Impact of Plastic Waste on the Human Health in Low-Income Countries: A Systematic Review

Background: Plastic pollution is the accumulation of waste composed of plastic and its derivatives all over the environment. Whether in the form of visible garbage or microparticles, as it slowly degrades, plastic pollution poses significant threats to terrestrial and aquatic habitats and the wildlife that call them home, whether through ingestion, entanglement or exposure to the chemicals contained in the material. Unfortunately, there is a lack of documentation on the impact of plastic waste on human health in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Methods: We searched five electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, Global Health, CINAHL and Web of Science) and gray literature, following the preferred reporting elements for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA), for the impact of plastic waste on human health in developing countries. We included quantitative and qualitative studies written in English and French. We assessed the quality of the included articles using the Mixed Methods Appraisal tool (MMAT). Results: A total of 3779 articles were initially identified by searching electronic databases. After eliminating duplicates, 3167 articles were reviewed based on title and abstract, and 26 were selected for full-text review. Only three articles were retained. The three articles dealt with practices likely to lead to oral exposure to plastic chemicals in human health, as well as the level of awareness of participants concerning the possible impact of plastic on human health, namely, the use of plastic baby bottles, the use of microwaves to cook food and reheat precooked food, the use of plastic bottles to store water in the refrigerator, water purifier containers with plastic bodies and plastic lunch boxes, the reuse of plastic bags and the inadequacy of treatment facilities. Conclusion: Plastic waste poses different risks to human health at every stage of its life cycle. Hence, strategies must be adopted to raise public awareness of the dangers of plastic waste to their health. Trial registration: The review protocol is registered in the PROSPERO international prospective register of systematic reviews (ID = CRD42023409087).

Basic policy & development strategy for energy industry in China——the speech on Sweden-China Trade Council in Stockholm,April 22,1992 by Huang Yicheng,the Minister of Energy,China

Energy plays a significant role in our national moderniza-tion construction.The Chinese government has alwayspaid a great attention to the Chinese energy industry and regarded itas a key issue in the national development strategy.Energy industrydevelopment has been going up rapidly over last 4 decades sincethe People’s Republic was founded.By the end of 1991,total primaryenergy production got to 1.047 billion tons of coal equivalent,whichincludes 1.09 billion tons of run-off-mine coal,139 million tons ofcrude oil,15.3 billion M^3 of natural gas.Electricity generating

Investment Promotion for Development Zones in China:Underlying Rationale and Policy Options

Development zones(DZs)have emerged as a significant policy initiative for promoting regional coordination and facilitating resources allocation.They serve as an organizational framework for fostering industrial agglomeration and driving high-quality development.DZs attract and accommodate resource factors,firms,and projects,thereby functioning as a central catalyst for economic growth.This study utilizes data collected at the“DZ,City and Countrycountry”levels through manual compilation,textual analysis,and innovation measurement.It aims to empirically examine the theoretical rationale and practical preferences for promoting business and investment in China’s DZs.This study considers several factors such as industry attribute,firm attribute,agglomeration theory,and industrial chain layout.Based on our research findings,DZs exhibit distinct preferences.First,industry attribute:DZs align with both national and regional strategic planning and adhere to the industrial endowments of the respective areas.Second,firm attribute:DZs prioritize attracting firms that are productive and innovative,and have an international presence,rather than those that primarily contribute to taxes and job creation.Third,DZs are guided by the agglomeration theory,which suggests that they prefer firms that generate strong agglomeration externalities.Lastly,DZs also consider the industrial chain layout,aiming to attract firms that not only align with their existing industrial strengths but also extend to the upstream and downstream supply chain links.These conclusions are substantiated by the performance of robustness test.The success of DZs in China can be attributed to the five key principles:Adherence to national and regional strategic planning,prioritizing the actual industrial foundation,incorporating the theory of agglomeration externalities,strengthening corporate competitiveness,and expanding industrial chains.

An Overview of Hydropower and Biomass Use in Mozambique

Mozambique is doing well in its implementation of renewable energies (green energies), and this is a positive move as it sees to the protection of the environment, reduction of the emission of greenhouse gases, and the reduction of the country’s reliance on foreign fuels which are expensive and an economic burden on a country with an extremely high poverty index in Africa. Green energies like hydropower, solar energy and biomass are already in use with biomass leading, followed by hydropower. This paper explores and analyses the use of hydropower and biomass in Mozambique with the focus being on the extent of their use in the country and the impacts associated with their use. It also aims to look at policies that have been implemented to promote the use of these renewable sources of energy, and it discusses the success of the implementation of these policies and if they have helped in making the use of biomass and hydropower sustainable. The environmental impact of the use of green energies is minimum if compared to fossil fuels but this paper aims to show that there is concern in their use, especially the use of Biomass as there is little consideration being given to its environmental footprint. Mozambique has great potential for hydropower and bioenergy, but potential does not depict the reality as there are several issues to consider before the implementation of such in a developing country like Mozambique and this work explores the existence of issues that affect or hinder the growth and the sustainability of the use Biomass and Hydropower, and this is crucial in policy revision and implementation.

