scholarly journals House improvements and community participation in the control of Triatoma dimidiata re-infestation in Jutiapa, Guatemala

2009 ◽  
Vol 25 (suppl 1) ◽  
pp. S168-S178 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlota Monroy ◽  
Dulce Maria Bustamante ◽  
Sandy Pineda ◽  
Antonieta Rodas ◽  
Xochitl Castro ◽  
...  

The deterioration or absence of plaster walls in houses and poor hygienic conditions are the most important risk factors for indoor Triatoma dimidiata infestation in Guatemala. A cross-disciplinary study was conducted addressing T. dimidiata infestation, household hygiene, and housing construction. The study focused on local materials and cultural aspects (including gender roles) that could lead to long-term improvements in wall construction. A new plaster mix for walls was developed on the basis of laboratory studies on construction materials recommended by local villagers. Four villages with persistent (post-spraying) T. dimidiata infestation were studied. In two villages, an ecosystem approach was implemented, and the homeowners conducted wall improvements and household sanitation with the support of the interdisciplinary team (the ecosystem intervention). In the other two villages, a vector control approach based on insecticide spraying was adopted (traditional intervention). Both interventions were associated with a reduction in T. dimidiata infestation, but only the ecosystem approach produced important housing improvements (sanitation and wall construction) capable of preventing T. dimidiata re-infestation in the long term.

Author(s):  
Vyacheslav A. Denisov ◽  
Aleksandr Yu. Kostyukov ◽  
Roman N. Zadorozhniy

One of the most promising technologies for restoring machine parts and cylinder liners is electric spark treatment as the most versatile technology that provides high-quality restoration of worn parts with wear up to 0.5 mm. (Research purpose) The research purpose is in developing a technology for restoring various cylinder liners by means of electric spark processing, selecting optimal modes and electrode materials that allow improving the quality of repair and increasing the post-repair life of the sleeve. (Materials and methods) It was taken into account when conducting research aimed at restoring the geometric parameters of the sleeve, that the coating must have sufficient adhesion strength to the surface of the sleeve under mechanical, thermal loads and long-term operation. Laboratory studies of the adhesion strength of electric spark coatings on the separation (adhesive) and on the cut, as well as tribotechnical studies of interfaces were conducted. Authors have found by analyzing the results of operational tests of restored and new cylinder liners the prospects for using electric spark treatment of worn parts, including diesel engine liners. (Results and discussion) It was shown by laboratory studies of the adhesion strength of electric spark coatings with a 0.2 mm thick BrMKc 3-1 electrode to the working surface of cylinder liners that their separation strength (adhesive) was 20-40 megapascals, and the shear strength (cohesive) was 50-80 megapascals. It was found that this provides the required functional strength of coatings with maximum operational load. The article presents the results of comprehensive research in graphs and tables. (Conclusions) The research conducted in the CCP "Nano-Center" of the FSAC VIM and operational tests in the 2nd bus fleet of Moscow confirmed the principal possibility of effectively restoring cast iron liners (blocks) using the technology of electric spark processing.


Materials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (13) ◽  
pp. 3549
Author(s):  
Tulane Rodrigues da Silva ◽  
Afonso Rangel Garcez de Azevedo ◽  
Daiane Cecchin ◽  
Markssuel Teixeira Marvila ◽  
Mugahed Amran ◽  
...  

The urbanization process contributes to the growth of solid waste generation and causes an increase in environmental impacts and failures in the management of solid waste. The number of dumps is a concern due to the limited implementation and safe disposal of this waste. The interest in sustainable techniques has been growing in relation to waste management, which is largely absorbed by the civil construction sector. This work aimed to review plastic waste, especially polyethylene terephthalate (PET), that can be incorporated with construction materials, such as concrete, mortars, asphalt mixtures, and paving. The use of life-cycle assessment (LCA) is related, as a tool that allows the sustainability of products and processes to be enhanced in the long term. After analyzing the recent literature, it was identified that studies related to plastic wastes in construction materials concentrate sustainability around the alternative destination of waste. Since the plastic waste from different production chains are obtained, it was possible to affirm the need for a broader assessment, such as the LCA, providing greater quantification of data making the alternative processes and products more sustainable. The study contributes to enhance sustainability in alternative building materials through LCA.


