Some problems of groundwater development in the Niger Delta ranging from negligence to geological peculiarities are examined to highlight the importance and application of geologic knowledge and research for decision ...Some problems of groundwater development in the Niger Delta ranging from negligence to geological peculiarities are examined to highlight the importance and application of geologic knowledge and research for decision making and averting failure in groundwater development for provisional use. Although the geology and hydrogeologic properties of the aquifer system in the Niger Delta immensely favors groundwater development, there are several recorded cases of failed groundwater development projects poor water quality, dry boreholes and boreholes with surprisingly low yield which could have been avoided. This is due to the perception that since groundwater is prolific, geologic and locational peculiarities can be ignored. This research has highlighted the importance of the knowledge of the hydrogeology of the different geologic units as significant factor in the success of groundwater projects through the correlation of past research of geologic units and groundwater potentials, quality and challenges with the present projects implemented in some of the locations. Cases where groundwater projects are executed with wrong exploration options and without consideration of the peculiarity of the geologic units of the project area, including engagement of incompetent contractors, and negligence to the existing regulatory framework for groundwater development in Nigeria are presented. In order to promote sustainable groundwater development and management in the Niger Delta, this research highlights and recommends the pragmatic use of geologic information including various technical, institutional, regulatory and management measures which have the capacity to avert challenges in groundwater development for provisional use.展开更多
The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and severity of para valvular regurgitation(PVR) in the Artificial Valve Endocarditis Reduction Trial (AVERT) cohort. The initial AVERT cohort consisted of 807...The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and severity of para valvular regurgitation(PVR) in the Artificial Valve Endocarditis Reduction Trial (AVERT) cohort. The initial AVERT cohort consisted of 807 patients randomized to receive either a Silzone coated prosthetic valve or a conventional prosthetic valve; early clinical reports showed higher rates of valve explant caused by PVR for Silzone coated prosthetic valve. Of the 678 eligible patients, 575(85%) underwent postoperative transthoracic echocardiograms. The presence and severity of PVR were identified by color flow Doppler. Reviewers were blinded to the typ e of prosthetic valve and the demographic and clinical variables. Among those wh o underwent echocardiography (Silzone coated prosthetic valve, n=285 and conven tional prosthetic valve, n=290), 59%had prosthetic aortic valves, 32%prostheti c mitral valves, and 9%had both; demographic and clinical findings (i.e., prost hetic valve endocarditis, thromboembolism, bleeding, and all cause death) were similar for the two groups. Echocardiographically determined PVR was present in 50 valves: Silzone coated prosthetic valve, 29 of 285 (10%) and conventional p rosthetic valve, 21 of 290(7%, p=NS); the severity of PVR was similar in both g roups. Kaplan Meier analysis showed no significant differences in PVR at 24 mon ths from valve implantation between the two groups(24-month event free rate: 9 3%Silzone coated prosthetic valve vs. 94%conventional prosthetic valve, p=NS) . Excluding those patients who had initial prosthetic valve explant, the two ye ar echocardiographic follow up of the AVERT cohort shows no statistically signi ficant differences in the prevalence or severity of PVR in the Silzone coated p rosthetic valve compared with the conventional prosthetic valve. Further monitor ing is warranted to determine whether these clinical outcomes remain similar on long term follow up.展开更多
THE Chinese economy faces three major risks： burst of real estate bubbles, risks of local gov ernment financing platforms and split of capital chains for private lending.
Background:Lymphatic filariasis(LF),also known as elephantiasis,is a neglected tropical disease(NTD)targeted for elimination through a Global Programme to Eliminate LF(GPELF).Between 2000 and 2014,the GPELF has delive...Background:Lymphatic filariasis(LF),also known as elephantiasis,is a neglected tropical disease(NTD)targeted for elimination through a Global Programme to Eliminate LF(GPELF).Between 2000 and 2014,the GPELF has delivered 5.6 billion treatments to over 763 million people.Updating the estimated health and economic benefits of this significant achievement is important in justifying the resources and investment needed for eliminating LF.Method:We combined previously established models to estimate the number of clinical manifestations and disability-adjusted life years(DALYs)averted from three benefit cohorts(those protected from acquiring infection,those with subclinical morbidity prevented from progressing and those with clinical disease alleviated).The economic savings associated with this disease prevention was then analysed in the context of prevented medical expenses incurred by LF clinical patients,potential income loss through lost-labour,and prevented costs to the health system to care for affected individuals.The indirect cost estimates were calculated using the human capital approach.A combination of four wage sources was used to estimate the fair market value of time for an agricultural worker with LF infection(to ensure a conservative estimate,the lowest wage value was used).Results:We projected that due to the first 15 years of the GPELF 36 million clinical cases and 175(116–250)million DALYs will potentially be averted.It was estimated that due to this notable health impact,US$100.5 billion will potentially be saved over the lifetimes of the benefit cohorts.This total amount results from summing the medical expenses incurred by LF patients(US$3 billion),potential income loss(US$94 billion),and costs to the health system(US$3.5 billion)that were projected to be prevented.The results were subjected to sensitivity analysis and were most sensitive to the assumed percentage of work hours lost for those suffering from chronic disease(changing the total economic benefit between US$69.30–150.7 billion).Conclusions:Despite the limitations of any such analysis,this study identifies substantial health and economic benefits that have resulted from the first 15 years of the GPELF,and it highlights the value and importance of continued investment in the GPELF.展开更多
Premier Wen Jiabao said food safety scandals in China indicate serious moral degradation Incidents related to food safety indicate that"dishonesty and moral degradation"have become a very serious problem in ...Premier Wen Jiabao said food safety scandals in China indicate serious moral degradation Incidents related to food safety indicate that"dishonesty and moral degradation"have become a very serious problem in the country,Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said on April 14.Wen made the remark during展开更多
The world has left the worst of the financial crisis behind, but memories of the meltdown have barely faded. But what made the world’s economy so vulnerable, and what kinds of lessons can we draw from it?
