Sediment structure and physicochemical changes following tidal inundation at a large open coast managed realignment site

Managed realignment (MR) schemes are being implemented to compensate for the loss of intertidal saltmarsh habitats by breaching flood defences and inundating the formerly defended coastal hinterland. However, studies have shown that MR sites have lower biodiversity than anticipated, which has been linked with anoxia and poor drainage resulting from compaction and the collapse of sediment pore space caused by the site's former terrestrial land use. Despite this proposed link between biodiversity and soil structure, the evolution of the sediment sub-surface following site inundation has rarely been examined, particularly over the early stages of the terrestrial to marine or estuarine transition. This paper presents a novel combination of broad- and intensive-scale analysis of the sub-surface evolution of the Medmerry Managed Realignment Site (West Sussex, UK) in the three years following site inundation. Repeated broad-scale sediment physiochemical datasets are analysed to assess the early changes in the sediment subsurface and the preservation of the former terrestrial surface, comparing four locations of different former land uses. Additionally, for two of these locations, high-intensity 3D-computed X-ray microtomography and Itrax micro-X-ray fluorescence spectrometry analyses are presented. Results provide new data on differences in sediment properties and structure related to the former land use, indicating that increased agricultural activity leads to increased compaction and reduced porosity. The presence of anoxic conditions, indicative of poor hydrological connectivity between the terrestrial and post-inundation intertidal sediment facies, was only detected at one site. This site has experienced the highest rate of accretion over the terrestrial surface (ca. 7 cm over 36 months), suggesting that poor drainage is caused by the interaction (or lack of) between sediment facies rather than the former land use. This has significant implications for the design of future MR sites in terms of preparing sites, their anticipated evolution, and the delivery of ecosystem services

Pengelolaan Cara Pandang Siswa Terhadap Bimbingan Konseling (Bk) Melalui Layanan Informasi Bagi Siswa Ma

The research objective of this class action is to facilitate the management of students' perspective towards Counseling (BK) for students of classes X Madrasayh Aliyah Public 2 Bengkulu City. This classroom action research conducted in MA Public 2 Bengkulu City. The method used in the study of this class action is to provide some action on information services. Subjects were students of class X Madrasah Aliyah Public 2 Bengkulu city, amounting to 36 students. The results showed that information services can work to change the way students of the Guidance and Counseling from the poor and afraid to come alone (consultation) into the perspective of the Counseling well and be a friend to the students, it can be concluded both theoretically and empirically that through information services may seek conversion of perspective students to the Counseling for students of classes X Madrasah Aliyah Public 2 Bengkulu City.e

Competitive, but too small - productivity and entry-exit determinants in European business services

The paper investigates whether scale effects, market structure, and regulation determine the poor productivity performance of the European business services industry. We apply parametric and nonparametric methods to estimate the productivity frontier and subsequently explain the distance of firms to the productivity frontier by market characteristics, entry- and exit dynamics and national regulation. The frontier is assessed using detailed industry data panel for 13 EU countries. Our estimates suggest that most scale advantages are exhausted after reaching a size of 20 employees. This scale inefficiency is persistent over time and points to weak competitive selection. Market and regulation characteristics explain the persistence of X-inefficiency (sub-optimal productivity relative to the industry frontier). More entry and exit are favourable for productivity performance, while higher market concentration works out negatively. Regulatory differences also appear to explain part of the business services' productivity performance. In particular regulation-caused exit and labour reallocation costs have significant and large negative impacts on the process of competitive selection and hence on productivity performance. Overall we find that the most efficient scale in business services is close to 20 employees and that scale inefficiencies show a hump-shape pattern with strong potential scale economies for the smallest firms and diseconomies of scale for the largest firms. The smallest firms operate under competitive conditions, but they are too small to be efficient. And since this conclusion holds for about 95 out of every 100 European business services firms, this factor weighs heavily for the overall productivity performance of this industry

Competitive, but too small - productivity and entry-exit determinants in European business services

