scholarly journals Environmental Aspects of Historical Ferromanganese Tailings in the Šibenik Bay, Croatia

Water ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (21) ◽  
pp. 3123
Author(s):  
Laura Huljek ◽  
Sabina Strmić Palinkaš ◽  
Željka Fiket ◽  
Hana Fajković

The former manganese ferroalloy plant and the remaining tailings are affecting the quality of the environment in Šibenik Bay, Croatia, even though industrial activities ceased more than 25 years ago. This study has revealed that the main manganese mineral phases present in the recently collected tailings, as well as in the dust collected on the roof of the plant during the production period, are bustamite and Mn-oxides. The same type of Mn mineral phases was also found in recently collected sediments from Šibenik Bay. Detailed chemical and phase analyses (XRD, BCR sequential analysis, aqua regia and lithium borate fusion) of the dust sample revealed high manganese values (24.1%), while granulometric analysis showed that 50% of the particles are smaller than PM2.5. The influence of the tailings is visible in the sediment, but the concentrations of the potentially toxic elements determined by the sequential BCR analysis are within the legal limits. Some higher values (20.3 g/kg Mn, 595 mg/kg Pb and 494 mg/kg Zn) are detected in the tailings, which are still exposed to weathering and as such should be additionally monitored. On the other hand, this material contains a considerable number of elements that could be considered lucrative (∑ REE up to 700 mg/kg, Mn up to 23 g/kg, Fe up to 37 g/kg and Al up to 25 g/kg), opening the possibility of reuse and recovery.

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 11
Author(s):  
Oliver Hoon Leh Ling ◽  
Siti Nur Afiqah Mohamed Musthafa ◽  
Muhammad Solahuddin Hamzah ◽  
Marlyana Azyyati Marzukhi ◽  
Nurul Ashikin Mabahwi

Environmental health is referring to the health of people in relation to environmental quality. Due to rapid urbanisation, more people are living in urban neighbourhoods. Urban planning and design aspects including the neighbourhood environment are potentially affecting the human healthy lifestyle and health condition. Thus, the relationship between Malaysian neighbourhood environmental aspects and human health has become the concern of this research. One of the neighbourhood units in Shah Alam city had been chosen as the study area for this purpose. Questionnaire survey had been carried out to examine the health condition and physical activeness of residents. Besides, the perception of residents on the quality of neighbourhood environmental aspects also had been collected in the questionnaire survey. The health condition of residents was measured by non-communicable diseases (NCD) and the physical activeness was measured in duration as well as the frequency of physical exercise activities. The study found that the quality of neighbourhood environmental aspects significantly increased the physical activeness of respondents. The physical activeness was positively associated with human health as measured in NCD (heart diseases and high blood pressure, HBP). It shows that neighbourhood environmental (physical and social) aspects are potentially affecting the healthy life of people living in the neighbourhood.Keywords: Healthy life, Neighbourhood environment, Non-communicable diseases (NCD), Physical activeness, Quality.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Faiza Siddiqui ◽  
Marija Barbateskovic ◽  
Sophie Juul ◽  
Kiran Kumar Katakam ◽  
Klaus Munkholm ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Major depression significantly impairs quality of life, increases the risk of suicide, and poses tremendous economic burden on individuals and societies. Duloxetine, a serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, is a widely prescribed antidepressant. The effects of duloxetine have, however, not been sufficiently assessed in earlier systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Methods/design A systematic review will be performed including randomised clinical trials comparing duloxetine with ‘active’ placebo, placebo or no intervention for adults with major depressive disorder. Bias domains will be assessed, an eight-step procedure will be used to assess if the thresholds for clinical significance are crossed. We will conduct meta-analyses. Trial sequential analysis will be conducted to control random errors, and the certainty of the evidence will be assessed using GRADE. To identify relevant trials, we will search Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online, Excerpta Medica database, PsycINFO, Science Citation Index Expanded, Social Sciences Citation Index, Conference Proceedings Citation Index—Science and Conference Proceedings Citation Index—Social Science & Humanities. We will also search Chinese databases and Google Scholar. We will search all databases from their inception to the present. Two review authors will independently extract data and perform risk of bias assessment. Primary outcomes will be the difference in mean depression scores on Hamilton Depression Rating Scale between the intervention and control groups and serious adverse events. Secondary outcomes will be suicide, suicide-attempts, suicidal ideation, quality of life and non-serious adverse events. Discussion No former systematic review has systematically assessed the beneficial and harmful effects of duloxetine taking into account both the risks of random errors and the risks of systematic errors. Our review will help clinicians weigh the benefits of prescribing duloxetine against its adverse effects and make informed decisions. Systematic review registration PROSPERO 2016 CRD42016053931


