Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Sustainable Development”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 1,045 records · Page 58Linked to original sources

"Local Food - Nutraceuticals": an example of a multidisciplinary research project on local knowledge.

Currently, dietary patterns change rapidly all over the world. Most notably, there is a fast increase in the convenience food market. Here we discuss the overall theoretical framework and strategy of an EU-funded project on local food, a common resource in many parts of the Mediterranean. Such food is often only available seasonally and is consumed either fresh (e.g. spring salads and vegetables, fruits in autumn) or in a conserved form (dried, fermented, pickled). There is an urgent need to document and analyse such local resources, which are today at the brink of disappearance. In this project, selected species were studied using a multidisciplinary approach, including strategies and methods from pharmacology, nutritional sciences and anthropology (i.e. ethnopharmacological or ethnonutritional ones). For example, all extracts were profiled using HPLC-MS, by determining their polyphenol content and using a variety of in vitro anti-oxidant assays (incl. guaiacol oxidation, xanthine oxidase inhibition, HOCl scavenging, eNOS activity). Such research also points to ways for ascertaining the intergenerational transmission of the knowledge and for sustainable development and management. Examples from field studies in southern Italy and from pharmacological studies using a variety of targets are used to illustrate the potential of such neglected resources. The wider implications of such an approach, for example, for the study of similar traditions in Central and Eastern Europe are also discussed.

Diet, Mediterranean↗

[Research advances in dynamic mechanism and its simulation of eco-hydrological process in forest catchment].

Hydrological process is the key link between climatic fluctuations and ecologic dynamics of forests at spatial and temporal scales. To some extent, global climate change and large-scale human's activities will impact the spatial-temporal changes of eco-hydrological process in forest catchments in the future. Therefore, researches on the dynamic mechanism of eco-hydrological processes in forest catchments play a crucial role in understanding and controlling the rational use of ecological resources, resuming regional ecology, and sustainable development in economy. This paper described the interception, evapotranspiration and rainfall-runoff of forest ecological system and their effects on hydrological process. The spatial structure of soil moisture and its evolution with time were also the cause and consequence of forest. The spatial-temporal interaction between hydrologic and ecologic dynamics, the application of distributed hydrological model, and the eco-hydrological dynamics and cybernetics of forest would be the most exciting frontiers of the relative researches in the future.

Climate↗

From tragedy to triumph: a segue to community building for children and families.

In 2000, more than 60 nonprofit agencies, health care providers, government officials, and community advocates in Tarrant County, Texas, came together to work for systemic change in the mental health care system. The coalition, known as the Mental Health Connection, began working toward a "No Wrong Door" approach to mental health services, which required aggressive coordination between federal, private, and nonprofit resources. The result is a five- to six-year plan for implementation of a new systems of care model for children with severe emotional disturbances and their families. The Mental Health Connection also focuses on legislative advocacy to bring about necessary policy changes at the local, state, and federal levels. Finally, the coalition focuses on developing sustainable revenue streams that will allow the new systems to remain in place once the group accomplishes the initial mission of the Mental Health Connection.

Child↗

[Late ventricular potentials in patients without ventricular tachycardia 3 years after myocardial infarct].

In 57 patients who in the course of 29-48 months (mean 36 months) after myocardial infarction did not develop sustained ventricular tachycardia, late ventricular potentials were investigated. Positive findings were revealed in 13 (22.8%) patients using a 25-250 Hz filter and in 14 patients resp. (24.6%) using a 40-250 Hz filter. Late ventricular potentials were significantly more frequent in patients after myocardial infarction of the lower rather than the anterior wall (p less than 0.05). No differences were revealed between groups with positive and negative late ventricular potentials as regards the occurrence of repeated infarction, left-side cardiac failure, ectopic ventricular contractions, diabetes mellitus, arterial hypertension and cardiothoracic index. The assembled data are comparable with data in the literature pertaining to the incidence of late ventricular potentials in patients after myocardial infarction without sustained ventricular tachycardia.

Action Potentials↗

[Landscape ecological evaluation of Fenglin Nature Reverse: quantification and interpretation].

