Click here to download PDF The prevalence of overweight and obesity has increased with alarming speed over the past twenty years. It has recently been described by the World Health Organisation as a 'global epidemic'. In the year 2000 more than 300 million people worldwide were obese and it is now projected that by 2025 up to half the population of the United States will be obese if current trends are maintained. The disease is now a major public health problem throughout Europe. In Ireland at the present time 39% of adults are overweight and 18% are obese. Of these, slightly more men than women are obese and there is a higher incidence of the disease in lower socio-economic groups. Most worrying of all is the fact that childhood obesity has reached epidemic proportions in Europe, with body weight now the most prevalent childhood disease. While currently there are no agreed criteria or standards for assessing Irish children for obesity some studies are indicating that the numbers of children who are significantly overweight have trebled over the past decade. Extrapolation from authoritative UK data suggests that these numbers could now amount to more than 300,000 overweight and obese children on the island of Ireland and they are probably rising at a rate of over 10,000 per year. A balance of food intake and physical activity is necessary for a healthy weight. The foods we individually consume and our participation in physical activity are the result of a complex supply and production system. The growing research evidence that energy dense foods promote obesity is impressive and convincing. These are the foods that are high in fat, sugar and starch. Of these potentially the most significant promoter of weight gain is fat and foods from the top shelf of the food pyramid including spreads (butter and margarine), cakes and biscuits, and confectionery, when combined are the greatest contributors to fat intake in the Irish diet. In company with their adult counterparts Irish children are also consuming large amounts of energy dense foods outside the home. A recent survey revealed that slightly over half of these children ate sweets at least once a day and roughly a third of them had fizzy drinks and crisps with the same regularity. Sugar sweetened carbonated drinks are thought to contribute to obesity and for this reason the World Health Organisation has expressed serious concerns at the high and increasing consumption of these drinks by children. Physical activity is an important determinant of body weight. Over recent decades there has been a marked decline in demanding physical work and this has been accompanied by more sedentary lifestyles generally and reduced leisure-time activity. These observable changes, which are supported by data from most European countries and the United States, suggest that physical inactivity has made a significant impact on the increase in overweight and obesity being seen today. It is now widely accepted that adults shoud be involved in 45-60 minutes, and children should be involved in at least 60 minutes per day of moderate physical activity in order to prevent excess weight gain. Being overweight today not only signals increased risk of medical problems but also exposes people to serious psychosocial problems due mainly to widespread prejudice against fat people. Prejudice against obese people seems to border on the socially acceptable in Ireland. It crops up consistently in surveys covering groups such as employers, teachers, medical and healthcare personnel, and the media. It occurs among adolescents and children, even very young children. Because obesity is associated with premature death, excessive morbidity and serious psychosocial problems the damage it causes to the welfare of citizens is extremely serious and for this reason government intervention is necessary and warranted. In economic terms, a figure of approximately â,¬30million has been estimated for in-patient costs alone in 2003 for a number of Irish hospitals. This year about 2,000 premature deaths in Ireland will be attributed to obesity and the numbers are growing relentlessly. Diseases which proportionally more obese people suffer from than the general population include hypertension, type 2 diabetes, angina, heart attack and osteoarthritis. There are indirect costs also such as days lost to the workplace due to illness arising from obesity and output foregone as a result of premature death. Using the accepted EU environmental cost benefit method, these deaths alone may be costing the state as much as â,¬4bn per year. The social determinants of physical activity include factors such as socio-economic status, education level, gender, family and peer group influences as well as individual perceptions of the benefits of physical activity. The environmental determinants include geographic location, time of year, and proximity of facilities such as open spaces, parks and safe recreational areas generally. The environmental factors have not yet been as well studied as the social ones and this research gap needs to be addressed. Clearly there is a public health imperative to ensure that relevant environmental policies maximise opportunities for active transport, recreational physical activity and total physical activity. It is clear that concerted policy initiatives must be put in place if the predominantly negative findings of research regarding the determinants of food consumption and physical activity are to be accepted, and they must surely be accepted by government if the rapid increase in the incidence of obesity with all its negative consequences for citizens is to be reversed. So far actions surrounding nutrition policies have concentrated mostly on actions that are within the remit of the Department of Health and Children such as implementing the dietary guidelines. These are important but government must now look at the totality of policies that influence the type and supply of food that its citizens eat and the range and quality of opportunities that are available to citizens to engage in physical activity. This implies a fundamental examination of existing agricultural, industrial, economic and other policies and a determination to change them if they do not enable people to eat healthily and partake in physical activity. The current crisis in obesity prevalence requires a population health approach for adults and children in addition to effective weight-reduction management for individuals who are severely overweight. This entails addressing the obesogenic environment where people live, creating conditions over time which lead to healthier eating and more active living, and protecting people from the widespread availability of unhealthy food and beverage options in addition to sedentary activities that take up all of their leisure time. People of course have a fundamental right to choose to eat what they want and to be as active as they wish. That is not the issue. What the National Taskforce on Obesity has had to take account of is that many forces are actively impeding change for those well aware of the potential health and well-being consequences to themselves of overweight and obesity. The Taskforce's social change strategy is to give people meaningful choice. Choice, or the capacity to change (because the strategy is all about change), is facilitated through the development of personal skills and preferences, through supportive and participative environments at work, at school and in the local community, and through a dedicated and clearly communicated public health strategy. High-level cabinet support will be necessary to implement the Taskforce's recommendations. The approach to implementation must be characterised by joined-up thinking, real practical engagement by the public and private sectors, the avoidance of duplication of effort or crosspurpose approaches, and the harnessing of existing strategies and agencies. The range of government departments with roles to play is considerable. The Taskforce outlines the different contributions that each relevant department can make in driving its strategy forward. It also emphasises its requirement that all phases of the national strategy for healthy eating and physical activity are closely monitored, analysed and evaluated. The vision of the Taskforce is expressed as: An Irish society that enables people through health promotion, prevention and care to achieve and maintain healthy eating and active living throughout their lifespan. Its high-level goals are expressed as follows: Its recommendations, over eighty in all, relate to actions across six broad sectors: high-level government; education; social and community; health; food, commodities, production and supply; and the physical environment. In developing its recommendations the Taskforce has taken account of the complex, multisectoral and multi-faceted determinants of diet and physical activity. This strategy poses challenges for government, within individual departments, inter-departmentally and in developing partnerships with the commercial sector. Equally it challenges the commercial sector to work in partnership with government. The framework required for such initiative has at its core the rights and benefits of the individual. Health promotion is fundamentally about empowerment, whether at the individual, the community or the policy level.
Mención Europea/Internacional concedida. ; [SPA] Debido a la gran reforma urbanística y arquitectónica desarrollada en Granada durante el siglo XVI, fruto del contexto económico y político de la ciudad, ésta se convierte en un gran laboratorio renacentista donde experimentar nuevas formas y tipologías constructivas. En este contexto, aparece la cantería renacentista como la interpretación española del Renacimiento italiano, que se basa en el uso de la piedra como material de construcción frente al empleo del ladrillo en Italia. Esta tesis doctoral plantea el estudio de la estereotomía de distintas fábricas y piezas de cantería construidas en Granada durante el siglo XVI. Para ello se han analizado, por un lado, los tratados y manuscritos de cantería del XVI, así como sus posibles antecedentes constructivos; y por otra parte, se han llevado a cabo levantamientos fotogramétricos de una selección representativa de piezas relevantes de cantería en Granada. Este estudio ha permitido profundizar en el conocimiento de las técnicas empleadas en su diseño geométrico y en su ejecución, aportando una visión de conjunto sobre la aparición, evolución y difusión de la construcción pétrea a lo largo del siglo XVI en el foco renacentista granadino. El análisis de las bóvedas de los edificios estudiados tras los levantamientos realizados ha evidenciado el carácter innovador de las obras renacentistas ejecutadas en Granada tras la reincorporación de la ciudad al Reino de Castilla. Pero no sólo encontramos innovaciones en los problemas que se abordan, sino en los métodos que se emplean. La investigación realizada ha puesto de manifiesto, en primer lugar, la notable evolución de las bóvedas por cruceros en la arquitectura granadina, presentando soluciones geométricas complejas, como en el monasterio de San Jerónimo y en la catedral. Por otra parte, tras los levantamientos ha quedado patente una gran destreza en el control de formas ovales y elípticas de distintas proporciones, como ocurre en los zaguanes del palacio de Carlos V, o en su famosa bóveda anular, junto con los pasos extremos de la catedral, cuyo abocinamiento desigual en altura y anchura fuerza la construcción de semielipes en lugar de semicircunferencias, como ocurre en los pasos centrales. También son interesantes los resultados obtenidos con respecto a la evolución de ciertas piezas y su relación con los textos de cantería, siendo el caso más notable el de la gran variedad de lunetos ejecutados en Granada durante el siglo XVI, especialmente en el palacio de Carlos V. Por último, los resultados obtenidos sugieren la existencia de relaciones, influencias y una importante transferencia de conocimientos entre los distintos focos arquitectónicos del Renacimiento en el Sur de la Península, como Murcia, Jaén o Sevilla a través de las obras construidas y sus ejecutores. Por tanto, tras analizar todas las discusiones consideradas, es innegable el protagonismo de las obras de cantería ejecutadas en Granada a lo largo del siglo XVI. Dados los escasos antecedentes de las piezas analizadas desde el punto de vista geométrico y constructivo, su carácter innovador es evidente, llegando a ejercer una notable influencia sobre los textos de cantería renacentista y sobre la práctica constructiva al mismo tiempo. ; [ENG] Although some authors have downplayed the importance of the Andalusian focus of new Renaissance architecture, many others have attributed a great importance to it. In this context, Granada acquires a special relevance, due to the historical events of the late 15th century, whose political, social, cultural and artistic consequences were noticed in the city throughout the 16th century. Architectural and urban changes in the city made Granada a great Renaissance laboratory to experience new forms, and new constructive typologies, creating one of the most prolific centuries that Granada has known. During the 16th century, there was an adaptation of the Gothic construction techniques to the new Renaissance forms, which developed in new techniques and stonework strategies in order to reproduce the Renaissance architectural forms imported from Italy. The main problem to solve when building vaults and stone constructions is usually stability, so that the most critical factor to consider is not resistance, but the shape of the whole structure as a single object. That is why the problems in these kind of constructions are a geometric issue. That is why it is necessary to conceive, before the execution, a scheme of division in pieces. Stereotomy is the discipline that studies the layouts and necessary processes of stonecutting for the execution of stone pieces. And it is historically accredited by