ASSESSMENT OF VADOSE ZONE CHARACTERISTICS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT AUDIT OF SELECTED CEMETERIES AROUND OSUN STATE, SOUTH-WESTERN PART OF NIGERIA

Cemeteries have been identified as a possible source of groundwater and environmental pollution. This may be due to wrong siting of cemeteries, poor soil selection and very thin vadose zone. Over the years, most communities around Osun State experience a number of communicable diseases like dysentery, diarrhea and typhoid, especially after episodes of flash floods. Therefore, this study was carried out to audit the impact of burial practices on the immediate environment viz-a-viz their interaction with both surface and groundwater which forms the main source of potable water for the communities. Method of approach include; assessing possible water contamination, studying the vadose hydrological characteristics as well as studying the geotechnical properties of soils within the vadose zone. Water samples from the vicinity of both cemeteries shows probable contamination with an average pH of 6.19 for Ede and 6.57 for Iragbiji, EC with an average 480μS for Ede and 1210μS for Iragbiji. Biological constituents found within the area include; enterobacteriaceae (salmonella spp., serratia spp., proteus spp., shigella spp.), suggesting likely contamination of both surface and groundwater around the vicinity of the cemeteries. Most cations and anions analysed for (Mg2+, NO3-, SO42-, and PO43-) comply with the WHO standards based on their maximum permissible limits (MPL). Geotechnical investigations revealed that soils within the study areas are largely unsuitable for a standard cemetery due to their high moisture content, poor grading characteristics, low compaction value, poor hydraulic characteristics and shallow water level. The study concluded that cemeteries from both towns have a negative impact on their immediate environment due to poor selection of soil materials (porous and permeable sandy soil) as reflected in the quality of surface and groundwater.

Download Full-text

Green Beans Cultivation Using Mice Pets Control to Improve the Quality of Bintaro Fruit Extract

Kontribusia (Research Dissemination for Community Development) ◽

10.30587/kontribusia.v1i1.255 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 1 (1) ◽

pp. 38

Author(s):

Ajeng Embri Legawati ◽

Nur Azizah ◽

Achmad Ramadhan

Keyword(s):

Natural Resources ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Green Beans ◽

Fruit Extract ◽

Bean Plants ◽

Cultivation Technology ◽

Environmental Balance ◽

The Impact ◽

Chemical Pesticides

Green beans cultivation technology using mice pets control has been implemented in the Gluranploso village, Benjeng Gresik. The implementation of the technology performed for 2.5 months from August to October 2017. The purpose of the implementation is aimed to reduce the dependence of farmers on the use of chemical pesticides so that the farmers are aware of the negative impact of chemical pesticides. Assessing the impact of the utilization of Bintaro fruit and fruit extracts to explore ways of making Bintaro as a natural biopesticide to overcome rat attack on green bean plants in the Gluranploso village. Pest control mice can reduce the rate of loss of the crops more effectively and efficiently. Finally, with the use of those natural resources as a biopesticide material can also maintain the environmental balance

Download Full-text

COVID-19 Pandemic and Quality of Life among Romanian Athletes

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18084065 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (8) ◽

pp. 4065

Author(s):

Germina-Alina Cosma ◽

Alina Chiracu ◽

Amalia Raluca Stepan ◽

Marian Alexandru Cosma ◽

Marian Costin Nanu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Trait Anxiety ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Well Being ◽

