The EU needs a Common Energy Policy - not Separate Solutions by its Member States - (Part I)

The present article aims to emphasize the reasons that led to the conclusion that European Union needs a common energy policy, in order to face the challenges of the present. In the first part of the article is being debated the problem of building the Nord Stream pipeline. Also, the first part of the article is developing 3 of the main reasons that make the common energy policy a necessity within European states. The second part of the article emphasizes another two strong reasons and also draws a conclusion regarding the same stringent necessity.energy; policy; European Union; Russia; pipeline.

Awareness and Usage of Mobile Technology in Real Estate Practice in Developing Countries: The Case of Ikeja, Lagos State, Nigeria

Mobile technology offers the opportunity for accurate, timely and quality service delivery; however, its adoption in real estate is limited. This study assessed the awareness and utilisation of mobile technology among real estate firms in Ikeja Area of Lagos State, Nigeria. This is with a view to provide information that is capable of increasing the awareness level and promoting the usage of mobile technology in real estate practice. Questionnaire were administered on 78 estate surveying and valuation (ESV) firms in the study area. Data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics. The result indicated that the level of awareness of ESV firms to mobile technology in real estate was somewhat high (mean=3.77 on a scale of 5) but its adoption was limited to few mobile applications such as social media apps, email, Google Earth and Google Map while others such as Sitegeist, Vert and Argus Valuation have not gained popularity among the ESV firms. The low level of adoption of mobile technology might negatively impact the service delivery of real estate firms in the future where such technology will become indispensable

Awareness and Usage of Mobile Technology in Real Estate Practice in Developing Countries: The Case of Ikeja, Lagos State, Nigeria

Mobile technology offers the opportunity for accurate, timely and quality service delivery; however, its adoption in real estate is limited. This study assessed the awareness and utilisation of mobile technology among real estate firms in Ikeja Area of Lagos State, Nigeria. This is with a view to provide information that is capable of increasing the awareness level and promoting the usage of mobile technology in real estate practice. Questionnaire were administered on 78 estate surveying and valuation (ESV) firms in the study area. Data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics. The result indicated that the level of awareness of ESV firms to mobile technology in real estate was somewhat high (mean=3.77 on a scale of 5) but its adoption was limited to few mobile applications such as social media apps, email, Google Earth and Google Map while others such as Sitegeist, Vert and Argus Valuation have not gained popularity among the ESV firms. The low level of adoption of mobile technology might negatively impact the service delivery of real estate firms in the future where such technology will become indispensable

Improving Flood Risk Management in Informal Settlements of Cape Town

This project focuses on the management and reduction of flood risk in the informal settlements of Cape Town, and is intended to aid in the creation of a safer living environment for the residents. The team assessed past flooding events, mapped high flood risk areas, generated structural guidelines for residents, created a flood risk index, examined strategies for effective communication, and provided recommendations for several departments of the City about how they can reduce flood risk

Negotiating boundaries : (co)-managing natural and urban areas on the Cape Peninsula

Bibliography: leaves 178-189.The opportunities and constraints experienced in managing abutting urban and natural areas represent a microcosm of the issues facing future conservation practices. The focal areas for this study are Kommetjie and Ocean View -- two adjacent but insulated communities, that reflect basic socio-economic characteristics of South African cities, and situated amidst the natural areas of the Cape Peninsula. Current theoretical perspectives on natural and urban areas fail to offer a practical approach to inform integrated and equitable management of these ostensibly disparate realms of the environment. Although largely based in rural research, political ecology, which embraces a multidisciplinary perspective, promotes an integrated framework for managing adjacent urban and natural boundaries of the kind associated with the Cape Peninsula. Using conventional botanical methods, evidence in the case studies suggests that a relationship exists between environmental degradation in natural areas and the proximity of urban settlements. Moreover, the nature of environmental degradation seems contingent on the level of economic development of local communities. A social analysis of the communities reveals that co-operative management between landowners and key-players on either side of the boundary is similarly hindered by socio-economic factors. Using an adaptation of Blaikie's (1995b) "Chain of Explanation", the interactions between Kommetjie and Ocean View, and surrounding natural areas are integrated in an analysis which crosses disciplinary divides, and exposes the relationship between local environmental conditions and broader social issues. The boundary of a national park is not sufficient to manage the interactions between protected areas and neighbouring communities, but must be supported by partnerships between city and conservation authorities, NGOs, private landowners and residents in ways that address the needs of neighbouring communities. To facilitate local involvement in the management of the environment, residents, both rich and poor, must understand how the state of the environment directly affects their lives

Genetic characterization of Guinea-Bissau using a 12 X-chromosomal STR system: inferences from a multiethnic population

A male West African sample from Guinea-Bissau (West-African coast) was genetically analyzed using 12 X chromosomal short tandem repeats that are grouped into four haplotype groups. Linkage disequilibrium was tested (p ≤ 0.0008) and association was detected for the majority of markers in three out of the four studied haplotype clusters. The sample of 332 unrelated individuals analyzed in this study belonged to several recognized ethnic groups (n = 18) which were used to evaluate the genetic variation of Guinea-Bissau’s population. Pairwise genetic distances (FST) did not reveal significant differences among the majority of groups. An additional 110 samples from other countries also belonging to West Africa were as well compared with the sample of Guinea-Bissau. No significant differences were found between these two groups of West African individuals, supporting the genetic homogeneity of this region on the X chromosome level. The generation of over 100 DNA West African sequences provided new insights into the repeat sequence structure of some of the present X-STRs. Parameters for forensic evaluation were also calculated for each X-STR, supporting the potential application of these markers in typical kinship scenarios. Also, the high power of discrimination values for samples of female and male origin observed in this study, confirms the usefulness of the present X-STRs in identification analysis.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio