Home About us Contact
|
Home About us Contact | ||
|
|
||
Standards Set (standards + set)
Selected AbstractsMerits of a more integrated approach to environmental assessmentsENVIRONMENTAL POLICY AND GOVERNANCE, Issue 1 2010Elke Weingarten Abstract Under the maxim of ,better regulation', the European Commission is aiming to simplify and improve the European regulatory framework in order to reduce bureaucracy and to foster economic growth. Against this background, the integration of requirements presents one option for responding to the challenge of carrying out various environmental assessments stipulated by a number of European environmental directives. Although integrative, cross-sectional approaches have been established by some European directives, such as the Directive on Environmental Impact Assessment, the member states currently make little use of these options when implementing the directives into national law. Based on a review of European directives as well as related German regulations, this article outlines an approach for an integrative environmental assessment that aims to enhance the integrative effects and reduce duplication resulting from different environmental assessments. The investigation shows that the different assessment procedures as outlined by European and German legislation can be successfully integrated without necessarily lowering the standards set by these regulations. Given that the relevant directives are binding for all member states, the proposed assessment structure can easily be applied to other member states and, where necessary, modified to suit national requirements. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment. [source] Contributions of electrochemical oxidation to waste-water treatment: fundamentals and review of applicationsJOURNAL OF CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY & BIOTECHNOLOGY, Issue 12 2009Ángela Anglada Abstract OVERVIEW: This paper provides an overview of some fundamental aspects of electrochemical oxidation and gives updated information on the application of this technology to waste-water treatment. In recent years, electrochemical oxidation has gained increasing interest due to its outstanding technical characteristics for eliminating a wide variety of pollutants normally present in waste-waters such as refractory organic matter, nitrogen species and microorganisms. IMPACT: The strict disposal limits and health quality standards set by legislation may be met by applying electrochemical oxidation. However, treatment costs have to be cut down before full-scale application of this technology. Deployment of electrochemical oxidation in combination with other technologies and the use of renewable sources to power this process are two steps in this direction. APPLICATIONS: Effluents from landfill and a wide diversity of industrial effluents including the agro-industry, chemical, textile, tannery and food industry, have been effectively treated by this technology. Its high efficiency together with its disinfection capabilities makes electro-oxidation a suitable technology for water reuse programs. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry [source] Measuring quality of life in cancer survivors: a methodological review of existing scalesPSYCHO-ONCOLOGY, Issue 7 2008Nancy J. M. Pearce Abstract Background: Studies examining quality of life (QoL) in cancer survivors have relied on instruments specific to the cancer patient population. Method: MEDLINE and PsycINFO were systematically searched to identify instruments and papers reporting the psychometric qualities of relevant instruments. Two reviewers undertook data extraction with respect to reliability, validity, predictive validity, responsiveness, acceptability, readability, cross cultural acceptability and feasibility. Results: Forty-two instruments were identified. Most were either measures of general health-related QoL or developed for individuals in active treatment. Nine were developed specifically for cancer survivors. None met the rigorous psychometric standards set by the review. All established acceptable levels of validity, however, only one instrument (Quality of Life-Cancer Survivors) demonstrated adequate test,retest reliability. Acceptability, feasibility and predictive validity remain unexamined. Readability was examined in only two (Cancer Survivors' Unmet needs and Quality of Life in Adult Cancer Survivors (QLACS)). Only two instruments (QLACS and Impact of Cancer) have been developed with a wide range of cancer survivors. Generally, shorter-term cancer survivors (1,5 years) are underrepresented. Conclusion: There is a need for a psychometrically credible QoL instrument for cancer survivors who are 1,5 years post diagnosis. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Audit of the utilization of time in an orthopaedic trauma theatreANZ JOURNAL OF SURGERY, Issue 4 2010Christopher L. Delaney Abstract Background:, The efficient use of operating theatres is important to ensure optimum cost,benefit for the hospital and to clear waiting lists. This audit uses the orthopaedic trauma theatre as a model to assess the theatre efficiency at our institution. Methods:, We performed a retrospective audit using data gathered from the operating theatre database at our institution. We considered each component of the operating theatre process and integrated them to give a combined value for surgical and anaesthetic time (end utilization) and total theatre efficiency (operating theatre utilization). Results:, Results showed that relative to the standards set, changeover time and start times were sub-standard, with consistently prolonged changeovers and late starts. End utilization and operating theatre utilization were 78.8 and 81%, against a standard of 77 and 85,90%, respectively. However, these figures may be misleading due to sub-standard performance in changeover time and other variables. Conclusions:, We have highlighted inefficiency in the orthopaedic trauma theatre at our institution and suggest various strategies to improve this that may be applied universally. [source] A new paradigm for operative dentistryAUSTRALIAN DENTAL JOURNAL, Issue 4 2007GJ Mount Abstract It is over 100 years since GV Black gathered together most of the knowledge then current on the caries process and set clear parameters for the discipline of operative dentistry. His four-volume treatise set standards that were relevant for the times and, in fact, were so well described that they remained dominant in this discipline until quite recently. However, over the last 50 years there has been great progress in scientific method and in knowledge of the common diseases of the oral environment, including the caries process, so maybe it is time for change. The term "paradigm" describes a philosophy of science, a generally accepted model of how ideas relate to one another, forming a conceptual framework within which scientific research is carried out. Black defined the paradigm within which further research was to be conducted during the following years and the profession accepted his lead. However, it is not expected that the parameters of a profession should remain unchanged over a substantial period so it is suggested that the dental profession should, at this time, recognize a new paradigm. Improvements in scientific method have led to a better understanding of the oral environment, resulting in extensive changes for this profession. It is suggested that the standards set by Black should be now consigned to history and an entirely new paradigm adopted. First, the profession must recognize that dental caries is a bacterial disease and its primary efforts should be directed towards identification and elimination of the disease prior to initiating repair of the damage that it has caused. Preservation of natural tooth structure is then the next responsibility. There should be maximum use made of preventive strategies, including remineralization, followed by minimal intervention cavity designs and the use of bioactive restorative materials to restore the lesions. The profession should be prepared to move on. [source] Hydrogeochemistry and Water Quality Evaluation along the Flow Path in the Unconfined Aquifer of the Düzce Plain, North-western TurkeyACTA GEOLOGICA SINICA (ENGLISH EDITION), Issue 1 2010Nail ÜNSAL Abstract: The Düzce Plain has a multi-aquifer system, which consists of a near surface unconfined aquifer, along with first and second deeper confined aquifers. Hydrochemical evolution and water quality are related to infiltration of the precipitation, recharge from the formations surrounding the plain, flow path of groundwater and the relationship between surface and groundwater. The groundwater in the unconfined aquifer flows towards the Efteni Lake and the Büyük Melen River. Surface waters are divided into two main hydrochemical facies in the study area: (a) Ca2+,HCO3,; and (b) Ca2+, Mg2+,HCO3, SO2,4. The groundwater has generally three main hydrochemical facies: (a) Ca2+,HCO,; (b) Ca2+, Mg2+,HCO,3; and (c) Ca2+, Mg2+,HCO,3, CI,. The hydrochemical facies "a" and "b" dominate within shallow depths in recharge areas under rapid flow conditions, while hydrochemical facies "c" characterizes shallow and mixed groundwater, which dominate intermediate or discharge areas (near Efteni Lake and Büyük Melen River) during low flow conditions and agricultural contamination. Calcium and bicarbonate ions, total hardness and electrical conductivity of total dissolved solids (EC-TDS) values increase along the groundwater flow path; but these parameters remain within the limits specified by the standards set for industrial and agricultural usages. [source] Outcome of Newborn Hearing Screening Programme delivered by health visitorsCHILD: CARE, HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT, Issue 5 2008S. Basu Abstract Background The Newborn Hearing Screening Programme (NHSP) was introduced in England in 2001 to detect congenital hearing loss in the newborn. The screen is either hospital- or community-based. Objectives This is the first large-scale study of community-based NHSP published in the United Kingdom which aims to evaluate the performance of the community-based screen and compare it against national targets for NHSP and the outcome of national pilot projects. Method Hearing screening data recorded for 10 074 well babies between March 2004 and December 2005 were analysed. Babies who were admitted to the Special Care Baby Unit were excluded. The case notes of all children who failed the initial hearing screen, either unilateral or bilateral, were reviewed retrospectively. Specific performance measures include coverage rate, referral rate and yield. Reasons for failure to complete the screen were identified. Results The community programme met all the standards set by the NHSP and the results are comparable with the average of the pilot sites reported in 2004. Conclusion The data demonstrate that a community-based hearing screening programme conducted by Health Visitors meets all the current national standards and could be implemented across wider areas in this country. Its advantages include a low false positive rate and convenience for parents living in rural areas. The babies identified can be diagnosed and rehabilitated in a time which meets national standards. [source] Histopathology reporting in colorectal cancer: a proforma improves qualityCOLORECTAL DISEASE, Issue 8 2009P. N. Siriwardana Abstract Aim, The histopathology report is vital to determine the need for adjuvant therapy and prognosis in colorectal cancer (CRC). Completeness of those in text format is inadequate. This study evaluated the improvement of quality of histopathology reports following the introduction of a template proforma, based on standards set by the Royal College of Pathologists (RCP), UK. Method, Sixty-eight consecutive histopathology reports based on 19 items for rectal cancer (RC) and 15 items for colon cancer (CC) using the proforma were prospectively analysed and compared with results of a previous audit of 82 consecutive histopathology reports in text format. The percentage of reports containing a statement for each data item for both series was compared using the Normal test for difference between two proportions. Completeness of each report was assessed and a percentage score (percentage completeness) was given. Mean percentage completeness was calculated for each format and compared using the two sample t -test. Results, Except for comments on the presence of ,histologically confirmed liver metastases' in CC and RC, ,distance from dentate line' and ,distance to circumferential margin' in RC, all other items were commented in more than 90% of reports, where 71% of the items based on the minimum data set were present in all reports. Compared to prose format, the mean percentage completeness (SD) improved from 74% (8) to 91% (4) (P < 0.0001) and from 81% (5) to 99% (1) (P < 0.0001) for RC and CC respectively in template proforma format. Conclusion, A template proforma and surgeon's contribution in relation to operative findings improves the quality of the histopathology report in CRC. [source] | |||||||||||||