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Book part
Publication date: 1 March 2016

Eva Álvarez de Andrés, Patrik Zapata and María José Zapata Campos

In the aftermath of the Great Recession, over 500,000 families have been evicted from their homes since Spain’s property market crashed in 2008. The response of Spanish local…

Abstract

Purpose

In the aftermath of the Great Recession, over 500,000 families have been evicted from their homes since Spain’s property market crashed in 2008. The response of Spanish local communities has been the emergence of a networked social movement, Plataforma de Afectados por la Hipoteca (PAH), endeavouring to build a more sustainable future through upholding the right to housing. This chapter examines the ability of the PAH social movement to uphold the right to housing and prompt social and institutional change in Spain.

Methodology/approach

This is a single-case study of the PAH social movement in Spain. The data are of three types: texts, photos, and films disseminated via the mass media, social networks, and PAH websites; informal conversations with PAH participants from Barcelona and Madrid; and observations and personal interviews held in two local PAH groups, that is, Móstoles and Elche.

Findings

In this chapter, first we explore the birth of PAH and its later spread from Barcelona to hundreds of cities in Spain and beyond, as a social reaction to the economic recession and decisions made by political, administrative, and financial institutions in response to the economic crisis. Then, by analysing the internal dynamics of two PAH groups, we discuss how networked social movements such as PAH can create spaces of citizenship that challenge taken-for-granted principles of capitalism, prompting social change. Finally, we uncover how, due to PAH’s advocacy work addressing a structural lack of emergency and social housing, the Spanish public administration is developing new roles and allocating new resources to guarantee the right to housing, a social policy area historically neglected in Spain.

Practical implications

New social housing offices are being established in municipalities in Spain as a result of PAH’s advocacy work.

Originality/value

The strengthening of social capital and movements in the aftermath of the economic crisis has the ability to prompt investment in social areas such as housing.

Details

Lessons from the Great Recession: At the Crossroads of Sustainability and Recovery
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-78560-743-1

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 28 October 2014

Marion Mitchell, Benjamin Mackie, Leanne M. Aitken and Loretta C. McKinnon

– The purpose of this paper is to evaluate a partnership with specialized nurses from geographically disparate hospitals to provide critical support in national disasters.

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate a partnership with specialized nurses from geographically disparate hospitals to provide critical support in national disasters.

Design/methodology/approach

The Australian Government established the National Critical Care Trauma Response Centre (NCCTRC) within Royal Darwin Hospital (RDH). A partnership with the Princess Alexandra Hospital (PAH) occurred to support RDH during national disasters. PAH nurses undertook two-week rotations to RDH in readiness for deployment. PAH, NCCTRC and RDH nurses’ perceptions of the efficacy of the nurse rotations were explored in surveys and focus groups.

Findings

PAH nurses felt they were well equipped for practice in RDH and the partnership developed professional reciprocity with the PAH nurses feeling respected, valued and part of the RDH team. This finding of adequate preparation and effective integration was consistent with the perceptions of senior staff from the participating organizations.

Originality/value

This unique partnership created a well-prepared team to provide support in a national disaster.

Details

Disaster Prevention and Management, vol. 23 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0965-3562

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 18 October 2019

Congcong Liu, Chong Wang, Keping Ye, Yun Bai, Xiaobo Yu, Chunbao Li and Guanghong Zhou

The purpose of this paper is to elucidate the influences of the animal fat and fatty acid type on the formation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and to propose a…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to elucidate the influences of the animal fat and fatty acid type on the formation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and to propose a formation mechanism of PAHs in fat during electric roasting, which is a method of non-direct-contact-flame heating.

Design/methodology/approach

The effects of animal fats and model fat on the formation of PAHs were valued on the basis of the ultra high-performance liquid chromatography data. The corresponding products of the FAME pyrolysis were detected by TG-FTIR. The proposal formation mechanism of PAHs was based on the summary of the literature.

Findings

Contrary to the International Agency for Research on Cancer, DF had higher risk with 280.53 ng/g of concentration after being roasted than the others animal fats of red meat in terms of PAHs formation. This research also ensured the importance of fat on PAHs formation, the concentration of PAHs in pure fats was higher after being electric roasted than that in meat patties and juice which made from corresponding animal fat. What is more, during pure animal fats and meat products being processed, less PAHs formed in the fat with lower extent of unsaturation and lower content of linolenate. In the same way, methyl linolenate demonstrated the significant increasement to PAHs formation compared to the other fatty acids. And, the number of carbon atom and the extent of unsaturation in fatty acid affects the formation of PAHs during roasting. The detection of alkene and alkane allows to propose a formation mechanism of PAHs during model fat being heated. Further study is required to elucidate the confirm moleculars during the formation of PAHs.

