◽  
pp. 135910532110299
Author(s):  
Terise Broodryk ◽  
Kealagh Robinson
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Health Behaviours ◽  
Mitigation Measures ◽  
Aotearoa New Zealand ◽  
High Knowledge ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Insight Into

Although anxiety and worry can motivate engagement with COVID-19 preventative behaviours, people may cognitively reframe these unpleasant emotions, restoring wellbeing at the cost of public health behaviours. New Zealand young adults ( n = 278) experiencing nationwide COVID-19 lockdown reported their worry, anxiety, reappraisal and lockdown compliance. Despite high knowledge of lockdown policies, 92.5% of participants reported one or more policy breaches ( M  = 2.74, SD = 1.86). Counter to predictions, no relationships were found between anxiety or worry with reappraisal or lockdown breaches. Findings highlight the importance of targeting young adults in promoting lockdown compliance and offer further insight into the role of emotion during a pandemic.

scholarly journals Immunogenicity and protective efficacy of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) total RNA against ETEC challenge in a mouse model

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mandi Liu ◽  
Yue Zhang ◽  
Di Zhang ◽  
Yun Bai ◽  
Guomei Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Mouse Model ◽  
Immune Responses ◽  
Protective Efficacy ◽  
Enterotoxigenic Escherichia Coli ◽  
Economic Losses ◽  
Th2 Response ◽  
Total Rna ◽  
Etec Infection

AbstractEnterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC), an essential cause of post-weaning diarrhea (PWD) in piglets, leads to significant economic losses to the pig industry. The present study aims to identify the role of ETEC total RNA in eliciting immune responses to protect animals against ETEC infection. The results showed that the total RNA isolated from pig-derived ETEC K88ac strain effectively stimulated the IL-1β secretion of porcine intestinal epithelial cells (IPEC-J2). The mouse model immunized with ETEC total RNA via intramuscular injection (IM) or oral route (OR) was used to evaluate the protective efficiency of the ETEC total RNA. The results suggested that 70 μg ETEC total RNA administered by either route significantly promoted the production of the serum IL-1β and K88ac specific immunoglobulins (IgG, IgM, and IgA). Besides, the ETEC RNA administration augmented strong mucosal immunity by elevating K88ac specific IgA level in the intestinal fluid. Intramuscularly administered RNA induced a Th1/Th2 shift toward a Th2 response, while the orally administered RNA did not. The ETEC total RNA efficiently protected the animals against the ETEC challenge either by itself or as an adjuvant. The histology characterization of the small intestines also suggested the ETEC RNA administration protected the small intestinal structure against the ETEC infection. Particularly of note was that the immunity level and protective efficacy caused by ETEC RNA were dose-dependent. These findings will help understand the role of bacterial RNA in eliciting immune responses, and benefit the development of RNA-based vaccines or adjuvants.

scholarly journals First Survey of SNPs in TMEM154, TLR9, MYD88 and CCR5 Genes in Sheep Reared in Italy and their Association with Resistance to SRLVs Infection

Viruses ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 1290
Author(s):  
Chiara Arcangeli ◽  
Daniele Lucarelli ◽  
Martina Torricelli ◽  
Carla Sebastiani ◽  
Marcella Ciullo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Resistance ◽  
Economic Losses ◽  
Ccr5 Gene ◽  
Innovative Strategy ◽  
Visna Virus ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Tlr9 Gene ◽  
Novel Variants ◽  
Serological Status

Maedi-visna virus (MVV) and caprine arthritis encephalitis virus (CAEV), referred to as small ruminant lentiviruses (SRLVs), belong to the genus Lentivirus of the Retroviridae family. SRLVs infect both sheep and goats, causing significant economic losses and animal welfare damage. Recent findings suggest an association between serological status and allelic variants of different genes such as TMEM154, TLR9, MYD88 and CCR5. The aim of this work was to investigate the role of specific polymorphisms of these genes in SRLVs infection in some sheep flocks in Italy. In addition to those already known, novel variants in the TMEM154 (P7H, I74V, I105V) gene were detected in this study. The risk of infection was determined finding an association between the serological status and polymorphisms P7H, E35K, N70I, I74V, I105V of TMEM154, R447Q, A462S and G520R in TLR9 gene, H176H* and K190K* in MYD88 genes, while no statistical association was observed for the 4-bp deletion of the CCR5 gene. Since no vaccines or treatments have been developed, a genetically based approach could be an innovative strategy to prevent and to control SRLVs infection. Our findings are an important starting point in order to define the genetic resistance profile towards SRLVs infection.

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