Natural and artificial nuclides in Salesópolis reservoir

Natural radioactivity is ubiquitous in the environment mainly due to the presence of the nuclides from the uranium and thorium series and 40K. Although in the South Hemisphere nuclear tests have been fewer in number than that in the North, artificial radionuclides can also be found spread at ground level. In this study, the activity concentrations of natural nuclides from the uranium and thorium series, 40K and the artificial 137Cs were determined in a sediment core with 42 cm depth collected in the middle of the Salesópolis reservoir, located in the Metropolitan Region of São Paulo city (SPMR). The Usina Parque Rio Tietê reservoir belongs to the Alto do Tietê system for the capture, storage and treatment of water for SPMR. Therefore, the quality of the water and sediments of this dam is of great importance. The activity concentrations were measured by gamma spectrometry. Samples were measured and saved at regular intervals at a maximum of 160 000 seconds. The gross area were determined for each peak and plotted against time and the counting rate was obtained by the slope of the curve. Background and reference materials were also counted and treated in the same way. Results showed that 226Ra varied from 45 to 116 Bq kg-1; 228Ra, from 80 to 165 Bq kg-1; 40K, from 155 to 1 187 Bq kg-1 and 137Cs varied from 0.3 to 7 Bq kg-1. The methodology applied for determining low levels of 137Cs in sediment proved to be efficient and reproducible.

Download Full-text

Spatial–Temporal Distribution Variation of Ground-Level Ozone in China’s Pearl River Delta Metropolitan Region

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18030872 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (3) ◽

pp. 872

Author(s):

An Zhang ◽

Jinhuang Lin ◽

Wenhui Chen ◽

Mingshui Lin ◽

Chengcheng Lei

Keyword(s):

Ozone Concentration ◽

Pearl River Delta ◽

Temporal Distribution ◽

Ground Level ◽

Metropolitan Region ◽

Pearl River ◽

Ozone Pollution ◽

Ground Level Ozone ◽

Ozone Concentrations ◽

The North

Long-term exposure to ozone pollution will cause severe threats to residents’ physical and mental health. Ground-level ozone is the most severe air pollutant in China’s Pearl River Delta Metropolitan Region (PRD). It is of great significance to accurately reveal the spatial–temporal distribution characteristics of ozone pollution exposure patterns. We used the daily maximum 8-h ozone concentration data from PRD’s 55 air quality monitoring stations in 2015 as input data. We used six models of STK and ordinary kriging (OK) for the simulation of ozone concentration. Then we chose a better ozone pollution prediction model to reveal the ozone exposure characteristics of the PRD in 2015. The results show that the Bilonick model (BM) model had the highest simulation precision for ozone in the six models for spatial–temporal kriging (STK) interpolation, and the STK model’s simulation prediction results are significantly better than the OK model. The annual average ozone concentrations in the PRD during 2015 showed a high spatial variation in the north and east and low in the south and west. Ozone concentrations were relatively high in summer and autumn and low in winter and spring. The center of gravity of ozone concentrations tended to migrate to the north and west before moving to the south and then finally migrating to the east. The ozone’s spatial autocorrelation was significant and showed a significant positive correlation, mainly showing high-high clustering and low-low clustering. The type of clustering undergoes temporal migration and conversion over the four seasons, with spatial autocorrelation during winter the most significant.

Download Full-text

Energy Value of Yield and Biomass Quality of Poplar Grown in Two Consecutive 4-Year Harvest Rotations in the North-East of Poland

Energies ◽

10.3390/en13061495 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 13 (6) ◽

pp. 1495 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Mariusz Jerzy Stolarski ◽

Kazimierz Warmiński ◽

Michał Krzyżaniak

Keyword(s):

Renewable Energy Sources ◽

High Energy ◽

Biomass Energy ◽

Solid Fuels ◽

Biomass Quality ◽

Energy Value ◽

North East ◽

The North ◽

Low Levels

Bioenergy accounts for 61.7% of all renewable energy sources, with solid fuels accounting for 43% of this amount. Poplar plantations can deliver woody biomass for energy purposes. A field experiment with poplar was located in the north-east of Poland on good quality soil formed from medium loam. The study aimed to determine the yield, the energy value of the yield and the thermophysical properties and elemental composition of the biomass of four poplar clones harvested in two consecutive 4-year harvest rotations. The highest biomass energy value was determined in the UWM 2 clone in the second harvest rotation (231 GJ ha−1·year−1). This value was 27–47% lower for the other clones. The biomass quality showed that poplar wood contained high levels of moisture and low levels of ash, sulphur, nitrogen and chlorine. This indicates that poplar can be grown in the north-east of Poland and that it gives a yield with a high energy value and beneficial biomass properties from the energy generation perspective.