Fenglin National Class Nature Reserve is the largest well-saved virginal Korean pine (Pinus koraiensis) forest area and a precious species gene bank in China. In this study, the indexes diversity, naturalness, representativity, rarity, area suitability, stability, and anthropogenic interference were selected to establish a ranking ecological evaluation system to estimate the ecological condition of the Reserve. The value of each index was determined by the evaluation system, and the weight percentage was decided by Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP). In the Reserve, there were 568 higher plant species belonging to 113 families and 220 higher animal species, with score 3 of species diversity. The zonal "climax" vegetation type broad-leaved Korean pine forest and the intrazonal community type spruce-fir forest constituted the principal part of the Reserve forest, which was the epitome of the virgin broad-leaved Korean pine forest in Lesser Xing'an Mountains, with representativity score 3. During the past 20-30 years, the natural habitat in the Reserve was quite good, and secondary succession was obtained effective control with few natural or anthropogenic disturbance, with score 4 of naturalness and anthropogenic interference. There were a lot of ancient species of the tertiary period, such as Pinus koraiensis, Fraxinus mandsurica, Juglans mandshurica, Pellodendron amurense, Tilia amurensis and Acer mono, and Pinus koraiensis was listed as one of severe danger species by the FAO of UN, with rarity score 4. The Reserve covered an area of 18165 hm2, with an enough size to maintain the structure and function of the ecosystem. Accordingly, its area suitability score was 4. Broad-leaved Korean pine forest was the most typical and stable vegetation type in the Reserve, and thus, its stability score was 4. Finally, the composite evaluation index (CEI) was figured out as 0.87, showing that the ecological quality of the Reserve was very good, and the protection value was quite high. In conclusion, the present area, structure, and management of the Reserve could satisfy the requirement of sustainable development.

Biodiversity↗

[Forest ecosystem service and its evaluation in China].

Facing the relative lag of forest ecosystem service and estimation in China, this paper proposed to quickly carry out the research on the evaluation of forest ecosystem service. On the basis of the classification of forest ecosystem types in China, the service of artificial and semi-artificial forest ecosystems was investigated, which was divided into eight types, i.e., timber and other products, recreation and eco-tourism, water storage, C fixation and O2 release, nutrient cycling, air quality purifying, erosion control, and habitat provision. According to the assessment index system for global ecosystem service proposed by Costanza et al., a series of assessment index system suitable for Chinese forest ecosystem service was set up, by which, the total value of forest ecosystem service in China was estimated to be 30 601.20 x 10(8) yuan x yr(-1), including direct and indirect economic value about 1 920.23 x 10(8) and 28 680.97 x 10(8) yuan x yr(-1), respectively. The indirect value was as 14.94 times as the direct one. The research aimed to bring natural resources and environment factors into the account system of national economy quickly, and to realize the green GDP at last, which would be helpful to realize sustainable development and environment protection.

China↗

[Discussion on criterions of endanger and protection levels of traditional Chinese medicine herbs].

To efficiently protect the endangered traditional Chinese medicine herbs is essential for the sustainable development of traditional Chinese medicine. On the bases of present species endanger and protection levels, problems in the traditional Chinese medicine herbs are analyzed. The endangered levels of traditional Chinese medicine herbs should refer to the standard of IUCN, and the protection levels should adopt qualitative and quantitative analysis based on the characteristic of traditional Chinese medicine herbs. Some qualitative and quantitative factors are discussed, some useful information was also provided for the establishment of protection levels of traditional Chinese medicine herbs.

Conservation of Natural Resources↗

[Regional ecosecurity pattern in urban area based on land use analysis: a case study in Lanzhou].

Mid-scale regional ecosecurity, which takes practical ecosecurity issues as its priority, should be viewed as the core of the multi-scale concept of ecosecurity. For urban area, a special region taking ecological infrastructure as its core mission, the construction of regional ecosecurity pattern may provide a good chance to realize its sustainable development. Based on land use analysis, a qualitative and quantitative research on the landscape pattern, ecovalue evaluation, and driving force analysis of social economy could provide an effective approach to construct the ecosecurity pattern in urban area. This study showed that in Lanzhou, the ecosecurity pattern consisted of three parts, i.e., eco-safeguarding system, eco-buffering system and eco-percolating system, among which, eco-buffering system was the decisive part determining ecosecurity pattern construction. The quantitative analysis of urban spatial expansion pattern was taken as the decisive function to determine the security level of the ecosecurity pattern, which was divided into low, middle and high levels.

China↗

[The process of empowering community development: the experience of a community in Taipei city].

Community participation and development are the most difficult aspects of building healthy communities. They are also, however, the most essential parts of the process. It has been established that empowerment can ultimately enhance individual self-efficacy, influence organizational and social structures, and increase the sense of community and citizen's capabilities. This article demonstrates the experience of one community in Taipei City during a lengthy period of organization and development. It illustrates the different stages involved in community development and the functions of community health professionals. It seeks to provide insight into the importance of using empowerment in promoting communities' capabilities and the fact that only by developing organic communities that are rich in the energy of life can we develop sustainable communities.