Originality/value

This work studied the effect of the carbon atom number and the unsaturation extent of fats and model fats on the formation of PAHs. This work also assure the important of alkene and alkane on the pyrolysis of model fats. This study also researched the formation and distribution of PAHs in pure fats and meat products after being heated.

Article
Publication date: 9 March 2015

Festus M. Adebiyi and Adewale F. Adeyemi

The quality of groundwater in the vicinity of petroleum products retailing stations in Ile-Ife, Nigeria was investigated with a view to providing valuable information on the…

Abstract

Purpose

The quality of groundwater in the vicinity of petroleum products retailing stations in Ile-Ife, Nigeria was investigated with a view to providing valuable information on the organic and other physico-chemical parameters associated with the contamination of the groundwaters by petroleum products. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

Three sets of samples were collected per season from artesian wells within petroleum products retailing stations for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), trace metals and other physico-chemical parameters analysis. Extraction, cleaned-up and concentration of the PAHs were done using certified analytical methods. Levels of the PAHs and metals were determined using gas chromatography coupled with flame ionization detector and bulk scientific atomic absorption spectrophotometer, respectively, while other pollution indicators were measured using standard analytical procedures.

Findings

The groundwaters contained elevated levels of PAHs, Cu, Zn, Mn, Pb, Cr, V, Ni, Fe and total dissolved solids than their maximum allowable limits for drinking water. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) results confirmed that both seasonal variation and location had much influence on the levels of most of the analyzed parameters. Some of the parameters showed strong positive correlation with each other, while Cr/Pb and Na/Pb displayed strong negative correlation with each other, indicating similar source(s) and/or chemical affinity and vice versa, respectively. Cross-plot analysis results using metals and PAHs concentrations as variables showed significant positive correlations (R2=0.99) and (R2=0.60), respectively, suggesting similar source(s) of contamination of the two sets of samples.

Originality/value

The level of the groundwater contamination was an indication of indiscriminate discharge of petroleum products and/or underground tank leakage within the study areas.

Details

Management of Environmental Quality: An International Journal, vol. 26 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1477-7835

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 30 September 2013

David Dunne, Amanda Geppert and Carol Ann Courneya

Physicians' uniquely privileged social status gives them influence to help prevent conflict in addition to treating its victims. Yet the peacebuilding role of physicians has…

Abstract

Purpose

Physicians' uniquely privileged social status gives them influence to help prevent conflict in addition to treating its victims. Yet the peacebuilding role of physicians has received little attention in medical education. In this paper, the authors tackle both and provide some concrete guidance to medical schools interested in taking it on.

Design/methodology/approach

Using Qualitative Description, a review of literature and expert interviews in violence prevention, peacebuilding, medicine and medical education, three statements are posited: improved healthcare may enhance the prospects for peace; there are mechanisms by which healthcare may potentially enhance peacebuilding; and medical education can be designed to support these mechanisms. A “peace audit” is developed against which to evaluate the efforts of medical schools towards peacebuilding. This audit is used to assess a medical school in Nepal that is invested in peacebuilding.

Findings

Medicine has a role, both in resolving conflict, and in preventing its occurrence. The experts believe that physicians have a responsibility to go further than treating the wounded and address the root cause of conflict: the structural violence of poverty and economic disparity.

Originality/value

This paper considers the mechanisms by which medicine supports peacebuilding, and the consequences of this for medical education. The literature to date has not dealt with this issue.

Details

Leadership in Health Services, vol. 26 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1751-1879

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 February 2016

Marion L. Mitchell, Loretta McKinnon, Leanne M Aitken, Sarah Weber, Sean Birgan and Sharon Sykes

The number of disasters has increased by 30 per cent worldwide in the past 30 years. Nurses constitute the largest clinical group within a hospital and their ability to respond to…

Abstract

Purpose

The number of disasters has increased by 30 per cent worldwide in the past 30 years. Nurses constitute the largest clinical group within a hospital and their ability to respond to disasters is crucial to the provision of quality patient care. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate a four-year disaster preparedness partnership between two tertiary hospitals from the perspective of executive staff, senior clinical managers and specialist nurses. The national disaster response centre was situated in one hospital and the other hospital was located 3,500 km away.