文摘Some problems of groundwater development in the Niger Delta ranging from negligence to geological peculiarities are examined to highlight the importance and application of geologic knowledge and research for decision making and averting failure in groundwater development for provisional use. Although the geology and hydrogeologic properties of the aquifer system in the Niger Delta immensely favors groundwater development, there are several recorded cases of failed groundwater development projects poor water quality, dry boreholes and boreholes with surprisingly low yield which could have been avoided. This is due to the perception that since groundwater is prolific, geologic and locational peculiarities can be ignored. This research has highlighted the importance of the knowledge of the hydrogeology of the different geologic units as significant factor in the success of groundwater projects through the correlation of past research of geologic units and groundwater potentials, quality and challenges with the present projects implemented in some of the locations. Cases where groundwater projects are executed with wrong exploration options and without consideration of the peculiarity of the geologic units of the project area, including engagement of incompetent contractors, and negligence to the existing regulatory framework for groundwater development in Nigeria are presented. In order to promote sustainable groundwater development and management in the Niger Delta, this research highlights and recommends the pragmatic use of geologic information including various technical, institutional, regulatory and management measures which have the capacity to avert challenges in groundwater development for provisional use.
文摘The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and severity of para valvular regurgitation(PVR) in the Artificial Valve Endocarditis Reduction Trial (AVERT) cohort. The initial AVERT cohort consisted of 807 patients randomized to receive either a Silzone coated prosthetic valve or a conventional prosthetic valve; early clinical reports showed higher rates of valve explant caused by PVR for Silzone coated prosthetic valve. Of the 678 eligible patients, 575(85%) underwent postoperative transthoracic echocardiograms. The presence and severity of PVR were identified by color flow Doppler. Reviewers were blinded to the typ e of prosthetic valve and the demographic and clinical variables. Among those wh o underwent echocardiography (Silzone coated prosthetic valve, n=285 and conven tional prosthetic valve, n=290), 59%had prosthetic aortic valves, 32%prostheti c mitral valves, and 9%had both; demographic and clinical findings (i.e., prost hetic valve endocarditis, thromboembolism, bleeding, and all cause death) were similar for the two groups. Echocardiographically determined PVR was present in 50 valves: Silzone coated prosthetic valve, 29 of 285 (10%) and conventional p rosthetic valve, 21 of 290(7%, p=NS); the severity of PVR was similar in both g roups. Kaplan Meier analysis showed no significant differences in PVR at 24 mon ths from valve implantation between the two groups(24-month event free rate: 9 3%Silzone coated prosthetic valve vs. 94%conventional prosthetic valve, p=NS) . Excluding those patients who had initial prosthetic valve explant, the two ye ar echocardiographic follow up of the AVERT cohort shows no statistically signi ficant differences in the prevalence or severity of PVR in the Silzone coated p rosthetic valve compared with the conventional prosthetic valve. Further monitor ing is warranted to determine whether these clinical outcomes remain similar on long term follow up.
文摘THE Chinese economy faces three major risks： burst of real estate bubbles, risks of local gov ernment financing platforms and split of capital chains for private lending.
基金HCT and AAB,are supported by London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research(funded by GSK).MHB(employed by GSK)had a role in study design,and preparation of the manuscript.
文摘Background:Lymphatic filariasis(LF),also known as elephantiasis,is a neglected tropical disease(NTD)targeted for elimination through a Global Programme to Eliminate LF(GPELF).Between 2000 and 2014,the GPELF has delivered 5.6 billion treatments to over 763 million people.Updating the estimated health and economic benefits of this significant achievement is important in justifying the resources and investment needed for eliminating LF.Method:We combined previously established models to estimate the number of clinical manifestations and disability-adjusted life years(DALYs)averted from three benefit cohorts(those protected from acquiring infection,those with subclinical morbidity prevented from progressing and those with clinical disease alleviated).The economic savings associated with this disease prevention was then analysed in the context of prevented medical expenses incurred by LF clinical patients,potential income loss through lost-labour,and prevented costs to the health system to care for affected individuals.The indirect cost estimates were calculated using the human capital approach.A combination of four wage sources was used to estimate the fair market value of time for an agricultural worker with LF infection(to ensure a conservative estimate,the lowest wage value was used).Results:We projected that due to the first 15 years of the GPELF 36 million clinical cases and 175(116–250)million DALYs will potentially be averted.It was estimated that due to this notable health impact,US$100.5 billion will potentially be saved over the lifetimes of the benefit cohorts.This total amount results from summing the medical expenses incurred by LF patients(US$3 billion),potential income loss(US$94 billion),and costs to the health system(US$3.5 billion)that were projected to be prevented.The results were subjected to sensitivity analysis and were most sensitive to the assumed percentage of work hours lost for those suffering from chronic disease(changing the total economic benefit between US$69.30–150.7 billion).Conclusions:Despite the limitations of any such analysis,this study identifies substantial health and economic benefits that have resulted from the first 15 years of the GPELF,and it highlights the value and importance of continued investment in the GPELF.
文摘Premier Wen Jiabao said food safety scandals in China indicate serious moral degradation Incidents related to food safety indicate that"dishonesty and moral degradation"have become a very serious problem in the country,Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said on April 14.Wen made the remark during
文摘The world has left the worst of the financial crisis behind, but memories of the meltdown have barely faded. But what made the world’s economy so vulnerable, and what kinds of lessons can we draw from it?