Download Full-text

Research Progress of HP Characteristics, Hazards, Control Technologies, and Measures in China after 2013

Atmosphere ◽

10.3390/atmos10120767 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 10 (12) ◽

pp. 767

Author(s):

Tao Wei ◽

Lianze Wang

Keyword(s):

Atmospheric Environment ◽

Research Progress ◽

Source Control ◽

Secondary Source ◽

Comprehensive Understanding ◽

The North ◽

Haze Pollution ◽

Low Levels ◽

Control Technologies

In recent years, hazy weather (hazy weather (HW) has frequently invaded peoples’ lives in China, resulting in the disturbance of social operation, so it is urgent to resolve the haze pollution (HP) problem. A comprehensive understanding of HP is essential to further effectively alleviate or even eliminate it. In this study, HP characteristics in China, after 2013, were presented. It was found that the situation of HP is getting better year by year while it has been a pattern of high levels in the north and low levels in the south. In most regions of China, the contribution of a secondary source for HP is relatively large, and that of traffic is greater in the regions with rapid economic development. Hazards of HP were then summarized. Not only does HP cause harm to human health, but it also has effects on human production and quality of life, furthermore, property and atmospheric environment cannot be ignored. Next, the source and non-source control technologies of HP were first reviewed to recognize the weakness of HP control in China. This review provides more systematic information about HP problems and the future development directions of HP research were proposed to further effectively control HP in China.

Download Full-text

Analysis of Alpha Activity Levels and Dependence on Meteorological Factors over a Complex Terrain in Northern Iberian Peninsula (2014–2018)

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17217967 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (21) ◽

pp. 7967

Author(s):

Miguel Ángel Hernández-Ceballos ◽

Fernando Legarda ◽

Natalia Alegría

Keyword(s):

Meteorological Factors ◽

Ground Level ◽

Alpha Activity ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Northern Spain ◽

Factors Affecting ◽

The North ◽

Activity Concentrations ◽

Ambient Concentrations ◽

Alpha Peak

Alpha ambient concentrations in ground-level air were measured weekly in Bilbao (northern Spain) by collecting aerosols in filters between 2014 and 2018. Over this period, the alpha activity concentrations in the aerosol’s samples range from 13.9 µBq/m3 to 246.5 µBq/m3, with a mean of 66.49 ± 39.33 µBq/m3. The inter-annual and intra-annual (seasonal and monthly) variations are analyzed, with the highest activity in autumn months and the lowest one in winter months. Special attention has been paid to alpha peak concentrations (weekly concentrations above the 90th percentile) and its relationship with regional meteorological scenarios by means of air mass trajectories and local meteorological parameters. The meteorological analysis of these high alpha concentrations has revealed two airflow patterns-one from the south with land origin and one from the north with maritime origin-mainly associated with these alpha peak concentrations. Surface winds during representative periods of both airflow patterns are also analyzed in combination with 222Rn concentrations, which demonstrated the different daily evolution associated with each airflow pattern. The present results are relevant in understanding trends and meteorological factors affecting alpha activity concentrations in this area, and hence, to control potential atmospheric environmental releases and ensure the environmental and public health.