Quality Of Life Scale ◽

Life Scale ◽

Personality Item ◽

The Impact ◽

The Relationship

The aim of this study was to analyze athletes’ quality of life during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study involved 249 athletes between 15 and 35 of age, M = 21.22, SD = 5.12. The sample was composed of eight Olympic Games medalists, three European medalists, 67 international medalists, and 63 national medalists. The instruments used were: (1) COVID-19 Anxiety Scale, (2) Athlete Quality of Life Scale, (3) Impact of Pandemic on Athletes Questionnaire, and (4) International Personality Item Pool (IPIP Anxiety, Depression, and Vulnerability Scales). The results indicate significant differences in COVID-19 anxiety depending on the sport practiced, F (9239) = 3.81, p < 0.01, showing that there were significant differences between sports. The negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic mediates the relationship between trait anxiety and the athletes’ quality of life. The percentage of mediation was 33.9%, and the indirect effect was −0.11, CI 95% (−0.18, −0.03), Z = −2.82, p < 0.01. Trait anxiety has an increasing effect on the intensity of the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, 0.23, CI 95% (.10, 0.35), Z = 3.56, p < 0.01, and the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has a decreasing effect on quality of life, −0.47, CI 95% (−0.67, −0.27), Z = −4.62, p < 0.01. Gender and age did not moderate the relationship between the negative impact of COVID-19 and athletes’ quality of life. The results of the study highlighted the impact that social isolation and quarantine have on athletes’ affective well-being.

Download Full-text

Threat or Corrective? Assessing the Impact of Populist Parties in Government on the Qualities of Democracy: A 19-Country Comparison

Government and Opposition ◽

10.1017/gov.2021.21 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-21

Author(s):

Davide Vittori

Keyword(s):

Negative Impact ◽

Quality Of Democracy ◽

Clear Cut ◽

Liberal Democratic ◽

Country Comparison ◽

Democratic Regimes ◽

Different Types ◽

The Impact

Abstract Scholars have long debated whether populism harms or improves the quality of democracy. This article contributes to this debate by focusing on the impact of populist parties in government. In particular, it inquires: (1) whether populists in government are more likely than non-populists to negatively affect the quality of democracies; (2) whether the role of populists in government matters; and (3) which type of populism is expected to negatively affect the quality of liberal-democratic regimes. The results find strong evidence that the role of populists in government affects several qualities of democracy. While robust, the findings related to (2) are less clear-cut than those pertaining to (1). Finally, regardless of their role in government, different types of populism have different impacts on the qualities of democracy. The results show that exclusionary populist parties in government tend to have more of a negative impact than other forms of populism.

Download Full-text

POS0998 SPONDYLOARTHRITIS AND SLEEP DISORDERS

Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases ◽

10.1136/annrheumdis-2021-eular.2909 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 80 (Suppl 1) ◽

pp. 767.2-768

Author(s):

S. Lahrichi ◽

K. Nassar ◽

S. Janani

Keyword(s):

Functional Impairment ◽

Sleep Disturbances ◽

Negative Impact ◽

University Hospital ◽

Quality Of Sleep ◽

The Mean ◽

Sleep Deficit ◽

Impaired Sleep ◽

The Impact

Background:Spondyloarthropathies (SpA) are a group of chronic and progressive diseases, characterized in particular by a progressive stiffening of the spine, spreading to neighboring joints or to certain tissues, which could lead in the long term to progressive stiffening and functional impairment. This conditioncancauseinsomnia problems and impaired sleep quality.Objectives:To assess the impact of SpA on the quality of sleep.Methods:This is a retrospective study over a period of 4 years from January 2015 to December 2019, including all the medical records of patients with SpA followed in the Department of Rheumatology of the University Hospital of Ibn Rochd, Casablanca. We evaluated for each patient two validated scores: the Epworth somnolence scale rated from 0 to 24, and the Pittsburgh sleep score rated from 0 to 21 with 7 components. Patients with a psychiatric history or who were followed up for neurological pathologies were excluded.Results:178 patients were included. 60.67% were men with an average age of 36.32 years (14-68 years). 45.01% had axial SpA, 29.77% had psoriatic arthritis, and 25.22% were followed for SpA associated with inflammatory bowel disease. 45% had associated comorbidities: there were 18 diabetics and 34 hypertensive, 16.58% were smokers. Clinically, 85.42% presented a back pain initially on examination, 55% presented a polyarthralgia, and 39.88% an oligoarthritis. 63% had radiological sacroiliitis, and 35.14% had bilateral coxitis. 13.48% had a positive HLA B27 and 58.89% had a positive inflammatory assessment with very high activity indices,with a mean of 4.6. 64.66% of the patients received NSAIDs,of which 11% responded well. 57% were treated with csDMARDs, and 17.86% were treated with biologics. At the time of our study, the mean visual analog scale was 5.84 ± 1.7 out of 10 (2-9). The mean Epworth score was 8.38 ± 5.2 (0-21). 56.1% of patients had no sleep debt, 33.3% had a sleep deficit, and only 10.6% had signs of drowsiness. For the overall Pittsburgh score, the mean was 7.02 ± 3.6 (1-18). The mean of “subjective quality of sleep” was 1.12, “sleep latency” was 1.22, “duration of sleep” was 1.06, “usual sleep efficiency” was 0.74, “Sleep disturbance” of 1.28, “use of a sleep medication” of 0.54, and the average of the component concerning “poor shape during the day” was 1.03 out of 3. The LEQUESNE index went from an average of 6 to 8, which corresponds to an average handicap (P = 0.2) over a period of 3 years. 68% of the patients had an alteration in the quality of sleep, starting on average three years after the onset of symptoms. 11% reported having experiencedanxiety and depressive symptoms, and reported having used antidepressants or anxiolytics in the past 5 years.Conclusion:Our study showed the negative impact of SpA on the duration and overall quality of sleep. The degree of pain as well as functional impairment can cause and worsen sleep disturbances in SpA. We have shown that the Pittsburg score increases significantly with the increase of pain.The Lequesne score and that the Epworth score increase with disease activity[1].References:[1]StolwijkC,vanTubergenA,Castillo-OrtizJD,BoonenA.Prevalenceofextra-articularmanifestationsinpatientswithankylosingspondylitis:asystematicreviewandmeta-analysis.AnnRheumDis2015;74:65—73.Disclosure of Interests:None declared.

