Introduction: Not all medicines that pass-through consumers’ hands are used, and some often expire in households. These health products can be sources of accidental risks and pollution when they are not properly disp...Introduction: Not all medicines that pass-through consumers’ hands are used, and some often expire in households. These health products can be sources of accidental risks and pollution when they are not properly disposed of. In Burkina Faso, there are as yet no guidelines for the disposal of unused medicines in households. The aim of this study was to estimate the extent of household possession of unused or expired medicines, and to describe attitudes and disposal practices. Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study covering households in the Ouagadougou commune conducted from June to August 2021. Two-stage stratified sampling was used: selection of Enumeration Zones (EZs) and selection of households, with each EZ comprising several households. Data collection was based on direct interviews using a structured questionnaire. Data were processed using Epi Info software version 7.2.4.0. Results: In total, 417 household residents were surveyed out of the planned 423 households, corresponding to a completion rate of 98.58% compared with the initial sample. Among the respondents, 79.62% had unused and/or expired medicines in their household. A total of 2562 drug packaging units were counted, for a total weight of 121.90 kg. Nearly 75% were aware that improper disposal was a danger to the environment. Some respondents kept their unused medicines at home until they expired (43.41%), and disposed of them mainly by throwing them in the household garbage (75.58%). The majority (79%) were in favor of the government setting up a take-back program for these medicines. Conclusion: The introduction of a take-back program for unused or out-of-date medicines will ensure safer disposal of medicines, and better protection for households and the environment.展开更多
Background: Handling of medicines is a day-to-day activity by patients and many health care providers. However, multiple studies have brought to light inappropriate disposal methods for expired and unused medication (...Background: Handling of medicines is a day-to-day activity by patients and many health care providers. However, multiple studies have brought to light inappropriate disposal methods for expired and unused medication (EUM). Improper disposal of expired and unused medicines is hazardous both to humans and the environment. Objective: This sought to measure patients’ knowledge, attitude, and practices on disposal methods of EUM. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among 384 patients at three outpatient pharmacies at the University Teaching Hospitals (UTHs). The structured questionnaire was used to collect data and STAT version 15.1 was used to analyse the data. Results: 384 respondents participated in this study and, at some point, had EUM. In this study, 356 (92.7%) of the participants reported that they had never heard of a drug take-back system. Most of the participants 285 (74.2%) and 239 (62.2%) kept and donated their unused medicine, respectively. Additionally, 244 (63.5%), 212 (55.2%), and 176 (44.8%) of the participants disposed of expired medicines in the bin or garbage, flushed them in toilets or sinks, or burned them, respectively. Occupation was significantly associated with unsafe disposal of unused medicine [P-value = 0.019]. Conclusion and Relevance: Knowledge of safe disposal methods for EUM was good amongst most participants. However, used unsafe disposal methods. The majority of the participants exhibited positive attitude concerning safe disposal methods. This study highlights the need for drug-take-back program creation in Zambia.展开更多
During the long service period of a nuclear waste repository in crystalline rock,large earthquake(s)may occur nearby the repository site and coseismically alter the local stress field around pre-existing fractures wit...During the long service period of a nuclear waste repository in crystalline rock,large earthquake(s)may occur nearby the repository site and coseismically alter the local stress field around pre-existing fractures within the geological formation.The resulting fracture normal/shear displacements may lead to fracture opening and further promote the transport of leaked radionuclides into the groundwater system.Thus,it is of central importance to analyze the consequences of potential future earthquake(s)on the hydrogeological properties of a repository site for spent nuclear fuel disposal.Based on the detailed site characterization data of the repository site at Forsmark,Sweden,we conduct a three-dimensional(3D)seismo-hydro-mechanical simulation using the 3Dimensional