Download Full-text

Vocation Education Quality from Demand Side’s Perspective: The Case of Transport Technology Universities in the North of Vietnam

Journal of Business and Economics ◽

10.15341/jbe(2155-7950)/11.10.2019/006 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 10 (11) ◽

pp. 1089-1097

Author(s):

Nguyen Quynh Hoa ◽

◽

Phung Chu Hoang ◽

Keyword(s):

Vocational Training ◽

Vocational Education And Training ◽

Quality Outcomes ◽

The North ◽

Job Opportunities ◽

Management Capacity ◽

Negative Effect ◽

Training Quality ◽

And Training

Quality outcomes from vocational education and training (VET) are fundamental to ensuring a skilled workforce and supporting a productive economy. The quality of vocational training from the demand’s perspective is defined as meeting the customer specification, needs or requirements. Using the method of Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Multiple Regression Analysis to get the analytical results of 275 respondents as graduates of University of Transport and Communication, University of Transport Technology (the two universities training on transportation in the North of Vietnam), the results show that factors are measured by the observed variables in the study that ensure reliability and relevance. The descriptive statistics result of vocational training quality is 3.28, while all independent variables are at average level (between 3.1 to 3.48) with the highest value related to the quality of the teacher and the lowest are facilities and training programs and management capacity of university. However, the regression results show that the qualification of the teacher, material facilities and training program, management capacity and job opportunities at the training school do not affect the quality of the training while “Learners-NH” have a great positive effect and the labor market information has a negative effect on the training quality of the school significantly. Base on those data, some policy recommendations have been given out in order to improve the training quality of transport technology universities in the north of Vietnam in particular and the vocational training quality of Vietnam in general.

Download Full-text

About Using the Complex Method in Studies of the Quality of Life of the Population of the North Ossetia

Sociology and Law ◽

10.35854/2219-6242-2020-1-36-48 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 36-48

Author(s):

I. M. Loskutova ◽

N. G. Romanova

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Integrated Approach ◽

Standard Of Living ◽

Complex Method ◽

The North ◽

Social Wellbeing ◽

The Social ◽

Sociological Studies ◽

North Ossetia

This article is devoted to the application of an integrated approach in the study of the quality of life of the population of the North Ossetia. Aspects of the specifity of objective and subjective approaches are substantiated. The increasing importance of the concept of “quality of life” in the XXI century is indicated. A review of sociological studies of the level and quality of life in Russia, as well as a range of monographic works on the analyzed issues. The results of empirical sociological studies in 2014 and 2018 (a study of the quality and standard of living of the population of North Ossetia and a study of the social wellbeing of the population of North Ossetia using the methodology developed by Lapin N. I. and Belyaeva L. A.) are presented.

Download Full-text

Strategy for Protecting the North Sea: A Chemical Industry Perspective

Water Science & Technology ◽

10.2166/wst.1991.0300 ◽

1991 ◽

Vol 24 (10) ◽

pp. 269-276

Author(s):

J. R. Lawrence ◽

N. C. D. Craig

Keyword(s):

North Sea ◽

Chemical Industry ◽

Important Research ◽

The Public ◽

The North ◽

Anthropogenic Inputs ◽

Seven Principles ◽

The North Sea ◽

The Cost

The public has ever-rising expectations for the environmental quality of the North Sea and hence of everreducing anthropogenic inputs; by implication society must be willing to accept the cost of reduced contamination. The chemical industry accepts that it has an important part to play in meeting these expectations, but it is essential that proper scientific consideration is given to the potential transfer of contamination from one medium to another before changes are made. A strategy for North Sea protection is put forward as a set of seven principles that must govern the management decisions that are made. Some areas of uncertainty are identified as important research targets. It is concluded that although there have been many improvements over the last two decades, there is more to be done. A systematic and less emotive approach is required to continue the improvement process.

Download Full-text

The Rotterdam Initiative in Reducing Waste Discharges at Source

Water Science & Technology ◽

10.2166/wst.1991.0289 ◽

1991 ◽

Vol 24 (10) ◽

pp. 171-177

Author(s):

T. Vellinga ◽

J. P. J. Nijssen

Keyword(s):