Download Full-text

A139 IMPROVED QUALITY OF LIFE AFTER ENDOSCOPIC THERAPY FOR BARRETT’S ESOPHAGUS AND EARLY ESOPHAGEAL CANCER IN SOUTHERN ALBERTA

Journal of the Canadian Association of Gastroenterology ◽

10.1093/jcag/gwab002.137 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 125-126

Author(s):

T Jeyalingam ◽

M Woo ◽

S E Congly ◽

J David ◽

P J Belletrutti ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Linear Regression ◽

Multiple Linear Regression ◽

Barrett’S Esophagus ◽

Barrett's Esophagus ◽

Endoscopic Therapy ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Older Age ◽

The Impact

Abstract Background In patients with Barrett’s esophagus (BE), endoscopic therapy reduces the risk of progression to invasive esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC). Data on the impact of endoscopic therapy on patient quality of life (QoL) is limited. Aims We aimed to assess: (1) change in QoL during the course of endoscopic therapy for BE, (2) factors which predict this change, (3) whether achieving complete remission of dysplasia (CRD) or intestinal metaplasia (CRIM) affect the degree of change. Methods We conducted a retrospective observational study using a prospectively maintained database of BE patients treated in Calgary, Alberta from 2013–2020 containing data on demographics, BE disease characteristics and therapeutics, QoL, and follow-up. QoL was determined prior to initiation of therapy and after each treatment session using a validated questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were calculated and change in QoL was compared using a Wilcoxon signed ranks test. Backwards multiple linear regression analysis was performed to determine predictors of change in QoL. Results Of 130 BE patients, 112 (86.1%) were male and 104 (80%) had dysplastic histology or intramucosal carcinoma on index endoscopy. Mean (SD) age was 65.6 (12.0) years. At time of analysis, 76 patients (58.5%) had completed endoscopic therapy, of whom 69 (90.8%) achieved CRIM; 54 patients (41.5%) were still undergoing treatment. There was significant improvement in all QoL measures during the treatment course except for “depression” (Table 1). Patients with CRIM or CRD had reductions in “sleep difficulty” and “negative impact on life” to a significantly greater degree vs patients not achieving CRIM (Δ sleep -0.45 vs 0.0, P=0.002; Δ negative impact -0.4 vs -0.05, P=0.014) or CRD (Δ sleep -0.40 vs +0.60, P=0.002; Δ negative impact -0.40 vs +0.20, P=0.04). Multiple linear regression revealed older age (B=-0.03, P=0.008) and fewer number of EMR sessions (B=0.254, P=0.008) were correlated with greater improvement in QoL. Conclusions Endoscopic therapy improves QoL in BE patients, especially in those achieving CRIM/CRD. Older age and fewer EMRs are correlated with greater improvement in QoL. These results further reinforce the role of endoscopic therapy as the first line treatment of BE and early EAC. Funding Agencies None