Author(s):  
Oliver M. Shannon ◽  
Chris Easton ◽  
Anthony I. Shepherd ◽  
Mario Siervo ◽  
Stephen J. Bailey ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Dietary inorganic nitrate (NO3−) is a polyatomic ion, which is present in large quantities in green leafy vegetables and beetroot, and has attracted considerable attention in recent years as a potential health-promoting dietary compound. Numerous small, well-controlled laboratory studies have reported beneficial health effects of inorganic NO3− consumption on blood pressure, endothelial function, cerebrovascular blood flow, cognitive function, and exercise performance. Translating the findings from small laboratory studies into ‘real-world’ applications requires careful consideration. Main body This article provides a brief overview of the existing empirical evidence basis for the purported health-promoting effects of dietary NO3− consumption. Key areas for future research are then proposed to evaluate whether promising findings observed in small animal and human laboratory studies can effectively translate into clinically relevant improvements in population health. These proposals include: 1) conducting large-scale, longer duration trials with hard clinical endpoints (e.g. cardiovascular disease incidence); 2) exploring the feasibility and acceptability of different strategies to facilitate a prolonged increase in dietary NO3− intake; 3) exploitation of existing cohort studies to explore associations between NO3− intake and health outcomes, a research approach allowing larger samples sizes and longer duration follow up than is feasible in randomised controlled trials; 4) identifying factors which might account for individual differences in the response to inorganic NO3− (e.g. sex, genetics, habitual diet) and could assist with targeted/personalised nutritional interventions; 5) exploring the influence of oral health and medication on the therapeutic potential of NO3− supplementation; and 6) examining potential risk of adverse events with long term high- NO3− diets. Conclusion The salutary effects of dietary NO3− are well established in small, well-controlled laboratory studies. Much less is known about the feasibility and efficacy of long-term dietary NO3− enrichment for promoting health, and the factors which might explain the variable responsiveness to dietary NO3− supplementation between individuals. Future research focussing on the translation of laboratory data will provide valuable insight into the potential applications of dietary NO3− supplementation to improve population health.


1985 ◽  
Vol 50 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Atkinson ◽  
D. J. Goult ◽  
J. A. Hearne

AbstractA preliminary assessment of the long-term durability of concrete in a repository sited in clay is presented. The assessment is based on recorded experience of concrete structures and both field and laboratory studies. It is also supported by results of the examination of a concrete sample which had been buried in clay for 43 years.The enoineering lifetime of a 1 m thick reinforced concrete slab, with one face in contact with clay, and the way in which pH in the repository as a whole is likely to vary with time have both been estimated from available data. The estimates indicate that engineering lifetimes of about 103 years are expected (providing that sulphate resisting cement is used) and that pH is likely to remain above 10.5 for about 106 years.


Author(s):  
Армандо Мажиа

В настоящей статье автор, преимущественно на материалах собственных многолетних полевых исследований, рассматривает в контексте современности малоизученную традиционную практику хлебопроизводства в Сардинии. Анализ особенностей этого древнейшего сектора локальной культуры он предваряет освещением специфики истории региона и принципов расселения в нем, значительно повлиявших на множественность разнообразных «типажей» хлеба, как повседневных, так и праздничных, показывает специфику их иконографии и декорирования, отличия их рецептуры и технологии производства, их «привязок» к конкретным поводам, событиям, верованиям и ритуалам. Помимо этнографической части, в исследовании присутствуют теоретико-методологические аспекты: автор задается вопросом о несовершенстве существующих систем классификации сардинских хлебов, о нерешенности вопроса их таксономирования и, апеллируя к примеру эмпирического материала Сардинии, предлагает иные пути и подходы к систематизации в антропологическом исследовании в целом, а в частности, переход от «монотетической» классификации к ретикулярной, ризоматической систематизации Based mainly on the author’s long-term field research, this article examines the littlestudied traditional practice of bread production in Sardinia in the context of modernity. The analysis of this, the oldest sector of local culture, is preceded by a history of the region and the nature of its settlement which influenced the multiplicity of various types of bread, both everyday and festive. The article explains the specifics of bread’s iconography and decoration, differences in recipes and technology of production, and its links to specific occasions, events, beliefs and rituals. In addition to ethnographic analysis, the study examines theoretical and methodological issues. The author considers problems with existing classification systems of Sardinian bread, discusses the unresolved issue of their taxonomy, and questions the general approach to systematization in anthropological research, and in particular, the transition from “monotheistic” classification to reticular, rhizomatic systematization. Key words: Sardinia, Mediterranean, bread, cooking technologies, species diversity.