the large number of treatises and manuscripts that focus their attention on the development and exhibition of different solutions. This doctoral thesis proposes to study the geometry and stereotomy of different vaults and stonework pieces built in Granada during the 16th century. To this end, we will analyze, on the one hand, the theoretical tracings and proposals existing in the treatises and Renaissance stonework manuscripts. On the other hand, we have carried out several photogrammetric surveys on a representative selection of relevant pieces in the Italian Renaissance implementation process in Spain, specifically in Granada. This study aims to allow a deeper understanding of the graphic techniques used in its geometric design, as well as the construction techniques used in its execution. It also provides an overview of the Renaissance stone construction history, its appearance, evolution and diffusion throughout the 16th century in the Granada Renaissance focus. The survey and analysis of the singular masonry pieces in Granada, together with the analysis of the existing documentation, the stonework texts and the constructions before and after them, have allowed us to reach the main objective of this thesis: the determination of the geometric configuration and constructive features of the analyzed pieces, as well as their influence and relevant role in the construction history in Spain. The analysis of the vaults of the building has evidenced the innovative character of the Renaissance works executed in Granada after the reincorporation of the city to the Kingdom of Castile. But we do not only find innovations in the problems that are approached, but also in the methods that were used. The research carried out has revealed the remarkable evolution of the "grid crossing vaults" in Granada architecture, presenting complex geometric solutions, such as in the octogonal head of San Jerónimo, the vaulted passages of the cathedral, or the chapel previous to the sacristy in the Cathedral, where we find a possible antecedent of the well-known "Ochavo de La Guardia" after the analysis carried out. After the surveying, a great skill has been demonstrated in the control of oval and elliptical forms of different proportions, as in the halls of the palace of Carlos V, or in its famous ring vault, whose oval profile is balanced when presenting the lintel at the same high as the first course on the opposite side. Another singular case is that of the extreme skewed vaulted passages of the cathedral, whose different obliquity in height and width forces the construction of half-ellipses instead of semi-circumferences, as in the central steps. The results obtained are quite interesting, regarding to the evolution of certain pieces and their relationship with masonry texts, being the most notable case the one of the lunettes. From the pointed lunettes of the crypt of the palace of Carlos V, to the spherical lunettes of the dome of the cathedral, we find a series of pieces with different geometric configurations, whose analysis has been even more interesting when comparing them with later solutions and those exposed in the treatises, which, as we shall see, are closely related. If in the crypt we find probably the first stone pointed lunettes, with horizontal and continuous whole joints, in the western hall of the same building we have found a solution of cylindrical lunette, where the resulting intersection is a very close curve to the theoretical solution of the texts. In the southern hall of the same palace, however, we find pointed lunettes and rare-arches, whereas in the dome of the cathedral spherical lunettes are opened, reason why we are before a great range of solutions for the same piece that has turned out really interesting for the current research. Therefore, after analyzing all the discussions considered, the protagonist of masonry works executed in Granada during the 16th century is undeniable. Given the scant background of the analyzed pieces from a geometrical and constructive point of view, its innovative character is evident, becoming a notable influence on the Renaissance stonework texts and on the constructive practice at the same time. ; Escuela Internacional de Doctorado ; Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena ; Programa Oficial de Doctorado en Arquitectura y Tecnología de la Edificación
Mención Europea/Internacional concedida. ; [SPA] Debido a la gran reforma urbanística y arquitectónica desarrollada en Granada durante el siglo XVI, fruto del contexto económico y político de la ciudad, ésta se convierte en un gran laboratorio renacentista donde experimentar nuevas formas y tipologías constructivas. En este contexto, aparece la cantería renacentista como la interpretación española del Renacimiento italiano, que se basa en el uso de la piedra como material de construcción frente al empleo del ladrillo en Italia. Esta tesis doctoral plantea el estudio de la estereotomía de distintas fábricas y piezas de cantería construidas en Granada durante el siglo XVI. Para ello se han analizado, por un lado, los tratados y manuscritos de cantería del XVI, así como sus posibles antecedentes constructivos; y por otra parte, se han llevado a cabo levantamientos fotogramétricos de una selección representativa de piezas relevantes de cantería en Granada. Este estudio ha permitido profundizar en el conocimiento de las técnicas empleadas en su diseño geométrico y en su ejecución, aportando una visión de conjunto sobre la aparición, evolución y difusión de la construcción pétrea a lo largo del siglo XVI en el foco renacentista granadino. El análisis de las bóvedas de los edificios estudiados tras los levantamientos realizados ha evidenciado el carácter innovador de las obras renacentistas ejecutadas en Granada tras la reincorporación de la ciudad al Reino de Castilla. Pero no sólo encontramos innovaciones en los problemas que se abordan, sino en los métodos que se emplean. La investigación realizada ha puesto de manifiesto, en primer lugar, la notable evolución de las bóvedas por cruceros en la arquitectura granadina, presentando soluciones geométricas complejas, como en el monasterio de San Jerónimo y en la catedral. Por otra parte, tras los levantamientos ha quedado patente una gran destreza en el control de formas ovales y elípticas de distintas proporciones, como ocurre en los zaguanes del palacio de Carlos V, o en su famosa bóveda anular, junto con los pasos extremos de la catedral, cuyo abocinamiento desigual en altura y anchura fuerza la construcción de semielipes en lugar de semicircunferencias, como ocurre en los pasos centrales. También son interesantes los resultados obtenidos con respecto a la evolución de ciertas piezas y su relación con los textos de cantería, siendo el caso más notable el de la gran variedad de lunetos ejecutados en Granada durante el siglo XVI, especialmente en el palacio de Carlos V. Por último, los resultados obtenidos sugieren la existencia de relaciones, influencias y una importante transferencia de conocimientos entre los distintos focos arquitectónicos del Renacimiento en el Sur de la Península, como Murcia, Jaén o Sevilla a través de las obras construidas y sus ejecutores. Por tanto, tras analizar todas las discusiones consideradas, es innegable el protagonismo de las obras de cantería ejecutadas en Granada a lo largo del siglo XVI. Dados los escasos antecedentes de las piezas analizadas desde el punto de vista geométrico y constructivo, su carácter innovador es evidente, llegando a ejercer una notable influencia sobre los textos de cantería renacentista y sobre la práctica constructiva al mismo tiempo. ; [ENG] Although some authors have downplayed the importance of the Andalusian focus of new Renaissance architecture, many others have attributed a great importance to it. In this context, Granada acquires a special relevance, due to the historical events of the late 15th century, whose political, social, cultural and artistic consequences were noticed in the city throughout the 16th century. Architectural and urban changes in the city made Granada a great Renaissance laboratory to experience new forms, and new constructive typologies, creating one of the most prolific centuries that Granada has known. During the 16th century, there was an adaptation of the Gothic construction techniques to the new Renaissance forms, which developed in new techniques and stonework strategies in order to reproduce the Renaissance architectural forms imported from Italy. The main problem to solve when building vaults and stone constructions is usually stability, so that the most critical factor to consider is not resistance, but the shape of the whole structure as a single object. That is why the problems in these kind of constructions are a geometric issue. That is why it is necessary to conceive, before the execution, a scheme of division in pieces. Stereotomy is the discipline that studies the layouts and necessary processes of stonecutting for the execution of stone pieces. And it is historically accredited by the large number of treatises and manuscripts that focus their attention on the development and exhibition of different solutions. This doctoral thesis proposes to study the geometry and stereotomy of different vaults and stonework pieces built in Granada during the 16th century. To this end, we will analyze, on the one hand, the theoretical tracings and proposals existing in the treatises and Renaissance stonework manuscripts. On the other hand, we have carried out several photogrammetric surveys on a representative selection of relevant pieces in the Italian Renaissance implementation process in Spain, specifically in Granada. This study aims to allow a deeper understanding of the graphic techniques used in its geometric design, as well as the construction techniques used in its execution. It also provides an overview of the Renaissance stone construction history, its appearance, evolution and diffusion throughout the 16th century in the Granada Renaissance focus. The survey and analysis of the singular masonry pieces in Granada, together with the analysis of the existing documentation, the stonework texts and the constructions before and after them, have allowed us to reach the main objective of this thesis: the determination of the geometric configuration and constructive features of the analyzed pieces, as well as their influence and relevant role in the construction history in Spain. The analysis of the vaults of the building has evidenced the innovative character of the Renaissance works executed in Granada after the reincorporation of the city to the Kingdom of Castile. But we do not only find innovations in the problems that are approached, but also in the methods that were used. The research carried out has revealed the remarkable evolution of the "grid crossing vaults" in Granada architecture, presenting complex geometric solutions, such as in the octogonal head of San Jerónimo, the vaulted passages of the cathedral, or the chapel previous to the sacristy in the Cathedral, where we find a possible antecedent of the well-known "Ochavo de La Guardia" after the analysis carried out. After the surveying, a great skill has been demonstrated in the control of oval and elliptical forms of different proportions, as in the halls of the palace of Carlos V, or in its famous ring vault, whose oval profile is balanced when presenting the lintel at the same high as the first course on the opposite side. Another singular case is that of the extreme skewed vaulted passages of the cathedral, whose different obliquity in height and width forces the construction of half-ellipses instead of semi-circumferences, as in the central steps. The results obtained are quite interesting, regarding to the evolution of certain pieces and their relationship with masonry texts, being the most notable case the one of the lunettes. From the pointed lunettes of the crypt of the palace of Carlos V, to the spherical lunettes of the dome of the cathedral, we find a series of pieces with different geometric configurations, whose analysis has been even more interesting when comparing them with later solutions and those exposed in the treatises, which, as we shall see, are closely related. If in the crypt we find probably the first stone pointed lunettes, with horizontal and continuous whole joints, in the western hall of the same building we have found a solution of cylindrical lunette, where the resulting intersection is a very close curve to the theoretical solution of the texts. In the southern hall of the same palace, however, we find pointed lunettes and rare-arches, whereas in the dome of the cathedral spherical lunettes are opened, reason why we are before a great range of solutions for the same piece that has turned out really interesting for the current research. Therefore, after analyzing all the discussions considered, the protagonist of masonry works executed in Granada during the 16th century is undeniable. Given the scant background of the analyzed pieces from a geometrical and constructive point of view, its innovative character is evident, becoming a notable influence on the Renaissance stonework texts and on the constructive practice at the same time. ; Escuela Internacional de Doctorado ; Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena ; Programa Oficial de Doctorado en Arquitectura y Tecnología de la Edificación
The Country Opinion Survey in Uganda assists the World Bank Group (WBG) in gaining a better understanding of how stakeholders in Uganda perceive the WBG. It provides the WBG with systematic feedback from national and local governments, multilateral/bilateral agencies, media, academia, the private sector, and civil society in Uganda on 1) their views regarding the general environment in Uganda; 2) their overall attitudes toward the WBG in Uganda; 3) overall impressions of the WBG's effectiveness and results, knowledge work and activities, and communication and information sharing in Uganda; and 4) their perceptions of the WBG's future role in Uganda.
The Arnhem Land Progress Association (ALPA) has operated stores for up to twenty years in many Arnhem Land communities. It started by buying ration stores formerly operated by the Methodist Overseas Mission. These were mainly small, poorly stocked counter stores, generally operated on an intermittent basis by the mission staff and their families. The organisation at both the local level and at the central administrative level has gone through many changes during its twenty years in operation including its formal separation from the Church, the building up and expansion of the retail store infrastructure in each ALPA member community, and various changes in direction and philosophy under the leadership of the different ALPA Group Managers (now called Executive Directors). In an era when the operation of retail stores in remote communities has proved extremely risky (see Young 1984), ALPA has succeeded in providing the communities with efficient, well stocked, modem retail stores with many ancillary services. Since its inception ALPA has seen itself as an alternative development agency catering for Aboriginal communities both in Arnhem Land and in the Kimberley region of Western Australia. Not content with providing an essential retail service, ALPA has viewed the stores and the profits generated by the stores as a means of providing training, scholarships and other educational opportunities for Aboriginal people, allocating starter loans for family and clan businesses, and underwriting community projects in the settlements in which it operates. ALPA has provided store training services to other organisations such as Anangu Winkiku Stores (AWS) in Alice Springs and non-ALPA Aboriginal communities across the north of Australia. Throughout its history the Association has remained fiercely proud of its economic independence of government. Although ALPA has successfully operated stores in Aboriginal communities for over twenty years, there are many unresolved issues facing the organisation today. Many of these issues are not directly concerned with ALPA the organisation, although there are some which pertain directly to the nature and style of operation of this particular organisation. Problems have arisen because of the difficulties associated with service delivery to remote Aboriginal communities and the conflict between the 'money side' as opposed to the 'community side' of the organisation providing these services. Sometimes the problems are really part of the politics in settlements or the typical grumblings made by most store customers in any community, Aboriginal or non Aboriginal. And sometimes the problems are part of the wider questions about the national and Territory economy, the politics of Aboriginal autonomy, Aboriginal land rights, the apparent patemalisms which dominate many non-Aboriginal dealings with Aboriginal people and so on. As well as being proud of what the organisation has achieved and wanting this documented as a celebration of its twenty years in operation, ALPA was concerned about resolving the issues and questions affecting the stores and the Association today. For this reason the Association sought an evaluation of its work hoping that the exercise would give some pointers on how best to deal with these issues while simultaneously achieving its constitutional objective of 'the social and economic development of Aboriginal people'. After negotiations with NARU, ALPA agreed to fund a large part of a research project with the following objectives: • to produce a well documented history of ALPA, its activities and achievements over the last twenty years; • to evaluate the objectives, goals and aspirations of ALPA, the relevance of those objectives, and how they have changed over time; • to evaluate the effectiveness, efficiency and impacts of ALPA programs; • to make comparisons with similar associations both in northern Australia and overseas; • to make recommendations and suggest strategies for change. These objectives were to be met by writing a history and a general historical evaluation of ALPA, preparing a draft evaluation of the Association for the Directors of ALPA, and preparing a comparative report of similar organisations. The research team assembled to work on the project comprised David Lea (Executive Director, NARU), Samantha Wells (Research Assistant, NARU), Greg Crough (Senior Research Fellow, NARU), Christine Christophersen (Research Assistant, NARU), Elspeth Young (Associate Professor, Australian Defence Force Academy, Canberra) and Ritchie Howitt (Lecturer, Macquarie University). Data for the project were collected from eclectic sources. Some, especially in the early stages, were obtained from background reading on outback stores, indigenous enterprises and culture contact in general, particularly those readings concerned with reconciling western thought and business practice with Aboriginal thought and modes of production. This was followed by an in-depth study of the files of ALPA, archival material and of other organisations both in Australia and North America. Much of the information collected for the project was derived from structured and unstructured inteiViews with individuals and groups in homes, offices and communities; formal and informal discussions; meetings with communities, organisations and groups; and observation of events. For reasons of confidentiality, many names of people spoken to, especially in the communities, have been withheld. Rough drafts of confidential reports were presented to ALPA's Board of Directors in July 1992. ALPA subsequently withdrew from the project leaving NARU to complete it. It is likely that NARU will publish Young's Support Organisations/or Aboriginal Stores: the Arnhem Land Progress Association and its counterparts in Central Australia and the North American Arctic, and Crough and Christophersen's Some Perspectives on the Arnhem Land Progress Association in the near future. This historical account of the Amhem Land Progress Association reflects the organisation's pride in its survival, operations and growth over the last twenty years. It also reflects ALPA's concern about where it is going and where it should go. It is to the credit of the Association that it was eager to learn from the past and to share its experiences in what is a difficult and sensitive field. It is therefore appropriate that I should first thank the Directors, management and staff of ALPA who supported this project and assisted me in many ways, in particular Stuart McMillan, George Rawnsley, Henry Harper, Lori Katarski, Donald Nulupani and David Djalangi. I would also like to thank the various ALPA representatives who read the final draft of the history manuscript and submitted comments in order to prevent or reconcile any discrepancies before publishing the work. The store managers and their spouses in various Aboriginal communities provided me with much time, hospitality and knowledge. This was greatly appreciated as was the tolerance of the storeworlcers as I nosed in and out of aisles or interrupted tea breaks for a chat. It is impossible to mention all the people who shared insights with me about their communities, lives, the stores and the Association but I would like to acknowledge this and for being given permission to experience first hand a remarlcable land, people and culture. Other people (see Appendix 2) in towns around Australia also deserve mention for agreeing to be interviewed and making these interviews as pleasant and rewarding as possible. Stephen Evans was able to provide much insight and infonnation into the worlcings of ALPA for which I am exceedingly grateful. The North Australia Research Unit provided a congenial 'home' while I was working on this book. I am extremely appreciative of the research team's support, criticisms and discussions throughout the project. Especially David Lea who read and reread drafts providing constructive criticism, helpful suggestions and fmding resting places for many wandering apostrophes. Other NARU staff and visitors to the Unit provided much assistance throughout the project, in particular Ann Webb (copy editing and production), Sally Roberts and Colleen Pyne (library research), Meriel Weir (computing), Nicki Hanssen, Janet Sincock, Jann King and Toni Bauman. NARU provided not just institutional help but financial assistance, technical help and hours of stimulating debate. The Northern Territory Archives Service, the State Library and the Uniting Church provided much assistance and made the research task a little easier. My family, friends, housemates and associates all deserve mention for coping with the stress of what, at times, became a particularly difficult project. Thanks also to 'Green Ant' who designed the cover. Finally my special thanks to Adrian Deville who served as editor, inspirationalist and friend the whole way through. Note: NARU observes a number of publishing conventions in its publications. These are set out in a style booklet which is readily available. However, because many quotations are used throughout this book, it should be pointed out that material in quotations is never changed unless a series of full-stops indicates that something is omitted or square brackets indicate something has been inserted within them. Thus, within the quotations, there are frequent infelicities of style, grammar and spellings. Abbreviations are often different from those used in the text for example there are various spellings of 'Yolngu' and Amhem Land is sometimes presented as one word. These quotations are used because they are relevant or important to the text I feel that the context will make any conflicts or ambiguities between text and quotations clear.
Not Available ; Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, it is indeed an honor for us to be here with you in the presence of our honorable host, Dr. Raghava Reddy, the Honorable Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Raghu Veera Reddy, Asian PGPR board members and the many other scientists and entrepreneurs who have come to participate in this Congress. It is our privilege to welcome all of you. To me, this is a very special and a spectacular way of coming to our mother land, particularly Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh to speak to you about PGPR technology. The initial idea of having the First Asian PGPR Congress in Hyderabad was sparked by Dr. Y. R. Sarma, when he visited me in Auburn, Alabama, USA, seven months ago. We wanted to have an outlet where we could have alternative workshops and congresses that could be more accessible to people in this region of the world, given that it is difficult for many people interested in PGPR research to attend every International Conference. From those ideas we arrive at this Congress in Hyderabad. The creation of biotechnologies, bio-businesses, biotechnopreneurs, bio-farmers, bio-students and bio-billionaires is the theme of this "ASIAN PGPR CONGRESS FOR SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE". What is PPGR? Why Asian PGPR? Let's take a moment to discuss PGPR and its importance. Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are root associated bacteria representing many different genera and species that colonize the rhizosphere, rhizoplane and improve plant growth when artificially introduced onto seeds, seedpieces, roots, or into soil. PGPR improve plant growth by one or more mechanisms: direct stimulation of plant growth; enhancement of nutrient uptake; suppression of plant pathogens; and/or induction of resistance in host plants against pathogens. The first PGPR Workshop was held in Canada in 1987 and since then the workshop has been held every three years at various locations around the world: Switzerland (1990), Australia (1994), Japan (1997), Argentina (2000), India (2003) and The Netherlands (2006). The 8th International PGPR Workshop was held very recently in the Portland, Oregon, USA (2009). xviii Plant Growth Promotion by Rhizobacteria for Sustaninable Agriculture In 2003, the PGPR workshop held in India achieved considerable recognition and was attended by more than 300 delegates. Since then, PGPR research has increased exponentially and has resulted in continued boosting of new companies in a growing industry for the production of PGPR related products in India. Asian PGPR Congress for Sustainable Agriculture aims to assemble any professional who want to gain and share their knowledge on PGPR under one roof and to present their views on the following themes: • Status of PGPR research • PGPR applications in crops • Biofertilizers and PGPR in integrated nutrient management • Mechanisms, signaling, plant responses, bioactive metabolites • Plant pathogen - PGPR interactions • Farmers – academia - industry interaction • Biogeography, genomics, bioinformatics • Rhizosphere interactions, climate change and new technologies • Round table discussion on research – industry - policy interfacing • Commercialization, regulatory issues, trade barriers in PGPR • Human resource development and transfer of technology Today, many economically important agricultural, horticultural and ornamental crop plants are attacked by various soil borne and foliar diseases, resulting in billions of dollars in crop losses. Currently, the most widely used disease management strategy is the use of chemical fungicides. However, the use of these fungicides has encountered problems, such as development of resistance by pathogen to fungicides and rapid degradation of the chemicals. Other factors leading to increased interest in alternatives include the increasing cost of soil fumigation, lack of suitable replacements for methyl bromide and public concerns over exposure to fungicides. Both the agriculture and agri-food sector are now expected to move toward environmentally sustainable development, while maintaining productivity. These concerns and expectations have led to renewed interest on the use of "biologically based pest management strategies". One approach to such biologically based strategies is the use of naturally occurring and environmentally safe products such as PGPR. It has long been known that many microorganisms in the soil root ecosystem are attracted by nutrients exuded by plant roots. This soil-root ecozone is called rhizosphere. Many bacteria from the rhizosphere can influence plant growth and plant health positively, and we refer to them as PGPR. The beneficial effect of these bacteria have been variously attributed to their ability to produce various compounds including phytohormones, organic acids and siderophores, fixation of atmospheric Preface xix nitrogen, phosphate solubilization, antibiotics that suppress deleterious rhizobacteria or to some other unidentified mechanisms. Worldwide, PGPR technology is being considered as the latest pursuit for expertise in knowledge intensive sectors. Currently, the global agriculture biotech industry is valued at an estimated US$ 45 billion and is expected to grow at 25% annually. Indian Ag biotechnology industry is currently valued at US$ 2.5 billion. Much of the credit for growth of the Indian Ag biotechnology industry goes to the government that created a separate department for biotechnology under the Ministry of Science and Technology. Our state governments are also equal contributors towards making India an emerging hub of Ag biotechnology. Today, we have the benefit of having both Central and State Governments partnering with us for this congress. I see similar capabilities in all participating Asian countries and we all inherently have the strengths, excellent networks of research laboratories, rich biodiversity, well-developed seed industries and most importantly highly skilled and trained pool of scientific manpower. Today, Asian countries are slowly but steadily preparing themselves for an emerging Ag biotechnology revolution. The success in this sector, however, depends on a number of enabling factors like facilitating venture capital funding, technology absorption and strengthening of links between the industry, academic and government institutions, not only within each country but amongst all Asian countries and our International partners. The green revolution of agriculture brought an enormous increase in food production. It not only made the world self sufficient in food but also gave the world's scientists and farmers an immense amount of selfrespect. Though the green revolution did increase food production, the productivity levels have remained low and increase was achieved at a cost of intensive use of water, fertilizer and other inputs which have caused problems of soil salinity, ground water pollution, nutrient imbalances, emergence of new pest and diseases and environmental degradation. To feed the ever increasing population globally and in Asia more and more food now has to be produced from less and less land, water and other natural resources. It is therefore apparent that we have to do things differently and doing more of what we did yesterday will not take us forward. With the advent of PGPR technology and its use on crops, we can achieve higher productivity, better quality, improved nutrition, improved storage properties, increased pests and disease resistance and achieve higher prices for farmers in the global market place. PGPR technology has the immense potential of eradicating rural poverty and fueling Asia's GDP growth. By exploiting our knowledge of PGPR technology we have the opportunity to make Asia the global center of bioresearch. The PGPR industry is a relatively new venture, just coming out of its infancy. Its potential is being tested, realized and used. The public xx Plant Growth Promotion by Rhizobacteria for Sustaninable Agriculture awareness and acceptance of PGPR will accelerate the process. Currently these are being supplemented by private individual entrepreneurs for developing PGPR products for local needs as well as for the export market. Technologies are flowing into the country due to the changed economic scenario. With continued support we can soon become global players in PGPR technology. I hope I have been able to impart upon you the great enthusiasm I feel about the future through the use of PGPR. We must bring about a massive collective global effort dedicated to funding new research in PGPR's. I encourage all of you here to bolster the spirit in your colleagues and yourselves as you now enable Asia to become a world leader in the application of PGPR technology to the betterment of our agriculture. I am confident that by working together we can overcome the obstacles and seize the opportunities in the PGPR technologies in the new millennium. I am taking this opportunity to call upon all stakeholders from the wide range of Asian countries to join hands and use PGPR to make our world a better place to live. Join me and let us see the future we can create with PGPR through this Congress. ; Not Available
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Former President Donald Trump's foreign policy is as murky as ever.He gave a rare long-form interview to journalist Eric Cortellessa for TIME's stark May magazine cover, simply titled, "If He Wins." Alongside the profile, TIME also released the full transcripts of two interviews that Cortellessa had with the former president. Cortellessa grilled Trump on a number of foreign policy topics, including the ongoing wars in Gaza and Ukraine. As is often the case with Trump's views on international affairs, they raise more questions than answers, leaving uncertainty about what he would do if elected president in November.In general, Trump's foreign policy approach seems motivated by criticizing what he considers to be Joe Biden's failures while avoiding providing clear, discernible alternatives. On multiple occasions, Trump has claimed that neither Russia's invasion of Ukraine nor Hamas's incursion into Israel would have happened under his watch, claims he repeated during Tuesday's interview. Israel and the Middle East Trump's answers to what he would do about wars in the Middle East were largely noncommittal, with one notable exception. When asked in the first interview — which took place the day before Iran launched airstrikes at Israel — Trump said that he would "protect Israel" in the case of a war with Tehran. During a second conversation two weeks later, Trump seemed to endorse the idea that Iran's strikes on Israel in April were telegraphed with the intention of avoiding further escalation — and said that that was a "good thing" — but then affirmed his support for defending Israel. "So it would depend, obviously, but the answer is yes," Trump said. "If they attack Israel, yes, we would be there." Otherwise, Trump played up his loyalty to Israel during his presidential term, touting his withdrawal from the JCPOA, his moving of the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, and his recognition of the Golan Heights as part of Israel. But Trump also had harsh words for Benjamin Netanyahu. "I had a bad experience with Bibi. And it had to do with Soleimani, because as you probably know by now, he dropped out just before the attack," Trump said, referring to the January 2020 strike that killed Iranian military officer Qassem Soleimani, in which, Trump claims, the Israeli prime minister declined to participate at the last minute. "And I was not happy about that. That was something I never forgot. And it showed me something. I would say that what happened on—the October 7 should have never happened."He added that Netanyahu "rightfully has been criticized for what took place on October 7," without elaborating on exactly what he meant. Speaking about Israel's reaction to the Hamas attacks, Trump repeated an earlier criticism that Israel had mismanaged its PR approach to the war. "I don't think that the Israel Defense Fund or any other group should be sending out pictures every night of buildings falling down and being bombed with possibly people in those buildings every single night, which is what they do," Trump said, misnaming the Israel Defense Forces. While Trump has previously said that Israel should "get [the war] over with," he did not say what he would do to accomplish that goal. When pressed by Cortellesa over whether he would be willing to condition military aid to Israel to try to end the war, Trump deflected, instead listing the pro-Israeli policies implemented during his presidency. Trump also expressed skepticism over the possibility of a two-state solution, but did not suggest an alternative proposal. He did point to doubts from his former patron and late pro-Israel GOP mega-donor Sheldon Adelson as a reason for his pessimism."He loved Israel, and he wanted to protect Israel. And he felt that it was impossible to make a deal because of the level of hatred," Trump said. "I disagreed with it. But so far, he hasn't been wrong" The former president was similarly noncommittal about withdrawing troops from the region to focus on other theaters, only saying that the U.S. was "in a lot of places where we shouldn't be," and that "We have a lot of options" when it comes to military deployments. Ukraine, Russia, and NATO Trump has been painted by members of the media, his opponents, and even some supporters as a staunch opponent of aid to Ukraine. And while he earlier pledged to end the war in 24 hours, the former president has never articulated a clear strategy for doing so. He reportedly quietly blessed Speaker Mike Johnson's foreign aid package — which included roughly $60 billion in assistance for Kyiv — and since its passage has continued to praise the Speaker while generally staying quiet on the details of the legislation.In the TIME interview, Trump again provided very few details on his policy preferences. His primary gripe is that Europe has expected Washington to foot the bill while not providing sufficient aid itself."We're in for billions of dollars more than they're in in Ukraine. It shouldn't be that way. It should be the opposite way. Because they're much more greatly affected. We have an ocean in between us. They don't," he said.When pressed about whether he would support cutting off military aid for Kyiv, Trump said, "I wouldn't give unless Europe starts equalizing." He repeated similar talking points in response to a series of further questions trying to pin down his stance on Ukraine aid. Trump also said that he had not yet called for the release of detained Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich because he has "so many things I'm working on." He added that, if elected president, he would secure Gershkovich's release. "I get along very well with Putin, but the reporter should be released and he will be released," he said. "I don't know if he's going to be released under Biden." Other notable quotablesCortellessa also asked Trump about his stance on China/Taiwan, South Korea, and NATO. Asked whether the U.S. should defend Taiwan if China invades, Trump remained ambiguous. "I've been asked this question many times and I always refuse to answer it because I don't want to reveal my cards to a wonderful reporter like you," Trump said. "But no. China knows my answer very well. But they have to understand that things like that can't come easy. But I will say that I have never publicly stated although I want to, because I wouldn't want to give away any negotiating abilities by giving information like that to any reporter."On South Korea, Trump seemed to threaten a withdrawal of U.S. forces if Seoul did not "treat us properly.""They've become a very wealthy country. We've essentially paid for much of their military, free of charge. And they agreed to pay billions of dollars," he said. "And now probably now that I'm gone, they're paying very little. I don't know if you know that they renegotiated the deal I made. And they're paying very little."The 45th president made a similar case for the NATO alliance, which he said he was not interested in re-negotiating. "I don't need to renegotiate the terms of the treaty. All I need to do is have them pay their bills. They don't pay their bills," Trump said, seemingly referring to a certain percentage of GDP NATO countries pledge to spend on defense. There are no NATO "bills." He added that his primary problem with the alliance was that he doubted that NATO countries would come to America's defense if attacked despite the fact that many NATO countries fought alongside the United States in Afghanistan. Trump gave a meandering interview which covered a lot of ground but ultimately didn't reveal much about what another term would look like, instead sticking to his common talking points — perhaps deliberately offering little detail to keep his options open if he returns to the Oval Office next year.
This study investigated a behaviour of South Africa's economy towards inflows of foreign direct investment (FDI) from Brazil, Russia, India and China (BRICs) economies, during the period 1997 to 2016. The BRICs bloc was coined in 2001 by then chairperson of Goldman Sachs Asset Management, Jim O'Neil. According to Goldman Sach (2001), the BRICs group was collectively expected to overtake the major economic powers over the span of a few decades. Their growth is expected to shape a new economic order and replace the currently dominant advanced economies. South Africa joined the BRICs bloc in 2010 as the jeweler of the world and as a gateway to Africa. It joined the BRICs group at the time when economic growth was at a sluggish rate, and the savings and investment were at the lowest rate. The country had a high unemployment rate, high levels of poverty and income inequality. On the other hand, the BRICs economies had limited intra-BRICs flows amongst themselves. It is against this background that this study investigated the long run impact of BRICs FDI inflows on South Africa's economic growth, and the causality relationship between South Africa's economic growth and BRICs FDI inflows. This study contributes to the body of knowledge of economics in South Africa and the literature on foreign direct investment and economic growth in South Africa. The study employed two cointegration methods to investigate the behaviour of South Africa's economy towards inflows of foreign direct investment from BRICs economies. These are fully modified ordinary least squares (FMOLS) and dynamic ordinary least squares (DOLS). For granger causality, the study employed Stacked and Dumistrescu Hurlin tests. All the models used time series annual data from 1997 to 2016. The Unit root test results confirmed that the variables were stationary at first difference using panel Im, Pesaran, Shin (IPS) and Levin, Lin, Chu (LLC). The research employs four regressions, first, Economic growth and foreign direct investment (i.e. private sector, banking sector and both sectors), human capital, physical capital, household consumption, government expenditure, exports, and arable land; Second, Employment and foreign direct investment, human capital, physical capital, household consumption, government expenditure, exports, and arable land; third, Economic complexity and foreign direct investment, human capital, physical capital, household consumption, government expenditure, exports, and arable land; finally, Unemployment and foreign direct investment, human capital, physical capital, household consumption, government expenditure, exports, and arable land. The cointegration results for private FDI and economic growth, employment, economic complexity, and unemployment. The results show only economic complexity has significant effect on foreign direct investment and other variables show insignificant results. However, this effect is smaller compared to other growth determinants which are included in the regressions. The cointegration results for bank FDI. These results show more similarities with private FDI results and few differences. However, this effect is smaller compared to other growth determinants included in the regressions. These growth determinants, however, show a positive effect of human capital and household consumption on economic growth which is expected. Other interesting results are exports being positively related with economic growth and unemployment but negative with employment and insignificant with economic complexity. Another one is government spending negatively influence economic growth, employment and positively influence unemployment. But insignificant for economic complexity. Total FDI results and other variables. These results are also similar to private and bank FDI results discussed above. Economic complexity shows significant effect with foreign direct investment, yet other variables are insignificant. . Further results show human capital positively related with economic growth, which is expected. However, physical capital and household consumption negatively affects growth. Another one exports show positive influence on economic growth but negatively related with employment. Yet, insignificant with economic complexity and unemployment. Other results government spending shows negative influence with employment but insignificant with economic growth, economic complexity and unemployment. The results for nonlinearity between the variables under review. The results that employment and economic complexity are nonlinear with foreign direct investment and no nonlinearity between unemployment, economic growth and foreign direct investment. For employment, low levels of foreign direct investment (LFDI_private) adversely affects employment but at higher levels (FDI_private_SQ) is insignificant. For economic complexity, low levels of foreign direct investment are insignificant for economic complexity but at higher levels there is a positive effect of squared foreign direct investment on economic complexity. Further results show that economic growth and employment are nonlinear with human capital, physical capital, household consumption and exports. Physical capital and household consumption adversely affect economic growth, yet positively affects employment. Human capital positively affects economic growth, employment, and unemployment. Exports positively affect economic growth, but negatively affect employment. Further results show nonlinearity between employment and government expenditure. Government expenditure adversely affects employment. Also, economic growth and unemployment show nonlinearity with arable land. Arable land adversely affects economic growth but positively affects unemployment. Nonlinear results for economic growth and economic complexity with foreign direct investment but no nonlinearity in other remaining variables. For economic growth, low levels of foreign direct investment there is a positive effect of foreign direct investment on economic growth, however, at higher levels foreign direct investment are insignificant. For economic complexity, low levels of foreign direct investment are insignificant, yet, higher levels of foreign direct investment there is a positive influence of foreign direct investment on economic complexity. Further results show economic growth and employment that are nonlinear with human capital, physical capital, and household consumption. Human capital positively affects both economic growth and employment. Physical capital and household consumption are adversely affecting economic growth, yet positively affects employment. Further results show nonlinearity between economic growth and government expenditure. Government expenditure adversely affects employment. More results, employment, and unemployment show nonlinearity results with exports. Exports adversely affect employment but positively affects unemployment. Results show economic growth and unemployment that are nonlinear with arable land. Arable land adversely affects economic growth, but positively affect unemployment. Nonlinear results for economic complexity only and other variables show no nonlinearity in the regressions. For economic complexity, low levels of foreign direct investment are insignificant, but at higher levels of foreign direct investment there is positive effect of foreign direct investment on economic complexity. More results show economic growth and employment that are nonlinear with human capital, physical capital, household consumption and exports. Human capital and exports positively affect economic growth, employment, and unemployment. Whereas, physical capital and household consumption adversely affects economic growth and unemployment, yet positively affects employment. Further results show nonlinearity between employment and government expenditure. Government spending adversely affects employment. Further results show nonlinearity between economic growth and unemployment with arable land. Arable land positively affects unemployment, yet adversely affects economic growth. The following section discusses granger causality results. This study also employed granger causality tests. The causality results between economic growth, employment, economic complexity, unemployment, and private foreign direct investment. The causality results show that there is granger causality between economic growth and economic complexity with private foreign direct investment. Whereas, between bank foreign direct investment and other variables there is no granger causality. However, between total foreign direct investment and economic growth and employment there is granger causality. There are a number of policy recommendations that can be drawn from the study. The study results in overall revealed that BRICs (private and bank) FDI inflows had a positive impact on South Africa's economic growth between 1997 and 2016. The study results suggest that the policy makers should focus the attention on lobbying foreign direct investment from BRICs economies, since this study shows positive impact and relationship between South Africa's economic growth and BRICs FDI inflows. The BRICs economies should focus on enhancing investment partnership, preventing protectionism, and promoting intra-BRICS flows. In addition, South Africa should eliminate barriers affecting business with BRICs countries. Policy makers should promote the building of new companies (for example Greenfield Investment) so that the economy of South Africa could grow and create employment. ; Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, Economics, 2021
Migrazione di sostanze organiche attraverso rivestimenti bio-polimerici da imballaggi in carta e cartone per uso alimentare Obiettivi perseguiti durante il presente dottorato di ricerca sono stati: l'ottenimento di dati sulla migrazione dei contaminanti tipicamente presenti in imballaggi di carta e cartone negli alimenti e la valutazione dell'efficacia di bio-polimeri deposti su carta come materiali barriera. Nella prima parte del progetto, è stata eseguita un'indagine analitica di materiali cartacei per uso alimentare allo scopo di identificare le sostanze chimiche più comuni con un potenziale di trasferimento verso gli alimenti. Tali materiali sono stati selezionati in considerazione di una vasta gamma di utilizzi (dal confezionamento primario e secondario agli articoli per fast food). È stato condotto uno screening analitico mediante tecniche di micro estrazione in fase solida (SPME) ed estrazione con solvente (SE) entrambe seguite da successiva analisi mediante gascromatografia-spettrometria di massa (GC-MS) al fine di determinare le principali molecole volatili e semi-volatili in essi presenti. Un gran numero di analiti sono stati rilevati, conseguentemente, per analizzare tali dati, è stato utilizzato un approccio di tipo chemiometrico. Attraverso l'analisi delle componenti principali (PCA) sono stati identificati e selezionati alcuni composti come marker per la classificazione dei campioni. Il metodo analitico utilizzato, combinato con l'approccio chemiometrico, si è dimostrato essere efficace per la trattazione di tali dati. In seguito è stata eseguita una ricerca documentale dedicata a proprietà tossicologiche o restrizioni legislative delle sostanze individuate. La semi-quantificazione dei composti negli imballaggi, ha consentito, mediante l'applicazione del modello di migrazione totale a tempo infinito, una stima della contaminazione di alimenti in condizioni limite; occasionalmente, tali stime portano al superamento dei limiti di migrazione previsti dalla legge. In aggiunta, è stato condotto uno studio sulla presenza di di-isobutile ftalato (DiBP) in film di polivinil cloruruo (PVC) destinato al contatto alimentare. Si è dimostrato come l'origine della contaminazione di tale imballaggio plastico primario per alimenti, fosse costituita dall'imballaggio secondario in cartone (astucci e mandrini in fibra riciclata) utilizzato per la distribuzione e lo stoccaggio di tali tipologie di materiali. Nella seconda parte della ricerca, sono stati sviluppati e caratterizzati rivestimenti a base di biopolimeri applicati su substrati di carta. In particolare, sono stati considerati rivestimenti a base acquosa, costituititi da biopolimeri rinnovabili, tra i quali: amidi modificati (waxy e ad alto contenuto di amilosio), proteine animali (glutine e gelatina). La caratterizzazione dei campioni di carta bio-rivestita è stata condotta mediante misure di angolo di contatto e osservazioni microstrutturali. Allo stesso tempo, sono stati realizzati studi di ripartizione e diffusione di molecole selezionate tra carta o carta bio-rivestita e aria o simulanti alimentari, inoltre; quale confronto, sono stati considerati diversi rivestimenti plastici. Notevoli differenze sono state evidenziate nell'adsorbimento dei contaminanti tra carta bio-rivestita o non rivestita e aria. I minori coefficienti di ripartizione sono stati raggiunti nella carta bio-rivestita, rendendo evidente come i biopolimeri testati siano stati capaci di ridurre l'affinità del substrato carta nei confronti di tali contaminanti. Tali risultati sono stati discussi in relazione delle caratteristiche proprie di ogni biopolimero. Studi di diffusione nel simulante alimentare solido poli 2,6-difenil-p-fenilene ossido, noto anche come Tenax®, hanno confermato che tutti i biopolimeri testati rallentano la migrazione. I dati sperimentali sono stati interpretati mediante modello di Weibull. L'ultima parte dell'attività di ricerca è stata dedicata alla migrazione di composti similari agli oli minerali ed alla valutazione dell'efficacia di rivestimenti a base amido su carta come materiali barriera. La cinetica di migrazione di composti modello (n-alcani: C10-C40) in Tenax® è stata studiata sia mediante HPLC-GC-FID che un sistema di misurazione della permeazione in continuo. L'applicazione di modelli attualmente disponibili ha permesso il confronto con i dati misurati sperimentalmente. Infine, sono stati condotti test di migrazione utilizzando materiali realmente contaminati da oli minerali. ; This PhD thesis is aimed to generate data on migration of typical contaminants from Paper and Board (P&B) packaging into food and on the effectiveness of bio-based polymers coated onto paper as barrier materials. In the first part of the project, an analytical survey of P&B materials intended for food use was carried out with the aim to identify chemicals with a potential to migrate into foods. A screening was applied by means of Solid Phase Micro Extraction (SPME) and solvent extraction (SE) with subsequent analysis by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) to determine volatile and non-volatile molecules. A large number of analytes were detected and a chemometric approach was used to explore the data. PCA (Principal Component Analysis) was used to identify and select some compounds as markers for sample classification. The chosen analytical method coupled with chemometrics proved to be an effective way in processing these data. A literature survey for safety data or legislative restrictions of the identified substances was performed. The semi-quantification of the compounds in the packaging allowed a worst case estimation of food contamination by means of the infinite total migration model; occasionally, migration estimations overcame the specific migration limits. Additionally, a study to investigate the occurrence of diisobutyl phthalate (DiBP) in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) cling films for food contact applications was carried out. It demonstrated the contamination pathway from the secondary paper packaging (contaminated materials, such as folding cardboards and inner cores made of recycled fibres) used for distribution and storage of these primary plastic packaging that will be in contact with food. In the second part of the project, coatings of different biopolymers onto paper substrates were developed and characterized. Focus was directed to water-based, renewable biopolymers, such as: modified starches (cationic starch and cationic waxy starch), plant and animal proteins (gluten and gelatine), poured onto paper with an automatic applicator. Optical contact angle measurements and microstructural observations of the bio-coated paper allowed the characterization of the samples. At the same time, partition and diffusion studies of selected substances of toxicological concern were carried out between paper/coated paper and air or food simulants, additionally, a comparison with a polyethylene laminated paper was performed. The aim was to evaluate the physicochemical behaviour and the barrier properties of bio-coatings against migration of typical contaminants from recycled paper packaging. From the partitioning studies, considerable differences in the adsorption behaviour of the selected contaminants between bio-coated or uncoated paper and air were highlighted. Lowest values of partition coefficients were achieved when paper was bio-coated, making evident that biopolymers reduced the affinity of the paper substrate for the tested migrants. These findings were discussed considering the characteristics of the tested biopolymers. Diffusion studies into the solid food simulant poly 2,6-diphenyl-p-phenylene oxide, also known as Tenax®, confirmed that all the tested biopolymers slowed down migration. The Weibull kinetic model was fit to the experimental data to compare migration from paper and bio-coated paper. Finally, research activity was focused on the migration of contaminants like MOSH (mineral oil saturated hydrocarbons) and on the evaluation of starch based bio-coatings as barrier materials. Migration test series were performed up to 10 days at 60 °C using spiked model substances (n-alkanes C10-C40) and Tenax® as food simulant. HPLC-GC-FID system was used to analyse extracts and its relative performances were compared with an automatic permeation system. Existing predictive models for migration were preliminary applied for comparison with measured data. Finally, migration test series with real contaminated packaging materials were developed.