Download Full-text

Effect of Instructing Care Program Through Group Discussion on the Quality of Life of the Parents of the Children Afflicted With Leukemia

Global Journal of Health Science ◽

10.5539/gjhs.v8n5p197 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 8 (5) ◽

pp. 197 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Fariba Asadi Noughabi ◽

Daryoush Iranpoor ◽

Hadi Yousefi ◽

Hakimeh Abrakht ◽

Fatemeh Ghani Dehkordi

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Emotional Health ◽

Group Discussion ◽

Bodily Pain ◽

Care Program ◽

Role Of Parents ◽

The Impact ◽

Taking Care

PURPOSE: Children long-term involvement with cancer may have a negative impact on the quality of life their parents. Design and implementation of training programs for parents whose children have been diagnosed with leukemia, as the primary caregivers of children, will have a special significance and can contribute to better taking care of such children. The main purpose of the present study was to examine the impact of conducting group discussion, as care program training, on the quality of life parents whose children were suffering from leukemia.METHODS: This quasi-experimental before-after intervention study encompassed two groups of parents (in total 41) of leukemia children. To collect data, a demographic questionnaire and the shortened version of SF-36 questionnaire were used to determine the quality of life of parents. Both groups completed the quality of life questionnaires before and two months after the intervention.RESULTS: Comparison of the parents’ quality of life mean scores, obtained before and two months after training, showed that promotion in 6 domains of bodily pain, general health, emotional health, role limitation due to emotional problems, social functioning, and vitality were occurred. (P <0.05)CONCLUSIONS: Considering the important role of parents in taking care of children suffering from leukemia, introduction of care program training can be a positive step to help these parents and empower them to manage their children’s problems more systematically and will ultimately lead to improved quality of life of parents.

Download Full-text

Living with an MPN in Ireland: patients' and caregivers' perspectives

British Journal of Nursing ◽

10.12968/bjon.2021.30.17.s24 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 30 (17) ◽

pp. S24-S30

Author(s):

Geraldine Walpole ◽

Mary Kelly ◽

Joy Lewis ◽

Avril Gleeson ◽

Ann-Marie Cullen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Unmet Needs ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Peer Group ◽

Myeloproliferative Neoplasms ◽

Symptom Burden ◽

Emotional Wellbeing ◽

The Republic ◽

The Impact

Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) are associated with a high disease burden, reduced quality of life and shortened survival. The aim of this questionnaire was to gain patients' and caregivers' perspectives on the impact of living with an MPN in the Republic of Ireland. An Irish adaptation of the ‘Global MPN Landmark survey’ was conducted. Fifty-one patients and 44 caregivers completed the questionnaire. Patients reported a wide variety of symptoms at the time of questionnaire completion; fatigue, bone pain and pruritus being most frequently reported. Approximately one-third of respondents from each of the groups (patients and caregivers) reported a negative impact of MPNs on their emotional wellbeing and daily lives. The study findings revealed that, despite treatment, symptom burden remains high, and several unmet needs exist, including educational, emotional and peer group support. Interventions that focus on reducing symptom burden and addressing these unmet needs, may improve the quality of life for patients with MPNs and their caregivers.

Download Full-text

Quality of Life in People Living With HIV: An Exploratory Cross-Sectional Survey in Belgium

AIDS Education and Prevention ◽

10.1521/aeap.2021.33.3.249 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 33 (3) ◽

pp. 249-264

Author(s):

Gert Scheerder ◽

Sandra Van den Eynde ◽

Patrick Reyntiens ◽

Ria Koeck ◽

Jessika Deblonde ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Sexual Life ◽

People Living With Hiv ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Related Stigma ◽

Living With Hiv ◽

The Impact

This cross-sectional survey explored the quality of life in 505 people living with HIV in Belgium. Several domains of quality of life were impaired: 26% had been diagnosed with depression and 43% had weak social support. HIV-related stigma is still widespread, with 49% believing most people with HIV are rejected and 65% having experienced discrimination due to HIV. The impact of HIV was limited on professional life, but 40% experienced a negative impact on life satisfaction and 41% a negative impact on sexual life. For several domains, people with a recent diagnosis of HIV and long-term survivors had significantly worse scores. This survey also uncovered strengths of people living with HIV, such as positive coping and HIV self-image. Expanding the scope of quality of life in people living with HIV may provide a more complete picture of relevant life domains that may be impacted by living with HIV, but this needs further validation.