Design/methodology/approach

The intervention involved selected nurses working at the partner hospital to enable familiarisation with policies, procedures and layout in the event of a request for back-up in the event of a national disaster. A mixed-methods design was used to elicit the strengths and limitations of the partnership. Surveys, in-depth interviews and focus groups were used.

Findings

In total, 67 participants provided evaluations including ten executive staff, 17 clinical management nurses and 38 nurses from the disaster response team. Improvements in some aspects of communication were recommended. The successful recruitment of highly skilled and committed nurses was a strength. A disaster exercise resulted in 79 per cent of nurses, able and willing to go immediately to the partner hospital for up to 14 days.

Research limitations/implications

During the four year partnership, no actual disaster occurred that required support. This limited the ability to fully trial the partnership in an authentic manner. The disaster exercise, although helpful in trialling the processes and assessing nurse availability, it has some limitations.

Originality/value

This innovative partnership successfully prepared specialist nurses from geographically distant hospitals for a disaster response. This together with a willingness to be deployed enhanced Australia’s capacity in the event of a disaster.

Details

Disaster Prevention and Management, vol. 25 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0965-3562

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 14 March 2016

Samuel Ayofemi Olalekan Adeyeye, Olusola Bandele Oyewole, Adewale Olusegun Obadina, Adebukunola M Omemu and Hakeem A Oyedele

This study aims to assess and compare the quality and safety of street-vended, ready-to-eat fried and smoked West African Ilisha fish from the major markets in Ibadan, Oyo State…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to assess and compare the quality and safety of street-vended, ready-to-eat fried and smoked West African Ilisha fish from the major markets in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 50 samples each were obtained from ten major markets in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. Samples were analyzed in the laboratory for proximate, rancidity indices; i.e. peroxide value (PV), thiobarbituric acid (TBA), total volatile base-nitrogen (TVB-N), trimethylamine acid (TMA) and free fatty acid (FFA), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) and heavy metals.

Findings

The results showed that the mean PV (meq. peroxide/kg), TBA (mg Mol/kg), TVB-N (mgN/kg), TMA (mgN/kg) and FFA (%) contents within the fried fish samples ranged from 18.86-23.11, 2.08-2.98, 14.89-17.79, 1.98-2.89 and 2.46-5.98, respectively, while in the case of smoked fish samples, the corresponding contents were found to be 9.03-15.96, 1.03-1.59, 17.29-19.36, 2.15-2.68 and 1.13-1.62, respectively. The results also revealed the presence of PAH compounds in the fried and smoked fish samples. However, majority of the PAH compounds were above 5.0 μg/kg B(a)P maximum permissible levels set by EU Regulation 1881/2006. Concentrations of Hg, Pb, Cd and Cr in the fried and smoked fish samples showed that quantities of these trace heavy metals were below the recommended limits set by the World Health Organization and hence posed no risk to the consumers. The study concluded that consumption of fried and smoked fish may expose consumers to high-level PAH.

Research limitations/implications

The fried and smoked West African Ilisha fish samples used in this study were obtained from major markets in Ibadan, Oyo State, and there were limitations in getting the same samples with the same treatments in time because of poor and non-established uniform methodology of frying and smoking.

Practical implications

The paper helps in measuring quality and safety standards of fried and smoked fish products to reduce the incidence of food poison and enhance the health of consumers.

Originality/value

This research is of value to the traditional fish processors, government agencies responsible for food quality control and assurance as well as consumers, as little work has been done on this product.

Details

Nutrition & Food Science, vol. 46 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0034-6659

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 22 February 2013

Sumit Kumar Gautam, R. Suresh, Ved Prakash Sharma and Meena Sehgal

The purpose of this paper is to assess the exposure of cooks in rural India (55 households) to the indoor air pollution levels emitted from burning of different fuels, i.e. cow…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to assess the exposure of cooks in rural India (55 households) to the indoor air pollution levels emitted from burning of different fuels, i.e. cow dung, wood, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and propane natural gas(PNG) kerosene for cooking purposes.

Design/methodology/approach

Indoor air quality was monitored during cooking hours in 55 rural households to estimate the emissions of PM10, PM2.5, CO, NO2, VOCs and polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). While, PM10 and PM2.5 were monitored using personal dust samplers on quartz filter paper, CO and VOCs were monitored using on line monitors. The PM10 and PM2.5 mass collected on filter papers was processed to analyse the presence of PAHs using GC.

Findings

Results revealed that cow dung is the most polluting fuel with maximum emissions of PM10, PM 2.5, VOCs, CO, NO2 and Benzene followed by wood and kerosene. Interestingly kerosene combustion emits the highest amount of PAHs. Emissions for all the fuels show the presence of carcinogenic PAHs which could be a serious health concern. The composition of LPG/PNG leads to reductions of pollutants because of better combustion process. LPG which is largely propane and butane, and PNG which is 90 per cent methane prove to be healthier fuels. Based on the results, the authors suggest that technological intervention is required to replace the traditional stoves with improved fuel efficient stoves.

Practical implications

The prevailing weather condition and design of the kitchen in these rural houses severely affect the concentration of pollutants in the kitchen as winter season combined with inadequate ventilation leads to reduced dispersion and accumulation of air pollutants in small kitchens.

Originality/value

The present study provides a detailed analysis of impact of widely‐used cooking practices in India. Even today, countries such as India rely on biomass for cooking practices exposing the cooks to high level of carcinogenic pollutants. Further, women and girls are the most threatened group as they are the primary cooks in these rural Indian settings. Based on the results, the authors suggest that technological as well as policy intervention is required to replace the traditional stoves with improved fuel efficient stoves.

Details

Management of Environmental Quality: An International Journal, vol. 24 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1477-7835

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 24 April 2009

Carol‐Ann Courneya and David Dunne

The purpose of this paper is to describe the Patan Academy of Health Sciences (PAHS), an initiative for rural medical education in Nepal, and show its implications for rural…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe the Patan Academy of Health Sciences (PAHS), an initiative for rural medical education in Nepal, and show its implications for rural medical education in other contexts.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper employs a methodology from the field of design to identify solution requirements based on an understanding of the operational context and evaluates how the initiative meets these requirements.

Findings

The PAHS model meets the extremely challenging requirements of the Nepali context for rural medical education by providing a model of education that is closely integrated with rural communities and working to develop leaders in community health. It faces important future challenges in obtaining sustainable funding and implementation of tele‐health.

Practical implications

On several levels, the project offers potential lessons for similar initiatives in North America: community health leadership; early and sustained community engagement; a pre‐medical course to bring students to a common standard; and role modeling by faculty. The approach will be of interest to those responsible for rural medical education in the developed and developing worlds.

Originality/value

The paper shows how the local context in rural medical education can be understood by evaluating desirability for users, viability and feasibility.

Details

Clinical Governance: An International Journal, vol. 14 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1477-7274

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 13 March 2017

Lucie Soucková and Dana Kominkova

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the historical pollution of the Hostivar Reservoir (largest reservoir in Prague) sediment by metals, polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the historical pollution of the Hostivar Reservoir (largest reservoir in Prague) sediment by metals, polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) and identify the trends in pollution of aquatic environment.

Design/methodology/approach

Core samples, 140 cm long, recording the 45-year history of the reservoir, were separated to 5 cm width subsamples (approximately 1.5 years of sedimentation) and analyzed for metals (Cd, Pb, Cu, Zn, Cr, Ni, Al), PAH and PCB. Following methods were used: US EPA 3051 for metals, US EPA 505 and US EPA 8082 A for PCB, and ISO 18287:2006 for PAH.

Findings

Most of the contaminants had the highest concentration at the beginning of the existence of the reservoir, suggesting that the contamination results from construction activities. Significant decrease of Pb occurred in the second half of the 1990s. It was caused by termination of the addition of lead as a detonation suppressant to the gasoline. Most concentrations of PAHs, PCBs and metals, except copper do not present eco-toxicological risk.

Practical implications

The results show the volume of priority pollutants removed from the reservoir by sediment extraction, and point risk to the terrestrial environment due to application of the sediment in the construction of a noise protecting wall.

Originality/value

The paper presents unique data about historical contamination of the largest reservoir in Prague, the capital of Czech Republic. It shows how the watershed and the construction phase of the dam cause a pollution of the reservoir sediment and possible environmental risk for aquatic biota.

Details

Management of Environmental Quality: An International Journal, vol. 28 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1477-7835

Keywords

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