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (14) ◽  
pp. 7786
Author(s):  
Walter Leal Filho ◽  
Ismaila Rimi Abubakar ◽  
Richard Kotter ◽  
Thomas Skou Grindsted ◽  
Abdul-Lateef Balogun ◽  
...  

The development of electro-mobility is one of the centerpieces of European country attempts to reduce carbon emissions and increase the quality of life in cities. The goals of reducing emissions from the transport sector and phasing out fossil-fueled vehicles in (urban) transport by 2050 present unrivaled opportunities to foster electro-mobility. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the literature and provides a detailed analysis of the current development of electro-mobility in Europe, assessing social, economic, and environmental aspects under a circular economy (CE) context. It also examines the existing challenges and suggests ways of addressing them towards improving the environmental performance of electro-mobility and the urban quality of life. The paper argues that a narrow technology-only agenda in electro-mobility will be less successful without the imperative of the CE, including not just materials and resources but also energy, to unlock the medium-term co-benefits of de-carbonization of both the transport as well as the building and energy sectors. The paper critically reviews some of the anticipated future developments that may guide the growth of this rapidly growing field into a CE.


2017 ◽  
pp. 36-39
Author(s):  
Т. О. Kamenska

The issue related with use of statistical methods in practical work of auditors, for sample studies purposes, is discussed. Detailed description of one method, the method of sequential analysis, is given. It is demonstrated that the required conditions for use of the sequential statistical sample is homogeneity of the population elements and the sample representativeness. Recommendations on defining the homogeneity and number of elements in a sample are given. To assure high quality of a sample study, an auditor needs to set the value of reliability or trust, characterizing the level of requirements to the accuracy of the obtained results which are the input for estimating the distortion and the size of population. The risk of sample as a factor affecting the reliability is described, their causal link is highlighted. The elements are sampled by use of the table of random numbers or computer software. Results of tests of sampled elements and estimated parameters of the population are presented in table and graph forms. Results of tests of each population element are estimated by an auditor, with the distortion of the sum of the sample elements taken as the benchmark. Formulae for computation of the required indexes are given, used at each phase of the study. The algorithm for use of the sequential statistical sample in audit for document verification procedures, and the algorithm for estimating the population parameters by the results of a sample study are shown.


2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 3389
Author(s):  
Claudio Colombo ◽  
Stefano Salvioli ◽  
Silvia Gianola ◽  
Greta Castellini ◽  
Marco Testa

Aim: We aimed to investigate the effectiveness of traction therapy in reducing pain by performing a systematic review with meta-analysis. We also explore the best modality for administering traction to patients with cervical radicular syndrome (CRS). Methods: We searched the Medline, Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro), Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) electronic databases. Two reviewers independently selected randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared traction in addition to other treatments versus the effectiveness of other treatments alone for pain outcome. We calculated the mean differences (MDs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). We used Cochrane’s tool to assess risk of bias and the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) system to evaluate the quality of evidence and summarize the study conclusions. Results: A total of seven studies (589 patients), one with low risk of bias, were evaluated. An overall estimate of treatment modalities showed low evidence that adding traction to other treatments is statistically significant (MD −5.93 [95% CI, −11.81 to −0.04] P = 0.05 and I2 = 57%) compared to other treatments alone. The subgroup analyses were still statistically significant only for mechanical and continuous modalities. Conclusions: Overall analysis showed that, compared to controls, reduction in pain intensity after traction therapy was achieved in patients with cervical radiculopathy. However, the quality of evidence was generally low and none of these effects were clinically meaningful.