Les organisations - publiques, privées et à but non lucratif - sont responsables pour une large part des impacts environnementaux. Selon certaines estimations, les activités manufacturières représentent 30 % des émissions mondiales de CO2, alors que les services commerciaux et publics représentent 10 % de ces émissions. Étant donné que cette pollution est le résultat d'activités humaines au sein des organisations, une attention accrue doit être portée aux comportements individuels des employé(e)s. En favorisant et en encourageant les comportements plus écoresponsables chez les employé(e)s, il est possible de minimiser l'impact négatif des organisations et s'assurer d'un avenir plus durable. Cependant, la transformation des comportements individuels nécessite l'examen minutieux d'un grand nombre de facteurs, dont certains ont été peu ou pas explorés dans la littérature scientifique. Composée de trois études distinctes mais étroitement liées, cette thèse entend contribuer à la littérature sur les comportements individuels proenvironnementaux dans les organisations. Spécifiquement, la thèse est centrée sur la question de recherche suivante : Pourquoi certain(e)s employé(e)s sont-ils(-elles) plus enclins que d'autres à adopter des comportements verts dans leur milieu de travail et quelles mesures peuvent être prises par les organisations pour stimuler les initiatives pro-environnementales de leur personnel? Le premier article de la thèse propose une revue systématique de la littérature sur les comportements pro-environnementaux des employé(e)s. Cet article a démontré que peu d'études dans le domaine étaient basées sur les théories comportementales, ce qui est surprenant en considérant la nature comportementale du phénomène. Aussi, seulement quelques études ont été faites en dehors des entreprises, démontrant l'impossibilité de généraliser les résultats à d'autres contextes organisationnels. Finalement, les études démontraient également une séparation entre les suggestions pratiques et les barrières qui influencent les comportements, ce qui peut entraîner des actions promotionnelles inefficaces au sein des organisations. Les deux autres articles de la thèse répondent à ces lacunes à partir d'études empiriques. Ainsi, l'objectif du deuxième article est d'évaluer l'importance de chaque obstacle associé aux comportements verts des employé(e)s non académiques d'une université. Basée sur la théorie du comportement planifié, cette étude examine les croyances des employé(e)s envers deux types de comportements pro-environnementaux : l'utilisation des transports alternatifs et la suggestion d'idées écologiques. Les résultats de cette recherche démontrent qu'il est possible de prédire l'intention des individus d'exercer des actions vertes au travail, mais aussi de les amener à modifier iii ces actions grâce à des interventions. Plus important encore, les facteurs associés au milieu de travail, tels que l'opinion des collègues et la nécessité de remplir des formulaires officiels afin de changer les routines administratives, ont joué un rôle significatif dans les décisions des employé(e)s de s'engager à accomplir des comportements verts. Cela signifie que les organisations sont en mesure d'accroître la fréquence des comportements pro-environnementaux en ciblant ces facteurs à travers des pratiques de gestion qui sont expliquées dans l'article. En ce qui concerne le troisième article, celui-ci porte sur les facteurs qui entravent l'émergence d'innovations pro-environnementales de la part des employé(e)s dans des ministères et organismes publics québécois. Les résultats de cette recherche indiquent que deux aspects contextuels déterminent les facteurs qui influencent de telles innovations : le type d'organisation et l'initiateur de l'idée. En lien avec la littérature, les innovations initiées dans les organismes publics où le développement durable est profondément intégré dans les pratiques quotidiennes faisaient face à moins de barrières en comparaison avec les organismes où le développement durable est intégré de façon superficielle. Simultanément, contrairement à ce qui était initialement prévu, les employé(e)s travaillant sur des tâches en lien avec l'environnement ont eu plus de facteurs à considérer avant de lancer les innovations (par exemple, la nécessité d'être transparent(e)s aux yeux de la population et la prise en compte de l'agenda politique), comparativement aux employé(e)s qui travaillent dans d'autres départements. Cette recherche met en lumière deux types d'innovations proenvironnementales (proactives et contributives) et donne quelques conseils pratiques afin de favoriser l'émergence de ces idées. Bien que les trois recherches portent sur des contextes organisationnels différents, elles offrent des perspectives complémentaires au même phénomène. Généralement, les résultats de cette thèse sont les premiers pas vers une vue plus nuancée des comportements verts exercés par les employé(e)s, comportements qui ne doivent pas être considérés comme un seul type monolithique d'actions. ; Various types of organizations (public, private, non-profit) bear a large part of responsibility for the constantly deteriorating environment. According to some estimates, manufacturing activities account for 30% of global CO2 emissions, and commercial/public services account for 10% of such emissions. As this pollution is the result of human activities within organizations, an increased attention should be paid to individual behaviors of employees. Greening daily actions of employees can minimize negative impacts of organizations and lead to a more sustainable future. However, the transformation of individual behaviors requires a careful examination of a large number of factors, many of which have not been explored in the academic literature. In this context, this thesis, composed of three distinct but tightly connected studies, is dedicated to the following research question: Why some employees are more inclined to perform green behaviors in the workplace than others and what steps can be undertaken by organizations to increase the likelihood of voluntary pro-environmental activities among personnel? The first article of the thesis is a systematic review of the literature on pro-environmental behaviors in the workplace. It provides a comprehensive mapping of the literature on previously explored obstacles to such behaviors and managerial practices that are applied to encourage these individual actions. Also, this article points out several literature gaps that require further investigation, notably: the lack of studies based on behavioral theories (which is surprising given the fact that individual actions should be studied through the lens of psychological frameworks), the quantitative nature of most research in the domain (which means a relatively limited critical approach), the lack of articles with samples of employees working outside of the private sector (which points at the impossibility of generalizing results to other types of organizations), as well as the disconnection between practical suggestions and barriers that influence behaviors (which might lead to inefficient promotional measures within organizations and, as a consequence, useless expenditures). The two other articles of the thesis address these issues. The objective of the second article is to evaluate the relative importance of each obstacle associated with green behaviors of non-academic university employees. Based on the theory of planned behaviour, this study examines employees' beliefs towards two pro-environmental behaviors: the use of alternative transportation and the suggestion of ecological ideas at work. The results of this research demonstrate that it is possible to predict the intention of employees to perform green behaviors, and, as a consequence, they can be changed through an intervention. More importantly, v various factors linked with the workplace context (for example, the opinion of colleagues and the necessity to fill in forms to change administrative routines) played a significant role in the decision of employees to get involved in green behaviors. This signifies that organizations are capable of increasing the frequency of pro-environmental behaviors by targeting these factors through a range of managerial practices described in the article. Concerning the third article, it is based on a qualitative approach and discusses factors that impede the emergence of employee-driven pro-environmental innovations within ministries and public organizations in Quebec. The results of this research indicate that two contextual aspects determine which factors influence such innovations: the type of organization and the initiator of the idea. In line with the literature, innovations initiated in public organizations where sustainability was profoundly integrated in daily practices faced fewer barrriers in comparison with organizations where sustainability is taken into account superficially. At the same time, and contrary to the initial expectations, employees with environment-related duties have more factors to consider prior to launching innovations (for instance, the necessity of being transparent in the eyes of the population and the existence of the political agenda) in comparison with their colleagues from other departments. This study sheds light on two types of pro-environmental innovations (proactive and contributory) and the aspects that determine the likelihood of these ideas emerging in public organizations. Although the three studies of the thesis discuss different organizational contexts, they offer complimentary perspectives on the same phenomenon. In general, the results of this dissertation are one of the first steps towards a more nuanced view of workplace green behaviors that should not be considered as a monolithic type of individual actions performed by employees.
The dissertation at hand focuses on the enforcement of accounting standards in Germany. The legal basis of the external enforcement of accounting standards in Germany was created by the "Bilanzkontrollgesetz" (Financial Reporting Enforcement Act) at the end of 2004. An enforcement mechanism was installed to enforce accounting standard compliance by regular reviews of disclosed financial statements. The system was established as implementation of EU guidelines. Since 2005, International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) shall be applied for consolidated financial statement of firms listed on a regulated market segment within the European Union (EU) (Regulation EC No. 1606/2002). Simultaneously to the harmonization of accounting standards, the EU fostered the standardization of enforcement systems to ensure compliance with international accounting standards. Par. 16 of the so-called "IAS Regulation" mandates the "Committee of European Securities Regulators" (CESR) to "develop a common approach to enforcement". Germany's unique two-tiered system operates since July 2005; it involves the "Deutsche Pruefstelle fuer Rechnungslegung" (Financial Reporting Enforcement Panel), a newly established private organization primarily assigned to conduct the reviews. As the second tier, the "Bundesanstalt fuer Finanzdienstleistungsaufsicht" (Federal Financial Supervisory Authority) has the sovereign authority to order the publication of errors ("error announcements") and if necessary, to force the cooperation of firms in the review process. The dissertation is structured as follows. A general introduction focuses on the theoretical background and the reasoning for the need of external enforcement mechanisms. The common approach to enforcement in the European Union is described. Building on this, the thesis consists of three individual essays that analyze three specific questions in the context of the enforcement of financial reporting standards in Germany. The first paper focuses on the systematical evaluation of the information contained in 100 selected error announcements (from a total population of 151 evaluable announcements). The study finds that error announcements on average contain 3.64 single errors and 77% affect the reported profit. Relatively small as well as big, highly levered and rather unprofitable firms are overrepresented in the sample of misstatement firms. In a second step, the essay investigates the development of censured firms over time; the pre- and post-misstatement development of the firms in terms of balance sheet data, financial ratios and (real) earnings management are tracked. The analysis detects increasing leverage ratios and a decline in profitability over time. In the year of misstatement firms report large total and discretionary accruals, indicating earnings management. Compared to matched control firms, significant differences in profitability, market valuation, earnings management and real activities manipulations are observable. A major contribution of this first study is the examination of trends in financial data and (real) earnings management over a number of years surrounding misstatements as well as the elaboration of the distinction to non-misstating firms. The results show the meaning of the enforcement of IFRS for the quality of financial reporting to standard setters, policy makers, and investors in Germany. The second paper examines the interrelation of enforcement releases, firm characteristics and earnings quality. Prior literature documents the correlation between underperformance in financial ratios and the probability of erroneous disclosure of financial statements; this study provides evidence for differences in characteristics between firms with enforcement releases and control firms as well as a broad sample of German publicly traded firms (4,730 firm-year observations). Furthermore, research affirms the connection of financial ratios to earnings quality metrics. The accuracy of financial information is considered to be correlated with its quality