The paper investigates whether scale effects, market structure, and regulation determine the poor productivity performance of the European business services industry. We apply parametric and nonparametric methods to estimate the productivity frontier and subsequently explain the distance of firms to the productivity frontier by market characteristics, entry- and exit dynamics and national regulation. The frontier is assessed using detailed industry data panel for 13 EU countries. Our estimates suggest that most scale advantages are exhausted after reaching a size of 20 employees. This scale inefficiency is persistent over time and points to weak competitive selection. Market and regulation characteristics explain the persistence of X-inefficiency (sub-optimal productivity relative to the industry frontier). More entry and exit are favourable for productivity performance, while higher market concentration works out negatively. Regulatory differences also appear to explain part of the business services' productivity performance. In particular regulation-caused exit and labour reallocation costs have significant and large negative impacts on the process of competitive selection and hence on productivity performance. Overall we find that the most efficient scale in business services is close to 20 employees and that scale inefficiencies show a hump-shape pattern with strong potential scale economies for the smallest firms and diseconomies of scale for the largest firms. The smallest firms operate under competitive conditions, but they are too small to be efficient. And since this conclusion holds for about 95 out of every 100 European business services firms, this factor weighs heavily for the overall productivity performance of this industry.productivity; frontier models; scale; industry dynamics; regulation; European Union; business services

Limitations of conducting community surveys to access the epidemiological impact of TB control programmes on the incidence of TB

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major health problem in India, and accounts for nearly 20-30% of the global TB burden. A comprehensive review1 in 1993 of the National TB Control Programme (NTP), present in our country for four decades, documented the failure of NTP due to various drawbacks. These included poor management of the TB control programme, over-reliance on X-rays, poor treatment adherence, under-utilization of laboratory services, poor supply of quality drugs, inadequate funding and lack of proper documentation and case reporting. The Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP), an application of the globally accepted WHO recommended Directly Observed Treatment Short-course (DOTS) strategy, was implemented in 1993 on a pilot basis, rapidly expanded from 1997 and achieved nation-wide coverage in March 2006

Generations X and Y’s Adoption of Internet and Internet Banking in Nigeria: A Qualitative Study

Recent surveys show that more than 65% of internet users in Nigeria are between 18 – 46 years old. However, evidence from previous research stressed that as opposed to generation X, generation Y are more likely to adopt new technologies. This paper examined the use of internet and internet banking by two different generations in the Nigeria context. Students and young graduates who occupy these ladders were used as subjects of the research. Two hundred and thirty students (generations X and Y) were sampled. Findings revealed that both generations within the Nigerian context are technologically inclined; however, certain factors serve as barriers to their adoption of internet banking services as opposed to their frequent use of the internet for other purposes. Risks, security and privacy, dearth of telecommunication infrastructures, and poor state of the Nigerian economy were found to be barriers within the data analyzed. This research contends that the Nigerian government and the financial institutions must address the barriers to make for a full adoption of internet banking services and proposes the relationship marketing of these generations, especially generation Y as potential users of the bank and its service

Issues Facing the Estate Surveying and Valuation Profession in Nigeria

The paper analyses the issues facing the real estate profession in Nigeria sourcing materials from observations of earlier researchers in the conduct of estate surveying and valuation practitioners and public opinion over time through an x-ray of the challenges faced by practitioners in the real estate business. Analysis showed that the continuous influx of intruders into real estate business is as a result of inability of those registered estate surveyors and valuers to meet the local demand for their services coupled with the poor performance of some sole proprietor firms in the area of valuation accuracy. Also, Estate Surveyors and Valuers Registration Board of Nigeria need to encourage partnerships and the registration of additional estate management graduates through extensive training and rigorous accreditation standards. Admission of members, by the Board, into Fellowship grade should be through the publication of their contributions and achievements on valuation-related issues towards the growth of the profession in Nigeria

Targeted youth support: Rapid Evidence Assessment of effective early interventions for youth at risk of future poor outcomes

This report describes the findings and methods of a systematic rapid evidence assessment (REA) of research relevant to interventions of interest to Targeted Youth Support. It was commissioned by the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) to inform the development of policy and practice in relation to this initiative