The Study on Trade Policy and Openness of Mongolia： Influences on Trade Flows Between China-Mongolia-Russia （Past and Future）

This paper aimed to highlight the effects of conflict in Mongolia on trade policy and openness, by estimating the trade flows with neighbor countries （China and Russia）. Fourteen years＇ （2000-2013） data of Mongolian imports and exports were collected and gone through principal component analysis （PCA） and empirical analysis for grouping various trades with China and Russia. The empirical analysis identified the determining factors of Mongolian trade flow and openness with China and Russia. Empirical analysis evidenced that Mongolian trade and openness policy raised bilateral trade between China and Russia, leaving a great influence on economic size. Two main questions represented as empirically tested by each sample country. How did Mongolian trade policy and openness influence trade flows between China and Russia and economic growth of Mongolia？ Did Mongolian trade policy and the bilateral trade with China and Russia increase on trade openness？ Finally, the study focused on the forecasts from 2016 to 2018 to examine Mongolian trade flows with China and Russia using ordinary least squares method and autoregressive-moving-average （ARMA） model. China-Mongolia-Russia trade flows will continue to dominate during the forecasted period. As shown by the structure of export and import, goods with China and Russia influenced the mutual trade amount. Moreover, China and Russia traded to continue with Mongolia for goods in long run. Trade policy and openness, the major contributor in Mongolian economy, are significantly playing roles in trade and economy.

Will the State-owned Capital Transfer Policy Enhance the Sustainability of the Urban Employee Basic Pension Insurance Fund in China?

To analyze the efect of the state-owned capital transfer policy on the sustainability of China's urban employee basic pension insurance fund(CUEBPIF),this study develops an actuarial model for pension insurance.The results reveal the following:(i)Without policy intervention,the CUEBPIF would face a deficit in 2027 and a cumulative shortfall of RMB207.44 trillion by 2050,and the proportion of fiscal subsidies for the CUEBPIF in the total fiscal expenditure would increase to 12.86 percent in 2050.(i)Based on a delayed retirement policy,the transfer of 10 percent of state-owned capital can delay the onset of the fund deficit by 6 years,and the accumulated shortfall in 2050 would fall to RMB39.42 trillion,and the proportion of fiscal subsidies would decrease by I1.77 percentage points.(ii)The state-owned capital transfer policy can improve the sustainability of the CUEBPIF and reduce the burden of enterprise social security contributions when the transfer ratio increases to 20 percent.

The Game between FDI and the Beneficial Policies of Host Country

Foreign direct investment （FDI） has great function to the growth of the economy in various countries. The beneficial policies of the foreign capitals are the main means to various countries to absorb FDI. Utilizing this means appropriately and designing beneficial policies, which can make the host country get the maximized revenue of utilizing FDI, are the key to absorb FDI effectively. In this paper, we set up a game model between the level of the host country＇s beneficial policies and the scale of FDI, and analyze what the key factors that influence the level of host country＇s beneficial policies are and how to decide the level of beneficial policies according to these key factors.

贸易政策不确定性对OFDI的影响研究——以“一带一路”沿线国家为例

本文运用中国贸易政策不确定性指数和2003—2020年总计18年间的面板数据进行研究,发现贸易政策不确定性上升时中国企业对“一带一路”沿线国家直接投资会增加。同时,贸易政策不确定性对“一带一路”沿线国家OFDI的影响具有异质性,其中对中高收入国家的直接投资的影响最为显著。

Constitutional Environmental Rights: An Investigation and Analysis Based on Constitutional Texts of All Countries

Although the academic community still has some theoretical divergences on whether environmental rights should be a basic human right or a basic constitutional one, there are an increasing number of countries including this right in their constitution. Based on the constitutions in 193 countries, this paper aims to examine the fundamental situation of incorporating environmental rights into a constitution. It has been concluded that environmental protection as a right is written into a constitution in three aspects, namely, as a constitutional right, a civic duty, and a national policy, principle or social goal. Through summarizing these, this paper argues that including environmental rights in a country’s constitution is the means by which all citizens shall enjoy a good, healthy, sustainable and harmonious environment suitable for their development, have timely and comprehensive access to reliable information about environment, participate in making public decisions related to the environment, and ask for legal remedies and compensation for any infringement on their environmental rights, or injury or damage to their environmental property. But even after environmental rights are incorporated into a constitution, there may be theoretical and practical difficulties in their implementation.