Community Participation↗

[Medical product designing model for the "BOP" in China].

China has a large population under the average economy. This group of people is often referred to those at the Bottom of the Pyramid (BOP). In order to meet their special medical needs, this paper is to discuss a topic on how to create medical products for the "BOP" in China, especially under sustainable developments based on the investigation and analysis in Shanghai. Also, a new possible development model including the government's support, knowledge exchange and communication is introduced.

China↗

[Eco-value level classification model of forest ecosystem based on modified projection pursuit technique].

To optimize the projection function and direction of projection pursuit technique, predigest its realization process, and overcome the shortcomings in long time calculation and in the difficulty of optimizing projection direction and computer programming, this paper presented a modified simplex method (MSM), and based on it, brought forward the eco-value level classification model (EVLCM) of forest ecosystem, which could integrate the multidimensional classification index into one-dimensional projection value, with high projection value denoting high ecosystem services value. Examples of forest ecosystem could be reasonably classified by the new model according to their projection value, suggesting that EVLCM driven directly by samples data of forest ecosystem was simple and feasible, applicable, and maneuverable. The calculating time and value of projection function were 34% and 143% of those with the traditional projection pursuit technique, respectively. This model could be applied extensively to classify and estimate all kinds of non-linear and multidimensional data in ecology, biology, and regional sustainable development.

Ecosystem↗

[Integrated model system for environmental policy analysis].

An integrated model system for environmental policy analysis is built up with a Computable General Equilibrium (CGE) model as a core model, which is linked with an environmental model, air dispersion model, and health effect model (exposure-response functions) in an explicit way, therefore the model system is capable of evaluating the effects of policies on environment, health and economy and their interactions comprehensively. This method is used to analyze the effects of Beijing presumptive (energy) taxes on air quality, health, welfare and economic growth, and the conclusion is that sole presumptive taxes may slow down the economic growth, but the presumptive taxes with green tax reform can promote Beijing sustainable development.

Environment↗

[Farmland ecosystem service and its formation mechanism].

Farmland ecosystem service has a real and far-reaching effect on the sustainable development of human society, and its study is one of the hotspots in ecology. This paper introduced the connotations of farmland ecosystem service and its valuation methodology, and summarized the present status in researching the formation mechanism of farmland ecosystem service from the aspects of the characteristics of abiotic environment, biota, ecosystem process, and human activity. It's considered that besides its importance in supplying human society a great number of products, farmland ecosystem is of significance in providing environmental service and maintaining regional ecological safety. Abiotic environment, biota, ecosystem process, and their interactions are the bases of the formation of farmland ecosystem service, and human activity is the primary driving force. It's imperative to build up an indices system to valuate farmland ecosystem service, and to strengthen the research of the effects of human activity on the farmland ecosystem service formation.

Agriculture↗

Investigation of energy recovery from poultry litter and municipal solid waste by thermochemical conversion method in India.

The waste disposal is becoming a major threat to environmental issues and to sustainable development of mankind. The rapid growth in population and enormous developmental activities are the main causes for the generation of waste in many forms. Hence there is need to redress the concern on environment and efforts to be made for effective collection and disposal of wastes. Most of the solid waste is a mix of household wastes, street wastes, commercial and institutional wastes containing organic as well as inorganic matter. This offers better opportunity to recover energy from organic fraction of wastes by adapting suitable processing and treatment technologies. This paper describes the various technologies need to be adopted for the disposal of poultry waste and municipal solid waste. More emphasis has been given on waste disposal technologies for better environment and economics. The advantages and disadvantages of each disposal technology have been briefed.

Agriculture↗

[Environmental protection techniques used in the federal state of Baden-Württemberg in Germany].

Within the framework of the programme "Partnership for Sustainable Development" The Ministry of Environment of the German Federal State of Baden-Württemberg has come up with a project "Study Visit--Environmental Protection Techniques". It was intended as a three-week study visit for environmental protection experts from Central and Eastern European Countries (CEEC) to learn about the environmental protection techniques used in this federal state. Visits were paid to companies producing, applying or installing plants based on the state-of-the-art environmental protection techniques. The project started in 2005 and will last five years. The first visit to Baden-Württemberg was scheduled for 25 September-14 October 2005 for 12 experts from 12 countries: Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Ukraine.

