The ITCB Council of Representatives,meeting at its 44th session from 16-19 April 2007 in Guatemala City,discussed important issues challenging global textile and clothing industry with topics on the agenda shown below:
Jadeite jade,also called Feicui in China,is the most popular jade variety and one of the best selling gems in China.Colour and transparency are the primary quality factors that determine the value of Feicui.Jadeite ja...Jadeite jade,also called Feicui in China,is the most popular jade variety and one of the best selling gems in China.Colour and transparency are the primary quality factors that determine the value of Feicui.Jadeite jade is a polycrystalline aggregate,primarily consisting of jadeite(NaAlSi2O6) and including accessory minerals such as omphacite,albite,amphibole,and chromite[1-2].Gem-quality Feicui material is only found in a few countries,namely Myanmar,Guatemala,Russia,Kazakhstan,and Japan[3-5].Myanmar is the traditional and most important producer of gem-quality jadeite jade,while Guatemala has become the second-largest producer[6]. "Ice jade" is a translucent variety of jadeite jade(also known as Feicui) that is generally of high value.Reportedly from the Morales mine in the Izabal Department of Guatemala,it has recently appeared in the Chinese jewelry market.In this study,the structural characteristics,mineral compositions,and colour genesis of Guatemalan "ice jade" were studied using UV-Vis-NIR and Raman spectroscopy,X-ray diffraction,electron probe microanalysis,scanning electron microscopy,and cathodoluminescence. "Ice jade" from the Morales mine in Guatemala is composed of almost pure jadeite,containing very small amounts of accessory minerals,including omphacite and albite.The omphacite grains are often nearly colourless and not easily observed,while the albite grains cluster as white snowflake-like inclusions or dispersed as small specks.The "ice jade" exhibits a fine-grained structure,occasionally coexisting with a micro-granular structure.The relatively pure chemical compositions of sodium pyroxene accompany with a fine texture produced a transparent to semi-transparent and near-colourless appearance.A small amount of dispersed fine-grained omphacite is considered the cause of the pale green colour in "ice jade" from Guatemala.The Guatemalan origin can be determined from its characteristic appearance,microstructure,accessory minerals,and chemical compositions.展开更多
Sediments in Lake Izabal,Guatemala,contain substantial lead (Pb),zinc (Zn),and nickel (Ni).The lack of historical data for heavy metal concentrations in the sediments makes it difficult to determine the sources or eva...Sediments in Lake Izabal,Guatemala,contain substantial lead (Pb),zinc (Zn),and nickel (Ni).The lack of historical data for heavy metal concentrations in the sediments makes it difficult to determine the sources or evaluate whether inputs of metals to the lake have changed through time.We measured the relative abundances and concentrations of Pb,Zn,and Ni by X-Ray Fluorescence core scanning and by Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry in three sediment cores to explore stratigraphic distributions of metals in the lake deposits.High amounts of Pb and Zn in the core taken near the Polochic Delta suggest that galena and sphalerite mining increased Pb and Zn delivery to Lake Izabal between ~1945 and 1965 CE.An up-core Ni increase in the core taken near a different mine on the north shore of Lake Izabal suggests that recent nickel mining operations led to an increase in Ni concentrations in the local sediments,but amounts in the other cores indicate that Ni is not widely distributed throughout the lake.Sediment cores from Lake Izabal are reliable recorders of heavy metal input to the lake,and were measured to establish background metal levels,which would otherwise be unavailable.Concentrations of Pb,Zn,and Ni in older,pre-20th-century Lake Izabal sediments reflect input from natural erosion of bedrock.Our results provide previously unavailable estimates of background metal concentrations in Lake Izabal before the onset of mining.These results are necessary for future monitoring related to mining contamination of the lake ecosystem.展开更多
Background:Cutaneous leishmaniasis(CL),endemic in Guatemala,mostly affects poor people living in the northern region.A national control program that ineludes surveillanee,diagnose,and treatment offered free of cost by...Background:Cutaneous leishmaniasis(CL),endemic in Guatemala,mostly affects poor people living in the northern region.A national control program that ineludes surveillanee,diagnose,and treatment offered free of cost by the Ministry of Health(MoH)has been in place since 2003.However,the incidence is increasing and treatment rates are not optimal,suggesting that current efforts are not being effective.This study aimed to understand barriers and facilitators of CL control in Guatemala as experienced and perceived by key stakeholders in order to comprehend what works well and does not and suggest evidence-informed interventions.Methods:The study was conducted in the Coban municipality,the most endemic of Guatemala,situated in the Department of Alta Verapaz.Data were collected during May and June 2019 via focus groups and semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders,including local and national health personnel and residents of four communities of the endemic region.Thematic and