Distinct Element Code(3DEC).We explicitly represent a primary seismogenic fault zone and its surrounding secondary fracture network associated with a power-law size scaling and a Fisher orientation distribution.An earthquake with a magnitude of M_(w)=5.6 caused by the reactivation of the primary fault zone is modeled by simulating its transient rupture propagating radially outwards from a predefined hypocenter at a specified rupture speed,with the faulting dynamics controlled by a strength weakening law.We model the coseismic response of the off-fault fracture network subject to both static and dynamic triggering effects.We further diagnose the distribution of fracture hydro-mechanical properties(e.g.mechanical/hydraulic aperture,hydraulic transmissivity)before and after the earthquake in order to quantify earthquakeinduced hydraulic changes in the fracture network.It is found that earthquake-induced fracture transmissivity changes tend to follow a power-law decay with the distance to the earthquake fault.Our simulation results and insights obtained have important implications for the long-term performance assessment of nuclear waste repositories in fractured crystalline rocks.展开更多
Purpose–This study aims to improve the rules and regulations system of high-speed rail emergency disposal.Design/methodology/approach–Based on the analysis of the demands,rules and regulations of China concerning on...Purpose–This study aims to improve the rules and regulations system of high-speed rail emergency disposal.Design/methodology/approach–Based on the analysis of the demands,rules and regulations of China concerning on-site high-speed rail emergency disposal,basic principles for revising the regulations on railway technical management(RRTM)are proposed and suggestions and evaluation methods according to the main clauses are put forward.Findings–Basic principles for revising the RRTM are proposed,namely“to meet the actual needs of on-site high-speed railway emergency disposal,standardize the emergency disposal process,improve the efficiency of emergency disposal and keep the consistency between provisions of emergency disposal”.Existing provisions related to emergency disposal efficiency,scenarios,safety and service quality are made up for the deficiencies.To make up for the deficiencies of the existing provisions related to emergency disposal efficiency,improvement of emergency disposal scenarios and guarantee of emergency disposal safety and quality,this paper puts forward suggestions on revising 15 emergency disposal provisions of the RRTM with regard to earthquake monitoring and warning,in-station foreign body invasion warning,air conditioning failure of EMU trains and forced parking of trains in sections.A fuzzy comprehensive evaluation model based on the analytic hierarchy process(AHP)is constructed to evaluate the proposed revision scheme and suggestions,which has been highly recognized by experts.Originality/value–This study implements the goal of high-quality railway development.展开更多
文摘Introduction: Not all medicines that pass-through consumers’ hands are used, and some often expire in households. These health products can be sources of accidental risks and pollution when they are not properly disposed of. In Burkina Faso, there are as yet no guidelines for the disposal of unused medicines in households. The aim of this study was to estimate the extent of household possession of unused or expired medicines, and to describe attitudes and disposal practices. Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study covering households in the Ouagadougou commune conducted from June to August 2021. Two-stage stratified sampling was used: selection of Enumeration Zones (EZs) and selection of households, with each EZ comprising several households. Data collection was based on direct interviews using a structured questionnaire. Data were processed using Epi Info software version 7.2.4.0. Results: In total, 417 household residents were surveyed out of the planned 423 households, corresponding to a completion rate of 98.58% compared with the initial sample. Among the respondents, 79.62% had unused and/or expired medicines in their household. A total of 2562 drug packaging units were counted, for a total weight of 121.90 kg. Nearly 75% were aware that improper disposal was a danger to the environment. Some respondents kept their unused medicines at home until they expired (43.41%), and disposed of them mainly by throwing them in the household garbage (75.58%). The majority (79%) were in favor of the government setting up a take-back program for these medicines. Conclusion: The introduction of a take-back program for unused or out-of-date medicines will ensure safer disposal of medicines, and better protection for households and the environment.