An appraisal of the regulatory policies governing the use of herbal traditional medicine

The regulation of herbal traditional medicine(HTM)is of much importance as it ensures the safety,quality and efficacy thereof.However,there are variations in the regulation of HTM worldwide with some countries being more supportive of HTM than others.This literature review aimed to evaluate and compare the regulatory policies governing the use of HTM in developed and developing countries as well as to determine the regulatory challenges faced by regulatory authorities and governments across the world.The countries investigated in this study were Germany,the United States of America,Japan,South Africa,China and India.Variations were evident between countries,however,Germany and Japan were found to be more advanced with regards to the regulation of HTM.Germany and Japan had stricter regulatory policies and lesser safety concerns.South Africa and the United States of America appear to have inadequate or ineffective HTM regulatory systems which was seen by the countries’limited or lack of regulations and additional safety concerns.The findings showed the difference in HTM regulation between developed and developing countries were not as large as could be expected.The United States of America(developed country)was found to have poor HTM regulations,while China and India(developing countries)were found to have thorough regulations.The findings also show that both developed and developing countries continue to face challenges with regards to establishing regulations and registration procedures for HTM.

Characteristics of Geriatric Health Service Facilities Designated as Sites of Death

There are many deaths occurring among the aged population in Japan. Geriatric Health Service Facilities (GHSFs) are highlighted as some of the chosen facilities designated as sites of death. The aim of our study was to clarify the characteristics and related factors, including physical signs first noticed by staff at the end-of-life period, in GHSFs designated as sites of death, using a nationwide survey in Japan. We administered a questionnaire to 3971 GHSFs in Japan. Eligible responses for the study were obtained from 854 GHSFs. We found that GHSFs designated as sites of death were more likely to have basic policies and documented preferences regarding end-of-life care. We also found that staff members in GHSFs designated as sites of death were less likely to first notice physical signs of pain. We found that GHSFs designated as sites of death tended to identify earlier symptoms, such as reduced oral intake and less vigor. Our results would enable elderly persons, their families, and staff in GHSFs to prepare for the elderly’s death more efficiently though earlier identification of the end-of-life period. We hope that GHSFs have an important role to play in end-of-life care provision to elderly persons in Japan, through the strengthening of these intermediate facilities.

Application of Traffic Calming Devices in Developing Countries: Learning Lesson from Bangladesh

Traffic calming devices become more favorable for many cities to manage traffic in urban as well as neighborhood areas. Many developing cities already initiated the implementation, while the process has a wide variation in both quality and quantity. The objective of this study is to evaluate the justification of speed humps in urban roads and also to recommend a guideline for installation of speed humps as a traffic calming device in Dhaka city, Bangladesh. It was found that there are vast variations in the implementation, while general public also express an immense disparity of perception about devices quality and suitability and their agreement. Lesson learned from Dhaka City shows that selecting an appropriate placement and dimension of the traffic humps is an urgent requirement to be solved by government by providing standards, guidelines, and policy when there is an initiative to implement or improve traffic calming application.

Mathematical Model of the Spread of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Burkina Faso

In this paper, we develop a mathematical model of the COVID-19 pandemic in Burkina Faso. We use real data from Burkina Faso National Health Commission against COVID-19 to predict the dynamic of the disease and also the cumulative number of reported cases. We use public policies in model in order to reduce the contact rate, this allows to show how the reduction of the daily report of infectious cases goes, so we would like to draw the attention of decision makers for a rapid treatment of reported cases.

Research Report on China's Policy toward Central/East European Countries

With the admission of eight Central/East European countries in May 1, 2004 in sight, realization of the objective of EU’s first phase eastern extension will signify a major step toward the concept of "a Europe kept far away from war" through promoting regional integration.

An Examination of Institutional Bias in Providers of Legal Advisory Technical Assistance on Selected Trade and Investment Issues

Developing countries sometimes request the assistance of intergovernmental organizations to help write new laws, policies, and regulations where they did not exist, to review draft legislation, or to assist in the updating and amendment of outdated laws and policies. This paper seeks to examine the extent to which policy advice provided by intergovernmental organizations differs depending upon the provider, and assesses the extent to which developing countries are conscious of those biases when they request technical assistance. Advice on the sensitive topics of intellectual property, investment, and competition that have been provided to policy makers of developing countries by different multilateral agencies is examined. On the supply side, the paper draws upon advisory reports published by the secretariats of international organizations. On the demand side, this review is complemented by a survey of the extent to which those requesting advice in developing countries are conscious of policy bias when they ask for advisory services.