content analysis of the collected data was conducted using NVIVO.Results:Three overarching issues hamper the effectiveness of current CL efforts:resource scarcity,treatment challenges,and knowledge-action gaps.Scarce economic resources from the MoH and community residents negatively impact incidence,detection of cases and treatment rates in that preventive action is insufficient and healthcare access is low.In addition,local health workers often lack specialized CL training and access to the national CL control guidelines.With regards to the population living in the study area,misunderstanding of disease causation,shame associated with CL lesions,treatment pain fear,and long(often uncertain)waiting times for diagnose and treatment negatively affect people's willingness to seek help,treatment adherence,and their trust on the healthcare provided.Conclusions:Culturally sensitive CL preventive action must be developed.Given the scarce economic resources available for CL control in the country,the involvement of trained community health workers and the inelusion of thermotherapy as a treatment option is also advised.Other cost-effective actions include:ensuring all health workers receive CL training and have access to national CL control guidelines,improving national procurement system to avoid treatment shortages,and provision of motorized vehicles to increase active surveillance and treatment rates.展开更多
The aim of this study was to evaluate the diabetes status and health beliefs of individuals living in villages in Northeast Guatemala. Our study explored current understanding of diabetes in the Peten region of Guatem...The aim of this study was to evaluate the diabetes status and health beliefs of individuals living in villages in Northeast Guatemala. Our study explored current understanding of diabetes in the Peten region of Guatemala concerning the cause, treatment, and effect of type two diabetes by engaging and interviewing 21 diabetic patients in a qualitative study. Interview results showed that among study participants, the cause of diabetes was often “unknown”. With an average of 3.5 years of education among survey participants and many reporting being mostly or fully illiterate, it is likely that health education status plays a major role in their concept of diabetes. The majority of responses claimed some form of “asusto”—defined as a negative emotional event causing physical maladies—to have caused their diabetes. Patient surveys revealed that Gods and prayer ranked the highest among factors controlling their diabetes, with medications being seen as a tertiary control factor, as seen in Figure 1. Only two study participants (2/21) ranked diet/exercise as more impactful on their diabetes than gods/prayer. Survey responses also show that most individuals agree that taking their medications is important, with the most common reported barriers to control of their blood sugar being cost of medications and lifestyle barriers. Altogether, lack of education and resource availability appears to be the most heavily implicated reasons why uncontrolled diabetes is on the rise in Guatemala—it is clear that health education needs to be a major part of therapeutic efforts in this region.展开更多
文摘The ITCB Council of Representatives,meeting at its 44th session from 16-19 April 2007 in Guatemala City,discussed important issues challenging global textile and clothing industry with topics on the agenda shown below:
文摘Jadeite jade,also called Feicui in China,is the most popular jade variety and one of the best selling gems in China.Colour and transparency are the primary quality factors that determine the value of Feicui.Jadeite jade is a polycrystalline aggregate,primarily consisting of jadeite(NaAlSi2O6) and including accessory minerals such as omphacite,albite,amphibole,and chromite[1-2].Gem-quality Feicui material is only found in a few countries,namely Myanmar,Guatemala,Russia,Kazakhstan,and Japan[3-5].Myanmar is the traditional and most important producer of gem-quality jadeite jade,while Guatemala has become the second-largest producer[6]. "Ice jade" is a translucent variety of jadeite jade(also known as Feicui) that is generally of high value.Reportedly from the Morales mine in the Izabal Department of Guatemala,it has recently appeared in the Chinese jewelry market.In this study,the structural characteristics,mineral compositions,and colour genesis of Guatemalan "ice jade" were studied using UV-Vis-NIR and Raman spectroscopy,X-ray diffraction,electron probe microanalysis,scanning electron microscopy,and cathodoluminescence. "Ice jade" from the Morales mine in Guatemala is composed of almost pure jadeite,containing very small amounts of accessory minerals,including omphacite and albite.The omphacite grains are often nearly colourless and not easily observed,while the albite grains cluster as white snowflake-like inclusions or dispersed as small specks.The "ice jade" exhibits a fine-grained structure,occasionally coexisting with a micro-granular structure.The relatively pure chemical compositions of sodium pyroxene accompany with a fine texture produced a transparent to semi-transparent and near-colourless appearance.A small amount of dispersed fine-grained omphacite is considered the cause of the pale green colour in "ice jade" from Guatemala.The Guatemalan origin can be determined from its characteristic appearance,microstructure,accessory minerals,and chemical compositions.
