The private sector against human trafficking in tourism

Tourism, travel and hospitality report high prevalence of human trafficking, predominantly for sexual exploitation (Caroline et al., 2015; Robinson, 2013). With human trafficking recognised as a form of international organised crime and a serious human rights violation, states are bound to address it comprehensively. In parallel, the private sector in tourism, travel and hospitality has demonstrated engagement in the fight against human trafficking through a wide range of initiatives and ethical commitments that have been adopted locally, regionally and internationally. The current debate on the need for a business and human rights legally binding instrument serves as a backdrop for this concept paper to argue that the existing regulatory anti-trafficking framework is adequate to effectively address human trafficking in tourism

Enhancing Transfusion Safety: Nurse’s Role

Background: Despite strict clinical measures, there are distinct steps in transfusion process which require acute attention.The nurse is responsible for insuring that the right unit is administered to the right patient. Knowledge of risks is essential toadminister and monitor transfusions safely.Aim: This study summarizes the available data concerning transfusion adverse events and provides theoretical and technicalaspects for improving transfusion practice.Methodology: A systematic review in PubMed, MedLine and MDConsult database was conducted. The research limitsincluded English texts, referring to transfusion risks and technological means aiming at transfusion safety.Results: Blood transfusion is a medical intervention that saves lives and improves the quality of life. The regulations forensuring the availability and assuring the quality of the blood component cannot avoid transfusion errors, placing patients atrisk. Most frequent errors are attributed to practitioners involved in the clinical transfusion process. Based on reports toSerious Hazards of Transfusion (SHOT) the risk of transfusion error is estimated at 1:16,500. Over the last years severalcommittees have recommended guidance for enhancing the safety of blood ordering and administration. Moreover, newtechnology like barcode on patient wristband manages to improve the performance in each step.Conclusion: Safe transfusion process depends on a series of linked processes and nurses should take specific measuresreferring to pre- and post-transfusion stage. Technological innovations could help patients in need of transfusion therapy

Façadism, Building Renovation and the Boundaries of Authenticity

The paper presents the history and trends of façadism, with examples from around the world, including a case where the State intervened for the suspension of façadism plans after alarmed academics referred to the Supreme Administrative Court. The different practices and scopes of façadism are presented, along with the views of its supporters and adversaries. Issues of authenticity arising from façadism interventions are discussed.  Answers on whether building renovation through façadism consists of cultural preservation practice and preservation of the authenticity of a place, are sought in internationally accepted cultural heritage policy documents. These may provide solutions that could assist countries and institutions to make the right decisions regarding the conservation of architectural heritage, and confront extreme façadism practices through planning programs, legislative measures and education

Performance comparison of rescue breathing apparatus

"A performance comparison of 14 rescue breathing apparatus was undertaken as an assessment of past and present worldwide technology. Rescue breathing apparatus are self-contained, close-circuit breathing apparatus used for entry into areas having atmospheres that are immediately dangerous to life and health. Apparatus tested were the Biomarine BioPak 45, 60, and 240; the Draeger BG4 and BG-174A; the Litton LITPAC II; the MSA Custo, 4500 II Air Mask, Chemox, and McCaa; the Sabre Selected Elevated Flow Apparatus (SEFA); the Scott Rescue-Pak; the Siebe Gorman Aerorlox and Proto Ten; and the Survivair LP-120. Physiological parameters monitored during the testing were average inhaled CO2 and O2, minimum inhaled CO2, inhaled wet-and dry-bulb temperatures, and peak inhalation and exhalation breathing pressures. The metabolic demand on the apparatus was 1.35 L O2/min, the first beginning 10 min into the test and the second beginning 10 min before the end of the rated duration of the apparatus. Results presented include apparatus service life and test-averages of monitored physiological parameters. Schematic drawings and photographs of the apparatus are also included." - NIOSHTIC-2Nicholas Kyriazi.Also available via the World Wide Web.Includes bibliographical references

Proposal for certification tests and standards for closed-circuit breathing apparatus

"Significant portions of the present Federal regulations for certification of closed-circuit breathing apparatus (42 CFR 84) are not quantitative. The human-subject testing portion of the regulations specifies activities rather than metabolic work rates; however, heavy human subjects have higher oxygen consumption, CO2 production, and ventilation rates than lighter human subjects performing the same activities. This means that apparatus certified using different human subjects have effectively passed different tests. In addition, apparatus performance is monitored only during selected intervals of testing, and always during rest, rather than during the entire performance period. Further, testing is arbitrarily terminated at specific rated durations, leaving unknown the performance during the remaining duration. Duration itself is misleading to users who believe that the apparatus will last a certain time no matter how much they weigh or how hard they work. The actual duration obtained from an apparatus, however, is highly variable, being inversely proportional to the work rate at which it is used. In this report, recommendations are made to (1) replace the present regulations for certification of closed-circuit breathing apparatus with quantitative tests specifying metabolic work rate rather than activity, (2) continuously monitor relevant physiological stressors, (3) continue testing until exhaustion of the oxygen source, and (4) classify closed-circuit breathing apparatus by quantity of usable oxygen, i.e., capacity, rather than by duration. Physiology-based stressor levels are suggested as well. " - NIOSHTOC-2by Nicholas Kyriazi.Also available via the World Wide Web.Includes bibliographical references

Arab women employment in the United Arab Emirates: exploring opportunities, motivations and challenges

This research paper identifies and explores the challenges and barriers that Arab women in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) face in their careers. Primary data was collected via an interview process involving 12 Arab women who reside and work in senior decision making positions in the UAE. Taking into account an overview of the global and UAE-specific challenges faced by women in the workplace and considering the significant efforts of the UAE government to promote women in leadership, as reported in literature, the analysis revealed that women often navigated their career through a sub-text of deep rooted social and cultural values that manifested themselves as stereotypes both in and out of the workplace and that these stereotypes impacted their career trajectory. Main barriers highlighted include; unfavourable policies, work/family conflicts and lack of support and options for entrepreneurial activity. The recommendations at the end of the paper focus on the need for continued government and institutional support in an effort to break down and change societal perceptions of Arab women who want to pursue a career

A social approach to climate change: explaining the adoption of the Just Transition Fund

The EU has established a Just Transition Fund to help support regions and sectors that face socio-economic challenges during the transition to climate neutrality. Anna Kyriazi and Joan Miró explain how the fund came to be adopted and its role in highlighting the social policy implications of pursuing a green transition

Structural Funds and Regional Economic Growth: the Greek experience

The impact of structural funds of the European Union (EU) on regional economic growth is a matter of both political and economic importance. The large and regular payments made across the EU to countries and regions within them were and are meant to promote various aspects of growth and development and to encourage structural changes that foster investments and economic reforms. But how much of these aims have they been achieved? In this paper we provide considerable empirical evidence that Greek regions have, for the most part, benefited by the various disbursements of EU structural funds.  We shed partial light on where this funding went to and to how it potentially contributed to Greek growth but we also raise a number of questions about the viability of the current productive structure of the Greek economy and its over-reliance on tourism. Our results provide support on the efficacy of the payments but leave open the problem of where these payments should be allocated, the monitoring of their absorption and the end impact in the economic cycle within a country