Conservation of Natural Resources↗

[Application of entropy weight and fuzzy synthetic evaluation in urban ecological security assessment].

Ecological security is one of the foundations of regional security, and the basis of sustainable development. Urban ecological security refers to the ecological support and main ecological issues of a city, which do not threaten its survival and development. To develop the research method on the ecological security of urban social-economic-natural complex ecosystem, an assessment indicator system of urban ecological security was set up based on Pressure - State - Response Model, which included 3 key factors and 33 concrete items. The five most developed cities of China were taken as the cases to assess their ecological security situation by using entropy weight and fuzzy synthetic evaluation method. The results showed that the urban ecological security of Suzhou and Beijing was at relatively safe level, while that of Shenzhen, Shanghai and Guangzhou was critical safe in the year of 2003. The urban ecosystem of Shenzhen was under heavy press, while that of Suzhou behaved best both in system status and system response. Comparing with other assessment methods, this evaluation method was easier and more reasonable. The results were basically consistent to the fact of these cities, suggesting that the urban ecological security indicator system and the entropy weight and fuzzy synthetic evaluation approach were feasible to some extent.

Ecology↗

[Arterial hypertension, left ventricular hypertrophy and arrhythmias].

Arterial hypertension is the most common cause of chronic pressure overload of the left ventricle. Electrocardiographic and echocardiographic signs of left ventricular hypertrophy in hypertensive patients are associated with an increased cardiovascular mortality and incidence of sudden death habitually due to ventricular arrhythmias. The significance of a normal increase in systolic blood pressure during exercise in persons without evident resting hypertension is uncertain. M-mode and 2D echocardiography, 24-hour continuous ambulatory electrocardiographic (Holter), exercise testing and 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) were performed on 22 normotensive patients (group I); 25 normotensives with exaggerated blood pressure response to exercise (greater than 220 mmHg) (group II) and 33 hypertensive patients (group III). None was taking cardioactive drugs. Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) was found on one patient of group I (4.5%), 13 of group II (52%) and 20 of group III (61%). Left ventricular mass index (LVMI) was linearly correlated with maximum exercise blood pressure (group I: r2 = 0.518, p less than 0.0002; group II: r2 = 0.098, NS; group III: r2 = 0.407, p less than 0.0001) with 24-hour systolic pressure overload (ABPM) (group I: r2 = 0.848, p less than 0.0001; group II: r2 = 0.705, p less than 0.0001; group III: r2 = 0.839, p less than 0.0001) and 24-hour diastolic pressure overload (ABPM) (group I: r2 = 0.612, p less than 0.0001; group II: r2 = 0.815, p less than 0.0001; group III: r2 = 0.807, p less than 0.0001) within each group but not between different groups. The hypertensive subjects (group III) had a higher average heart rate (p less than 0.0001) more supraventricular premature (p less than 0.0001) and ventricular premature (p less than 0.0001) beats than the normotensive (group I) and normotensive patients with abnormal increases in systolic blood pressure response to exercise (group II) (p less than 0.0001) (NS) and (p less than 0.0002), respectively. LVMI was linearly correlated with ventricular premature beats (group I: r2 = 0.072, NS; group II: r2 = 0.823, p less than 0.0001; group III: r2 = 0.691, p less than 0.0001). Frequent and complex ventricular arrhythmias were more common in patients with LVH normotensives or hypertensives than without LVI (p less than 0.0001) and the age increases their severity. We conclude that normotensives with hypertensive response to exercise have similar incidence of LVI; if those patients develop sustained hypertension, LVI was previous to arterial hypertension. There are two types of hypertrophy: secondary hypertrophy is linked to the high afterload and vasoconstriction typical in hypertension.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Aged↗

[High resolution electrocardiogram and late potential monitoring].

The signal-averaged ECG became an important noninvasive method for identifying life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias. It is most accurate in patients with coronary artery disease and can be helpful in predicting whether a patient with an unexplained syncope or nonsustained VT is at risk of developing sustained ventricular tachycardia or not. A patient with an entirely normal signal-averaged ECG is at very low risk of sustained VT. In contrast, an abnormal signal-averaged ECG should raise suspicion about VT, and prompt further studies, including electrophysiological testing. Signal-averaged ECG can also be used repeatedly with acceptable reproducibility. Technological advances and improvements in the frequency analysis of the averaged signal may increase the predictive accuracy of the technique and consequently enhance its clinical applications.

Electrocardiography↗