Author(s):  
Venkatesan B ◽  
Kannan V ◽  
Sophia M

This paper aims to assess the mechanical and long-term durability performance of Reactive Powder Concrete (RPC) containing Granite Powder (GrP) as cement replacement and waste Glass Powder (GP) as quartz sand replacement. The workability and mechanical behaviour of RPC containing various proportions of GrP and GP are assessed for different w/b ratios (0.3, 0.35, 0.4 and 0.45). The water resistance and tightness of RPC are measured by monitoring the electrical resistivity, water absorption, sorptivity and chloride migration over a one year period. Results reveal that substitution of GrP and GP at optimum levels of 15% and 30% respectively enhances the performance of RPC with the achievement of satisfiable workability at a 0.35 w/b ratio. A significant increase in the resistance towards chloride penetration and electrical resistivity was also observed with increasing ages. Thus, glass powder and granite powder can be considered as alternative construction materials providing economical and ecological efficiency.


Medical Care ◽  
2004 ◽  
pp. 472-481 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helena Temkin-Greener ◽  
Diane Gross ◽  
Stephen J. Kunitz ◽  
Dana Mukamel

2018 ◽  
Vol 76 (2) ◽  
pp. 402-409
Author(s):  
Irini Tsikopoulou ◽  
Chris J Smith ◽  
Nadia K Papadopoulou ◽  
Elena Eleftheriadou ◽  
Ioannis Karakassis

AbstractFisheries have global socioeconomic and ecological effects. Long-term ecological studies could be beneficial to ecosystem approach management and biodiversity conservation, however, they are rare. In this study, the impacts of bottom trawling on a traditional fishing ground in the Eastern Mediterranean were addressed and an improvement in diversity metrics and ecological quality status were detected and ascribed to the Greek economic crisis. After 18 years, there was a modest increase in species richness, total abundance, and ecological status in the unaffected zone and more pronounced improvement in the trawled zone pointing at a possible link to a decrease in fishing effort. This upturn emphasized the strong link between financial activities and ecology. The present study underlines the multiple and variable effects of economy not only on countries and citizens but also on the environment and ecosystem conservation and management.


NALARs ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 137
Author(s):  
Anisa Anisa

ABSTRAK. Peninggalan dari sebuah peradaban dapat dilihat dari karya yang ditinggalkan. Arsitektur merupakan salah satu wujud karya yang dapat digunakan untuk melihat dan menelusuri peninggalan dari sebuah peradaban. Peninggalan peradaban di satu wilayah dengan wilayah lain akan dipengaruhi oleh kondisi lingkungan setempat. Hal inilah latar belakang pentingnya dilakukan penelitian berkaitan dengan vernakularitas arsitektur. Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian yang bertujuan untuk mengidentifikasi, mendeskripsikan dan memahami vernakularitas peninggalan peradaban Islam. Metode yang digunakan pada penelitian ini adalah metode deskriptif kualitatif dengan pengambilan data dilakukan secara purposif sampling. Alat analisis pada penelitian ini adalah aspek vernakularitas yang dikemukakan oleh Mentayani (2017). Aspek vernakularitas dapat dilihat dari 3 hal yaitu aspek teknis, aspek budaya, dan aspek lingkungan yang ketiganya bisa dibahas secara bersamaan karena saling terkait pada ranah unsur dan abstrak. Kesimpulan yang didapatkan dari penelitian ini adalah : (1) vernakularitas pada arsitektur peradaban Islam dapat dilihat pada bentuk massa dan denah bangunan, yang tidak selalu mengikuti bentuk awal (tipologi) peninggalan peradaban Islam yaitu hypostyle; (2) vernakularitas ditunjukkan pada penggunaan material setempat dengan teknologi setempat, misalnya di Afrika Barat menggunakan bata tanah liat yang dikeringkan tanpa dibakar dan penguat dinding dari batang kayu. Kata kunci: vernakularitas, arsitektur, peninggalan peradaban Islam ABSTRACT. The legacy of a civilization can be seen from the work left behind. Architecture is a form of work that can be used to view and trace the relics of a civilization. The legacy of civilization from one region to another will be influenced by local environmental conditions. This is the background of the importance of conducting research related to architectural vernacularity. This research is a research that aims to identify, describe and understand the vernacularity of Islamic civilization heritage. The method used in this study is a qualitative descriptive method with data collection carried out by purposive sampling. The analytical tool in this study is the aspect of vernacularity proposed by Mentayani (2017). Aspects of vernacularity can be seen from 3 things, namely technical aspects, cultural aspects, and environmental aspects, all three of which can be discussed simultaneously because they are interrelated in the elemental and abstract realms. The conclusions obtained from this study are: (1) vernacularity in Islamic civilization architecture can be seen in the shape of the mass and building plans, which do not always follow the initial form (typology) of Islamic civilization heritage, namely hypostyle; (2) vernacularity is shown in the use of local materials with local technology, for example in West Africa using clay bricks that are dried without being burned and wall reinforcement from logs. Keywords: vernacularity, architecture, heritage of Islamic civilization


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