1996 ◽  
Vol 8 (S1) ◽  
pp. 95-98 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Powell Lawton

This article will discuss briefly the definitions of behavior problems and behavioral interventions. Next, the following series of intervention points related to the quality of life of patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) will be considered: cognition, activities of daily living (ADLs), agitation, social behavior, nonsocial positive behaviors, and affect states. The article concludes with a discussion of three areas dealing with environmental aspects of AD care: the design of environments, effects of AD on social context, and AD in planned housing.


Author(s):  
Sarah Cullum

The management of dementia discusses the needs of people in both the early and later stages of dementia, focusing on social and environmental aspects as well as physical and psychological. The main management tasks in early dementia are helping the person with dementia and their family come to terms with the diagnosis, optimising quality of life in the present, and planning for the future. In later dementia we deal with maintaining person-hood, the emergence of behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia, making decisions for a person who no longer has capacity to do so for themselves, and end of life care in people who are increasingly frail and have limited ability to communicate their needs. Underpinning all of these is the need for respect and communication, and to provide person-centred and relationship-centred care for people with dementia and their carers.


2019 ◽  
Vol 135 ◽  
pp. 04027
Author(s):  
Mariia Ermilova ◽  
Tatiana Maksimova ◽  
Olga Zhdanova ◽  
Dokhoyan Zohrab

This topic of sustainable development and maintenance and development of innovations contributes to the improvement of the ecosystem as a whole. The development and application of global sustainable development goals in the economy of each country contributes to improving the quality of life of the population, conservation of nature, etc. Globalization of economic development contributes to new trends in the future. Within the framework of this direction, various problems related to the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) issues are investigated. Sustainable development in general contributes to the accelerated growth of new trends in economic and environmental aspects in many developed and developing countries. The main goal of sustainable development is to create a single basic framework for the unification, renewal and rational use of natural and energy resources, human capital and other energy sources. Innovative technologies contribute to the development of these areas at an accelerated pace, for example, the use of solar energy will help to reduce energy and fuel costs, which will have a significant impact on the health of people and all living organisms.


Author(s):  
Zorica VOŞGAN ◽  
Lucia MIHALESCU ◽  
Stela JELEA ◽  
Anca DUMUŢA ◽  
Flavia POP

The milk samples were yielded by manual milking from a goat farm that was maintained in extensive system, at monthly intervals during the production period (spring, summer, autumn). Goat milk from a traditional stall in the Maramures County, depending on the lactation period and the season has been analyzed in this study. The milk samples were collected aseptically and transported in laboratory for microbiological analysis. During springtime, when milking is done three times a day, and the amount of milk is higher, the total number of germs is 77.8×103 CFU/ml. A smaller number compared to the number of microorganisms recorded in the summer (97.3×103 CFU/ml) when milking is done twice a day and there are higher temperatures. During autumn, in the conditions of low milk production, at the end of the lactation period and when the samples are harvested only once a day, the number of microorganisms was 81.5×103 CFU /ml. Somatic cells from milk indicating an excess of the normal values especially towards the end of the lactation period. Particular attention should be paid to hygiene conditions when handling milk, to improve its quality. Thus, goat milk has a higher bacterial load (SPC) during summer, and SCC exceeds the recommended limits, especially in the autumn.


2018 ◽  
Vol 49 ◽  
pp. 00080
Author(s):  
Krystyna Paprzyca

The quality of the urban environment determines a lasting relationship between a man and his place of residence. Sustainable management of the urban spaces is crucial as it directly affects their quality. The article analyses the results of the sustainability regarding spatial, socio-economic, technical and environmental aspects, which are one of the many conditions that contribute to the proper functioning of urban life. They also influence the quality of life and residence in the urban environment. There are different ways of expressing the development of the cities defined by specific indicators. They focus mainly on development of the quality of life - social, economic and environmental development. The sustainable urban design is related to issues connected with the form and spatial management. This topic is presented on the example of the city of Oświęcim - the Old Town district with the surrounding area.


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