基金Missouri University of Science and Technology and a graduate student research grant from the Geological Society of America for supportthe Center for Research in Energy and Environment for help using the ICP-OES。
文摘Sediments in Lake Izabal,Guatemala,contain substantial lead (Pb),zinc (Zn),and nickel (Ni).The lack of historical data for heavy metal concentrations in the sediments makes it difficult to determine the sources or evaluate whether inputs of metals to the lake have changed through time.We measured the relative abundances and concentrations of Pb,Zn,and Ni by X-Ray Fluorescence core scanning and by Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry in three sediment cores to explore stratigraphic distributions of metals in the lake deposits.High amounts of Pb and Zn in the core taken near the Polochic Delta suggest that galena and sphalerite mining increased Pb and Zn delivery to Lake Izabal between ~1945 and 1965 CE.An up-core Ni increase in the core taken near a different mine on the north shore of Lake Izabal suggests that recent nickel mining operations led to an increase in Ni concentrations in the local sediments,but amounts in the other cores indicate that Ni is not widely distributed throughout the lake.Sediment cores from Lake Izabal are reliable recorders of heavy metal input to the lake,and were measured to establish background metal levels,which would otherwise be unavailable.Concentrations of Pb,Zn,and Ni in older,pre-20th-century Lake Izabal sediments reflect input from natural erosion of bedrock.Our results provide previously unavailable estimates of background metal concentrations in Lake Izabal before the onset of mining.These results are necessary for future monitoring related to mining contamination of the lake ecosystem.
基金funded by the UNICEF/UNDP/World Bank/WHO Special Program for Research andTraining in Tropical Diseases(TDR),a program co-sponsored by the World Health Organization(WHO)as part of the call for proposals:'Embedding Research for the Sustainable Development Goals(ERSDG)initiative.This funding source has not influeneed the collection,analysis,or interpretation of data.
文摘Background:Cutaneous leishmaniasis(CL),endemic in Guatemala,mostly affects poor people living in the northern region.A national control program that ineludes surveillanee,diagnose,and treatment offered free of cost by the Ministry of Health(MoH)has been in place since 2003.However,the incidence is increasing and treatment rates are not optimal,suggesting that current efforts are not being effective.This study aimed to understand barriers and facilitators of CL control in Guatemala as experienced and perceived by key stakeholders in order to comprehend what works well and does not and suggest evidence-informed interventions.Methods:The study was conducted in the Coban municipality,the most endemic of Guatemala,situated in the Department of Alta Verapaz.Data were collected during May and June 2019 via focus groups and semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders,including local and national health personnel and residents of four communities of the endemic region.Thematic and content analysis of the collected data was conducted using NVIVO.Results:Three overarching issues hamper the effectiveness of current CL efforts:resource scarcity,treatment challenges,and knowledge-action gaps.Scarce economic resources from the MoH and community residents negatively impact incidence,detection of cases and treatment rates in that preventive action is insufficient and healthcare access is low.In addition,local health workers often lack specialized CL training and access to the national CL control guidelines.With regards to the population living in the study area,misunderstanding of disease causation,shame associated with CL lesions,treatment pain fear,and long(often uncertain)waiting times for diagnose and treatment negatively affect people's willingness to seek help,treatment adherence,and their trust on the healthcare provided.Conclusions:Culturally sensitive CL preventive action must be developed.Given the scarce economic resources available for CL control in the country,the involvement of trained community health workers and the inelusion of thermotherapy as a treatment option is also advised.Other cost-effective actions include:ensuring all health workers receive CL training and have access to national CL control guidelines,improving national procurement system to avoid treatment shortages,and provision of motorized vehicles to increase active surveillance and treatment rates.
文摘The aim of this study was to evaluate the diabetes status and health beliefs of individuals living in villages in Northeast Guatemala. Our study explored current understanding of diabetes in the Peten region of Guatemala concerning the cause, treatment, and effect of type two diabetes by engaging and interviewing 21 diabetic patients in a qualitative study. Interview results showed that among study participants, the cause of diabetes was often “unknown”. With an average of 3.5 years of education among survey participants and many reporting being mostly or fully illiterate, it is likely that health education status plays a major role in their concept of diabetes. The majority of responses claimed some form of “asusto”—defined as a negative emotional event causing physical maladies—to have caused their diabetes. Patient surveys revealed that Gods and prayer ranked the highest among factors controlling their diabetes, with medications being seen as a tertiary control factor, as seen in Figure 1. Only two study participants (2/21) ranked diet/exercise as more impactful on their diabetes than gods/prayer. Survey responses also show that most individuals agree that taking their medications is important, with the most common reported barriers to control of their blood sugar being cost of medications and lifestyle barriers. Altogether, lack of education and resource availability appears to be the most heavily implicated reasons why uncontrolled diabetes is on the rise in Guatemala—it is clear that health education needs to be a major part of therapeutic efforts in this region.