and therefore the differences in earnings quality between various sub-samples is examined. Overall, the results document the underperformance in important financial ratios as well as indicate an inferior earnings quality of firms subject to enforcement releases vis-a-vis the control groups. These results hold with regard to both different earnings quality specifications and different periods observed. This study appends the earnings quality discussion and contributes to develop a comprehensive picture of accounting quality for the unique institutional settings of Germany. The paper shows that a conjoint two-tier public and private enforcement system is effective and might be an adequate model for other countries. Implications for the regulation of corporate governance, the enforcement panel and the auditor are identified. The third essay additionally considers the role of the auditor. The firms subject to error announcements are used to evaluate the consequences of increasing earnings management over time on enforcement releases and their recognition in audit fees. Prior literature provides evidence on a phenomenon called "balance sheet bloat" that is due to income increasing earnings management and later influences the disclosure of misstated financial statements. The evidence of earnings management recognition in audit fees and findings on the content of future information in audit fees leads to the hypothesis that auditors recognize increasing audit risk in fees before the enforcement process starts. The study extends related earnings management and audit fee literature by modeling the development of earnings management within the misstatement firms and systematically link it to auditor reactions. Significant predictive power of different commonly used accrual measures for enforcement releases in the period prior and up to the misstatement period are found by the study. In the same period of time an increase in audit fees, e.g. the recognition of increased audit risk, can be observed. A possible audit fee effect after the misstatement period is investigated, but no significant relation is obtained. The dissertation closes with a summary of the main findings, a conclusion to the connection of the three essays as well as subsumption of findings in the accounting literature. ; Die vorliegende Dissertation befasst sich mit der Prüfung der Rechnungslegung von deutschen Unternehmen (Enforcement). Die gesetzliche Grundlage des Enforcement-Verfahrens wurde durch das Bilanzkontrollgesetz von 2004 geschaffen; es soll die Einhaltung der Rechnungslegungsstandards (insbesondere der International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS)) durch regelmäßige Durchsicht und Prüfung der offengelegten Rechnungslegung durchsetzen. Das System wurde als Umsetzung einer EU-Verordnung eingeführt: Seit 2005 müssen kapitalmarktorientierte Unternehmen mit Sitz in der EU die IFRS bei der Erstellung ihrer Konzernabschlüsse anwenden. (Verordnung EG Nr. 1606/2002). Zeitgleich zur Harmonisierung der anzuwendenden Rechnungslegungsstandards strengte die EU eine Standardisierung der Durchsetzung (Enforcement) dieser Normen an, um deren Einhaltung zu garantieren. Absatz 16 der oben genannten "IAS-Verordnung" beauftragt die europäische Wertpapierregulierungsbehörde (CESR) "ein gemeinsames Konzept für die Durchsetzung zu entwickeln". Das einzigartig ausgestaltete deutsche Enforcement-System ist seit Juli 2005 in Kraft gesetzt. Die neue gegründete, privatrechtlich organisierte Deutsche Prüfstelle für Rechnungslegung (DPR) prüft in erster Instanz die Rechnungslegung der Unternehmen. Auf einer zweiten Stufe ist die, mit hoheitlichen Mitteln ausgestattete, Bundesanstalt für Finanzdienstleistungsaufsicht (BaFin) beteiligt. Sie kann die Kooperation der Unternehmen verfügen und die Veröffentlichung von aufgedeckten Verstößen verbindlich anordnen. Die vorliegende Dissertation ist wie folgt strukturiert: Eine allgemeine Einführung zeigt theoretischen Hintergründe auf und legt die Begründung für die Notwendigkeit einer strikten Durchsetzung von Rechnungslegungsstandards dar. Des Weiteren werden die gesetzlichen Grundlagen des Enforcements aus einer europäischen Perspektive aufgezeigt. Hierauf aufbauend werden in drei Studien spezielle Fragestellungen im Kontext des deutschen Enforcement-Verfahrens analysiert. Die erste Studie konzentriert sich zunächst auf die systematische Auswertung der Information, die in den 100 veröffentlichten Fehlermitteilungen aus dem Enforcement-Verfahren (151 Fehlermitteilungen wurden zur Evaluierung herangezogen) enthalten ist. Diese Mitteilungen beinhalten im Durchschnitt 3,64 einzelne Fehler; sowohl relativ kleine als auch sehr große, hoch verschuldete und relativ unprofitable Unternehmen sind in dieser Stichprobe überrepräsentiert. In einem zweiten Schritt wird die zeitliche Entwicklung dieser Unternehmen näher betrachtet. Bilanzielle Daten und Kennzahlen sowie das Ausmaß an realer und buchmäßiger Bilanzpolitik werden von den Jahren vor einer Fehlerveröffentlichung, bis in die Zeit nach der Veröffentlichung ausgewertet. Diese Analyse zeigt ein ansteigendes Maß an Verschuldung und eine Abnahme der Profitabilität der Unternehmen. Im Jahr der fehlerhaften Rechnungslegung zeigt sich ein hohes Maß an totalen sowie diskretionären Periodenabgrenzungen, ein Hinweis auf ausgeprägte Bilanzpolitik. Verglichen mit Kontrollunternehmen werden signifikante Unterschiede bezüglich der Profitabilität, der Bewertung am Kapitalmarkt und der Bilanzpolitik deutlich. Die Studie leistet eine Beitrag zur vorhanden Literatur, da sie erstmals die bilanziellen Daten und das Ausmaß an Bilanzpolitik der zur Veröffentlichung von Fehlern gezwungenen Unternehmen im Zeitablauf betrachtet und systematisch auswertet. Auch werden Unterschiede zu nicht fehlerhaft berichtenden Unternehmen aufgezeigt. Die Ergebnisse zeigen die hohe Bedeutung der konsequenten Durchsetzung der Rechnungslegungsnormen für die Qualität der Finanzberichte. Die Erkenntnisse sind von Interesse für die internationalen Regulierungsbehörden, die national Politik und für Investoren am Kapitalmarkt. Die zweite Studie untersucht das Zusammenspiel des Enforcements, bzw. der Fehlerveröffentlichungen, mit finanziellen Kennzahlen und der Ergebnisqualität (Earnings Quality) der Unternehmen. Die wissenschaftliche Literatur liefert empirische Ergebnisse, dass die Offenlegung von fehlerhafter Rechnungslegung stark mit schlechten Finanzkennzahlen korreliert ist. Dieses zweite Papier liefert dazu Erkenntnisse im deutschen Kontext: Die Kennzahlen der von der DPR beanstandeten Unternehmen werden mit denen von Kontrollfirmen sowie allen am geregelten Markt gehandelten Unternehmen (4.730 Firmenjahre) verglichen und Unterschiede herausgearbeitet. Des Weiteren zeigen vorausgegangene Studien den Zusammenhang zwischen Finanzkennzahlen und der Ergebnisqualität. Folglich wird in dieser Studie der Zusammenhang zwischen Richtigkeit der veröffentlichten Informationen und den akademischen Maßgrößen zu deren Qualität betrachtet. Die Ergebnisse zeigen sowohl das schlechtere Abschneiden der "DPR-Unternehmen" im Sinne der finanziellen Kennzahlen, als auch eine schlechtere Ergebnisqualität der Rechnungslegung im Verglich zu Kontrollunternehmen. Diese Erkenntnisse sind stabil gegenüber Variationen der Messgrößen der Ergebnisqualität sowie gegenüber Veränderungen des Beobachtungszeitraums. Die Resultate tragen zur Diskussion um die Ergebnisqualität bei und ergänzen die wissenschaftliche Forschung hin zu einem umfassenden Bild der Qualität der Rechnungslegung in Deutschland. Die Studie zeigt, dass sich das deutsche Enforcement-Modell, mit privatrechtlich gestalteter DPR und staatlich organisierter BaFin, auch für eine Übertragung auf andere Länder eignen könnte. Die dritte Studie befasst sich mit der Effektivität des deutschen Enforcement-Systems, dem Einfluss von Bilanzpolitik und dessen Antizipation in den Prüfungskosten der Wirtschaftsprüfer. Die Untersuchung analysiert den zeitlichen Aspekt von Bilanzpolitik auf Fehlerveröffentlichungen in späteren Perioden. Es besteht die Möglichkeit die Verschlechterung der wirtschaftlichen Situation eines Unternehmens durch Bilanzpolitik zu verdecken. Ohne Verbesserung der wirtschaftlichen Lage des Unternehmens führt dieses Verhalten zu einem Bilanzpolitikausmaß außerhalb des gesetzlichen Rahmens und folglich zu einer hohen Wahrscheinlichkeit der Fehlerentdeckung bei DPR Untersuchungen. Die Entwicklung der Bilanzpolitik eines solchen Unternehmens müsste im zweiten Schritt mit der Risikokomponente in den Prüfungskosten des Wirtschaftsprüfers in Verbindung stehen. Der risikoorientierte Prüfungsansatz und die Antizipation von Bilanzpolitik in den Prüfungskosten sollte demnach vor Fehlerbekanntmachung zu einem Anstieg der Prüfungskosten führen. Zusätzlich ist nach offizieller Fehlerveröffentlichung und somit durch eine objektiv beobachtbare Schwäche im Rechnungslegungssystem oder einem hohen Ausmaß an Bilanzpolitik ein Risikoaufschlag zu vermuten. Im letzten Kapitel werden die wichtigsten Aussagen und Erkenntnisse der Dissertation zusammengefasst sowie in abschließenden Bemerkungen der Zusammenhang der Ergebnisse erläutert.
СТРУКТУРА НА ТЕЛЕСНИТЕ ДЕФОРМИТЕТИ КАЈ ЛИЦАТА СО МЕНТАЛНА РЕТАРДАЦИЈАБлагоја ГЕШОСКИФилозофски факултет, Институт за дефектологија – Скопје STRUCTURE OF BODY DEFORMATIES AMONG PERSONS WITH MENTAL RETARDATIONBlagoja GESHOSKIFaculty of Philosophy, Institute of Special Education and Rehabilitation - SkopjeБлагоја Гешоски го одбрани својот магистерски труд на 26.12.2009 година на Институтот за дефектологија при Филозофскиот факултет, Универзитет "Св. Кирил и Методиј" – Скопје, пред комисија во состав: проф. д-р Ристо Петров, проф. д-р Владимир Трајковски и доц. д-р Наташа Чичевска Јованова. Blagoja Geshoski defended his master's thesis on 26/12/2009 at the Institute for Special Education and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Philosophy, "St. Kiril and Metodij"- Skopje, the committee consisted of: Prof. Dr. Risto Petrov, Prof. Dr. Vladimir Trajkovski and Assist. Prof. Dr. Natasha Chichevska Jovanova. Примено: 15. 01. 2010Прифатено: 13. 02. 2010UDK: 376.1-056.2 Received: 15. 01. 2010Accepted: 13. 02. 2010Abstract from master thesis Резиме Abstract Целта на ова истражување беше проценка нa структурата на телесните деформитети кај лицата со ментална ретaрдација. Познавањето на структурата на телесните деформитети кај лицата со ментална ретардација претставува појдовна основа за изработка на програма за превентивно корективна работа во процесот на специјална едукација и рехабилитација во насока на нивно отстранување или ублажување.Структурата на телесните деформитети кај лицата со ментална ретардација беше анализирана во однос на возраста, степенот на ментална ретардација и во однос на секојдневните животни активности. Со испитувањето беа опфатени 170 испитаници со ментална ретардација од двата пола. Сите испитаници се сместени во установа за третман на лица со тешка и длабока ментална ретардација (Специјалниот завод Демир Капија). Врз основа на два критериуми испитаниците се поделени во групи. Прв критериум за формирање група беше степенот на ментална ретрадација: I група – тешка ментална ретардација (ТМР); и II група – длабока ментална ретардација (ДМР). Втор критериум за формирање група беше возраста на испитаниците: I група – возраст до 18 години; II група – возраст 19–30 години; и III група – над 31 година. Структурата на телесните деформитети беше анализирана во однос на возраста, степенот на ментална ретрдација и во однос на активностите во секојдневниот живот.За потребите на планираното истражување составен е Протокол за проценка на телесните деформитети кај лицата со инвалидност, кој содржи: формулар за општи податоци за испитаниците, прашалник за проценка на соматскиот статус, клинички лист и тест за активностите во секојдневниот живот (Тест АСЖ, Rusk, 1971). Сите податоци добиени со истражувањето се изразени квантитативно и обработени со следните статистички методи и постапки: број на повторувања, фреквенција и проценти, мерка на централна тенденција, аритметичка средина и стандардна девијација, χ2 и Fisher Exact – тест. За статистички значајни разлики беа земени разликите со ниво на значајност од ρ<0,05.