Download Full-text

Wine preferences based on intrinsic attributes: A tasting experiment in Alto Adige/Südtirol province

Proceedings e report - ASA 2021 Statistics and Information Systems for Policy Evaluation ◽

10.36253/978-88-5518-304-8.26 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 129-134

Author(s):

Luigi Fabbris ◽

Alfonso Piscitelli

Keyword(s):

Food Product ◽

Fractional Factorial ◽

Region Of Origin ◽

Double Blind ◽

White Wines ◽

Grape Varieties ◽

The Impact ◽

Administration Procedure ◽

Selection Of

Different methods have been developed by researchers in modelling wine consumers purchase behaviour. The quality of a food product is described by a set of characteristics ascribable to the intrinsic and extrinsic product attributes (Olson and Jacoby, 1972). Price, brand, region of origin, grapes and gained awards are the key extrinsic attributes and physical characteristics of the wine such as taste and flavour are intrinsic attributes. This paper addresses the problem of measuring the intrinsic attributes that characterise the wine, based on specific characteristics and the impact on consumers in terms of preferences. To this end, a fractional factorial experiment held on a selection of white wines of the Alto Adige/Südtirol province in Italy. The sensorial experiment involved a voluntary sample of 33 mild wine consumers and concerned 6 grape varieties typical of that territory. For each variety, two producing cellars were selected for a total of 12 evaluated wines. The experiment followed a double-blind administration procedure to the sample and a paper questionnaire was used to elicit the consumers’ opinions on the tasted wines. The results show that intrinsic attributes, such as taste-olfactory intensity, harmony and olfactory complexity, are the drivers used in combination by consumers to rank wines in order of preference.

Download Full-text

Efektywność produkcji FAME na podstawie wymagań normy ISO 14045:2012

Nafta-Gaz ◽

10.18668/ng.2021.03.07 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 77 (3) ◽

pp. 208-214

Author(s):

Michał Pajda ◽

◽

Wojciech Mazela ◽

Keyword(s):

Natural Environment ◽

New Technologies ◽

Negative Impact ◽

New Technology ◽

Methyl Esters ◽

Production Costs ◽

Raw Material ◽

Energy Materials ◽

The Impact ◽

Selection Of

The aim of the work was to present the issue of eco-efficiency, based on the PN-EN ISO 14045:2012 standard in relation to the production of fatty acid methyl esters (FAME). The ecoefficiency analysis takes into account economic and environmental aspects in the improvement of products and processes / technologies. Eco-efficiency considers the product and technology throughout the life cycle, from the construction phase, through use to decommissioning. The impact on the natural environment is assessed on the basis of: consumption of energy, materials, dust and gas emissions, waste and sewage. Total costs include: production costs, raw material costs, costs during the use phase including maintenance, repair and operating costs, product disposal or recycling. The eco-efficiency analysis is helpful in making decisions regarding the selection of a new product or designing a new technology, and enables the selection of the variant that is the most economical and has the least possible impact on the natural environment. These issues are particularly important in the case of biofuels. The rapid growth of their production and the European Union’s policy, which aims to increase the share of energy from renewable sources, cause concerns of many experts regarding the threats related to the production of biofuels, both for the environment and food security. In particular, efforts are made to minimize the amount of waste and residues by implementing the idea of a circular economy. This approach promotes the development of new technologies that are more environmentally friendly. Due to the regulations set out in the RED and RED II Directives, there is a chance that the biofuels will have a less negative impact on the environment. This results from the obligation to certify compliance with the sustainability criteria, which is carried out by voluntary systems recognized by the European Commission, such as the KZR INiG System.

Download Full-text