Public Relations ◽

Action Plan ◽

Detailed Balance ◽

River Rhine ◽

The North ◽

Complementary Role ◽

Action Programme ◽

The North Sea ◽

Set Up

Much of the material dredged from the port of Rotterdam is contaminated to such a degree that it must be placed in specially constructed sites. The aim of Rotterdam is to ensure that the dredged material will once again be clean. This will entail the thorough cleansing of the sources of the contamination of the sediment in the harbours and in the River Rhine. The Rotterdam Rhine Research Project (RRP) is one of the means to achieve this based on: technical research, legal research, public relations and dialogues with dischargers. The programme for five selected heavy metals is almost complete. For many heavy metal discharge points between Rotterdam and Rheinfelden, a specially devised independent load assessment has been carried out four times. Balance studies were used to determine the relative contributions of the point discharges to the total. Currently the results are being used in an attempt to negotiate agreements with a selected number of the major dischargers. At present, more detailed balance studies are being set up and exploratory measurements carried out for organic micropollutants. It may be concluded that the research is progressing successfully and methods and techniques developed seem satisfactory and broadly applicable. The Rhine Action Programme encompasses an international effort to improve the quality of the Rhine water. Although the RRP plays a modest complementary role to the Rhine Action Plan, there is no doubt of the value of this Rotterdam initiative. The mode of work followed in the RRP contains elements that can be of use in combatting the contamination of the North Sea by rivers other than the Rhine.

Download Full-text

Evaluation of the microbiological and physical-chemical quality of salted bovine meat marketed in establishments and free fairs in the north zone of Rio de Janeiro

Vigilância Sanitária em Debate ◽

10.22239/2317-269x.01185 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 6 (4) ◽

pp. 65

Author(s):

Julio Cesar Queiroz Penha ◽

Robson Maia Franco ◽

Maria Carmela Kasnowski Holanda Duarte ◽

Katia Christina Leandro

Keyword(s):

Rio De Janeiro ◽

Chemical Quality ◽

The North ◽

Physical Chemical

Download Full-text

Perceived quality of care among people with type 2 diabetes mellitus in the north east region of peninsular Malaysia

BMC Public Health ◽

10.1186/s12889-021-10320-y ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Noorfariza Nordin ◽

Suhaily Mohd Hairon ◽

Najib Majdi Yaacob ◽

Anees Abdul Hamid ◽

Seoparjoo Azmel Mohd Isa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Care ◽

Perceived Quality ◽

Peninsular Malaysia ◽

North East ◽

The North ◽

East Region ◽

Perceived Quality Of Care ◽

Significant Difference

Abstract Background People with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are best managed by a chronic care model that is associated with enhanced quality of care and improved patient outcome. Assessing patients’ perceived quality of care is crucial in improving the healthcare delivery system. Hence, this study determined the perceived quality of care among people with T2DM and explored its associations with (i) sociodemographic and clinical characteristics and (ii) types of healthcare clinics to guide future planning. Methods A cross-sectional study involving 20 primary healthcare clinics in the North East Region of Peninsular Malaysia and people with T2DM as the sampling unit was conducted from February to May 2019. The pro forma checklist, interview-guided Skala Kepuasan Interaksi Perubatan-11, and Patient Assessment of Chronic Illness Care (Malay version; PACIC-M) questionnaire were used for data collection. Univariate analysis and linear regression were used to determine the status of perceived quality of care and the factors associated with the perceived quality of care, respectively. Results Overall, data from 772 participants were analyzed. The majority was from the Malay ethnic group (95.6%) with a mean (standard deviation [SD]) glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) level of 8.91% (2.30). The median (interquartile range [IQR]) of the number of medical officers available at each clinic was 6 (7), with Family Doctor Concept (FDC) clinics having a higher number of medical officers than non-FDC clinics (p = 0.001). The overall mean (SD) PACIC-M score was 2.65 (0.54) with no significant difference between scores of patients treated in the two clinic types (p = 0.806). Higher perceived quality of care was associated with lower number of medical officers (adjusted regression coefficient [Adj.β], − 0.021; p-value [p], 0.001), and greater doctor–patient interaction in all domains: distress relief (Adj.β, 0.033; p, < 0.001), rapport (Adj.β, 0.056; p, < 0.001), and interaction outcome (Adj.β, 0.022; p, 0.003). Conclusion Although there was no significant difference found between clinic type, this study reflects that patients are comfortable when managed by the same doctor, which may support a better doctor-patient interaction. A larger specialized primary care workforce could improve diabetes care in Malaysia.

Download Full-text