Fuzzy VIKOR Approach to Evaluate the Information Security Policies and Analyze the Content of Press Agencies in Gulf Countries

A news agency is an organization that gathers news reports and sells them to subscribing news organization, such as newspapers, magazines, radio and television broadcasters. A news agency may also be referred to as a wire service, newswire, or news service. The main purpose of this paper is to evaluate the security policies and analyze the content of five press agencies in gulf countries which are (Kuwait News Agency (KUNA), Emirates News Agency (WAM), Saudi Press Agency (SPA), Bahrain News Agency (BNA), and Oman News Agency (OMA)) by using a fuzzy VIKOR approach where linguistic variables are applied to solve the uncertainties and subjectivities in expert decision making. Fuzzy VIKOR approach is one of the best Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) techniques working in fuzzy environment. This study benefits security and content analysis experts know which press agency has the mandate and the competence to educate the public on news agencies. Besides, this paper contributes to Gulf agencies in helping them in their resolve to ensure the quality of content information and information security policies over the internet.

Tax Policy and Planning:Lessons From Developed Countries

One of the fundamental issues in developing countries is how to evolve tax policies that can generate sufficient revenue for government activities.Consequent upon the above,this study examined tax policies and planning in developing sub-Saharan African countries.It adopted table content analysis and descriptive statistics in its methodology.The study observed that aggressive tax planning which the Multi-National Corporations execute through royalty payment,interest payment,strategic transfer pricing and treaty shopping,among others,has caused countries around the globe huge revenue losses annually and has become a matter of serious concern to both the developed and developing economies.The implication of this is that achievement of objectives of tax policies and their reforms will remain a mirage in sub-Saharan African countries.The study concluded that the prevalence of illicit financial outflows in the form of tax evasion and avoidance in the guise of aggressive tax planning by multinational corporations,however,makes Africa’s tax policies worse.It was recommended that the Organization for Economic Corporation and Development,and the G-20 should involve developing countries in the Base Erosion and Profit Shifting project as they are the worst victims of these activities.

基本公共体育服务标准化推动健康国家建设:域外经验与本土镜鉴

对美、英、日三国基本公共体育服务标准化推动健康国家建设的政策、特征及经验进行研究,认为:美、英、日等发达国家率先开展了以基本公共体育服务标准化推动健康国家建设的顶层设计并各具政策特色,呈现权益保障均等化、治理主体多元化和校社资源一体化等共性特征,形成定性表述与定量要求相结合的标准化指标制定、政府主导与社会参与相结合的标准化政策实施、客观测量与主观评价相结合的标准化绩效评价、宏观调控与微观规制相结合的标准化治理架构等共同经验。结合域外经验及本土问题提出建议:细化标准指标制定,推动健康服务高质量发展;强化标准协同实施,推进健康保障持续性完善;规范标准绩效评价,促进健康监督全方位升级;优化标准执行架构,助力健康公平精细化治理。

美国、欧盟和日本农业合作社发展经验及其借鉴

农业合作化是农业发展的必然趋势,是共同富裕的关键一环,也是乡村振兴的必由之路。本文选取美国、欧盟和日本这三个农业合作社发展最为成功的典型国家和地区,对其农业合作社发展的经验进行系统总结,并归纳出可资借鉴的经验。首先,简要阐述了美国、欧盟和日本农业合作社的历史、职能和现状。其次,扼要分析了美国、欧盟和日本农业合作社内部组织结构和治理模式。再次,概括说明了美国、欧盟和日本政府对农业合作社所提供的法律、资金、税收、金融和教育咨询等方面的政策支持。最后,归纳总结了美国、欧盟和日本农业合作社发展经验及对中国的启示:一是完善农业合作社的治理机制,坚守成员所有、成员控制和成员受益的原则,增加和强化普通成员在重大事项上的话语权。二是借鉴权责明晰的现代企业制度,充分发挥其优势用于农业合作社的内部治理。三是政府应继续对农业合作社给予强有力的政策支持,但支持政策应更精准化、更精细化。四是借鉴他国农业合作社发展经验时要充分考虑自身实际,走出一条具有中国特色的农业合作化道路。

数字化转型背景下G7成员国数字教育政策比较研究——基于政策主体、工具与主题的三维分析

教育数字化转型正推动着教育体系变革和劳动力市场重塑,以G7成员国为代表的发达国家通过政策调整以适应这一新形势。基于政策文本分析视角,以G7成员国的七份数字教育政策为样本,构建“政策主体—政策工具—政策主题”分析框架,对文本逐篇编码,多维度分析各国数字教育政策趋势与异同。研究显示:政策主体维度,各国已基本形成多主体参与的网络治理结构;政策工具维度,供给型、环境型和需求型政策三种政策工具整体运用相对均衡,但内部结构呈现出重供给型、轻需求型的失衡状态;政策主题维度,各国关注点多样,旨在利用现代数字技术来改变教育的组织架构、教学模式和学习方式,解决教学质量问题实现教育可持续发展。借鉴G7成员国数字教育政策经验,可从推动多主体共同参与、理性挑选政策工具箱、动态性调整政策内容等方面持续优化数字教育政策。