Како позначајни резултати можеме да ги издвоиме следните: 33,52% од испитаниците со ментална ретардација кои се институционално сместени имаат нарушен телесен интегритет, ограничена подвижност на горните екстемитети имаат 50% од испитаниците и 52,35% на долните екстремитети. Лошо држење на телото е евидентирано кај 61,17% од испитаниците, а структурални промени на 'рбетниот столб има кај 45,29% од испитаниците. Деформитети на карлицата имаат 20,50% од испитаниците, на зглобот на коленото 6,45%, а деформитети на стапалата кај 41,93% од испитаниците. Исто така резултатите од истражувањето покажуваат дека способноста за вршење функции на локомоторниот систем зависи од индивидуата и социјалната активност на лицето со ментална ретардација. При извршување на активностите во кревет, помош или асистенција од страна на друго лице им е потребна на 47,05% од испитаниците. За извршување на активностите за самозгрижување потребна им е помош или асистенција од страна на друго лице на 54,70% од испитаниците за одржување лична хигиена, за хранење на 45,88% од испитаниците, при облекување/соблекување на 54,11% од испитаниците. Добиените резултати при истражувањето јасно покажуваат дека менталната ретардација ја следат бројни телесни деформитети, кои ги прикриваат способностите во другите подрачја на фунционирање и дополнително ги инвалидизираат овие лица. Како што се зголемува степенот на ментална ретардација, така и телесните деформитети стануваат позначаен проблем при фунционирањето на овие лица. Предлог мерки кои произлегуваат од добиените резултати се следни:потребно е да се продолжи со истражувањата во оваа област;потребно е да се формира централна база на податоци;примена на резултатите од истражувањето во секојдневната пракса (воведување на нови содржини и протокол);усогласување на постоечката легислатива со современите доктрини и концептуални приоди;усогласување на проценката и третманот во специјалната едукација и рехабилитација на лицата со комбинирани оштетувања;избор на програма за специјална едукација и рехабилитација прилагодена на возраста;мултидисциплинарен пристап кон проблемот,едукација на кадри за работа со лица со комбинирана попреченост. The purpose of this research was to assess body structure deformities among people with mental retardation. Knowing the structure of people with mental retardation's physical deformities is the starting basis of a quality program for preventive and corrective work. Also, it is a starting point in the process of special education and rehabilitation in regards to their removal and mitigation.The structure of the physical deformities among persons with mental retardation were analyzed in terms of age and degree of mental retardation in relation to everyday life activities. The inquiry covered 170 respondents with mental retardation in both sexes. All respondents were placed in an institution for treatment of persons with severe and profound mental retardation (Special Institute Deep River). On the basis of two criteria, participants are divided into groups. The first criterion forestablishing a group of level of mental retardation: Group I - severe mental retardation (TMR) and Group II - profound mental retardation (DMR). A second criterion for establishing the age group of respondents: Group I - age 18 years; Group II- Age 19 - 30 years and Group III - over 31 years. The structure of the physical deformities was analyzed in terms of age and degree of mental retardation in relation to activities in everyday life. For the purposes of the planned research , an integral protocol is established for the evaluation of physical deformities among persons with disabilities, including: an application form for general information about the respondents, a questionnaire to assess somatic status, and a clinical sheet and test activities in everyday life (Test ASZH, Rusk, 1971). All data obtained by the research are expressed quantitatively and treated with the following statistical methods and procedures: number of repetitions, frequency and percentages, measure of central tendency, the arithmetic mean and standard deviation, χ2 and Fisher Exact - test. Statistically, significant differences were taken with different levels of significance ρ <0,05. The following significant results may be set aside: 33.52% of respondents with mental retardation who are placed with institutional disturbed physical integrity, limited mobility of the upper limbs have 50% of respondents and 52.35% of the lower limbs. Poor posture of the body was recorded at 61.17% of the respondents, and structural changes of the spinal column is the 45.29% of the respondents. Deformities of the pelvis with 20.50% of the knee joint of 6.45%, and deformities of the feet with 41.93% of the respondents. Also the results of the survey shows that the ability to perform functions of the locomotory system depends on the individual and social activity of the person with mental retardation. In carrying out activities in support bed or assistance by another person in 47.05% of the respondents is needed. For carrying out activities in self-care need the help or assistance by another person for 54.70% of the respondents to maintain personal hygiene, feeding for 45.88% of the respondents, while dressing / undressing for 54.11% of the respondents. Results obtained in the survey clearly show that mental retardation follow numerous physical deformities, which conceal the abilities in other areas of functioning and further invalidate them. As the degree of mental retardation is increased, the physical deformities become a more significant problem in their functioning. Proposed measures arising from the results obtained are as follows:It is necessary to continue research in this area,It is necessary to establish a central databaseApplication of research results into daily practice (introducing new content and protocol)Harmonization of existing legislation with the modern doctrines and conceptual approachesHarmonization of assessment and treatment in special education and rehabilitation of persons with combined damageSelection of a program for special education and rehabilitation tailored to the age,Multidisciplinary approach to the problem,Training of personnel working with persons with combined disabilities. Адреса за кореспонденција: Corresponding Address:Благоја ГЕШОСКИ Blagoja GESHOSKIул "Победа" бр. 517500 Прилеп, Република Македонијаe-mail: gesopp@yahoo.com Street "Pobeda" 51 7500 Prilep, Macedonia e-mail: gesopp@yahoo.com
This thesis concerns with the development and the validation of analytical methods for the determination of the mycotoxins aflatoxin B1, zearalenone and patulin, which occur frequently in food and feed. The toxic syndromes produced by them when ingested are known as mycotoxicoses. One of the first reports in history of mycotoxicoses is ergotism, caused by the fungus Claviceps purpurea. Nowadays ergotism is of minor importance; however the problem of mycotoxicoses and long term sub-acute exposure has not faded. Therefore, regulations have been established in many countries, and reliable testing methodology is needed to implement and enforce the regulatory limits. So far, several hundred different mycotoxins have been discovered, exhibiting different structural diversity, with various chemical and physicochemical properties, but only a few present significant food safety challenges. Among these are aflatoxins and ochratoxin A (produced by Aspergillus sp.), fumonisins, trichothecenes such as T-2, HT-2 toxins, deoxynivalenol and zearalenone (produced by Fusarium sp.), patulin (produced by Penicillium sp.) and ergot alkaloids (produced by Claviceps sp.) the most frequent occurring mycotoxins with the highest potential to adverse effects in humans and animals. The work of this thesis can be clustered into three parts as follows: (I) Method comparison and collaborative trial for the determination of aflatoxin B1 in medicinal herbs. This study was initiated upon the request of the European Pharmacopoeia since the regulatory limits for aflatoxin B1 in medicinal herbs were discussed in that moment. The methodology used has been adopted from existing methods for the determination of aflatoxin B1 in food. The food is extracted with an organic solvent followed by immunoaffinity clean-up and reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. The aim was to select the most suitable method parameters in order to obtain a method that allows the precise determination of aflatoxin B1 in a variety of medicinal herbs. Therefore acetone-water and methanol-water were tested as extraction solvents. Further, the influence of different post-column derivatisation options with electrochemically generated bromine, photochemical reaction and chemical bromination was compared. In addition, two different calculation modes peak height versus peak area were investigated concerning the precision on the evaluation of the rather small peaks that are obtained for aflatoxin B1 at low contamination levels. The different method parameters were applied in the collaborative study to three matrices: senna pods, ginger root and devil's claw root. As a result, the method with all tested variations was found to be fit-for-purpose for the determination of aflatoxin B1 in medicinal herbs at levels of 1 µg/kg and above. It could be concluded that the tested derivatisation methods had no influence on the analytical result in a range of 1 - 3 µg/kg for aflatoxin B1 in medicinal herbs. This is an interesting conclusion as control laboratories often have a preference for one or the other derivatisation method depending on their experience with one or the other system and its availability. 'A second method was adopted by single-laboratory validation for the determination of aflatoxin B1 in tiger nuts. The interest on tiger nuts rose on the fact of recent entries in the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed regarding contamination with aflatoxin B1 in tiger nuts. This system allows the European Commission, EU member states and other associated countries to share information and take immediate action when potentially dangerous food or feed is detected on the market or at the border. Additionally a small survey of aflatoxin B1 content in chufa, which is a tiger nuts based soft drink in Spain, was conducted with the adopted method. The detection limit and the quantification limit were 0.02 µg/kg and 0.06 µg/kg respectively. The mean recovery at a level of 2 µg/kg was 88 % (n = 6) and the coefficient of variation 9 %. (II) Development and validation of an analytical method for the determination of zearalenone in infant food as well as in animal feed. The main challenge was to allow the determination of zearalenone at rather low concentrations in infant food, while being also able to deal with complex and more challenging matrices such as compound animal feed, due to their abundant interferences compounds. Previous work performed the determination of zearalenone in cereal grains and at higher levels. The method was validated in an international interlaboratory trial in which laboratories from EU member states, China, Turkey and Uruguay participated. Method performance parameters for both baby food and animal feed were calculated based on results for spiked samples blind duplicates at two levels and based on results for naturally contaminated samples blind duplicates at three levels. Test portions of the samples were spiked at levels of 20 µg/kg and 30 µg/kg zearalenone in baby food and at levels of 100 µg/kg and 150 µg/kg zearalenone in animal feed. As a result the method showed acceptable within-laboratory and between-laboratory precision for each matrix, as required by European legislation. Therefore, the newly developed method allows the enforcement of EU legislative limits for zearalenone in foods for infants at 20 µg/kg. (III) Development and validation of an analytical method for the determination of patulin in juices and purees for infants. The main challenge was to stress the method to determine patulin reliably at levels of 10 µg/kg in products intended for infants and young children. Previously developed methods for patulin were either collaboratively tested at higher levels, indicating that the lower limit for reliable quantification of patulin in such products was around 25 µg/kg or higher, or no validation data except single-laboratory validation were available. Method development focussed on improved and simplified extraction and clean-up procedures. A single liquid-liquid extraction in the presence of sodium sulfate as water binding agent showed sufficient extraction recovery rates for patulin in combination with a solid-phase extraction method, which trapped interfering substances and allowed the purification of patulin extracts without any pre-conditioning of the SPE cartridge. As a result, purees can be extracted without previous enzymatic treatment, as it is required by other methods that use multiple liquid-liquid extractions. Patulin was well separated from the main interfering compound 5-hydroxymethylfurfural during chromatography when using RP-HPLC columns that allow the separation of rather polar substances with mobile phases of more 99% of water. Additionally to this method A and due to the large number of laboratories that intended to participate in the validation process, the participants were split into two groups and a second method B was validated. This method B is a slightly modified version with the same principle as the one previously published by MacDonald et al. in 2000. The main modifications related to the aliquotation. Patulin is extracted three times from the juice or the de-pectinated puree with neat ethyl acetate. The combined ethyl acetate phases were re-extracted with sodium carbonate solution and evaporated. The residue was then re-dissolved in 0.1 % acetic acid solution and separated by HPLC as in method A. Both methods were tested for the determination of patulin in apple juice and fruit puree at the proposed European regulatory limit of 10 µg/kg. The methods were validated in an international interlaboratory trial in which laboratories from EU Member States, Japan and Brazil participated. Method performance parameters for both apple juice and fruit puree were calculated based on results for spiked samples blind duplicates at two levels and based on results for naturally contaminated samples blind duplicates at three levels for both methods. Test portions of the samples were spiked at levels of 10 µg/kg and 25 µg/kg patulin for both apple juice and fruit puree. In conclusion, the new developed method A showed acceptable within-laboratory and between-laboratory precision for both juice and puree at all levels, while method B only fulfilled partially the performance parameters as required by current EU legislation. Therefore, the newly developed method allows the enforcement of EU legislative limits for patulin in foods for infants at 10 µg/kg. Finally the development and in-house validation of a method for determination of patulin using ultra high pressure liquid chromatography in combination with a mass selective detector, resulting in a better chromatographic and analyte selective separation within a shorter time is described. This is of interest especially for projects in which larger amounts of results need to be generated. A survey with more than 200 samples of baby foods, apple purees and tomato purees from the EU food market was performed with this method. It indicated that during the period of 2006 almost all products were free of patulin and all products were compliant with current EU legislation.