文摘Background: Handling of medicines is a day-to-day activity by patients and many health care providers. However, multiple studies have brought to light inappropriate disposal methods for expired and unused medication (EUM). Improper disposal of expired and unused medicines is hazardous both to humans and the environment. Objective: This sought to measure patients’ knowledge, attitude, and practices on disposal methods of EUM. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among 384 patients at three outpatient pharmacies at the University Teaching Hospitals (UTHs). The structured questionnaire was used to collect data and STAT version 15.1 was used to analyse the data. Results: 384 respondents participated in this study and, at some point, had EUM. In this study, 356 (92.7%) of the participants reported that they had never heard of a drug take-back system. Most of the participants 285 (74.2%) and 239 (62.2%) kept and donated their unused medicine, respectively. Additionally, 244 (63.5%), 212 (55.2%), and 176 (44.8%) of the participants disposed of expired medicines in the bin or garbage, flushed them in toilets or sinks, or burned them, respectively. Occupation was significantly associated with unsafe disposal of unused medicine [P-value = 0.019]. Conclusion and Relevance: Knowledge of safe disposal methods for EUM was good amongst most participants. However, used unsafe disposal methods. The majority of the participants exhibited positive attitude concerning safe disposal methods. This study highlights the need for drug-take-back program creation in Zambia.
文摘During the long service period of a nuclear waste repository in crystalline rock,large earthquake(s)may occur nearby the repository site and coseismically alter the local stress field around pre-existing fractures within the geological formation.The resulting fracture normal/shear displacements may lead to fracture opening and further promote the transport of leaked radionuclides into the groundwater system.Thus,it is of central importance to analyze the consequences of potential future earthquake(s)on the hydrogeological properties of a repository site for spent nuclear fuel disposal.Based on the detailed site characterization data of the repository site at Forsmark,Sweden,we conduct a three-dimensional(3D)seismo-hydro-mechanical simulation using the 3Dimensional Distinct Element Code(3DEC).We explicitly represent a primary seismogenic fault zone and its surrounding secondary fracture network associated with a power-law size scaling and a Fisher orientation distribution.An earthquake with a magnitude of M_(w)=5.6 caused by the reactivation of the primary fault zone is modeled by simulating its transient rupture propagating radially outwards from a predefined hypocenter at a specified rupture speed,with the faulting dynamics controlled by a strength weakening law.We model the coseismic response of the off-fault fracture network subject to both static and dynamic triggering effects.We further diagnose the distribution of fracture hydro-mechanical properties(e.g.mechanical/hydraulic aperture,hydraulic transmissivity)before and after the earthquake in order to quantify earthquakeinduced hydraulic changes in the fracture network.It is found that earthquake-induced fracture transmissivity changes tend to follow a power-law decay with the distance to the earthquake fault.Our simulation results and insights obtained have important implications for the long-term performance assessment of nuclear waste repositories in fractured crystalline rocks.
基金funded by Foundation of China Academy of Railway Sciences(No:AYF22Y143).
文摘Purpose–This study aims to improve the rules and regulations system of high-speed rail emergency disposal.Design/methodology/approach–Based on the analysis of the demands,rules and regulations of China concerning on-site high-speed rail emergency disposal,basic principles for revising the regulations on railway technical management(RRTM)are proposed and suggestions and evaluation methods according to the main clauses are put forward.Findings–Basic principles for revising the RRTM are proposed,namely“to meet the actual needs of on-site high-speed railway emergency disposal,standardize the emergency disposal process,improve the efficiency of emergency disposal and keep the consistency between provisions of emergency disposal”.Existing provisions related to emergency disposal efficiency,scenarios,safety and service quality are made up for the deficiencies.To make up for the deficiencies of the existing provisions related to emergency disposal efficiency,improvement of emergency disposal scenarios and guarantee of emergency disposal safety and quality,this paper puts forward suggestions on revising 15 emergency disposal provisions of the RRTM with regard to earthquake monitoring and warning,in-station foreign body invasion warning,air conditioning failure of EMU trains and forced parking of trains in sections.A fuzzy comprehensive evaluation model based on the analytic hierarchy process(AHP)is constructed to evaluate the proposed revision scheme and suggestions,which has been highly recognized by experts.Originality/value–This study implements the goal of high-quality railway development.
